FA Cup Final Preview: Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
By Kevin Kelly
- Wembley
- 15.00
- Saturday, 30th of May 2015
- TV: BBC, BT Sport 1
The Teams
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Out: N/A
Tests: Danny Welbeck
Aston Villa (Possible 4-3-3)
Out: Libor Kozak (back), Ciaran Clarke (knee), Chris Herd (knee ligament).
Tests: Shay Given (groin), Jores Okore (knee), Kieran Richardson (calf).
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Team news
Arsenal
The Gunners has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from for Sunday’s FA Cup Final with only Danny Welbeck a slight possibility of missing out, with the likely outcome that the striker requires a late fitness test on the day.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa meanwhile will have to sweat on the fitness of veteran keeper Shay Given who’s recovering from a groin strain. Not only Given, but Sherwood will be worrying over Jores Okore who have a knee strain and Kieran who has a calf strain. All three will probably undergo late fitness tests. Meanwhile the likes of Ciaran Clara, Libor Kozak and Chris Herd remain long-term absentees.
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Insight
Saturday poses a fine match up for both side where, while Arsenal go into the tie as clear favourites, there are enough tactical nuances which provide fans with enough interesting talking points ahead of the game. Arsenal of course is the FA Cup champions from last season and could be the first side since Chelsea (2008/09 – 2009/10) to win the famous trophy consecutively.
Aston Villa meanwhile last won the FA Cup in 1956/57, and have won the trophy a total of seven times, with their first coming in 1886/87. In fact Aston Villa’s last major trophy came in 1995/96 when they won the League Cup, therefore Saturday posing a real chance of glory for the first time in over a generation for the Birmingham based club.
Ahead of the game Arsene Wenger hinted at some selection dilemmas he faces for the game: “It is important to focus as a whole squad on winning the trophy. Most of the time the heroes are the people who come on in an FA Cup final – they make the difference.
That’s why it is important as a reward for the whole team who have fought very hard the whole season to get there. Let’s deal with it as a whole squad”, said Wenger.
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Key Battles
The battle for his weekend’s FA Cup final will be between Christian Benteke and Laurent Koscielny. If Benteke gets the better of Koscielny it is likely there will be a relative shock on the cards.
Koscielny is a polarising figure, who in the past year, has dropped off from the consistent quality performances he was putting in last season. Despite that, he often has the ability to play as well as any central-defenders in the game today; both physical and mental skills can come to the fore for the Frenchman.
Benteke on the other hand goes into the game arguably on the back the finest form of his career – or, at least for Aston Villa. Benteke has scored 15 goals this term, with 13 coming in the Premier League – and to include his two assists and he has a direct contribution to a goal every 158 minutes.
Interesting Stat: Aston Villa haven’t won the FA Cup in 58 years.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa