Update Aston Villa preview

Parade
By Boris Mellor
December 30 2005

Villa have lost more games at home than they have won, with four losses two draws and three wins. The defence has conceded three times as many goals at home than Arsenal have. They have been erratic all season, but during the Christmas season have scored seven goals.

During the same time Arsenal have scored five goals.On the face of it this could be a high-scoring game, but I doubt if Campbell and Toure will be as generous as some of the defences Villa have met recently. True Baros may try to take advantage of Cygan but hopefully he will be covered.

According to Henry Arsenal have rediscovered their ruthless streak; and if they can maintain the kind of tempo they did in the first half against Portsmouth then they should win this match comfortably. A victory would be only the third away victory this season.

Gilberto will be on the treatment table and may miss the Manchester United game, so clearly Flamini, Fabregas and Hleb will be involved. Van Persie is available again and there are no new injuries. Ashley Cole is now training on pitches again, and should be available in three weeks time.

Update:

In todays press conference Wenger stated he will be using 4-4-2 as he expects  Villa to do the same. It is seven years since Arsenal lost at Villa. I remember the last time well as we were 2-0 up. Villa brought on Dublin who hassled our centre backs and we soon conceded 3 goals. Nothing new there then.

Asked who would be the star of 2006 Arsene replied that the whole team would be. He is hopeful that the youngsters are about to repay his confidence.