FA Cup final Preview: Arsenal vs Aston Villa

May 29, 2015
By: Deke Hardman

FA-cup

Saturday’s match at Wembley Stadium sees FA Cup holders Arsenal attempt to retain the trophy against Aston Villa in this season’s final.

The Gunners, who finished third in the Premier League, needed extra-time to get past Reading in last month’s semi-final, while they also eliminated Hull City, Brighton and Hove Albion, Middlesbrough and Manchester United to get here.

Danny Welbeck is Arsene Wenger’s only injury concern ahead of the game, with the striker still suffering from the knee injury his has been nursing for the past month.

Olivier Giroud is favourite to get the first goal of the game at 5.5 (9/2) with Bet 365 with Aaron Ramsey, who netted the Wembley winner twelve months ago, a 9.5 (17/2) chance with the same firm.

The North London side are priced at 1.57 (4/7) with Betfred to win the match inside ninety minutes, with Villa a 7.0 (6/1) chance with Bet Victor, who have the draw at 4.33 (10/3).

Tim Sherwood’s side came from behind to beat Liverpool at the national stadium a month ago, and also beat Blackpool, Bournemouth, Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion on their route to the final.

Shay Given, Jores Okore and Keiran Richardson are all doubts ahead of the game, while Libor Kozak, Ciaran Clark and Chris Herd are definitely out.

Christian Benteke, in what could be his last game for the Midlands club, is 11.0 (10/1) to get the first goal of the game with Bet 365, ahead of 17.0 (16/1) chance Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Arsenal won both of this season’s league clashes with Villa by an aggregate score of eight goals to nil and they have lost just one of their last nine meetings.

Three goals in four first half minutes secured the points for the North London side at Villa Park back in September, while they went two better at the Emirates Stadium in February.

However, each of the last eight FA Cup finals have been won by a single goal, so you may be tempted to back a one-nil win for Arsene Wenger’s side which is priced at 7.0 (6/1) with a variety of bookmakers.

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