Arsenal – Villa; Minimal expectations.

What’s the saying?
Expect the worst and anything else is a bonus.
That about sums it up for me, as I can’t muster any confidence whatsoever for this game.
I’m very tempted to predict a four or even five goal defeat, but just as I’ve invariably been wrong over the last few months so I think I’d be wrong in expecting that sort of loss.
I’m not predicting, but just as Tottenham took a tonking which I don’t think many expected yesterday, so it proves that anything can happen.

That said, Arsenal have a tremendous defensive record, so it’s difficult to see how we’re going to put many past them, but the same can’t be said for our back line recently, as we’ve been shocking for a good while now. Lille created plenty of chances midweek and it was only Martinez’ sterling efforts between the sticks that prevented them getting a victory.
I just don’t see the same happening today.

Talking of the defence, squad news is that Longlet and Cash have both trained and will be reviewed before the game. How much do we need those two back? I’ll bet someone at the club is kicking themselves that we never got another right back in when we had the chance. Just as many of us foresaw, that proved to be one of the worst team decisions I can ever remember at the Villa.
As for the rest of the squad, the usual suspects are out and even worse, Douglas Luiz serves the first match of his two game suspension.

Arsenal only have Jurrien Timber out. Lucky them and I’m not quite sure what that says about our training, but I’m sure something isn’t right. Us fans have had concerns about the intensity of our training for a good while, yet it still seems to be an ongoing problem.

Whatever, I think things are quite easily summed up here and it’s pretty daunting.
Arsenal have won eleven of their last twelve games and they’ve scored at least two goals in every one of those wins. To encourage us even more (!), they’ve only conceded four goals in those eleven victories.
That’s worrying.
Hence my low expectations.
The only question really, is will Unai decide this is a dead loss and rest at least some of the players?
I strongly expect the answer to that is “not a chance”.
I just don’t think that’s how he rolls and any player not starting will be because of fitness issues or niggles, in my opinion.

So fingers crossed, it’s not too bad a result/display and UTV!

57 Comments

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  1. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum April 14, 2024 at 5:57 pm . Reply

    Did someone earlier suggest Carlos should miss this game????
    God bless the Claret and Blue!!!!

    1. Bum Bum
      Bum Bum April 14, 2024 at 6:15 pm . Reply

      Wjat the fhdhrueujruejkkk!!!!!

  2. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum April 14, 2024 at 6:10 pm . Reply

    Moreno on. Fresh legs ahead of Digne for Nic Zaniolioioio…
    Still struggling with Tielemans hitting the crossbar!!!

  3. BumBum
    BumBum April 14, 2024 at 6:16 pm . Reply

    Oh my ficking God!!!!

  4. Gerry
    Gerry April 14, 2024 at 6:17 pm . Reply

    Don’t you just love the odd miracle

  5. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson April 14, 2024 at 6:17 pm . Reply

    Badger give your missis a kiss from me. Xxx

  6. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum April 14, 2024 at 6:22 pm . Reply

    I am shaking…Dunno about u lot…

  7. Gerry
    Gerry April 14, 2024 at 6:25 pm . Reply

    Just for once I agree with Neville. Carlos a monster man of the match

  8. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum April 14, 2024 at 6:26 pm . Reply

    How many empty seats are there? Bunch of w@nkers.

  9. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson April 14, 2024 at 6:27 pm . Reply

    Gerry he is mom

  10. Gerry
    Gerry April 14, 2024 at 6:29 pm . Reply

    Villa show boating at Arsenal, who would have thought it. We dream and when we wake up it really happened.

  11. Sidforever
    Sidforever April 14, 2024 at 6:31 pm . Reply

    What do I know?

    Thank you so much Unai Emery for shoving it up my ill founded opinion.

    Just a brilliant result.

    Well done you Villa!

  12. Holte
    Holte April 14, 2024 at 6:32 pm . Reply

    WOW! Unbelievable! I didn’t see that coming! Happy days 😃😃

  13. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 April 14, 2024 at 6:32 pm . Reply

    The missus has just told me that I’m not allowed to watch Thursdays game!

    MOTD 2 for me – not the same but I’ll still enjoy it.

    What a result.
    UTMV

  14. BFR
    BFR April 14, 2024 at 6:34 pm . Reply

    😉
    UTV!

  15. Holte
    Holte April 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm . Reply

    Sky pundit meltdown! Funny 😂😂😂😂😂

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