Match Preview: ASTON VILLA v Arsenal
By: Chris | December 25th, 2008Arsenal v Aston Villa
Premier League
Villa Park
Friday 26th December 2008, 5.15pm
Pic: ZDNet
Merry Christmas Villa Offsiders! The presents are opened, bacon sarnie eaten and I’ve got a brew. Tomorrow at 5.15, it’s time to go to church.
Premier League Form Guide
Aston Villa: WDDWWW
Villa aren’t in third place by accident. Three wins on the bounce for the first time in what seems like forever were completed by a hard-fought but fortuitous win at West Ham United. This followed wins over Everton and Bolton Wanderers. Before that Villa drew with Manchester United and Fulham, and before that we beat…Arsenal.
Arsenal: LLWWDD
After losing at home to the Villa, Arsenal’s Gallas-based implosion rolled into the City of Manchester Stadium, where they were beaten again. Wins over Chelsea and Wigan Athletic were followed up with a disappointing draw against Middlesbrough and a more impressive one with Liverpool.
Team News
Villa’s concerns are mostly defensive for Arsenal’s visit, though striker John Carew is still absent with a mysterious back injury. Martin Laursen will be out with a knee injury, and ideally Carlos Cuellar would deputise (with Luke Young at right back and Nicky Shorey left, or Nigel Reo-Coker slotting in on the right), but he is also a doubt. Zat Knight could get a start.
Arsenal have significant worries. Skipper Cesc Fabregas has been ruled out for four months and Emmanuel Adebayor misses out through suspension following his dismissal against Liverpool. Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are also expected to fall short of fitness.
Why Arsenal at home is a must-win
If you don’t know the answer to this, you probably shouldn’t be reading this blog. Come on the Villa!
Betting
| Outlet | Home Win | Draw | Away Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 6/4 | 23/10 | 15/8 |
| SkyBet | 6/4 | 11/5 | 15/8 |
| Paddy Power | 13/8 | 23/10 | 13/8 |
This is possibly our biggest match since the FA Cup Final in 2000 – and I think we’ll win it. Come on!
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Category: Match Previews
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Comments
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Big match for Arsenal. Best of luck to ya.
Posted from
United States
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Villa to make it a double of 2-0 wins over Arsenal. Come on the Villa!
Posted from
United States -
I’d feel a mite more comfortable if I hadn’t just seen Knight’s name on the starting line-up; losing Laursen and Cuellar could hurt, though Arsenal’s losses are still more significant.
Posted from
United States -
Who’d have expected Knight to play so well and then save the day at the death?!
Posted from
United States -
Not me, for one – maybe he has missed his calling all these years, and the answer to the great backup striker question has been sitting right in front of our noses on the subs’ bench all season.
Posted from
United States
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