2015 FA Cup Final

[JustM1kePlays]

FA Cup

Arsenal
VS
Aston Villa


THE MANAGERS

ARSENE WENGER



Not under the same acute pressure as 12 months ago but the critics will
re-emerge should Arsenal fall short at Wembley.
The Frenchman can make record-equalling history by winning the competition for a sixth time but of more immediate relevance, retaining the trophy would help attract potential summer signings to the club.



TIM SHERWOOD



The former Tottenham manager has instigated a more attacking approach since replacing Paul Lambert as Villa boss and he will set his team up to start on the front foot.

Sherwood has never played in an FA Cup Final but did reach the 2002 League Cup Final with Tottenham, losing to former club Blackburn.



PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ARSENAL



(4-3-2-1): Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud



ASTON VILLA



(4-3-2-1): Given, Bacuna, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson; Westwood, Cleverley, Delph; N’Zogbia, Grealish; Benteke.



THE KEY PLAYERS

ARSENAL: ALEXIS SANCHEZ



The Chilean forward has excelled in his debut season at Arsenal and he now has a chance to cap it with his first trophy in England. This will be the former Barcelona star’s

52nd appearance of the season but, despite his all-action style, he has shown no signs of fatigue and will lead the Gunners charge once again.



ASTON VILLA: CHRISTIAN BENTEKE



Possesses the attributes that have habitually caused Arsenal problems in the past. His physicality will ask stern questions of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny at the heart of Arsenal’s defence

while Francis Coquelin will be expected to cut off the supply line from midfield. Benteke has scored 12 goals in his last 12 games.


TACTICS

ARSENAL



Arsene Wenger has several selection decisions to make but their approach will be the same: to control possession and carve Aston Villa open in central areas. The Gunnerse attacking play

was too slow against Swansea and Sunderland but they rediscovered their verve as Theo Walcott put West Bromwich Albion to the sword last time out.


ASTON VILLA



Tim Sherwood will encourage Aston Villa to express themselves and use their status as underdogs to free their inhibitions. Arsenal can be devastating on the counter-attack, however, and Villa will be wary of overcommitting but they will still encourage their

full-backs to get forward — Leandro Bacuna has registered five assists in his last 10 games.


THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY

ARSENAL

R3 2-0 Hull (H)

R4 3-2 Brighton (A)

R5 2-0 Middlesboro (H)

QF 2-1 Man United (A)

SF 2-1 Reading (Wembley)



ASTON VILLA

R3 1-0 Blackpool (H)

R4 2-1 Bournemouth (H)

R5 2-1 Leicester (H)

QF 2-0 West Brom (H)

SF 2-1 Liverpool (Wembley)

PREDICTION

I know this should be an easy game to call. Most will say Arsenal have to much class in their team but this is the FA Cup after all.
If Villa can stay tight an the back an hit Arsenal on the break they could cause an upset at Wembley but how much pressure can the Villa defence withstand?

Arsenal haven't been the best at the back either this season so I think I will be tighter then people think. It could also go the other way an Arsenal could blow Villa away just as Southampton did.

I'm going to stick my neck on the line

Arsenal 1
Aston Villa 2

Villa to score in the first 10 minutes.

Hope you all enjoyed this. Please leave your comments and predictions below

[fmhaberdeenfan]

Nice write up. I'm hoping Villa shock the Gunners and sneak away with a 2-1 win with Benteke scoring a goal in the last 10 minutes. Probably to hopeful haha.

[goodjob]

That's a risky prediction there Mike. But I do have the same prediction. I call villa to win 2-1

I say it will be 1-1 by half time then villa will score a goal around the 60-70 minute mark to make it 2-1 and after they would just sit back and absorb the threats of Arsenal.

[Lian Cortez]

Great read! But I think Arsenal 2-1 Villa

[DSW]

That's a risky prediction there Mike. But I do have the same prediction. I call villa to win 2-1

First you call it risky. Then you vote in favor of it. Nice.

Terrific work Mike. You should thank the member who reminded you to do this

+1 deserved. I loved your detailed statistics of players in recent games.

[Kun Aguero]

" Benteke will score a hat-trick!! " says Eliseo.  

 

Great work, and I really hope Arsenal lost.  

[LordArcoDW]

It's clearly Arsenal 2 and Aston Villa 0

[goodjob]

That's a risky prediction there Mike. But I do have the same prediction. I call villa to win 2-1

First you call it risky. Then you vote in favor of it. Nice.

Terrific work Mike. You should thank the member who reminded you to do this

+1 deserved. I loved your detailed statistics of players in recent games.

Well yeah. But to be honest it is a risky prediction but I am also in favor of it, so I do not see any problem with what I have said.

[DSW]

That's a risky prediction there Mike. But I do have the same prediction. I call villa to win 2-1

First you call it risky. Then you vote in favor of it. Nice.

Terrific work Mike. You should thank the member who reminded you to do this

+1 deserved. I loved your detailed statistics of players in recent games.

Well yeah. But to be honest it is a risky prediction but I am also in favor of it, so I do not see any problem with what I have said.

Calm down mate. Didn't mean to be rude but I'm trying to have a laugh here.

And pretty much everyone loves underdogs so yeah. My prediction too is the same as goodjob and Mike

[goodjob]

That's a risky prediction there Mike. But I do have the same prediction. I call villa to win 2-1

First you call it risky. Then you vote in favor of it. Nice.

Terrific work Mike. You should thank the member who reminded you to do this

+1 deserved. I loved your detailed statistics of players in recent games.

Well yeah. But to be honest it is a risky prediction but I am also in favor of it, so I do not see any problem with what I have said.

Calm down mate. Didn't mean to be rude but I'm trying to have a laugh here.

And pretty much everyone loves underdogs so yeah. My prediction too is the same as goodjob and Mike

I was not trying to start a argument either mate. I just wanted to get my side cleared up. Hahahaha

Glad to see you go with villa. Hahahaha

[Anoochi]

You must have been writing this as I mentioned it.

Great article

[samhardy]

Nice initiative Mike. Great write-up, and I think Alexis Sánchez will score the only goal in a poor, scrappy game.

[JustM1kePlays]

Thanks for the comments guys. I really appreciate them. To be perfectly honest I can see what Sam says as being true. Deep down I'm kind of just hoping for a really good game of real end to end,ball played on the ground, tackles flying in, individual bits of genius and great team link up play football

I also hope in inspires nmore to do the same. You still have time to do your own FA Cup write up. Or other big footballing event that might be happening soon hint hint

Nice initiative Mike. Great write-up, and I think Alexis Sánchez will score the only goal in a poor, scrappy game.

Did a Capital One Cup one an really enjoyed it. If I had planed a bit more I would have done it in a similar style to that one.

[zerose]

Arsenal to lose? Blasphemy!

 

.....

 

But honestly, it is Arsenal after all. If they really get going, they can tear apart any defense. If they suck, well, they will suck. The score can be anything from a 3-0 victory to a 0-2 defeat.

 

My prediction for now is 2-0 to the Arsenal. 

[Ashez]

Enjoyable read mate, after watch the semi's in the Villa end I have to support them today. "Oooooh Christian Benteke!"

Hopefully there is one of these for next Saturday to

[fmhaberdeenfan]

Enjoyable read mate, after watch the semi's in the Villa end I have to support them today. "Oooooh Christian Benteke!"

Hopefully there is one of these for next Saturday to

Ash you might be in luck!

[JustM1kePlays]

Looks like my line ups were a bit off. Walcott up front. Thoughts?

Enjoyable read mate, after watch the semi's in the Villa end I have to support them today. "Oooooh Christian Benteke!"

Hopefully there is one of these for next Saturday to

Thanks Ash. I'm hoping this will inspire. Although I still might do one myself

[Eliseo10]

My Prediction:

1-1 after 89 minutes, last minute free kick, Benteke Aerial Master jumps over the 3 defenders marking him and scores a header.

Final score: Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 1

[UKFootballScore]

Thinking Arsenal will win 2-0 goals either side of half time comfortable win!

[JustM1kePlays]

Thinking Arsenal will win 2-0 goals either side of half time comfortable win!

Was that hard for you to type as a Spurs fan?

[billy2shots]

3-0 Arsenal.

Villa to bottle it on the big stage. Walcott, Sanchez and Ramsey.

[Juan C]

1-0 Arsenal with Cazorla to score

[UKFootballScore]

Thinking Arsenal will win 2-0 goals either side of half time comfortable win!

Was that hard for you to type as a Spurs fan?

Nah I respect them as a team mate not a bitter deluded fan when it comes to rivals like most haha

Grealish and N'Zogbia cant get into the game at all!

[JustM1kePlays]

Tim need to change it up at half time. What villa are missing an it makes it more obvious in this match is a solid defensively midfielder.

[JustM1kePlays]

What a goal!

[LordArcoDW]

Jack with a perfect prediction

4-0

[goodjob]

Wow. Well that was surprising. Didn't see that one coming. I mean I could have seen Arsenal winning it but not that comfortable, Villa totally bottled it! Hahahahaha. Well football is football.

[Fozz_Quaker]

I put 2 quid on Villa 2-1 and Benteke to score first at 105/1

[tfkbaggie]

Haha!! Villa didn't bottle it, they're just not a good team. No service to Benteke and Villa will be awful, 0 shots on target, just dreadful, We were awful against Arsenal last week yet managed to score a goal and hit the post too. Wenger got that spot on and made the keeper come and collect every ball. They only survived because Hull couldn't beat Burnley and it shows.