Aston Villa – Arsenal

1. Join us from 1730 GMT for text commentary of Arsenal's trip to Aston Vila, live on ESPN UK.

2. </a><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1121/jackwilsherearsenalcelebvmontpellier20121121_275x155.jpg"><br> Things looking up again for Arsenal recently with wins against Spurs and Montpellier. Jack Wilshere scored in the latter match and he says <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1238015/arsenal%27s-jack-wilshere-wants-to-learn-from-gerrard,-lampard?cc=5739" target="_blank">he is keen to add more goals to his game.</a>

3. Aston Villa blogger Kevin Hughes has been reminiscing about <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/astonvilla/id/212?cc=5739" target="_blank">the classic 1998 meeting with Arsenal,</a> while Gunners fan Andrew Mangan has been examining <a href="" target="_blank">the club's new £150m sponsorship deal with Emirates.</a>

4. Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Stevens, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Bannan, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Ireland, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, Bowery, Lichaj.

5. Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Giroud. Subs: Sagna, Vermaelen, Wilshere, Coquelin, Arshavin, Mannone, Gervinho.

6. Villa make one change from the side that lost at Manchester City last week, Karim El Ahmadi replaces Stephen Ireland.

7. Arsenal make four changes to the side that beat Tottenham last week. Gibbs, Jenkinson, Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain come in for Vermaelen, Sagna, Wilshere and Walcott.

8. The players are out onto the pitch. We are moments away from kick-off...

9. 1'

   And Arsenal get things underway...

10. 1'

    Mertesacker is put under pressure by Agbonlahor and is forced to pass back to Szczesny who clears.

11. 2'

    Arsenal starting to pass it around nicely with Cazorla heavily involved.

12. 3'

    Cazorla tries to play in Gibbs down the left but Lowton gets the tackle in.

13. 3'

    Podolski plays in Gibbs but the left back is offside.

14. 4'

    Paul Lambert is watching the game from the stands as he has a one-match touchline ban.

15. 4'

    Giroud sends in a dangerous ball but Vlaar heads clear for the corner.

16. 5'

    Cazorla's corner comes in but it misses everyone and goes out for the throw.

17. 5'

    A decent start then for the away side who are taking the game to their opponents from the off.

18. 6'

    Agbonlahor does well to intercept a Cazorla pass and breaks forward for Villa but Oxlade-Chamberlain does well to track back.

19. 6'

    Gibbs slides a ball in across the face of goal but nobody in an Arsenal shirt is there to meet it.

20. 7'

    Bannan picks out Stevens with a fine cross-field ball but the left back loses control of it and it goes off for the throw.

21. 8'

    Stevens tries to send in a cross from the left but it is poor and goes off for a goal kick.

22. 9'

    Giroud has shown what a threat his aerial presence can be, winning two big headers already.

23. 9'

    Jenkinson tries to play in Oxlade-Chamberlain but the pair have their wires crossed and nothing comes of it.

24. 10'

    Szczesny does well to beat Benteke to a ball played through the middle and averts the danger.

25. 10'

    Villa with a free-kick in a dangerous position...

26. 11'

    But Bannan's delivery is long and it goes out for a goal kick.

27. 12'

    Arsenal are playing keep-ball at the minute.

28. 12'

    Podolski tries to slot in Gibbs but Vlaar does well to intercept.

29. 13'

    Benteke wins a header to tee up Agbonlahor on the edge of the box but Ramsey gets the challenge in just as the Villa man was looking to pull the trigger.

30. 13'

    Westwood picks out Weimann on the left. The Villa man tries to bend a cross in but Szczesny palms it off for a corner.

31. 14'

    Bannan sends in the corner but Benteke just fails to get his head to it.

32. 15'

    Villa are enjoying a period of sustained pressure at the moment. They are making Arsenal's defence work.

33. 15'

    Bannan picks out Lowton with another cross-field ball. His passing has been of a high standard so far.

34. 16'

    El Ahmadi whips in a ball from the right that Arsenal eventually scramble away. Desperate stuff from the Gunners.

35. 16'

    Bannan tries a shot from long range but it was never troubling Szczesny.

36. 17'

    Arsenal look to attack but Podolski's ball to Giroud is very poor.

37. 18'

    Arsenal are struggling to keep the ball here.

38. 18'

    Bannan tries to pick out the run of Benteke into the box but Gibbs gets an important header on it to clear for a corner.

39. 19'

    Benteke gets his head to Westwood's corner but it falls wide.

40. 19'

    Villa have been passing it around nicely. Arsenal should probably take note.

41. 20'

    Jenkinson wastes a cross that goes out for a throw.

42. 20'

    The Villa crowd are applauding Stiliyan Petrov currently.

43. 21'

    Oxlade-Chamberlain does well to cut in from the right and force a shot in at goal but it goes just wide.

44. 22'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> El Ahmadi is booked for diving.

45. 22'

    Arsenal were lucky there as they gave the ball away in a dangerous position.

46. 23'

    Arsenal are finding it hard to impose themselves properly on this game.

47. 23'

    The Gunners give it away again. This time Jenkinson's touch lets him down.

48. 23'

    Giroud is constantly dropping deep to pick up the ball.

49. 24'

    Stevens looks for the run of Weimann but the Villa man is offside.

50. 25'

    Giroud this time with a woeful pass to concede possession to Villa.

51. 26'

    Cazorla tries to open up the defence with a pass to Gibbs but Agbonlahor does well to track back.

52. 26'

    After some lovely work from Cazorla, Podolski gives it away.

53. 27'

    Gibbs, however, does well to intercept and races into the Villa box and tries to pick out Podolski but the German is just unable to get to it. Guzan smothers the ball.

54. 28'

    Guzan makes a great save with his foot to deny a shot from Ramsey, following some good work from Oxlade-Chamberlain down the right.

55. 29'

    Arsenal are starting to up their game now.

56. 30'

    Jenksinson tries to whip in a ball from the right after latching onto Podolski's pass but Stevens does well to block.

57. 31'

    Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain try to play the one-two but Clark is there to intercept.

58. 31'

    Giroud has been involved in a lot of Arsenal's attacks so far. Always looking for the ball.

59. 32'

    Ramsey's pass to Oxlade-Chamberlain is overhit.

60. 33'

    It is absolutely pouring it down here at Villa Park.

61. 35'

    Some lovely passing from Arsenal outside Villa's box eventually comes to an end as Cazorla's pass is intercepted.

62. 35'

    This game has yet to really come to life. A goal would be good.

63. 36'

    Cazorla's long-range strike is blocked. Arsenal starting to pile on the pressure.

64. 37'

    Szczesny is penalised for catching the ball but holding onto it as he slides out of the area. Free-kick for Villa. Unlucky for the keeper as it is very slippery.

65. 38'

    Villa have a goal disallowed for offside. Weimann is offside has he strikes an effort into the back of the net. Let-off for Arsenal.

66. 40'

    And Villa come close with Agbonlahor as he gets a run in on goal only for Mertesacker to make a fine sliding tackle.

67. 40'

    The game is beginning to get little more open. The Villa Park crowd are starting to find their voice.

68. 41'

    Arteta's free-kick in is headed clear by Clark.

69. 42'

    El Ahmadi slides a dangerous ball in from the right. Szczesny does well to smother.

70. 42'

    Arsenal should have broken the deadlock. Giroud manages to pick out Koscielny from the right with a ball across the face of goal, however, the defender can only blaze over from close range.

71. 45'

    El Ahmadi tries to slide in Agbonlahor but Mertesacker does well to intercept. A ball comes in from the left but Koscielny clears to safety.

72. 45'

    And there goes the half-time whistle.

73. 45'

    Not a vintage first half. Villa have edged it and played some decent stuff. Arsenal have yet to really get going although they should be one up through Koscielny. Let's hope the second half is an improvement.

74. 46'

    Aston Villa get the second half going. No changes from either side.

75. 46'

    Westwood plays a ball over the top to Agbonlahor down the right but the winger is unable to deliver a decent cross.

76. 47'

    Villa have started the half well and are passing it around nicely.

77. 48'

    Cazorla plays a one-two with Giroud before firing an effort towards the top corner from outside the area. It sails just over. Unlucky.

78. 48'

    Westwood fires a shot at goal but it is straight at Szczesny.

79. 49'

    A lively start to the second half.

80. 49'

    Podolski finds himself down the left but his cross is too close to Guzan.

81. 50'

    For once Giroud's touch lets him down tonight and an encouraging Arsenal move comes to an end.

82. 51'

    Koscielny makes a good interception to stop a Villa move and the defender sprints up the other end of the pitch as Arsenal attack. Oxlade-Chamberlain loses it though.

83. 51'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Lichaj comes on for the injured Vlaar.

84. 52'

    Giroud with a poor shot at goal from distance. Arsene Wenger is far from impressed on the touchline.

85. 53'

    Agbonlahor does well to beat Mertesacker and Cazorla to win the free-kick. He has been a real livewire tonight.

86. 53'

    Bannan picks out Clark with the free-kick but the defender is unable to control the pass.

87. 54'

    Arsenal will hope to exploit the Villa defence with the impressive Vlaar now missing.

88. 55'

    Benteke does well to bring down a pass but the referee blows the whistle for a handball from the striker.

89. 56'

    A great run from Oxlade-Chamberlain down the right as he beats Clark and picks out Ramsey in the box but the midfielder is unable to direct his shot on target from a tricky angle.

90. 57'

    Giroud tries a Hollywood pass to Gibbs but it is a little over-ambitious and goes out for the throw.

91. 59'

    Podolski gives the ball away and Villa capitalise. Benteke goes for the shot but it deflects wide.

92. 59'

    Ramsey gets his head to a dangerous Bannan delivery.

93. 60'

    Bannan sends in another corner and Benteke's header is deflected wide for yet another corner but this time Arsenal clear it away to safety.

94. 61'

    Arsenal are finding it hard to escape from their own half at the moment. A really good spell for the home side.

95. 61'

    Lichaj sends in a ball from the right but Szczesny collects.

96. 62'

    Podolski finds himself in space in the Villa box and gets the shot in but Lowton does well to get the block in.

97. 63'

    Giroud gets his head to a Cazorla corner and Ramsey arrives at the far post but volleys it over. Should have done better.

98. 63'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Holman comes on for El Ahmadi.

99. 64'

    Villa have conceded 17 second-half league goals this season - equal-most with Southampton.

100. 65'

     Some sloppy play from Arsenal allows Weimann to get a ball in from the right. Koscielny makes a great defensive header to clear with Benteke ready to pounce.

101. 66'

     Villa are not giving Arsenal any time on the ball today.

102. 66'

     Cazorla fails in trying to pick out the run of Giroud.

103. 67'

     Arsenal should think about bringing on Gervinho. They could do with his pace in trying to break down Villa's defence - something they are struggling to do currently.

104. 68'

     Some nice play between Weimann and Benteke eventually sees Agbonlahor work in a shot at goal from just inside the area. Good save from Szczesny to deny the Villa player.

105. 69'

     Gervinho is getting ready to come on.

106. 69'

     Arsenal's defence has looked vulnerable tonight when Villa have run at them.

107. 70'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Podolski has come off for Gervinho. The German has yet to finish a game for Arsenal. He was rather quiet tonight.

108. 70'

     Ramsey fires in an effort at goal but Bannan blocks.

109. 71'

     Gervinho with his first touch of the game loses control of the ball as he tries to beat a man down the left and it goes off for a goal kick.

110. 72'

     Stevens does well to block an Oxlade-Chamberlain cross. Corner.

111. 73'

     Villa get it clear.

112. 73'

     Benteke gets a ball in from the right but Jenkinson manages to backheel it away with Weimann right behind him.

113. 74'

     You do sense that Villa look like grabbing the goal, if there is to be one that is.

114. 75'

     Bannan finds Benteke at the far post with a free-kick but Szczesny makes a comfortable save.

115. 76'

     Ramsey does well to turn and beat a man before firing in a shot from the edge of the box that sails just wide.

116. 76'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arshavin comes on for Oxlade-Chamberlain. The young Englishman has impressed at times tonight but has also gone missing a little.

117. 78'

     Holman with a thundering 25-yard strike.It is destined for the back of the net but Szczesny gets a touch on it to turn it onto the bar.

118. 79'

     Arshavin loses the ball with his first touch and concedes a free-kick.

119. 80'

     Arsenal are living on the edge. Some sloppy passing nearly puts them in trouble.

120. 81'

     Bannan's free-kick is headed tamely wide by Benteke.

121. 81'

     Can Villa make this period of pressure count?

122. 82'

     Arsenal come forward but Giroud gives it away cheaply. Villa break down the other end with Benteke but Mertesacker does well to get across and clear the danger.

123. 84'

     Cazorla picks out Arshavin with a nice pass but the Russian's cross is deflected into the arms of Guzan.

124. 85'

     Arshavin sends another ball in but Villa clear.

125. 85'

     It's all Arsenal at the moment. But they can't seem to make any of their moves work.

126. 86'

     Gibbs picks out Giroud in the box but the Frenchman miskicks.

127. 86'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Coquelin comes on for Giroud.

128. 86'

     Boos ring out from the Arsenal fans after that change. Seems Wenger is settling for the point.

129. 87'

     Arshavin with a great ball in from the left but Clark makes a vital interception just as Gervinho looked like scoring.

130. 89'

     It seems like we're heading for a bore draw...

131. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Albrighton comes on for Weimann.

132. 90'

     Three minutes of added time to play...

133. 90'

     Cazorla nearly picks out the run of Arshavin who would have been in on goal but it s just underhit.

134. 90'

     Jenkinson gets a ball in from the right but it just fails to pick out Gibbs.

135. 90'

     Coquelin finds himself in space on the right but a terrible cross goes out for a goal kick. What a waste.

136. 90'

     And there goes the full time whistle.

137. 90'

     A pretty dire game really. Villa probably deserved to edge it and played some promising football at times. Arsenal produced a real lacklustre performance. Frustrating.

138. 90'

     Anyway, that's your lot for tonight. Thanks for joining me. See you next time.

139. 90'

     Anyway, that's your lot for tonight. Thanks for joining me. See you next time.

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