Arsenal’s wobbly form at the end of the season stopped them from finishing second in the league. Now, though, they have the chance to make it up to the fans by winning their second FA Cup in two years. Their opponents will be an Aston Villa side that lost the final two games of their Premier League season.
To make it into the final, Aston Villa and manager Tim Sherwood had to overcome Liverpool 2-1 victory in the semi-final. Sherwood took a side low on confidence and booked a cup-final appearance before ensuring Premier League survival for next season. A victory would make him a club legend in mere months.
Expectations
Arsenal managed to break a three-game slump when they demolished West Brom 4-1 to give their fans an entertaining final league game of the season. Finding their attacking feet will bode well for approaching Aston Villa with confidence.
Arsène Wenger will also be delighted with the goal-scoring performances of hat-trick hero Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere in returning from injury. Alex Oxlade-Chamberalin was another player returning from injury, coming on for the last 15 minutes. Wenger should expect to carve open Aston Villa with his healthy squad.
Aston Villa have a lot to be proud of, which is why they need to accept the possibility that they lose this game. For as much as the team has improved, they have sacrificed major defensive stability and are overly dependent on star striker Christian Benteke, who has finally regained his best form after injury issues.
Losing 1-0 at home to Burnley with what is close to your best 11 is not ideal for facing a superior Arsenal side in he FA Cup final. A confidence-shaking defeat like that will deprive the Villains of their self-belief in the days leading up to Arsenal.
Match Tips
Tip one: Arsenal @ 1.50 with ladbrokes
Tip two: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80 with ladbrokes
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Aston Villa’s defensive instability combined with Arsenal’s attacking quality means that an Arsenal victory at 1.50 is logical. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s often-leaky defence could contribute to the game having more than 2.5 goals.
