#360fans: Arsenal v Aston Villa - FA Cup

Sport360 staff 15:56 29/05/2015
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  • Expected to make a difference: Aaron Ramsey (L) and Christian Benteke (R).

    Ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Wembley, respective members of the UAE supporters’ clubs share their predicted line-ups, results and share with us where to watch the match.

    Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.

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    RICHARD D’CRUZE – Arsenal UAE Supporters Club

    When Aaron Ramsey scored late into extra-time during last year’s nail-biting FA Cup final against Hull City, there was a huge sigh of relief amongst Arsenal fans. After nine long and heart-breaking years, the curse was over – Arsenal were finally crowned FA Cup champions.

    Fast forward 12 months and Arsenal are back at Wembley – this time against Aston Villa. The Gunners have a chance to retain the FA Cup for the first time since 2003, and also become the tournament’s highest title winners.

    Villa, on the other hand, should count their blessings for just avoiding relegation from the Premier League. After starting the season well they went on a downward spiral, losing and drawing back-to-back matches, and conceding a total of 57 goals. Their biggest win was a 4-0 victory over Sunderland.

    Arsenal beat Villa twice in the league, scoring a total of eight goals and conceding none, so I would like to say that this will be an easy game for us. We’ve had an exceptional season, finishing third and have gathered a lot of momentum coming into the cup final. But hey, it’s a final so anything can happen.

    On the injury front, only Danny Welbeck is ruled out with a bruised knee. Mathieu Debuchy and Mikel Arteta are back training, and the latter could lead the team out or feature at some point in the match.

    PREDICTION: 3-1 to Arsenal.

    LIKELY ARSENAL XI: Ospina, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Debuchy, Ramsey, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott.

    ARSENAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Aaron Ramsey – The hero in last year’s final will be looking to add another match-winning performance and bring home the 12th FA Cup title. A notable mention would go to Theo Walcott who is looking to cement his position as the club’s striker after his first half treble against West Brom.

    ASTON VILLA PLAYER TO WATCH: Christian Benteke – The Belgian striker rediscovered his best form under Tim Sherwood, scoring 12 goals in as many matches. He helped preserve Villa’s stay in the Premier League and led them to an unexpected trip to Wembley.

    WHERE TO WATCH: The Arsenal UAE Supporters Club will be gathering at Velocity Bar in JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay. For more information on how to become an Arsenal UAE member please contact [email protected].

    DALE WELCH – DUBAI LIONS

    Had you asked a Villa fan six months ago what their team needed, they’d have answered without a missing a beat: “a new manager, Premier League status to attract new buyers, and silverware.”  As we count down the seconds to kick-off on Saturday, the Pride of the Midlands find themselves on the brink of glory, a resurrection that for many would have been incomprehensible just a few, short weeks ago. 

    It is with renewed energy, passion and belief that Tim Sherwood leads his starting XI onto the hallowed grounds of Wembley this Saturday, buoyed by the knowledge that his team are already heroes in the eyes of the Villa faithful, with only 90 minutes separating them from earning legendary status. 

    A return to fitness and form for Christian Benteke has made all the headlines, scoring 11 goals in his last nine matches for his club, earning Sherwood 16 points during his 11 games in charge.  Most dangerous in the air and with his back to goal, Benteke will be looking to feed off the crosses of Bacuna at right back, and hold up the ball for some quick one-two touches with fellow frontman Agbonlahor. 

    Key men - Fabian Delph, Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

    With their last silverware coming against Leeds United in the 1996 League Cup final, Villa will be looking to ex-Leeds academy graduate Fabian Delph to boss the final third with the same pace and accuracy he showed against Liverpool in the semi-final, and captain his team to victory.

    While recent head-to-head form will favour the North Londoners, Cup fixtures have been few and far between. Aston Villa and Arsenal have never met in an FA Cup Final, and have only encountered each other once in the last 11 seasons in the Cup, a solitary win for the latter in Round 4 of the 2011/12 season.

    PREDICTION: 2-1 to Villa.

    LIKELY VILLA XI:  Guzan (Given injured); Bacuna, Okore, Vlaar, Richardson, Cleverley, Delph, Westwood, Grealish, Agbonlahor, Benteke.

    ASTON VILLA PLAYER TO WATCH: Jack Grealish – While Benteke’s form has dominated the headlines of late, it is Grealish who has emerged as Villa’s revelation this season. With the most successful pass rate in the team this season (92.7%) and a habit of winning free kicks around the 18 yard area with his quick footwork and turn of pace, Sherwood will be telling young Jack to run at an error-prone Mertesacker and Koscielny and get Villa into threatening positions. 

    ARSENAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Alexis Sanchez – After joining Arsenal for a relative bargain of £35 million at the start of the campaign, 16 goals and 8 assists in 35 league appearances has proved to be pretty astute business by Arsene Wenger. Deadly on the counter attack and not afraid to shoot, the Villa back line will want to keep Sanchez quiet by pushing him wide onto the flanks, where he has little to offer in crossing ability. 

    WHERE TO WATCH:  Watch all the action with the Dubai Lions at the Centre Circle sports bar, Ramada Chelsea hotel in Al Barsha – a great sports venue that knows how to look after their regular guests.  We’ve even had some guest appearances by ex-Villa stars such as Derek Mountfield and Ian Taylor (who played in the last FA Cup Final in 2000) – what an endorsement!  As the underdog, we expect a lot of support from the “neutrals” for the Final, so the atmosphere at Centre Circle will be rocking – win or lose! For more information on our future gatherings, email: [email protected].

     

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