Aston Villa v Arsenal Pre-Match Thread

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

They are on a record run of 108 games in all competitions of conceding under 3 goals.

3-0 Villa.

VTID

[PeterWithesShin]

Arsenal fear Cristhian Mosquera will miss at least six weeks to add to their defensive problems.

The Spanish defender is set for further tests to establish the full extent of the ankle injury suffered in the 2-0 midweek win over Brentford.

Mosquera's absence will be another blow to the Gunners, who also currently have first-choice centre-back pairing Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba sidelined.

The 21-year-old required treatment after landing awkwardly before being substituted, and early concerns are he will miss between six and eight weeks.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his summer signing from Valencia required further examination as he added: "Mosquera is the one that is more complicated. We have another test today."

He also told Friday's news conference Saliba is "days" away from returning after a knock in training ruled him out of recent games against Chelsea and Brentford, while Gabriel may not be back until January with a thigh injury.

Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have been deputising for the pair but, with Mosquera now facing a long lay-off, Saliba's availability will be crucial for Arsenal, who are currently top of both the Premier League and Champions League group phase.

The Gunners visit third-placed Aston Villa on Saturday (12:30 GMT), before a trip to Club Brugge on Wednesday, 10 December (20:00 GMT).

[PeterWithesShin]

Emi Martínez will be assessed ahead of Aston Villa’s Saturday lunchtime clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The goalkeeper was named in Villa’s starting XI to face Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek, but was forced to pull out shortly before kick-off.

Marco Bizot took his place between the sticks for the captivating 4-3 triumph, and Martínez faces a late fitness test to see if he will be available to face the Gunners at Villa Park (ko 12.30pm).

Manager Unai Emery provided an update at Friday afternoon’s pre-match media conference.

“We will train this afternoon, he didn’t train yesterday, but it’s very important for him, how he is passing the hours feeling better,” said the Villa boss.

“Until the last moment, I don’t know if he’s going to be available or not for tomorrow.”

Centre-back Tyrone Mings and midfielder Ross Barkley continue to be sidelined and will miss out this weekend.

[BoVillan esq]

We go into this on the back of an amazing win v Brighton, here we go, massive game, Villa now has to be the most dangerous competitor in the Premier League, right mindset and we can beat anybody, we do beat the best as PSG found out last season, question is can we put the brakes on Arsenals season and at the same time enter the Premiership title race.

The 12th man is going to be hugely important, Villa park needs to rock tomorrow, intimidate, loud, let them know they are at Villa Park. Its all about confidence. we can do this.

I'm going for a 3-1 Villa win. Ollie's got goals in him now, he's tasted blood, plus he's probably just seen the England World Cup draw and he knows England have been given coupons again, he will want to be on that plane or the state this country is in, on that raft..

Come on Villa.

 

[pauliewalnuts]

We'll do these entitled Tarquins, no bother.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Think our record against Arse in the League since going back up, is something like 5 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses. So not too shabby.

[VancouverLion]

Merse said on Sky today "If you're Arsenal, Villa away is the last place you want to be going!"

3-1 FTF!

[Hillbilly]

I voted Villa to win in the poll. To hedge my bets, I reckon they’ll do us 2-0.

As an aside, there suddenly seem to be loads of players called Mosquera dotted around. Are they all related?

[rob_bridge]

I voted Villa to win in the poll. To hedge my bets, I reckon they’ll do us 2-0.

As an aside, there suddenly seem to be loads of players called Mosquera dotted around. Are they all related?

Like when Ron signed his son from Sociedad

[amfy]

At least the days when they thought it was some kind of disgrace not to beat us, have well and truly passed.

[TaxDodger]

If we win tomorrow we become world champions.

Chelsea won the Club World Cup in the summer. Their first competitive defeat since then was against Bayern, who therefore became champions. Bayern then lost their championship to Arsenal a few weeks ago.

It’s basically Wrestlemania.

[BoVillan esq]

[BoVillan esq]

Appropriate meets the very appropriate, its time bro's lets do it. Come on you Villa boys. 

[Tayls_7]

Normally I'd be nervous but I don't mind losing to these. The fans are so great, as is the manager.

[eamonn]

They are on a record run of 108 games in all competitions of conceding under 3 goals.

3-0 Villa.

VTID

Wow, that is pretty impressive.