Aston Villa host Arsenal this afternoon in what is expected to be one of the most demanding tests the Gunners have faced this season, and this is the starting eleven.
This match carries particular significance for a side that has failed to win two of its last four league fixtures. Mikel Arteta’s team will be eager to demonstrate that they can still deliver strong performances away from home, especially after the recent setbacks at Chelsea and Sunderland. The question now is whether they can alter the narrative at Villa Park.
Unai Emery has shown on several occasions that he is keen to cause problems for Arsenal since departing the club, and this encounter gives him another opportunity to highlight how effectively he has rebuilt his reputation. His Villa team have recovered well from their difficult start to the season and will be determined to show Arsenal just how far they have progressed. They are likely to approach the match with confidence and intensity, looking to unsettle a Gunners side that is still aiming to rediscover consistent form.
For Arsenal, this is one of several tricky matches that lie ahead before the season concludes. Villa Park has always been a venue where concentration and composure are required, and Arteta will expect his players to embrace the challenge. He remains confident that his team can respond positively and show their resilience, and in a few hours, supporters will gain a clearer view of how they perform in a demanding environment under the sun at Villa Park.
Matches between these two clubs have often provided notable entertainment, with high-tempo football and moments of individual quality. Arsenal have won two of their last three visits to Villa Park and will be keen to extend that record. A victory would not only strengthen their league position but also send an important message that they remain capable of winning difficult away fixtures in the decisive months of the campaign.
Merino does pull them out as well, I think it was mistake to either sub him or start him. He normally does well when the cards are stacked against him.
Merino is highly disrespected. Gyokeres…He’s not good enough for Arsenal. I dont wanna rant so I’ll just say that and leave it. We need to stop fooling ourselves and believe our eyes.
We haven’t won a game against a team starting on a top 4 position this season, talk of beating teams around you this season. Setting up not to loose has been the mantra and it needs to change.! That’s a bad attitude to have for somebody who wants to win the league
We just about got away with it with so many forwards out, largely thanks to Wooly who feels no pain and has proved great signing.
But no side ever got away with it from having so many defenders out, chopping and changing back lines,, partnerships of less than 10 games together – football never works like that. Fact. We can’t get away with it.
We should be very worried. We missed Rice and a Ricky and Timber today from their having to watch over makeshift defence, and it screwed our whole attacking performance.
We haven’t played well in the last 3 games, surely everyone can see that. Such a bad result as we could have put pressure on city but unfortunately we seem so negative again, I just don’t see us on today’s performance going on to win the league. Wrote off Wednesday’s game as we need to beat wolves next Saturday and to me champions league must take a back seat
Not wanting to scapegoat anyone but Hincape should have cleared that ball instead of over pushing it that caused the throw in that started the push that resulted in the goal. I don’t know why left footed players don’t train Thier weaker right foot , right footed players do usually are good with using their weaker left whenever needed especially cleaning Thier lines. Should have at least drew the game. Many errors by Mikel should have left Saka on , and started Gyokeres and ended with merino. Villa played well but we should have killed them of when we had that brief spell that resulted in our goal . Our lead cut to 3 and could be cut to 2 if mancity wins. Our defence injuries hurting us again but we need to be looking at scoring at least 2 goals in any game by pushing more into attack instead of soaking up pressure.
We move on ,still top of the table, I really thought we would win the game but a draw wouldn’t have been bad. Fair play to Villa .
The only contribution of note this season by Gyokeres has been to take a squad place.
The whole purpose of a striker is to score goals and where possible assist in them. He does neither. All this bollocks about drawing defenders out so Saka and Co can attack is nonsense. Saka or Martinelli or Odegaard’s outputs have not changed since last season.
The guy is slow and lazy and looks to struggle with his weight and brings NOTHING hence why a makeshift central midfielder is preferred to him – what does that say?
We need to invest in a top striker and move him on. He is not good enough.
Disappointing result but we have to move on an learn from this..
Absolutely correct. Many of us have said this. Strikers are there to score goals. Not “draw players in” or “occupy CB’s”. Which btw, every forward that doesnt play as a false 9 does by default… Not to mention, Gyok cannot even hold up play. He’s in every category not good enough for Arsenal. It’s harsh but true. He’s offered nothing this season and I wouldn’t be surprised if the club actually try to move him on in the summer.
He has looked out of shape since he made his debut.
When you play against post men and semi professional players in the Portuguese league you can get away with it but the standard here is the highest in club football.
What was wrong with Jesus today ? A change in wind direction?
And Havertz?
How much football has he played this year?
I have heard it will be weeks before he is back to training so a realistic timeframe for him starting will be end of January may be February and even then setbacks may occur.
Merino has done great but it’s not sustainable but what choices are there?
Leon, at this point I’m picking Gabby J over Gyokeres every time. Again, what is Gyokeres better at than Gabby? I’m not even sure Gyokeres is a better header of the ball… And strangely Gabby made squad against Brentford but not today.
We huff and puff too much while our rivals can get to our penalty area with three or passes. It’s a combination of poor balance, signings who haven’t yet worked out, injuries and a manager who needs to reevaluate his tactical approach. Perhaps he is also listening too much to his assistants. Still a good sequence of games coming up where we should accumulate the three pointers as well as regroup. No reason why we can’t destroy Villa in the rematch .
Just incredible that we lost Saliba at the same time Gabriel goes down (not to mention Mosquera). Great squad depth or not, you can’t win the EPL w this many constant injuries shaking up the team. Can only hope Xhaka and Sunderland do us a favor today 🤞
Actually, you can get away with it.
When the forwards were out, the defence largely did a good job holding the forte.
Now that those defenders are out, the forwards have not returned the favour.
They should be dealing real damage up the other end!
That way we can manage come-from-behind wins or high scoring games with us getting all three points.
Alas! Not the case.
You can get away with it temporarily but not over a season or even a prolonged period. And, as you know, much of our goal scoring threat comes from our defenders.
Well I’m in agreement
I certainly didn’t think Villa wanted it more either and perhaps somebody could explain how Emery got his tactics so right. We did have more than enough clear chances and the majority of them were weak as water. But that doesn’t alter the fact that there were chances and all bar one wasn’t capitalised on
That was a reply to Moon Girl
Actually, you can get away with it.
When the forwards were out, the defence largely did a good job holding the forte.
Now that those defenders are out, the forwards have not returned the favour.
They should be dealing real damage up the other end!
That way we can manage come-from-behind wins or high scoring games with us getting all three points.
Alas! Not the case.
Woe, woe and thrice woe!!!!!
Let’s forget all the good work we’ve done so far this season, let’s forget we had Gabriel and Saliba, our two first choice CB’s out, let’s forget the other injuries, let’s forget that we’re top of the PL and will be no matter what happens come next week.
No, let’s just knock the manager and players after losing in the 95th minute away to a club in top form.
Let’s just be told we are arrogant fans who have been humbled.
Let’s just forget its our first defeat in nineteen games.
Let’s just forget it’s our first defeat against any current top six club this season.
Let’s just become fans who can solve the issue by crucifiying the players who have given their all during this game and during this incredible season.
I thought it was an excellent game, with two very good sides matching each other in all parts of the pitch.
Great to see Gyokeres back, but it’s the same old story injury wise, as Trossard is now a doubt once again.
I thought the referee had a good game by the way.
It will be interesting to see what side Mikel will put out in the CL and how many players will be unavailable for that game and our home match against Wolves.
Mikel will need all of his man management skills to lift the players after such a desperate and unfortunate defeat – let’s hope city and chelsea drop points today.
Ken1945
Whilst there was some sloppiness at times, and it was a cut and thrust encounter, I in no way thought that Villa were better, that Emery was the better tactician, or that our injury crisis shouldn’t be offered up as an excuse. MG summed up the last point perfectly in an earlier post.
There was sloppiness from Villa as well SueP and how anyone can say Unai was tactically better than Mikel, when his squad had to rely on a scrambled goal in the 95th minute is beyond me.
If we were so bad, why weren’t we beaten by a bigger score?
Our injuries have to play a part and I wonder how many Villa players were unavailable due to injuries?
Looks as if city115 will close the gap to two points, although chelsea seem to be struggling once again.
Some fans mate not all
Hi Ken, just turned on and I can’t be arsed to read the preceding comments (after your excellent post) if as it seems, there’s been a lot of ‘fans’ on here slagging off the players and Arteta! No way are Villa a better team than us, you have highlighted most of my thoughts and the winning goal was in the 95th minute ffs. I actually predicted, along with I think Dan, the score but I’m not happy, just a realist, all the predictions of 2, 3 and even 4 goals for us are ‘heart over heads’ but not arrogant, just possibly young and unrealistic.
Indeed GB – I remember thinking we would win every game when I was younger and, when we lost,, it would ruin my weekend.
That was when I was in my teens and early twenties and I remember it well.
So I do understand the need to blame others, but there has to be sensible debating after a loss like today, rather than what’s been a knee jerk reaction.
Thanks for the comment regarding my post.
I know it’s just one game and we were a tad unlucky but the overwhelming feeling I get at the moment is that once again Arteta will fail to deliver a thing once again.
I know it’s just disappointment clouding my judgement but Arteta has a long history of failure doesn’t he?
Well no mate , apparently he’s tatically surpassed Mr Wenger and will win everything
Oh and Pep Guardiola is scared because he’s been surpassed
But remember……..winning trophies is not the only measurement of this lol
It will be a shame if we easily give up the top spot. The biggest challenge is that Arteta builds and destroys so the team does not really improve. Apart from the numbers the quality has not been improved. You can’t let Kiwior go of loan and rely on two new centre halfs who are very young and new to the league. They looked good playing with Gabriel and Saliba but once they are left alone it becomes a different ball game. Kiwior would have been very helpful and the coach should have guaranteed him game time which is very possible with the number of games the team plays.
Arteta messed up with the line up. How do you start with Odegaard, Eze and Merino who are your three number 10s. It meant we didnt have options to bring in in case of injuries or poor performance. Why would he start with all three when we had a fit again Gyokeres and four fit wingers. Why does Timber a natural right back play as a CB and White natural CB play right back. Just a mess from the coach. Zubimendi is good but doesn’t have presence and aura things that Partey had and are very important in that position. Villa was going through our middle with no resistance at all. Arteta is has good very good players but he lacks imagination and always plays not to loose in key games. Wenger used to say “We aproached the second half with the hand brake off” and we did win most of those games.
I was afraid the return of Odegaard would see the coach mess up a winning formula and it has happened. Eze looks like he doesn’t do much but he makes the ball move faster and he hangs upfront which draws the opposition to their goal area. The team needs to be set up so that they can feed the striker with chances but how many times have our strikers been given decent chances to score. Today Gyokeres came in and you can never blame him for failing to score because the team is just set up to defend and move around the ball and not create chances for the striker.
Some fans have right to be upset with team performance as we have always been so close yet so far…if this season we don’t lift EPL then Manu will come win before us..
That leaves me without hope then. I’m getting on a bit