Aston Villa v Arsenal Pre-Match Thread

[Garyth]

This will be the worst game of football, both sides trying to bait the other into pressing and lots of niggly fouls stopping each other transitioning. Either they will get a goal through an error from a corner or we'll get one from a deflected shot.

There will be a referee error to be annoyed about.

I have no expectations at all, so if we get something I'll be delighted.

[ChicagoLion]

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

Good point well made.

[sid1964]

Get ready for Saka rolling around on the floor anytime a Villa player gets within 2 foot of him.

Hopefully we can defend their set pieces - would love to see Arteta getting sent off as we win!

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

Getting more confident as the game approaches, I think we’ll win today.

[olaftab]

I cannot accept some opinions on here that veer toward “ it’s a bonus game, don’t mind if we don’t get anything out of it, can see us getting anything”  etc etc. About time we get rid of the underdog monkey on our shoulders in top end games. We are good enough and smart enough to win and win we will.

[Baldy]

I cannot accept some opinions on here that veer toward “ it’s a bonus game, don’t mind if we don’t get anything out of it, can see us getting anything”  etc etc. About time we get rid of the underdog monkey on our shoulders in top end games. We are good enough and smart enough to win and win we will.

hear! hear!

[andyh]

As the kids say, I am absolute stoked for today’s game.

I’m glad it’s the early game so we don’t have to hang around waiting for it.

[N'ZMAV]

this is a free-hit for us today

[N'ZMAV]

but we must have the mentality to believe we can win

[N'ZMAV]

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

❓❓❓❓❓❓❓

[JD]

We'll send them back to Woolwich with their tails between their legs. 2-1 to Villa. 

[RamboandBruno]

Since we came back up our record against Arsenal is, Home, W3 L3 Away W2 D1 L3 total W5 D1 L6
They are a good team and probably will win the league, but there is nothing to fear here.

As an aside, memories of this time two years ago, beating a flying Man City on the Wednesday with a dominant performance, then on the Saturday a pre match epitaph to Benjamin Zephaniah and then one of the loudest 10 mins or so Ive heard on the Holte in years, culminating in McGinns goal, after which we kind of held on.

However, in terms of comparisons, I think December 1989, might resonate a bit more. A really underwhelming start to the season under SGT, but slowly churning through the gears and going on a great run, culminating that calendar year in beating reigning champions Arsenal at home 2-1 then hammering Man Utd 3-0 on Boxing day before beating Chelsea 3-0 away on new years day, and no one could ignore anymore that we were in the title race. I’d take that December again.

Bring this on today!

[Smirker]

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

Of all the posts I've disagreed with in my H&V career, I disagree with this one the most.

Sarcasm?

[eye digress]

However, in terms of comparisons, I think December 1989, might resonate a bit more. A really underwhelming start to the season under SGT, but slowly churning through the gears and going on a great run, culminating that calendar year in beating reigning champions Arsenal at home 2-1 then hammering Man Utd 3-0 on Boxing day before beating Chelsea 3-0 away on new years day, and no one could ignore anymore that we were in the title race. I’d take that December again.

Late Mountfield header in front of the North Stand?

Remember that one clearly, think the only time I've been in the NS. Got in 10 mins late, Holte chocabloc, so couldn't get in there - we used to just pitch up in those days.

[Holte132]

BBC preview of the game, just now, told us that Arsenal will go 7 points clear for a few hours at least, if they win. No mention of the fact that the Villa will go 2nd in the table if we win!