Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 0

Mid-week premier league fixture tonight as Arsenal were away to Aston Villa. First one of a number of difficult and important fixtures for Arsenal.

Early pressure from Aston Villa as Petrov does well to win the ball from Cesc Fabregas with a strong challenge but he failed to impress with his resulting shot as he sent his effort well wide.

5 minutes in and Agbonlahor took control of Heskey’s through ball and his driven effort was turned past his left hand post by Almunia. Good save!

11 minutes in and a corner from the left fell to Denilson on the edge of the box and the midfielder saw his low effort turned behind by Friedel’s smart save. The resulting corner was cleared by Villa.

13 minute mark and Aston Villa won a free-kick on the edge of the box after Vermaelen’s challenge. Young sent the free-kick from 20 yards narrowly over the top of the bar.

20 minutes in and Clichy tried to get Arsenal on the front foot as his cross from the left is headed away from Arshavin at the far post by Luke Young. Both sides were looking dangerous from wide areas.

25 Arsenal work the resulting corner short and Fabregas sees his driven effort from a tight angle deflected behind for another flag-kick, which Villa clear.

29 Villa find space with Vermaelen off the field as Heskey fires a wild half-volley high over the top of the bar from 25 yards. Not the best shot of the Villa striker’s career.

33 Ashley Young continues to dominate against Clichy as he beats the left-back and sends a cross to the far post. Downing meets it on the volley but he sends his effort high over the bar. Villa need to start testing Almunia.

34 minutes in and Vermaelen was struggling with an injury. Sol Campbell soon made his return to the premier league!

40 minutes and Arsenal finally enjoyed a sustained spell of possession that resulted in a free-kick in a dangerous position. Cesc’s free-kick from 25 yards was not one of his best as he striked the foot of the Villa wall.

Almunia looked uncomfortable from a Villa corner as Milner’s effort from the right was cleared by Ramsey after 44 minutes of play.

45 minute mark and Cesc stormed forward. His low effort from the edge of the box striked the foot of Friedel’s left hand post. The rebound fell to Rosicky who collided with Ramsey and scuffed his shot. So close!
Half-time score: Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 0.

Arsenal managed to keep the ball early on in the second half. 4 minutes into the half and Villa failed to deal with Clichy’s cross from the left as Friedel and Collins got in a muddle. The loose ball almost fell to Cecs but Dunne managed to produce a block. Close again!

1 minute later and on the other side of the pitch Young’s cross from the right fell to Downing at the far post. The Villa winger sent his header wide from two yards.

59 minutes in and as Milner’s corner from the right was headed wide of the far post by Dunne.

61 minutes and Cesc easily headed Downing’s corner from the left away from the near post. Eduardo pulled up as he collected the loose ball and was soon replaced by Bendtner.

63 minutes and Arshavin stormed forward from the halfway line and beat Cuellar and Collins for pace to run through one-on-one with Friedel. The Villa goalie blocked the low shot but the rebound fell to Cesc and he slid a low pass to Rosicky. The Czech fired a powerful effort against the underside of the bar and the ball was cleared after bouncing back away from the goal. So so so close!

75 minutes in and after an all Aston Villa attack since the last Arsenal chance Young won a free-kick after being challenged by Clichy.

78 minutes in and Milner’s free-kick from the left caused panic in the Arsenal but Gallas cleared the danger under pressure from Dunne.

86 minutes in and Arshavin won a free-kick on the edge of the Villa box as he fell under Delph’s late trip. Cesc stepped up but sent the ball crashing into the Villa wall again.

Arsenal won a late corner into stoppage time. Campbell found himself in space from Cesc’s corner from the left but the effort was blocked by the Villa defence.

Villa in respond won a free-kick after pushing forward, Arsenal were able to clear and see the game out.
Full-time score Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 0. Full match report here.

Disappointing once again! I thought we were very poor in the first half, possession was terrible compared to usual and something was definitely missing. Argh and I hate hitting the woodwork, I would rather it go over! We needed the points as next up we have Manchester United on Sunday! Also, more injuries to add to the list!

Would love to know your thoughts and comments. Also any predictions for Sunday??

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