Aston Villa vs Arsenal Pre-Match

[Sexual Ealing]

A game too far, I fear. We'll be fucked after last night and I think their extra day's rest will make the difference.

[UK Redsox]

Arsenal at Villa Park at Christmas to go top or thereabouts. 1989, 1998...the holy trinity.

Even if it means nearly sacrificing Santa again

[Monty]

A game too far, I fear. We'll be fucked after last night and I think their extra day's rest will make the difference.

Yeah probably. But we're still a point better off than had we drawn both games, so it's still a win of a week.

[john e]

Arsenal at Villa Park at Christmas to go top or thereabouts. 1989, 1998...the holy trinity.

Even if it means nearly sacrificing Santa again

Probably the most bizarre game I’ve ever been to

[Toronto Villa]

If there is ONE game Unai wants to win, surely this is the one ?   

I’m not sure he operates that way. He played them last year at Villa Park and we played really despite losing in bizarre circumstances at the end. The game at the Emirates might be a little different but he’s such a professional that he will prepare as he always does. I want us to win for him because those entitled pricks didn't deserve him. Their loss is very much now our gain.

[paul_e]

Who knows what will happen here, it's a completely different game to last night but we've just seen that we can subdue anyone at home and that Arsenal can be got at away from home.

Tiredness may well have an impact so we might see a couple of changes to freshen things up, not least I'd expect Konsa back in the middle and Cash in because the Arsenal attack is much suited to having that extra bit of pace and mobility in there, there isn't anyone where we'll need to physicality of Carlos.

The midfield is key for this one, if we can get some control in there we've got every chance of getting a record breaking win.

[PeterWithesShin]

Arsenal aren't great away from home, 11 away games in all comps this season, only at Bournemouth have they won by more than 1. They're no mugs either but we can do these.

[usav]

Arsenal at Villa Park at Christmas to go top or thereabouts. 1989, 1998...the holy trinity.

The xmas 89 double-header against Man Utd and Arsenal was epic.  I believe those games were only 48 hours apart.

The difference here is 4 games in 10 days is going to take it's toll, it has to.

[RamboandBruno]

Who knows what will happen here, it's a completely different game to last night but we've just seen that we can subdue anyone at home and that Arsenal can be got at away from home.

Tiredness may well have an impact so we might see a couple of changes to freshen things up, not least I'd expect Konsa back in the middle and Cash in because the Arsenal attack is much suited to having that extra bit of pace and mobility in there, there isn't anyone where we'll need to physicality of Carlos.

The midfield is key for this one, if we can get some control in there we've got every chance of getting a record breaking win.

Agree with Cash coming in Paul. Carlos was hreat last night, who wasnt, but i think he will freshen it up. Maybe even Moreno to give the excellent Digne a rest.
Last night is still sinking in with me, in terms of the level we played at. Can’t possibly guess at a result of score.

[UK Redsox]

Arsenal at Villa Park at Christmas to go top or thereabouts. 1989, 1998...the holy trinity.

Even if it means nearly sacrificing Santa again

Probably the most bizarre game I’ve ever been to

Just yer 25 years ago next week   

[Meanwood Villa]

Always fancied this one more than the Citeh game. We win again.

[algy]

Arsenal at Villa Park at Christmas to go top or thereabouts. 1989, 1998...the holy trinity.

Even if it means nearly sacrificing Santa again

Probably the most bizarre game I’ve ever been to

It's weird, we were sat in the Trinity Road stand - we'd moved there that season from the North Stand because my granddad's eyesight was going and he could at least see a bit of what was going on from there.  Anyway, that 'thud' followed by seeing Santa fall in what felt like slow motion ... it's still as fresh in my mind today as it was then.  Still unnerves me thinking about it.

[Astnor]

I think we will start the same team (hard to find a reason to change anything - nobody dederve to be dropped) but substitutions coming earlier in the game due to tiered legs - like Diaby and JJ on for Youri and Leon after 60 th minutes.
Feeling is win now. Arsenal isnt that impressing watching them I think but still have the habit to win. Seems to me that Ødegaard do the same trick over and over again - must be a way to stop that. Saka is the man for them that usually win them games so Emery should do something there

[LeeB]

They're a good team, we'll have to be at our best blah, blah blah.

3-0 Villa.

[AV84]

I think we will start the same team (hard to find a reason to change anything - nobody dederve to be dropped) but substitutions coming earlier in the game due to tiered legs - like Diaby and JJ on for Youri and Leon after 60 th minutes.

I think Emery picks the best team for the opposition. If there's changes for this it's not because someone has been dropped, it's because he's identified something about Arsenal that he wants to exploit, or protect against. They concede goals, and their strikers aren't that much of a threat, but their midfield will need attention.