Arsenal vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Dave]

Saturday 18th January, 17.30

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Mings
Digne

Onana
Kamara
Tielemans

Bailey
Rogers
Watkins

2-2

[Rigadon]

A draw wouldn't be the end of the world here.  Unless they sign a striker, I think avoiding a loss is eminently plausible.

[VILLA MOLE]

I do not think they are totally clicking, really think we can get something here

[UK Redsox]

Any of the injured players back for this one ?

[eamonn]

No JJ ?

[Nev]

Ah, here we are in the land of the entitled, in their unremarkable ground, with their contrived and cringeworthy "anthem", their bitter and perpetually vexed manager with his bumper book of excuses and a habit of celebrating a last minute winner against Brentford like they had won the League, FA Cup, Champions League and Strictly all rolled into one. I haven't even mentioned the oh so clever gamesmanship of a fake injury/mid half coaching session or taking an age with every set piece.

So I'll be the vexed one if they get a victory against us. Which they are more than capable of doing, they are still a decent side despite all of the above so it's another tough fixture. Hopefully Ollie will kick on from last night, the defence will hold firm (Bouba and Onana in front of them is a must) and the ref thinks as highly of Woolwich as I do.

I would take a draw but I'm going for a back to back.

0-1

[LukeJames]

They deserve to lose for that manufactured 'Ultra' section.

[LeeB]

They deserve to lose for that manufactured 'Ultra' section.

And the aforementioned 'anthem'.

[Chico Hamilton III]

A good article from yesterday on the state of the atmosphere at Arsenal.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/15/artetas-task-revive-teams-fortunes-relationship-with-fans?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Somniloquism]

Mings being back will help with the corners. Some of their passing play in the final third against Spurs last night was worrying but I think we can also get to them and just hope we can take our chances. A repeat of this fixture last year would be tremendous and being 5th on Saturday night with our season so far would be a useful position for the second half.

[Legion]

2-0

[Smirker]

FTF

4-1 Villa

[LeeS]

This will be like the Liverpool game. We will come away with our dignity but not a lot else.

2-1

[Toronto Villa]

I'd like to win if nothing else to hear the excuses from Arteta. Like the ball was square and that favoured Villa because we practice with cubes. Or something equally ludicrous.

[PhilVill]

Really hard to say this one. Tileman's needs a good performance. If he clicks, I fancy a win.