Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Blood Arena |
Match Report
Snow flakes fill the overcast sky here at Emirates Stadium where Arsenal play host to Aston Villa. A crowd of 17,839 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Arsenal are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Aston Villa appear to be shaped for 4-2-4.
Today's match is refereed by Rio Gray.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Arsenal are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Aston Villa appear to be shaped for 4-2-4.
Today's match is refereed by Rio Gray.
0.00
0-0Arsenal kick off the first half!
10.30
0-0Sylvain George threads a neat ball through to Laurent Candela. Laurent Candela whips in a cross ball towards Gary Clarke. Gary Clarke beats his man to it with a header but it flies wide!
12.39
0-0Carl Mustoe threads the ball through to Danny Butt. Danny Butt shoots from 25 yards. The ball dips but the keeper is on top of it. He makes it look easy!
14.20
0-0Danijel Piquionne makes a probing pass to Carl Mustoe. Carl Mustoe flicks the ball to his team mate, Danny Butt. Danny Butt puts a great ball through but Darren Le Tissier is slow coming back. It's an easy decision for the linesman. Offside!
24.43
Jose Javier Martinez knocks the ball forward to Sol Wallwork. Sol Wallwork shoots from outside the area but it flies well off target!
32.53
Sylvain George brings the ball forward. Sylvain George tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
33.44
Sebastiao Sousa hoofs the ball up the pitch. Moktar Forge tries a spectacular long range effort but it flies just wide!
36.54
0-0Adam Mercer comes in with a late challenge on Msaddeck Hemdani. The referee calls over Adam Mercer and shows him a yellow card! Msaddeck Hemdani hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
39.47
Adam Mercer flicks a high ball forward to Jose Javier Martinez who takes it down. Jose Javier Martinez makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Sol Wallwork. Sol Wallwork controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
40.56
Adam Mercer makes a simple pass to Alan Harley. Alan Harley threads a neat ball through to Darren Le Tissier. Darren Le Tissier shoots from distance but it's a woeful effort!
44.07
0-0Sylvain George comes in with a late challenge on Carl Mustoe. Sylvain George is given a warning by the referee! Carl Mustoe grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
45.00
From the throw-in, Alan Harley picks out Jose Javier Martinez. Jose Javier Martinez passes the ball forward to Darren Le Tissier. Darren Le Tissier tries a spectacular long range effort. The keeper is more than a match for it. Nice save!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Arsenal appear unchanged since the first half. Aston Villa have changed their lineup with Filipe Tavares replacing Sebastiao Sousa.
45.00
Aston Villa kick off the second half!
47.12
0-0Adam Mercer hacks Msaddeck Hemdani from behind! The referee brings Adam Mercer to one side and gives him a warning! Msaddeck Hemdani hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
49.54
Sylvain George controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Laurent Candela. Laurent Candela sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it is tipped over by Cyrille Bedrossian.
51.31
0-0Dennis Hasselbaink takes a quick corner, playing it short to Jaouad Ntumpa Nsafu. Danijel Piquionne steps in with a tackle, taking the ball and clearing it up the pitch.
53.24
0-0Greg Lawton flicks a high pass forward. Sol Wallwork controls it well on his chest. Sol Wallwork knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Leevi Gadd who gathers it comfortably.
57.55
Danijel Piquionne flicks a high ball forward to Alan Harley who takes it down. Alan Harley flicks the ball to his team mate, Sol Wallwork. Sol Wallwork shoots from distance but is denied by Leevi Gadd. Excellent save.
59.30
Dennis Hasselbaink flicks a high pass forward to Laurent Candela who brings the ball under control. Laurent Candela plays a scrappy one-two with Gary Clarke and stumbles forward towards the goal... Laurent Candela takes a shot at goal but Cyrille Bedrossian reads it well. Good keeping!
60.34
0-0Arsenal have made 3 substitutions with Isaiah Godber replacing Carl Mustoe, Steven Lloyd replacing Jose Javier Martinez and Rafael Martins replacing Darren Le Tissier .
67.04
Adam Mercer passes the ball forward to Greg Lawton. Greg Lawton hits a low pass to Sol Wallwork. Sol Wallwork tries a spectacular long range effort but couldn't keep it down. It goes high into the crowd!
71.36
Msaddeck Zidane knocks the ball forward to Sylvain George. Sylvain George knocks the ball forward to Moktar Forge. Moktar Forge knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Adolfo Delgado.
73.16
1-0Adolfo Delgado kicks a strong pass forward to Steven Lloyd. Steven Lloyd flicks a high pass forward to Sol Wallwork who brings the ball under control. Sol Wallwork lofts in a cross ball towards Rafael Martins. Rafael Martins outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. It's there!! Leevi Gadd has to pick the ball from the back of the net!
78.47
Gabriel Voisin hacks Sol Wallwork from behind! The referee calls over Gabriel Voisin and warns him to calm down! Sol Wallwork stretches but gets up unharmed.
79.42
Danijel Piquionne barges into Msaddeck Hemdani. Danijel Piquionne is shown the yellow card! Msaddeck Hemdani grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
81.35
Dennis Hasselbaink runs straight at the opposition's defence. Dennis Hasselbaink shoots from 20 yards. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
84.17
Greg Lawton makes a simple pass to Danny Butt. Danny Butt knocks in a cross ball towards Rafael Martins. Rafael Martins makes a deft header. Leevi Gadd manages to gather it comfortably.
85.08
Sylvain George knocks the ball to his team mate, Msaddeck Hemdani. Msaddeck Hemdani cuts inside the box! Msaddeck Hemdani looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
90.00
Jaouad Ntumpa Nsafu deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Sylvain George. Sylvain George takes it forward alone. Sylvain George knocks in a cross ball towards Moktar Forge. Moktar Forge knocks the ball goalwards with his head. The ball takes a deflection leaving Cyrille Bedrossian with no chance!! Goal for Aston Villa!
90.00
The referee blows for full-time
Match Statistics
Goals
1
2
Shots on Target
5
4
Shots off Target
4
4
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
3
2
Yellow Cards
2
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
50.6%
49.4%
Play Area
31.5%
42.7%
25.8%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Sylvain George of Aston Villa |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Cyrille Bedrossian (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Adam Mercer (DEF) |  | 5 |
| 3. | Danijel Piquionne (DEF) | | 6 |
| 4. | Adolfo Delgado (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Carl Mustoe (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Alan Harley (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Jose Javier Martinez (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Greg Lawton (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Sol Wallwork (ATT) | 7 | |
| 10. | Darren Le Tissier (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Danny Butt (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Isaiah Godber (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Steven Lloyd (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Rafael Martins (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 1. | Leevi Gadd (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Msaddeck Zidane (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Sebastiao Sousa (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Gabriel Voisin (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Jaouad Ntumpa Nsafu (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Dennis Hasselbaink (MID) | | 8 |
| 7. | Sylvain George (MID) | 9 | |
| 8. | Moktar Forge (ATT) | | 8 |
| 9. | Gary Clarke (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Laurent Candela (ATT) | 7 | |
| 11. | Msaddeck Hemdani (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Filipe Tavares (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Lennart Richter (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Samir Brehme (ATT) | 0 | |