Match Prediction: Arsenal at Villa Park
Monday, 12 March 07, 04:36 PM
I don't like saying what I'm about to say and I don't think I will be in a season or two more, but if there was ever a time you wanted to play Arsenal, it's right about now.
They have just gone out of the FA Cup, the League Cup and Europe in less time than it would take me to run the London marathon.
To top it all off they've got quite a few injuries and at least one suspension for Wednesday night. Saying all that though if anyone witnessed the League Cup Final against Chelsea or have seen some of their youngsters playing in the tournament you'll also know that they're not a bunch of kids to be taken lightly. If any of them get a game they'll be a threat at all times.
According to the official site this morning it's possible that Shaun Maloney will miss the match as he's recovering from a virus. This could pave the way for Luke Moore to return, slightly out of position, but I'm sure he's not going to complain.
Apart from the obvious and Maloney I don't think there are any other injuries. Cahill should step in for Laursen which means Ridgewell would be back on the bench.
If Luke does play it is likely we'll see Gabby and Luke playing in a five man midfield with John Carew up front.
I'm ever the optimist so I'm predicting a Villa victory on Wednesday night. I'm going for it simply because of the Martin O'Neill factor and because I'm going to get it right eventually although I'm not having a bet.
Comments (12)
Were you told Arsenal are mostly dangerous when they are having problems and injuries
I was tempted to put a bet on Villa beating Arsenal, but as Arsenal only have the league to play plus they are desperate for a positive result after recent defeats, i cant us getting anything better than a draw.
Anyway, im normally wrong with my predictions! Im going to the match and would love to see us grab 3 points against a top team.
Add Toure, Eboue, Adebayor, suspended. Then Henry, Van Persie, Clichy, Rosicky, Flamini and Hoyte injured you play virtually anyone with boots.
i predict an Arsenal dominated game, but Villa will win 1-0 with a john Carew goal around the 80th minute. up the Villa!!!
If Luke plays it will be on the left as he did the last time he appeared, with Gabby on the right.
With Big John up front, that leaves Young out. After the price we paid for him I can't see him on the bench, but we shall see.
Either way, I want to see Luke as part of the future team, despite how much Randy splashed out on Young Ashley.
Up the Villa!! ;D
Think it will be a tight game with us just edging it 2-1.
x2 games in the space of 4 days. Then another 2 weeks till the next one.
God, we have to do better in the cup's next year!!
UTV
I think that the Arsenal game is going to be a tough one, and even with the injuries and suspensions, Arsenal is not a team to take lightly. But with the Liverpool game only a few days away, I think we have to give it our all. We have the potential to get all 3 points against arsenal, but we have to be at the top of our game and with as few silly defensive mistakes as possible. Come on Villa
i'm delighted maloneys injured, he's not any good anyway(I hope these words come back to haunt me but i don't think they will). this will put gabby back on the right and hopefully we will see luke moore tonight.1-0 hopefully or 1-1.
I cant c us beating arsenal and will go for the draw; though i back jon carew to score in the last minute. Up the Vila!!!!!!
i wil go for a 2-1 villa win- big john to get the winner and satilian to finally get another.
sorensen,bardsley,mellberg,cahill,bouma,petrov,mccann,barry,
agbonlahor,carew,young. subs- taylor,ridgewell,davis,berger,moore.
up the villa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-*
Ok I change my mind. I reckon we will dominate most of the game only to loose by a fluky deflected goal around the 10 minute mark
Easy 3 points against the pool on Sunday!!
Come on u lions
Well the match went almost to expectations really.
Personally I expected a draw and was disappointed that we went away giving arsenal 3 points they didn't deserve.
The goal was awkward and extremely lucky but that's football and there's no such thing as a "right result".
I'm annoyed that a 8 million pound player who MON describes has having a winning instinct fails to even hit the target let alone the back of the net when barely 3 metres from goal.
I thought the high and long ball really upset a fragile and nervous Arsenal in the first 20minutes and did unsettle them from time to time.
Arsenal as always played some silky football there passes were sharp, accurate and quick. Villas were keen and clumsy but at least it looked like we dominated.
I got really annoyed sitting in the north stand when with 4mins to go watching a claret and blue defender walking up, getting given the ball and rather than making a move up passing it to someone he makes his play to another player who was no more than 3 steps away from them. There is being tired and there is earning more in a week than what I earn in a year and to expect 100% commitment for 95minutes is not asking a lot. The sloppyness of losing there concentration is not acceptable and yet no one was sorting out the back four to shape up. We almost was two down and looked like we had given up.
The match actually wasn't that bad but it wasn't that good either.
Don't even get me started with business villa and hospitality sweets.
Up the villa...