Team news:
Aston Villa: Bacuna (knock - doubt), Gestede (knee - doubt), Sanchez (eye - doubt), Richards (knee), Amavi (knee), Gardner (ankle)

Arsenal: Wilshere (ankle), Welbeck (knee), Rosicky (knee), Coquelin (knee), Arteta (calf), Alexis (hamstring), Cazorla (knee)


Arsène Wenger will find a familiar face in the opposition dugout at Villa Park this weekend - Remi Garde, who played for Arsenal between 1996 and 1999. Just four league games into his spell as Aston Villa manager, the Frenchman is inevitably still trying to find his best starting XI.

Villa are badly struggling - Garde has collected two points, making a total of six for the season. They’re already seven points away from survival, and have yet to win at home this season. Expect a defensive, counter-attacking performance this weekend.

Garde’s main decision is up front, where Jordan Ayew started the first three games, but Rudy Gestede was given a run-out at Southampton last weekend. They couldn’t be more different: Ayew is pure pace, while Gestede is extremely dangerous in the air, and Arsenal’s defensive line must adjust accordingly.

Ayew seems more likely to start up front, but if Gestede gets the nod then Ayew will be used on the flank in a rough 4-3-3 system. The other wide player could be Scott Sinclair, Carles Gil or Jack Grealish - although these players are given license to move inside into space between the lines.

Garde seems to like Jordan Veretout, who is given most freedom to break forward into attack, in the knowledge two of Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Westwood and Carlos Sanchez will be holding their position in front of the defence.
The backline has suffered from injuries: in the centre, both Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott have had spells out, meaning opportunities for Jores Okore and Ciaran Clark.

At left-back, the season-ending injury suffered by the excellent Jordan Amavi has meant Kieran Richardson and Leandro Bacuna filling in - neither have looked comfortable, so Theo Walcott might get some joy down the right flank.

Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20151210/aston-villa-v-arsenal




Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20151211/aston-villa-v-arsenal



Source: http://arseblog.com/2015/12/headlines-making-headlines-arsecast-372/

Nice Job Urban.

Really need a win here before the City game.

can go 4 points clear of United and one point clear of City tomorrow....


Garde pls field a B team


Although I still want Leicester to win. They will eventually drop off. But maybe later on and not just yet.

Hopefully today isn't the day Villa and Garde get it right. Their points return this season is resembling Derby 07/08 level, so let's hope we get stuck in and get the goals to win.
We usually do good at Villa Park so let's hope that doesn't change.
C'mon Arsenal!

A bit uneasy about this one, but hoping we pull it off.

Damn, thought the KO was 16:30.

Glad I checked in this morning.

srigooner wrote:Damn, thought the KO was 16:30.

Glad I checked in this morning.

You thought well, that's when the Dortmund team vs SGE gets out

urbaNRoots wrote:

srigooner wrote:Damn, thought the KO was 16:30.

Glad I checked in this morning.

You thought well, that's when the Dortmund team vs SGE gets out

Wait, BVB play at 1730 against Eintracht Frankfurt if my calendar is right..

Ah you meant the team news. Now I get it.

Not my brightest Sunday morning smh

Same team as on wed night


what can go wrong

No surprises then. Was wondering about those Özil rested rumours.

Knew it was too good to be true. Who'd've realistically played if we did rest Özil.

#Depth

Villa team:

Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna; Sanchez, Gueye; Sinclair, Veretout, Ayew; Gestede

The protection for the back 5 could be very Flamsey.

GIROUDDDD

Very comfortable performance, no heart attacks ffs

Ox has not been very good.

Loses the ball way too much.

That second half was painfully bad. Villa were there for a beating but we let them back in for a spell and made things more awkward for ourselves. Campbell, Walcott, Chamberlain and Gibbs had very little effect on the game.

Still, got the points, got a rare clean sheet, and are top of the league. Got a nice week off to rest up ahead of the big City game next Monday.

yesssssss ffs

Wow forgettable performance in the 2nd half but maybe expected having given it all on Wednesday.

It's amazing to see the impact Theo Walcott has in the team, he will not get a goal or assist but he was one of our most important players for the win.

Defensively we were strong but also hardly troubled by the Villa players. It was mostly individual mistakes which semi-scared us.

Now our players get a well deserved rest until we play Man City. Maybe we get Alexis Sanchez back for that one, either way we really need the win if we want to stake our claim for the Premier League title. If not, I fear all the work will be undone by a home defeat against our biggest title rival.

Walcott looked sharp. Getting back his speed and movement now. Making good passes too.

We should not start Sanchez but bring him off the bench. Keep the same team.

No Alexis is a big call. He's usually our source for goal in big games. I would play him for Campbell if he is fit.

He hasn't exactly been on form since that United game. But I guess 2 weeks off should have made him a bit fresh at least.

Up to Arsene in the end

urbaNRoots wrote:No Alexis is a big call. He's usually our source for goal in big games. I would play him for Campbell if he is fit.

A Sanchez that is just back from injury is more effective off the bench than starting the game. Have Campbell get the full backs as tired as possible, bring Sanchez in for him and watch the City defence piss themselves at the fact they have to face Walcott and a fresh Sanchez in the last 20 minutes.

Would rather have that than him getting tired and us not having any bite in our attack in the last 20 minutes.

tired/unfit Alexis or more Danger to his own team ffs
with amount time he can give the ball away or over-dribble etc

anyway great stuff
good to see Rambo-Mesut combo again
2nd half down to fatigue
no Injuries+clean sheet
Top of the league

only negative was Chambo but leave him alone for now