Arsenal-Aston Villa Preview

Morning all. Been a busy last couple days. On Wednesday I turned 21 and over here in the States that is a big deal, legal drinking age. So of course that kept me busy and there hasn't really been much for news anyway, but I had to write before another league game. This time it's home against Aston Villa, and it HAS to be three points for us. Now Villa are a good side, don't get me wrong, but at home, when everyone is saying we're going to collapse, we really have to make a statement with this game. Remember we still have trips to Stamford Shite Hole and Old Trafford this season to go, so we need to get the maximum points from all of our home matches.

For injury news, it's getting a bit better for us than it has been. Kolo Toure is still out with his calf problem or knee or something like that, but he could be back as soon as Milan next Tuesday. Of course Eduardo is out, as well as the forever injured Robin van Persie. Tomas Rosicky, who likes to keep Robin company in his absence, will also still be out. Emmanuel Eboue is suspended, but no loss there. We do have Diaby back though so that is good news.

I'll take a quick stab at the lineup, think it will look like this:

Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Senderos-Clichy
Hleb-Cesc-Flamini-Diaby
Adebayor-Bendtner

I wouldn't be surprised if Walcott got the run out over Bendtner or Diaby but this is what my Arsene Wenger-sensitive gut is telling me.

So my prediction for this one: 2-1 to the Arsenal. Both goals by Adebayor, and one of them will be from a Clichy cross.

So on with a bit of news then.

There have been a lot of rumors suggesting that Flamini had already reached a deal with Juventus and was going to go there on a free transfer at the end of this season. This would have been terrible news but Juventus came out and put this story to rest. This is great news for us. I don't know what the hold up is for resigning him but if we lose him on a free transfer that will be very upsetting.

First Barcelona and now Inter have been linked with Alexander Hleb. Supposedly they are going to make a £14million pound offer for him. No deal. Hleb is worth more than that to our team right now. I don't think Arsene would sell him. He stays healthy, he is a great dribbler and brings a lot to the side.

Young Guns posts a nice article about the top 5 youth players to watch in 2008. It's a good read.

And lastly, Arsene Wenger spoke of how important it was for Theo Walcott to get his first Premiership goals. It definitely should improve the boy's confidence in front of goal, something you could tell he was lacking. I wouldn't mind seeing him play against Villa and hopefully keep scoring for us. We're all behind you lad!

Cheers to three points tomorrow.