Aston Villa v Arsenal Pre-Match Thread

[Villa in Denmark]

Script for Sunday - Arsenal turn up at Villa Park a bit lethargic after their European exploits in the week,  but instead of putting pressure  on them  we let them coast along in second gear, knocking the ball around the back and midfield.  Something then clicks andArsenal get two quick goals  before half time effectively ending the game.  We rarely threaten in the second half and Arsenal go on to add another, possibly two in the last few minutes.  There then follows a massive circle jerk in the Sky studio  featuring some ex-Arsenal player over how great they are.

Please don't let this happen  lads!

That is also our typical Man U at home script.

What's the injury latest?  I heard Richards, Sanchez doubts, which doesn't bode well.  Esp Sanchez, we need someone to kick them up in the air a bit.

We actually looked a bit better at the back last week without Richards.

Coincidence or not, I'm not sure.

Playing 2 centre backs instead of 1 centre back and a right back that thinks he's a centre back might have something to do with it.

Although to be fair to Garde, and Sherwood for that matter, it's only now there's been an option of not having Richards at centre back that didn't result in a pairing of Clark and Lescott.

[pbavfckuwait]

Free hit on this one, so go for it from the off, get the crowd on side and do what Stoke do every time against them at home, show them no respect. Come on Villa

[Clampy]

Wenger has the easiest team talk tomorrow.
Right lads just keep playing football and soon enough they will gift us a couple of goals.

Yes, that's the spirit.

Looking at the season thus far, he's got a point, though, hasn't he? Unpleasant though it is to admit.

We're almost certainly not going to get anything tomorrow.

People were saying that before the Man City game and not too many people were giving us much of a chance last week either. You just never know, we may well catch them on a bad day and last weeks point might have given the players a lift, especially the defence. I think the most important thing is to remain optimistic.

As for the games coming up, yes I agree entirely.

[MalcolmP]

They wiped the floor with us at Wembley and we had a better team then. 0-6 is my prediction. Couple of early goals, confidence goes, crowd gets on their backs and Walcott runs riot against our pedestrian defence.

[SteveN]

I just can't bring myself to watch or listen to this, Gardeners' Question Time for me.  Then look up the result at 4PM to see we have won 1-0.

[Malandro]

Bet our players are looking forward to this one.

[PaulWinch again]

We really need to win today. It's stating the obvious, but we really do.

[pauliewalnuts]

I just can't bring myself to watch or listen to this, Gardeners' Question Time for me.  Then look up the result at 4PM to see we have won 1-0.

I'll be taking a similar approach - the "it isn't happening" one - it has worked in the past (although a long time ago) so you never know.

[pbavfckuwait]

I will be strapped to the sofa here in Oman and knowing if the result I believe will happen another row with the Mrs beckons.

[The Edge]

Free hit on this one, so go for it from the off, get the crowd on side and do what Stoke do every time against them at home, show them no respect. Come on Villa

Spot on mate. Get at them from the off. Don't let them pass it around and start posing on the ball. Make it as unpleasant as we can. Maybe just maybe we can cause an upset. I'm still reeling from the stat I read on here yesterday. Only 1 win in 51 attempts at VP against Man U, L pool and Arsenal. A win today would be massive. Come on Villa do it for us. Do it the famous club you are privileged to be playing for.
We will raise the roof like you wouldn't believe if you give us something believe in.

 

[mr underhill]

sadly statistics tells us we a very unlikely to beat Arsenal. In fact, they tell us we are very unlikely to beat anyone. There's an interesting cribbage match on today in the local pub so I'm heading there.

[SamTheMouse]

I won't be able to watch the game, so naturally I'm expecting it to be a nine-goal thriller, with us edging it 5-4.

[Bad English]

Some people have all the luck.

[Quiet Lion]

Youngster might get a game:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/premier-league/premier-league-aussie-young-gun-jordan-lyden-set-for-aston-villa-debut-against-arsenal/story-e6frf4a3-1227643481571

[Brian Taylor]

Half time Villa evens and then the crystal ball fogged up. I'll let you know of it clears past last 10mins.