Arsenal versus Aston Villa is a match that over the years has produced some brilliant games, some fantastic moments and some phenomenal goals.
Ahead of our match today, WTTGT takes a look at three of the standout games featuring the two sides from recent years.
We’re sure that you’ll enjoy them.
March 2002
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
There is one special moment that lives in Arsenal history as to why you should remember this match.
With the Gunners closing in on the Premier League title, they took to Villa Park knowing that they needed a win.
In what was forecast as a difficult game, Arsenal went ahead through Brazilian midfielder Edu, before Robert Pires produced one of the club’s all-time greatest moments.
With the play heading away from goal, the Frenchman chipped the ball over the onrushing George Boateng before lobbing his effort over Peter Schmeichel to double his side’s lead and invite applause from all corners of the ground.
Dion Dublin pulled one back for the hosts, but that day will always belong to Pires.
December 2001
Arsenal 3-2 Aston
In the reverse fixture of the previously mentioned match, Aston Villa looked to be on the way to one of the shocks of the season.
Goals from ex-Gooner Paul Merson and Steve Stone had put the Villans 2-0 up going into the break at Highbury.
But in the year where the Gunners were to go on and win the double, Arsenal stormed back with a breathtaking second-half display.
Sylvain Wiltord got one back for the hosts early in the half, before a Thierry Henry brace completed a remarkable comeback for Arsenal in the dying moments of the match.
May 2011
Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa
I know we’re a pro-Arsenal site, but it wouldn’t be fair to have three victories in favour of the Gunners.
So seeing as I couldn’t find footage of Villa’s 3-2 win at Villa Park back in 1998, here is their most recent win at the Emirates Stadium from last year.
Boyhood Arsenal fan Darren Bent had raced the visitors into a 2-0 lead in the early stages of the match.
Robin van Persie was to respond late on for Arsene Wenger’s side, but it proved too little too late, as Aston Villa took all three points from North London.
HOWEVER.
Seeing as that, I could find footage from either game, here is a look at Bacary Sagna’s spectacular clearance off the line at Villa Park from a few years ago, which itself is worth a mention.
Matt Cotton
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