TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
| |||
|
| |||
| |||
|
| |||
| Premier League: Arsenal v Aston Villa - as it happened | Paolo Bandini Afternoon folks One year and one day ago, Arsenal travelled to Villa Park on Boxing Day in fifth place, desperate for a win against an Aston Villa side who looked bent on breaking into the top four. They drew 2-2, meaning Villa stayed three points clear in fourth place but over the following 19 games the Midlands outfit gradually faded away to finish sixth. Now Villa are fourth once again, but this time Arsenal sit third. The winner today will not only steal a march in the battle to secure a top four berth, but will also move within four points of league leaders Chelsea. Whether either team could sustain a title challenge is open to debate, but it's not a bad place to be at the season's midway point ...I'll be back in a minute with some pre-match musings, but in the meantime you can find out why Stuart James believes Villa finally have the depth to crack the top four right here.I'm not normally one to prattle on about betting odds ... But surely Arsenal shouldn't be odds-on to win this game (as they currently are, according to guardian.co.uk's oddschecker service)? Villa are unbeaten in three visits to Arsenal (won one, drawn two) and have won their last five league games.Arsenal, granted, are one spot ahead of Villa in the table having played a game less, but the performances of late have been up and down, and they are without Robin van Persie, Tomas Rosicky and their best three left-backs, among others. There's been no confirmation as yet on whether Cesc Fabregas will play today, but as of right now he's listed as 'very doubtful' by the usually reliable physioroom.com.My mistake Arsenal are only without their top two left-backs as Armand Traore is fit again according to Arsenal.com. The same wesbsite has Fabregas as "50-50" for today's game.Rumbled My colleague Steve McMillan needed just one look at me to work out what was going on. "Christmas jumper?" he asked. Yes, yes it is - though actually this one goes against the norm in that I actually do like it and intend to continue wearing it into the New Year. Nevertheless it seems as good an excuse as any to invite your submissions on the best and worst presents you received this year (or perhaps even all-time if they're really funny)? If they're football themed then that's all the better, though the top gift I received this year, Cake Wrecks by Jen Yates, had nothing to do with sport. Check out the blog - it's funny.The team news has finally landed Fabregas is back in the squad but only on the bench, presumably as he is below full-fitness. Traore returns the starting line-up, though, as does Bacary Sagna. Villa are unchanged from the team that beat Stoke 1-0.Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Song Billong, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby, Eduardo, Arshavin. Subs: Fabianski, Fabregas, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue.Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock,Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delph, Reo-Coker, Beye, Collins.Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)Email v1.0 "Arsenal really have to win this one don't they," muses Gary Naylor. "All the title contenders have a bit of a credibility gap, but Arsenal have had theirs for a lot longer."Fancying their chances Martin O'Neill wasted no time in pointing out Villa's "great" record against Arsenal in his pre-game interview with Sky. "This is a new game," he said, "but if you're looking for any sort of precedent then our past performances here have been very good."1 min Aston Villa get us underway. "I was amused to hear the Australian pundit on ESPN here in Macau describe the Aston Villa strike force as having the ability to put runs on the board," chuckles Felix Brown. "He must have stellar career ahead of him in his chosen field." This reminds me of when David Beckham first arrived in the United States. One of the wires reporters sent to cover his first training session relayed with huge conviction that "the 32-year-old midfielder appeared to move well laterally and got off a few long kicks toward the end of a scrimmage." I just realised I never made a prediction for this game, so I'll say 1-1.2 mins Downing finds space to swing a first cross over from the left-hand side but Almunia claims with more confidence than he's shown in most of Arsenal's games lately. He'll need to keep doing that today.3 mins Arsenal win the first free-kick of the game and Villa don't defend it well - allowing the ball to reach Arshavin unmarked at the back post and then failing to clear the ball properly at the first attempt. Thankfully for them Arsenal didn't have anyone following up in the middle.4 mins Dear oh dear that was a fantastic chance wasted by Eduardo. Abou Diaby span his marker well on the edge of the box and rolled a square ball in to the striker, who pulled off an almost identical turn to lose Dunne to give himself more than a yard of space by the penalty spot only to then prod weakly straight at Friedel.6 mins Arsenal have made by far the brighter start so far and they win the first corner of the game, but Heskey heads Eduardo's delivery behind again at the near post ...7 mins ... The second corner is taken short then worked back to Denilson just outside the D, but his first time effort flies over the bar.8 mins "My inlaws went to Miami Beach two Christmas ago and decided they liked it so much that they moved there six months later," writes Robert Gallo in an email with the subject line "Best Christmas Gift Ever". "Absolutely a gift from tne Manger!"10 mins Villa's best attack of the game so far, as Milner's cross from the left is headed down by Heskey, then played back to the striker by Gabriel Agbonlahor on the edge of the area, but he his low drive flies a few yards wide. Arsenal have very much had the better of the opening exchanges but you can already see how they're going to struggle to deal with Heskey.12 mins Arshavin takes a pass from Song with his back to goal, feints to turn away from goal but then twists back inside and gets off a quick shot with his left foot that was on target but never really had the pace to beat Friedel.13 mins Ooh, very close for Villa there, as Song tackles Agbonlahor inside the area but the ball runs to Ashley Young, whose side-footed effort clips the knee of a defender and looks for a second to be dropping inside the top corner but instead loops just wide.14 mins The ensuing corner is dealt with dreadfully by Arsenal too - allowed to fly right across the six yard box before eventually being half-cleared as far as Milner. Villa then work the ball back across to Agbonlahor, whose low, skiddy effort from outside the area is some way off target.17 mins Breathless stuff so far at the Emirates, but everyone finally gets a quick break as Denilson sweeps away Petrov's feet with Villa looking to break. Another ref on another day might have booked him for that, but Phil Dowd never even has a word.18 mins Eduardo has rarely looked sharp for Arsenal this season and you can feel the frustration building inside the stadium as he once again dawdles and loses possession inside the Villa area. Few in this crowd would have realised how much they would miss Nicklas Bendtner this season.19 mins Now Milner jabs wide from close range for Villa. Not a lot of good defending going on here at the minute.21 mins Richard Dunne crashes into Almunia as the Arsenal keeper goes up to claim another Milner cross from the left, then pokes the ball into the net after it comes loose. The whistle had gone long ago, however, and rightly - Almunia had both hands on the ball before the defender ran into him.22 mins You might have expected Villa, who have conceded just two goals from set pieces this season according to Sky's pre-game stats, to have little trouble dealing with this relatively short Arsenal team from dead balls but so far they've been having all sorts of problems. This time it's Diaby who rises unmarked in the area to meet a free-kick from the right but his header is off target.24 mins "Stranded in the sticks of Michigan visiting my wife's family for the Holiday," sighs Ed Brolin. "After a quarter of an hour struggling in vain to bring up the game on satellite radio, I've resigned myself to the fact that you alone can keep me abreast if whether Abou Diaby can be bothered to run (rather than lope about) for 90 minutes." You don't need me to tell you that's never going to happen, Ed.26 mins Diaby has room to shoot but in a desperate bid to get it on to his right foot instead decides to scuttle sideways across the edge of the box until he runs into Stewart Downing.27 mins Dowd is obviously eager to avoid handing out too many cards today, as Song avoids a yellow card for a studs-up challenge in midfield. Not that it's been a bad-tempered game, in fairness.30 mins Denilson feeds Nasri 18 yards out and the French midfielder flicks the ball up for himself and before attempting a volley towards the far corner, but it deflects over and behind off a Villa defender. Song's header from the ensuing corner appears to ricochet behind off his marker, too, but Dowd gives a goal-kick.32 mins Arsenal win a free-kick inside the D after Denilson is brought down, but the same player is unable to replicate his fine goal against Hull - choosing to thump the ball straight into the wall instead of attempting another chipped finish. The ball rebounds to Sagna, who thrashes his right-footed effort over the bar.35 mins "Steve Bruce's thriller Striker," reports Paul Beaumont in response to my earlier question about worst Christmas gifts. "In complete earnest, as a remedy to my lack of interest in reading anything but Match Magazine/4-4-2 my parents deemed it necessary to stretch my literary horizons by getting me Steve Bruce's self-published novel. Predictably, it had the opposite of its intended affect and after just 2 chapters I resolved never to waste any more time on this fiction nonsense, a position I idiotically maintained well into sixth form college."37 mins It's gone a bit flat here for the last few minutes, but then again it probably only seems that way because the first half-hour was so good. Probably best not complain, then.40 mins Arshavin chases a hopeful punt down the left channel but only arrives in time to have Warnock thwack the ball off his thigh and behind for a goal-kick.43 mins Arsenal win a corner but for once Villa deal with it well and go straight on the counter-attack, Agbonlahor racing away down the right flank and attempting to centre it for Milner, but Denilson manages to cut it out.44 mins William Gallas is wearing a gum guard - like rugby players use. How curious. I know this because he just took it out to have a word with Denilson before a free-kick, which was easily cleared by Villa.45 mins Arsenal win a corner after some calamitous Villa defending gifts the ball to Diaby, who predictably was fast asleep and totally failed to take advantage of the yards of space he found himself in but somehow managed to bobble the ball to Nasri, whose shot deflects behind.45 mins (+1) The first corner is headed behind by a Villa player, and the second headed clear.Peepety-peeeep! The half ends with another Arsenal free-kick, whisked from the right-hand touchline towards the far corner of the six-yard box but easily plucked out of the air by Friedel. Back in a tick with some half-time thoughts and emails.More Christmas gift gaffes "I think I have a good contender for one of the worst Christmas presents ever," parps Dan Garrigan. "When I was about 13 my older borther got me a jockstrap as a present. To add insult to injury he got it in a size small. What on earth was going through his tiny little mind?" This has actually just reminded me of a friend of mine whose younger brother once gave him an FHM calendar for Christmas. Said calendar came free with the month's edition of FHM, which was not included as part of the present.Desperately clicking "I'm a gooner on a fairly remote Colombian mountainside with a very weak internet connection," sniffs Justin Kirkham. "So this is the first time I've followed MbM out of pure necessity rather than for it's excellent journalism. More updates on the ineffectuality of messers Nasri, Denilson and Diaby please." I'd actually say Nasri and Denilson have been two of the more effective players for Arsenal so far, and even Diaby has been involved in some of Arsenal's better moves. But there's the rub with Diaby, he often is - it's not the bits when he does get involved, but the other 80 minutes of the game he tends to doze off that are the problem.Correct mouth protection apparatus terminology "It is a 'gum shield'," harrumphs David Turner in response to my revelations about William Gallas (44 mins).Right then Villa will probably be the happier with how that first half went - they saw less of the ball than their hosts, but they looked possibly the more dangerous side on the counter-attack and if the game were to end as it is now they would surely be more than content with a draw away from home. Arsenal continue to suffer for their lack of a true striker in Van Persie's absence. Eduardo should be that player, but he looks a long way from being match sharp.46 mins The second half is underway and neither team has made any changes at half-time.47 mins Just like in the first half Arsenal have started at a high tempo and Nasri exchanges passes with Diaby down the right before the latter loops a cross over towards the back post, where it is cut out by Young.48 mins Slightly unnerving moment for Arsenal as Almunia steps outside his area to retrieve a ball down the right channel, then makes no effort to get rid of it as Emile Heskey rushes towards him, but the flag eventually comes up against the Villa striker.49 mins "I gave my brother a copy of Total Guitar magazine for Christmas a couple of years ago, because the newsagent was the last shop open on Christmas Eve," admits Niall Harden as William Gallas heads away a cross from Young. "I'm still embarrassed about it. Can't remember if I bothered wrapping it ..."51 mins Sloppy stuff from both teams as Gallas gives the ball away cheaply to Petrov in midfield, but Villa succeed in gifting possession right back. No real chances to speak of since the restart.53 mins Warnock wins a corner for Villa after seizing on another sloppy pass, this time from Sagna as Arsenal looked for a way upfield.54 mins The corner is headed clear at the near post, but Villa are beginning to grow in confidence here and from a first look it seems that Young is unlucky not to get a free-kick after being dispossessed as he looks for a way past Song about 30 yards out.56 mins Arsenal break quickly after that non-decision from Dowd, and win a free-kick of their own 30 yards out on the left. Eduardo swings the ball in towards the far post and oh-so close to the head of Gallas, but even though the defender misses it Friedel has to get down to palm the ball away at full-stretch or it would have snuck in at the near post. Villa put the ball behind for an Arsenal corner. The initial foul was by Warnock, but Young picks up a booking for talking back to Dowd.57 mins And it's another fantastic chance for Arsenal! This time Eduardo rises to meet the corner, heading it down into the ground in front of Friedel, who fails to gather under pressure from Gallas, but Arsenal can't quite squeeze it home and Villa clear.58 mins And now Fabregas comes on for Denilson.59 mins Within a minute of coming on Fabregas fizzes a free-kick this far over the bar from a free-kick 30-odd yards out.60 mins Another chance for Arsenal, as Eduardo's jabs a ball past Young and Arshavin scuffs it towards Friedel at the near post, but the keeper manages to push it away.61 mins Villa are clinging on at the moment, and Villa is called upon once again to parry a low efort from Arshavin that was arrowing straight into the bottom-right corner. Eduardo looked to be in pole position to reach the loose ball at the far post, but Dunne came diving in at the last to knock it behind. Heskey heads the corner away.63 mins John Carew is on for Emile Heskey. "My worst present ever was a 1st generation Sharp electronic organizer," reports Joey in Maui. "Not so bad you say? Well, it was over ten years old, had no batteries and to top it off it was used and had all of the previous owner's useless info in it which couldn't be erased because he forgot the security code... thanks Dad."64 mins Another change for Arsenal as Theo Walcott replaces Eduardo.GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa (Fabregas 65 mins) Arsenal finally break the deadlock and perhaps inevitably it's Cesc Fabregas, who was only supposed to come on in case of emergency today, who gets the goal. Arsenal won a free-kick about 22 yards out and just left of the D, and when the referee's whistle went with Friedel still skipping into position in the middle of his goal, Fabregas curled it deliciously into the very top corner of the net. The keeper would have had no chance either way.68 mins That's going to make life difficult for Villa now - so far this game they've relied heavily on the counter-attack, but Arsenal won't need to commit men forward like they had done until now.69 mins "I gave my baby brother who was six at the time a voucher (which i printed at school) for a tour of Santa's toy factory on the North Pole," reports Martin. "Needless to say he still hasn't cashed in the voucher after 15 years ..." That's just cruel70 mins Despite my previous comments, Arsenal are still pouring forward in numbers here, and Alex Song slices a shot wide from just outside the D after being played in by Fabregas.72 mins Arsenal do need to be careful here - Villa just attempted a long punt downfield and though Carew was the only one of their players anywhere near the long ball there were also only two defenders back there with both full-backs having made enthusiastic runs up the pitch.73 mins Diaby strides forward full of purpose, but then forgets to pass and falls on his bum. Sorry, earlier emails led me to believe are were one or two readers out there who have been waiting all game for that sort of entry.75 mins Cuellar picks up a booking after blocking someone off in midfield. "My brother about 10 years ago had borrowed a walkman and headphones," recalls Colin Moulder. "He turned up with a wrapped present, and you've guessed it, inside was the said walkman and headphones. The thing is, we waited and waited for the 'real' present, and none was forthcoming ... You know who you are Ray!"76 mins Villa send Fabian Delph on for Luke Young.77 mins Arsenal come pouring forward again and Walcott whips a cross over from the right but it is too far ahead of all three red shirts chasing in towards the six-yard area.78 mins Villa win a rare corner and you could feel the hearts rising into mouths all around the Emirates as Almunia charged off his line to meet it but in the end it was a routine take for the keeper.80 mins Arsenal give away a soft free-kick in a very dangerous area about five yards from the goal-line on the right hand side, but once again Almunia is out smartly to deal with the delivery, this time punching clear.GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa (Fabregas 81 mins) Absolutely clinical counter-attacking football from Arsenal, as Traore picks out Walcott on the far side, he races away down the right and plays a square ball into the path of Fabregas, who finishes with aplomb. It may be a goal that hurts Arsenal more than it helps, though, as Fabregas, who was at full pelt from pretty much the half-way line to reach that ball, immediately pulled up clutching his hamstring.83 mins Arsene Wenger already has Aaron Ramsey ready to replace Fabregas, but they'll need another break in play.84 mins Arsenal win a free-kick for a foul on Fabregas, and he is indeed going of to be replaced by Ramsey. The Spain midfielder looks frustrated and Arsenal will have to hope he hasn't aggravated the injury too badly. He goes straight off down the tunnel with the Arsenal physio.86 mins Fine work from Almunia, who scampers back to claw the ball behind after it appeared that Agbonlahor had gone round him having got goalside of William Gallas. The corner is headed clear by Arsenal.87 mins "My big brother was a big 2000AD fan," says Ben Richter. "I gave him a copy of the Bunty For Girls Year Album and wrapped it in Judge Dredd wrapping paper. He was not amused."89 mins Alex Song, already on a booking that I appear to have missed, gets a talking to from Dowd after another rough challenge. He's made a few of those today, but he's also done a really good job of holding the Arsenal midfield together.90 mins We'll have four minutes of injury time.GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa (Diaby 90 mins (+1)) Abou Diaby sticks it to those of us who have made jibes at him today, striding towards an Aston Villa defence who were always backing away before stroking a fine side-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area. That was very well taken.90 mins (+4) Delph picks up a yellow card after sharing his thoughts with Dowd following a foul on Ramsey.Peep! Peep! Peeeep! That's it from Emirates Stadium - Arsenal move within four points of Chelsea at the top of the table and have a game in hand on the league leaders. They're second for the time being, but Manchester United can reclaim that spot if they beat Hull in the late game, which you can follow with me by clicking on this link now. Aston Villa fail to score for the first time since the opening weekend of the season. Cesc Fabregas will take the plaudits after scoring Arsenal's first two goals during his 28-minute stint on the pitch. The only worry for Arsenal will be over how badly he has aggravated his hamstring injury. Thanks for all your emails, sorry I couldn't use more.Premier LeagueArsenalAston VillaPaolo Bandiniguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Leeds United then and now: how things have changed since last Manchester United clash Leeds United are unrecognisable from the team that last met Manchester United in the Premier League almost six years ago. telegraph.co.uk |
Lord Triesman attempts to ensure Franco Baldini's safety at Africa Cup of Nations Lord Triesman has consulted his Foreign Office contacts to ensure England assistant Franco Baldini will be safe in Angola. telegraph.co.uk |
Milner shoots Villa to victory James Milner's goal gave Aston Villa a 1-0 victory at Blackburn in their Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Ewood Park. foxsports.com.au |
Michael Dawson earns new Tottenham contract Harry Redknapp allows Giovani dos Santos to join Galatasaray on loan and agrees new five-year contract with Michael Dawson. telegraph.co.uk |