Arsenal v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Remember us playing Leeds twice at the start of the season in 92-93

I'm sure we played Hull City twice in the first three games in the 1970s.

The wonderful season 1974/75. We played them 2nd and 4th games of the season, both midweek. 1-1 at Boothferry Park and then a week later beat them 6-0 at VP with a Sammy Morgan hat trick.

https://www.11v11.com/teams/aston-villa/tab/matches/season/1975/

[pelty]

Bogarde at RB is a frightening prospect; it is his weakest position of the three (along with CB and defensive midfielder) he has been deployed in. He will get abused by Martinelli or Trossard.

Far less optimistic than most here. I think we lose, but hope we can manage a draw at least.

[Drummond]

Could we do something off the wall?

                               Martinez
             Konsa.       Lindelof.       Digne
Garcia.          Onana.    Tielemans.  Maatsen
                     McGinn.            Rogers
                                   Watkins

[cdbearsfan]

Get in the bin.

[ChicagoLion]

Go find your meds.

[TelfordVilla]

Garcia is a decent full back if a little likely to dive in. Reminds me of Freddie Gilbert. I would give him the first 50 minutes.

[manic-road]

A couple of goals for Ollie on his birthday would be nice, can see it being 2-2.

[Mister E]

The media seem to be building this up into a do-or-die game for the Arse ...
... I see it as a free hit for us!

[eye digress]

Rice likely playing at right back, it would seem. Which would be happy news for us, as he’s the only player to have come close to overpowering Onana these past few months. Begs the question of who we should line up on the left?

[LeeB]

Rice likely playing at right back, it would seem. Which would be happy news for us, as he’s the only player to have come close to overpowering Onana these past few months. Begs the question of who we should line up on the left?

Almost tempting to start Sancho against him, and have Maatsen running in behind him. Or just wait until 60 minutes and do it then.

[Chris_Jephcott]

I have a gut feeling that this is where the run ends for us.

That said, it’s a free hit and whether we go for the fluid style of play that we can do, or conserve energy until the second half… Arsenal start with great intensity but get tired towards the middle of the second half.

Whatever the result, I’m very proud of the team right now. Whatever a position to be in.

[Crown Hill]

Rice likely playing at right back, it would seem. Which would be happy news for us, as he’s the only player to have come close to overpowering Onana these past few months. Begs the question of who we should line up on the left?

Almost tempting to start Sancho against him, and have Maatsen running in behind him. Or just wait until 60 minutes and do it then.

Hopefully Sancho on the right from now on with Rogers playing off the left.

[RamboandBruno]

I have a gut feeling that this is where the run ends for us.

That said, it’s a free hit and whether we go for the fluid style of play that we can do, or conserve energy until the second half… Arsenal start with great intensity but get tired towards the middle of the second half.

Whatever the result, I’m very proud of the team right now. Whatever a position to be in.

Think we have to be careful with the old conserving energy thang tonight. Arsenal are better than Chelsea and we could find ourselves 2 or 3 down if not careful. We started fairly aggressively agaibst them at hone from memory, so maybe same again.

[simboy]

The media seem to be building this up into a do-or-die game for the Arse ...
... I see it as a free hit for us!

I agree, it certainly is a free hit for us.

the Arse msm narrative is very much, "they cant f**k it up for a fourth year running - can they?" - these are the games they have come unstuck before, so beating the Villa is one step above where they have been.

In terms of the title it will mean very little in reality as Arse will, of course, fall apart from mid March with competitive UCL games, and we will be 7 points clear when Liverpool come to Villa park.

[Rigadon]

I’ve been thinking that the run will end ahead of every game for the last 4 or 5 (Man Utd aside weirdly).  I would definitely take a draw now if offered.  I reckon they would too.