The Soccer Blog: Aston Villa - Arsenal Match Thread

Sunday, 28 November 2010

Aston Villa - Arsenal Match Thread

Aston Villa – Arsenal Match Thread - - The Offside - Arsenal Football Club Blog

« Aston Villa – Arsenal Preview | Home | Aston Villa 2 – Arsenal 4: Four-Star Gunners Go Temporarily Top »Aston Villa – Arsenal Match ThreadBy: Martin | November 27th, 2010

Lineups are in:

Aston Villa: Starters: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Ashley Young, Clark, Bannan, Downing, Pires, Carew Bench: Guzan, Ireland, Delfouneso, Beye, Hogg, Lichaj, Herd

Arsenal: Starters: Flaps, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin, ChamakhBench: Van Persie, Walcott, Denilson, Djourou, Gibbs, Bendtner, Szczesny

No real shockers in our lineup, but I’m a bit disappointed to see Koscielny start instead of Djourou at the back. I had suspected as much, but I think Djourou had done enough to earn another league start, especially in light of Koscielny’s awful performance on Tuesday last weekend. And John Carew is apparently healthy, contrary to what I had read yesterday, and he’s starting, which means they will try to put crosses onto his head in the box, so we need a good aerial defender, something Koscielny certainly is not.

Midfield is what we expected, and the only difference from my proposed lineup is Rosicky instead of Theo. Rosicky really put in a good shift on Tuesday, and was one of the few guys who really looked up for it. And I guess Aston Villa will probably stay behind the ball at the back, which takes away a lot of Theo’s effectiveness. I still think I would have started Theo instead, but Rosicky’s done enough to earn a start.

Also interesting that Wojo still on the bench as our back-up keeper instead of Almunia. Now that Almunia is officially back from injury, it will be interesting to follow over the next couple of weeks to see if Almunia has, in fact, been demoted to the # 3 option between the sticks.

On the other side, the big news is that, as mentioned, John Carew is healthy enough to start for Aston Villa, but Albrighton is not. That means a start for our old friend Robert Pires. As I said yesterday, I’m very excited about seeing Le Bob again, but he’s 37, and it’s just his second game back, so I’m not sure how much of an impact he’ll make on this match. Hopefully he’ll stay quiet and not pick this work to get hooked up to the juvenation machine. The other good news for us is that Gabby Agbonlahor’s virus that he’s just recovering from is enough to keep him out of this one, which blunts their attack somewhat. Without him, I really do think they don’t have a plan B. Unfortunately, their Plan A is something we’ve had problems with — they will push the ball out to the wings quickly, and then cross the ball into the box for John Carew to either get a head on or knock back to an onrunning Ashley Young or Barry Bannan. And they’ll definitely be looking to draw some fouls around the box to take advantage of our porous set piece defending.

A win puts us top of the table, so we need all 3 today. Come on Arsenal.

Some Related Stories:Aston Villa – Arsenal PreviewArsenal – Tottenham Match ThreadEverton – Arsenal Match ThreadWolves – Arsenal Match ThreadArsenal – Blackpool Match Thread

Category: Arsenal News, Aston Villa, Fixtures, Premiership

Tags: Arsenal News, Aston Villa, Fixtures, Premiership
« Aston Villa – Arsenal Preview | Home | Aston Villa 2 – Arsenal 4: Four-Star Gunners Go Temporarily Top »Fred JacobHi Martin can you tell me where you get the starting lineup fromRedCapedWonderWell, I would like to point out a recurring issue. *We can't see off games effectively*. It's unacceptable how the past 3 games we've been hanging on, and in some cases failing to, till the last minute. Wenger needs a new strategy for this.JG..and our time at the top lasts only 17 minutes, Man U scoring 2 minutes into their game against Blackburn. Screw you, Berbatov.Gigi_manand ended ip scoring five the m-f--er. Fat Sam what a shame, unless you just let uself go to piss us off, wouldnt surprise me...Homey_MillsI just looked at our schedule, and we better have a 4 game win streak heading into the Man Utd game.third eyeoups, I missed up the terms... Not dive, but I rather for his header... sorrySairaxIt's been a long friggin month. I'm just gonna relax and enjoy this momentGigi_manFollow you....its enjoyable (epsecially knowing it might not last ouccchhhhh)third eyeGood progression. Nonetheless, we conceded too much goals. The defense is truly a concern and, for the few part of the game that I had to see, Arshavin was playing as the little russian wizard that I used to know, beautifully.

Moreover, I would like to congrats Wilshere for his magnificent diver! Competition for Chamakh on that regard? :DGigi_manyep, my brother in law had never seen Jacky...what a way to impress a first time viewer!
U r right, too much conceeded, although as visitors the score doesnt look badJonathanJACKYYYYYYYYYY BOY!!!! yahhhhhhhhhhhheeoooooooooSairaxPeople keep telling Wenger to change things up. He brought on 3 defensive subs and we thumped the ball up and tried to keep it in the corner. See he can change!Homey_MillsQuick, take a picture of the table while you can.PeevishLol at the random gooner who joined in the celebratory player pile after the goal. Always nice to see jack kiss the old badge too.SairaxJJJJJJAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOONER THROUGH AND THROUGH!!JGWILSHERE!!
TOP OF THE TABLE (for most likely 2 hours)!!JG4 minutes of injury time? it seems we always get the max number of minutes, whether we need it or not....JGDenilson for Arshavin ok, let's hope he doesn't screw it up.Gigi_manha I had the same thought seeing him inSairax75th minute, why have we made no subs?PeevishYou did see denilson on the bench, right?SairaxI'd just like it if at 2-0 up at the half we'd bring on Theo right at the beginning of the 2nd and put the game away. Few min left, let's hang on to this!Lana W. Dawood2-3..... PLEASE let us win this game!Homey_MillsNice answer there... feeling better now.brooklyn_asceticAlright! The shark attacks!!!3DlobsterSHARK!TheoW14Oh my god again.......Homey_MillsOh gosh... here we go again? Certainly no shutout. Again. Ugh.TheoW142-0 fantastic.....lets not blow it!! Atleast we dont have Denilson on the pitch to do just thatHomey_MillsWell we can't possibly lose now. It's money in the bank. Or something. How about we get a clean sheet once a month or so? It would be nice.Jonathan2-0 and Arsenal playing superb, you really can see from the this first half performance why wenger puts so much trust in these guys. We've pinned villa back in their own half. Lets just hope the nerves dont get the better of us and we defend for our lives in the second half because we could get more goals here.

brooklyn_asceticCan we please start a movement to call Chamakh "The Shark"? With that giant fin on his head and the sort of ungainly, loping way he runs around the field, I always think of some great white circling the lifeboat...

2-0 Arsenal with 59% possession and zero shots on goal from the opponents--just how we like it. (Though we had the same halftime scoreline last week, so I'm not putting away the lucky rabbit's foot yet.)Darren_VArshavin had a great first half. Maybe that 'rest' for the weekday did him some good?

Don't let up Arsenal!MartinFantastic first half. Let's hope we don't have a repeat of last week now, and we can show we finally have learned how to protect a 2-0 lead.Fred Jacobfrom russia with love

one nil to the arsenal

two nil to the arsenalFred Jacobwhere you get the starting line ups from

anybodyEdward Lyonsstream?SairaxKos played Saturday not Tuesday

No Albrighton? Must be injured?

I'm still kinda sleepy

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Aston Villa - Arsenal Match Thread

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