I’ve left this until the last minute as I’m not sure what to think really. Arsenal are many people’s prediction to win the title and I actually think they’re more likely to win the league than Citeh, in my opinion.
Yet many Villa fans I’ve spoken to are very confident that we’ll win today. I’m not so sure. Apparently Arsenal are making an extra effort to win this one so they can get revenge for us doing the double over them last season. Whatever, we know we’re going to face a very good side and it’ll be difficult.
One conversation involved us agreeing that if you really take it to the Gunners and give them a bit of “treatment” straight from the off, they don’t like it and are likely to back off. Here is where I’m going to be watching Onana very closely, as I think his physicality will contribute massively over this season. McGinn can get stuck in a bit too, although the same conversation led to us agreeing that his is a position that if we’re being ruthless, could do with upgrading. It’s a sacriligious thought really, as I love the bloke, but if we’re being pragmatic, nobody is safe.
Squad news and it’s pretty good. It’s unchanged this week and Unai has spoken about Kamara and Mings coming back. Kamara is a few weeks away from training with the team and Mings too sounds even closer.
As for Arsenal, well, it’s probably easier if I just post the teams;
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Havertz.
Subs: Ramsdale, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Calafiori, Jorginho, Nelson, Nwaneri, Trossard, Nketiah.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Pau, Konsa, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Carlos, Maatsen, Nedeljkovic, Barkley, Buendia, Jaden, Ramsey, Duran
Same team as last week, I think, which is how Emery likes it and who can blame him? Last week was a good performance after all , so why change it?
As previously mentioned, I think if we get at them we can win this, but they’ll be up for it too and the question will be can can make the better start? Whoever does, will probably get the early goal and it’ll make a very favourable difference.
I predict goals and a 2-2 looks most likely to me.
UTV!
Fingers crossed eh?
Nailing my colours to the mast, it’s going to be Villa 3-1 Arse.
COYL
You’re about the fourth to have said that to me. I hope you’re right!
To get anything from today we need Ollie to be up and running. First goal will be crucial too. If they score first then they are excellent defensively and can shut up shop. I have no idea regarding a prediction but as a long time fan, I always tend to feel negative.
No idea about how this will play out. Our bench looks strong. Good positive options on there.
Great save by Emi!!! A cagey game…Shame to see Cash off.
Let Arse have the ball while we settle…Then get at them…
Ollie!! WTF!!!
Watkins lost his bite if you ask me, the determination not in his game at the minute, with the so called England manager watching he needs to sharpen up . Still we got our favourite ref who just don’t like the midland team.
Duran for a second winner in a row?
It’s a VERY competitive game…
Ollie’s miss looked like he wasn’t concentrating or focused, and as a result, wasn’t ready when the chance came. Jaded? Chance for Duran to step up?
Out defence take the honours so far and Tielemans is having a blinder. Ollie’s problems are in his head. A real CF world not have missed that, he was celebrating and reading the press reports before he hit it.
Bastards!!!! Come on Villa!!!!
I’m worried about Ollie’s 2 clear misses…
I effing knew it , 3 chances we had and blew it .
F*** it. Game over.
Clean sheet next week is the order of the day. Need to get back to basics and stop believing our own hype. If you can’t keep clean sheets, you’re going nowhere. Simple ad thar.
*as that
Ramsey should check back onto his right and curl it into opposite corner like he usually does. Rusty.
They’ve actually played well. Scoreline flatters the Arse.
I thought we played well and deserved something from the game. Watkins squandered two simple chances which Haaland or a Kane don’t miss.
Rogers and Tielemans were our outstanding players today.
I agree BFR luck wasn’t with us if only comes to mind, but it’s got to be said Watkins got to take a hard look at himself. That game could have been ours. Still early days and i just hope we can find our game again .
I wonder if Watkins has gone off? I found it odd that he didn’t play the last pre-season match, maybe Unai isn’t happy with his work on return. I only heard the radio commentary – Rogers was the pick of our attackers. Last season Arsenal squandered chances in this fixture and paid the price, today the roles were reversed.
I think the first miss for Watkins hit his confidence to much. He doesn’t like anywhere near it at the moment. The young right back coming in wasn’t ideal at all and I think that’s a game you wouldn’t want to play 70 minutes. Bailey and Konsa did well to look after him today. Everyone played well, Ollie had a few glimpses with some hold up play. Overall we looked fine just missed our (very clear) chances. A little surprised with Artetas tactics to be honest because if I was him I would have pounded the left side and pasted our right back.
Worried about Ollie blowing 2 very, very clear chances… We should have been at least one or two up.
Duran to start next week?
Is it just me but Ollie doesn’t look one happy puppy?
The lad always appears to pleasant demeanour but presently has a a proper troubled look.
Something isn’t quite right.
(have)