please log in to view this image English Premier League 21st Dec 2011 KO: 19:45 Villa Park please log in to view this image Arsenal take on Aston Villa in this Wednesday night festive fixture in the Midlands. Both teams come into this game on the back of a defeat on the previous Sunday. Villa suffered a home defeat at the hands of Liverpool, while Arsenal came out of a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City away from home. But it was contrasting performances. Arsenal pushed City as hard as anyone has at the Etihad in the League, while Villa surrendered meekly against Liverpool. In fact, all of Villa games against the top 6 so far have had the same theme and result. Arsene Wenger would have proud of the effort of his men against the league leaders but will also have growing concerns about the lack of bodies in defence. Arsenal have lost four full backs and in the game against City, they also lost Johan Djourou, who was covering at right back for the absent Sagna . This was their first defeat in 11 games so a run has been stopped. Bouncing back from a defeat is the sign of a top team and Arsenal will have to prove that they are one by beating Aston Villa. Aston Villa like Arsenal had a busy and problematic summer. Randy Lerner had to appoint a new manager after getting rid of Gerard Houllier and his choice angered many Villa fans. Some even refused to renew their season tickets. Randy Lerner did not budge and he appointed ex Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish. Aston Villa fans were not only put off by the fact he was the manager of their biggest rivals but also because of his style of football. And we have seen clear evidence of why many Villa fans rejected the idea of McLeish taking over. But Villa sit in 10th place in the league and McLeish has not really been given the resources to achieve much more than a mid-table finish. So they are not far short of their target. Three years ago, Aston Villa had aspirations of Champions League football and they gave Arsenal few scares before crumbling towards the end. All of that was under the reign of Martin O’Neil who is now the manager of Sunderland. But he got great backing from Lerner and he brought players on big wages for a club like Villa. Ever since then, Learner has been trying to balance the books. Villa’s failed chase for big time football has set the club back. And some will argue that McLeish is the sort of man you need to work with a tight budget and keep Villa in a stable position. Also like Arsenal, they sold two of their star players in Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the summer. The lack of service is keenly felt and players like Darren Bent have not been able to find the net as often this season. Charles N'Zogbia was brought from Wigan to try and replace some of the creativity but through a lack of form and game time he has failed to live up to the expectations of the Aston Villa faithful. But Gabby Agbonlahor has found some form this season and has scored five goals in the league. That is more then he managed in the previous season. His pace has troubled Arsenal before so his threat is obvious. N'Zogbia is also a player that has caused Arsenal problems in the past and on form is a very dangerous player. But will McLeish start a player who is in such poor form? Arsenal will go into this game without Alex Song who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and therefore serves a one match suspension. Either Francis Coquelin or Emmanuel Frimpong will be in line for a rare start in the league. After his disappointing showing against Manchester City, Theo Walcott will be looking to get back on track. All his goals in the league in 2011 have been away from home but he has not scored as many as he or Arsenal fans would have expected this season. Van Persie as always will be the threat for Villa and he still has 3 games left to equal and then beat Alan Shearer’s record of 36 league goals in a calendar year. In defence, Miquel will be in contention for a starting place after the injury to Djourou. With this game coming three days after the City game it’s going to take some extra effort to achieve the target of three points. But with Villa’s form and approach to the task of facing any of the top 6 this season it will be there for the taking if Arsenal can get over the defeat against City. Aston Villa lack pace in defence and Arsenal have speed from the likes of Walcott and Gervinho so this should be an area of the game to watch out for. Hopefully Arsenal can take advantage and get back to winning ways on Wednesday against Aston Villa. Teams News: Wenger: Form Guide: please log in to view this image Three Key Match-ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record vs Aston Villa: Played: 181 Wins: 72 Draws: 44 Losses: 65 For: 285 Against: 259 GD: 26 Last 6 Meetings: Arsenal 1 - 2 Aston Villa Aston Villa 2 - 4 Arsenal Aston Villa 0 - 0 Arsenal Arsenal 3 - 0 Aston Villa Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal Arsenal 0 - 2 Aston Villa please log in to view this image Mangers Views on Wojciech Szczesny: My Team: please log in to view this image Final Score: please log in to view this image
Nice one Jack Villa are awful at the moment -so I'd be expecting us to claim the 3 pts. That said, away tie at Villa Park is never easy, although even without Song I think we've got enough in us to win this. I think it could be a good game for Walcott and Gervinho, I think they'll get a lot of room.
My Team --------------Wos----------------------- Kos-----Mert-------TV-------Miquel ---------Frimpong--Arteta---------- ------------Rosicky--------------- -Walcott-----RVP---------Gervinho-- In fairness i think OP's team will start. Also i in the next 3-4 games after this we play QPR, wolves, fulham and Leeds - really think players like Rosicky and Arshavin need to start instead of Ramsey in their ideal positions (and barring disastrous performances) get a run in the team to really decide if they have a place in the team because currently they are both being wasted and are both players who I believe can still perform on the highest level. COME ON WENGER give them an honest chance
Are you seriously saying that arshavin should start??? My god what is wrong with some people, and yes i think that we will win tomorrow but it will be fairly tight, villa will do what they did at man utd and let us have the ball so its up to us really to break them down, also if walcott doesn't play well tomorrow then i would seriously be thinking about putting oxo in his place.
Yes i think he should be given a chance in his favored position (after villa game) or rosicky instead of Ramsey (who is improving but is a long way from being ready) against teams like wolves , QPR and Leeds (teams we SHOULD beat). Also a position where defensive responsibility is greatly reduced when compared to the wing. Play them for a few games in a row (rotation due to the number of games in a short space of time will do this anyway) see if they can deliver and then decide to shove or not in Jan. Arshavin has been horribly out of form this season but i think he deserves a run in the relatively easy games coming up in his best position and see if there is anything left. Seeing as we realistically are not getting Gotze or Hazard in Jan - a reinvigorated Arshaving would be a godsend because on form he is a better passer than anyone in our MF (bar probably rosicky). The same can be applied to Rosicky who has been in good form when he comes on but is never given a start which is a shame as he is currently the best passer/final ball man in our team. So yes i do think they should start and then decide who to sell and who to keep, bearing in mind who we can realistically get in Jan (not much)
I think Arshavin is drinking in the last chance saloon. I'd be happy to see him start in the next few games. But if he doesn't improve on what have been dire performances, then I think we should flog him to one of the 'more money than sense' clubs
