Arsenal v Aston Villa Pre Match

[Flin5tone]

I've got a weird feeling we will win this one

[Legion]

8-0.

[villadelph]

I'll go 4-1 Arsenal, with Cam coming on late to give us a consolation goal.

No idea how we plan on competing with them given our current formation and struggles to create chances. I think they'll pass around us like a warmup match with the U-23's after an international break. Someone remind me to get beer on the way home from work on Wednesday.

[RichardBatchelor]

I think either we’ll be overrun totally and lose 4/5-0 or playing top opposition will spur us on … in which case we play well and lose 2-1.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Heavy loss incoming especially if stuck with our current manager.

[brontebilly]

Only saw us at Arsenal once. O'Leary was our manager and we didn't like him much and he liked us about the same.

Expectations were low and swiftly realised as they battered us 5-0.

"You can have O'Leary back" was the chant that I'll not forget from the Villa fans that day.

This has the makings of a similar kind of night for us.

There was an article at the time that described DOL taking pictures with the Arsenal supporters after the game that day. He didn't last long afterwards. The FA Cup final under Sherwood also another very bad day. Last season at Villa Park was an appalling performance too, first time I was really worried about Gerrard's tactics.

[RamboandBruno]

I've got a weird feeling we will win this one

I think your accounts been hacked Fred.

[Dogtanian]

Well, my mate has just agreed to give his son the middle names ‘Steven Gerrard’ if we win by three goals… 

[richtheholtender]

5-1

[Footy-Vill]

Some of the snippets from  Arsenal followers they expect changes in line up and expect to win.


"Tricky game but should be 5/5.(wins) I know their back 4 has been dodgy all season, Martinelli should murder Cash who has been run ragged this season"

"Villa are crap thier fans can't take Gerrard anymore. So we need to do our job.
We need to rotate before going to old Trafford. Remain to be seen if Arteta do rotate"

"They’ll dominate the midfield if we go with the same as yesterday. (Vs Fulham)
Kamara/McGinn/Ramsey is too physical for us"

"I actually do see how rotating could be a good idea, with the multitude of options and a seemingly "renewed" Utd on Sunday. It would keep the team fresh and I don't think there'd be such a falloff in quality to worry about"

"This should be any easy game by the looks of it, even without Zinchenko and Partey. I am watching the game against West Ham and Villa suck . Aston Villa have only beaten Everton at home so far, and they were lucky in that game too. Gerrard must be one of the favourites to get sacked this season because Villa look like a relegation candidate at the moment"

"Fully expect Ødegaard to take this game by the scruff of its neck"

"I expect us to win this, at least 2-0. I also expect us to be thinking of the weekend game at Manu and also using our superior squad to start with some fresh legs against a team which will have had a day less to recover. Start Nketiah for one and maybe ESR too
An early goal kills this and we can then play out a comfortable victory"

"Gerrard absolutely stinking out the place as manager. Terrible football, doesn’t know his strongest team and several failed signings"

"I thought this game was away- even more confident knowing it’s a home fixture. I’d bring ESR in for Saka- give him a little breather before Yanited. Id also give Jesus and hour max and change him for Nketiah"

[levico]

Ok im not noted  for my optimism where the Villa are concerned but surely anything other than a heavy defeat would be an unexpected  and welcome outcome.

[Risso]

"Kamara/McGinn/Ramsey is too physical for us"

Ummmmmmmmm

[eamonn]

I'm not a huge fan of Cash but I'm not sure he has been "run ragged" this season. Zaha had our whole team in his pocket. Nothing of note in the other games.

[wittonwarrior]

Can't see us winning this, but we can cause them major issues.  A change of tactics needed.  Will need to contain and do them on the break.  Would play Bailey with Ings up front and try to cement the midfield.  A big ask of course it is but the players have not overnight turned to turds.

[manic-road]

Please win Villa, I'd imagine it will be one of Ings or Watkins and Bailey up front.