FA Cup Final - Arsenal vs Aston Villa, 30/05 5.30pm, BBC1

2ndcoming

The traditional showpiece of the English season sees Arsenal look to become the most successful club in FA Cup history as they gun for their 12th victory in the competition. Arsene Wenger also aims to become the most successful post-war manager in the competition, to match the record set by Aston Villa's George Ramsay around the turn of the last century.

Aston Villa's current manager Tim Sherwood has rejuvenated their side and will look to be the fly in Wenger's ointment. Having achieved their main goal of Premier League survival their FA Cup run has been icing on the cake for the Villa with mental scenes at Villa Park after their impressive derby win over West Brom before then dispatching Liverpool in the semi-final.

Probable line-ups -

Arsenal : Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud

Aston Villa: Given, Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Richardson, Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, Grealish, Agbonlahor, Benteke

bad2dabone

Come on you gunners!

GavRedKing

Arsenal will be way to strong for Villa, this could and I think it will be, a very one sided final, probably the biggest since Utd beat Millwall back in 2004 was it?

Kirby

Arsenal are miles ahead as a team. If this was a league game it would be a walkover.....but its a final. Arsenal are still fragile. This is by no means a sure thing.

And the thought of Agbonlahor running at Mertesacker makes me chuckle. :P

Mickeroo

If Villa set up like Swansea and Sunderland did in the league they'll probably win.

BMJD

It would be nice to see Shay Given and Ciaran Clark pick up a winners medal.

Bobby Baccala

Kirby wrote: »

Arsenal are miles ahead as a team. If this was a league game it would be a walkover.....but its a final. Arsenal are still fragile. This is by no means a sure thing.

And the thought of Agbonlahor running at Mertesacker makes me chuckle. :P

The thoughts of him running at Koscielny makes me chuckle

Kirby

Why? Thats not humerous at all. :P

greendom

Kirby wrote: »

Arsenal are miles ahead as a team. If this was a league game it would be a walkover.....but its a final. Arsenal are still fragile. This is by no means a sure thing.

And the thought of Agbonlahor running at Mertesacker makes me chuckle. :P

aha yes - Agbonlahor runs at Metersacker, Metersacker tackles Agbonlahor - NEXT !

Skid X

The BBC are doing lots of FA Cup/Football themed coverage around the day , in a throwback to when the FA Cup Final build up was a huge event


BBC Breakfast (06:30-10:00, BBC One)

FA Cup Rewind: Classic Finals (08:30-09:30, BBC Two)

MOTD Kickabout (09:30-10:00, BBC Two)

Saturday Kitchen ( 10:00-11:30, BBC One)

FA Cup 50 Greatest Moments (10:00-12:00, BBC Two)

Fighting Talk (11:00-12:00, Radio 5 live)

Football Focus (12:10-13:00, BBC One)

Gary Lineker on the Road to FA Cup Glory (BBC One, 13:00-14:00)

FA Cup TOTP 2 (14:05-14:30, BBC One)

Pointless FA Cup Special (14:30-15:20, BBC One)

The Road to Wembley (15:25-15:55, BBC One)

MOTD LIVE: FA Cup Final Build Up (15:55-17:15, BBC One)

MOTD LIVE: Arsenal v Aston Villa (17:15-19:50, BBC One)

5 live Sport: FA Cup Final: Arsenal v Aston Villa (12:00-19:30, Radio 5 live)

MOTD: FA Cup Final highlights (22:50-23:25, BBC One)


http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32801726

GavRedKing

I hope Villa win, a nice lesuirely stroll in August for a community shield curtain raiser would be welcome. :P

gimmick

The real question is are there trains running back to Birmingham after this abomination of a KO time!?

greendom

gimmick wrote: »

The real question is are there trains running back to Birmingham after this abomination of a KO time!?

last train at 21:43 so should be ok even with extra time and penalties (God forbid)

http://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable#Journey/LONDON%20EUSTON/BIRMINGHAM%20NEW%20STREET/30/05/15/20/00/Dep//////Dep/1/0//

JPA

Clark is out, probably Okore as well.
Vlaar and Baker at the back. Eek.

Drexel

Mickeroo wrote: »

If Villa set up like Swansea and Sunderland did in the league they'll probably win.

I agree with this but can Tim set up a team like that. He is a fairly attacking manager. If they come at us I think we will murder them.

GavRedKing

Arsenal fans be afraid, be very afraid.

according to Ginny the Penguin at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, Tim Sherwood’s side will triumph over Arsene Wenger’s this Saturday.

‘Our penguins love getting the chance to put their psychic abilities to the test, especially Ginny,’ said staff member Naomi Bird.

JPA

jonny666 wrote: »

I agree with this but can Tim set up a team like that. He is a fairly attacking manager. If they come at us I think we will murder them.

Well he's been playing with 3 combative midfielders so that will continue.
Starting Walcott is the real worry, Giroud is out of form but Walcott is exactly the type of player to take advantage of the Villa defence.

Drexel

JPA wrote: »

Well he's been playing with 3 combative midfielders so that will continue.
Starting Walcott is the real worry, Giroud is out of form but Walcott is exactly the type of player to take advantage of the Villa defence.

It's more than playing 3 ball winning player in the middle it's sitting 11 players in the box like Sunderland did I'd be worried about.

greendom

jonny666 wrote: »

It's more than playing 3 ball winning player in the middle it's sitting 11 players in the box like Sunderland did I'd be worried about.

and compound that with a slow start, little movement, slow steady passing as we did in the first half against both Sunderland and Swansea and it plays into the hands of a team sitting back.

Really hope we race out of the blocks tomorrow.

brevity

I just hope Benteke doesn't pay a blinder.

SantryRed

What's the point in the 5:15pm kick off? Absolutely no need for that and don't see the point of it.

Hyzepher

SantryRed wrote: »

What's the point in the 5:15pm kick off? Absolutely no need for that and don't see the point of it.

larger viewing figures

greendom

Hyzepher wrote: »

larger viewing figures

bumper day for Wembley based pubs too

GavRedKing

Is the 5.15 not to do with the no top flight games live between 2.45 and 5.15 in England on Saturdays?

Theres also other reasons I'd imagine.

Mickeroo

GavRedKing wrote: »

Is the 5.15 not to do with the no top flight games live between 2.45 and 5.15 in England on Saturdays?

Theres also other reasons I'd imagine.

Is a cup match technically a "top flight" game though?

greendom

GavRedKing wrote: »

Is the 5.15 not to do with the no top flight games live between 2.45 and 5.15 in England on Saturdays?

Theres also other reasons I'd imagine.

that only applies when there's a full league fixture list on a Saturday. Final was always played at 3pm on a Saturday. And I can remember when that was one of the few live games to be shown - along with World Cup and Euro final matches

extra gravy

Not that it makes a huge difference but kick off is 5.30 not 5.15.

Hyzepher

FA Chairman said the 5.30 kick-off was dictated by TV - bigger audiences at tea time

GavRedKing

By the time the game is over we'll have the Copa Del Rey to look forward to.

Bret Hart

Easy 3-1 to Villa. Benteke hat-trick and Sanchez with a consolation for the Arse.

Alfred Borden

Can we just decide this by a poll instead? :pac:

Maximus Alexander

brevity wrote: »

I just hope Benteke doesn't pay a blinder.

As a neutral, I hope he does.

Hoki

GavRedKing wrote: »

By the time the game is over we'll have the Copa Del Rey to look forward to.

Not to mention the German Cup final between Dortmund & Wolfsburg

Will I Amnt

Hoki wrote: »

Not to mention the German Cup final between Dortmund & Wolfsburg

And the Scottish heavyweight, cup final clash between the mighty Caley Thistle and Falkirk beforehand...
What a day to be alive.

Turtwig

Just a slight gripe here, k/o is 5:30. Could be the thread be updated with the kick-off time?

Mr_Muffin

May i ask a question?

Would the fans be drinking for the final today?

If so would they have a few pints before they go in to watch the match or wait until it is over?

Doyler92

Does anybody in America know what station this match will be on?

Hoki

Mr_Muffin wrote: »

May i ask a question?

Would the fans be drinking for the final today?

If so would they have a few pints before they go in to watch the match or wait until it is over?

Both before & after i'd imagine!

Patser

Hoki wrote: »

Both before & after i'd imagine!

I'd say a fair few during as well....

2ndcoming

Sorry about the time error, but if you stick on BBC1 at 5.15 you won't be put far wrong so we'll let it ride.

Great build up stuff on all day, getting really hyped now! Come on you Gunners!


Edit - Only seen a mod already fixed it. Propriety is restored, huzzah.

efb

Come on Arsenal!!!

efb

Let's make history!

AdrianII

Doyler92 wrote: »

Does anybody in America know what station this match will be on?

I believe fox sports have FA cup rights

Alfred Borden

Time to knock United off their perch!

Skylinehead

Raf32 wrote: »

Time to knock United off their perch!

It's our perch too

A_Sober_Paddy

Would be nice to see Villa win this, a club with history who've been asleep for too long

efb

@Arsenal: .@Arsenal team to play Villa: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott

greendom

efb wrote: »

@Arsenal: .@Arsenal team to play Villa: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott

no Giroud !!

Bobby Baccala

Walcott up front is a brave move, really think he can trouble villas back 4. Could be his day

Alfred Borden

Will be closing my eyes for all Villas set pieces so.

efb

Can't say I'm surprised Walcott on form Giroud off form