The 2014-2015 FA Cup final will give Arsenal the chance to win their 12th title, surpassing Manchester United as the most winning side in the tournament's history. Trying to deny them of such a milestone will be Aston Villa, a team that barely avoided relegation from the Premier League, but one that could prove to be quite difficult to beat for Arsene Wenger's men.
Arsenal gets to this match in fine form after securing their Champions League spot for next season, and with almost every player available to perform in this match. Danny Welbeck will be the only player left out of the squad due to a bruised knee, leaving Olivier Giroud as the goal scoring hope for the Gunners. This will be a historic match for Arsene Wenger, who could also become the most winning coach in FA Cup history, after winning the trophy five times. Furthermore, the North London side could become the fourth team in the tournament's history to win the trophy two times in a row for the second time, following the foot steps of teams such as Wanderers FC, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur.
ONE DAY TO GO… #WeAreArsenal pic.twitter.com/jtIigC28Q3
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 29, 2015
On the other side of the pitch, Aston Villa's FA Cup history needs to be rejuvenated. After enjoying quite a bit of success during the first half of the 20th century, the Villains will be wanting to re-write the team's history books by adding more silverware to their trophy case. Having won their last trophy back in 1957, Tim Sherwood knows that all stats won't play against his team on Saturday evening, giving them a fighting chance to stun the heavily favored Gunners.
Sherwood will have to decide whether Shay Given or Brad Guzan will be handed goalkeeping duties for this important game, while Christian Benteke and Jores Okore seem fit to try and hurt the opposition.
Perhaps the biggest motivation for the Villains will come from one of their most-distinguished fans.
VILLA AT WEMBLEY: Prince William "very nervous" ahead of #FACup final. His views: http://t.co/L40qykjHrV #AVFC pic.twitter.com/UW898GVzjK
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) May 28, 2015
This will be the first FA Cup final between the two sides, which possess 18 Cup titles between them. Will the Gunners be able to live up to the expectations? Or will Tim Sherwood's men shock English football by winning their first title since 1996, when they won the League Cup? Be sure to tune in and find out!
Team sheets for Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Arsenal's lineup: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott
Aston Villa's lineup: Given, Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Benteke.
Arsenal's bench: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.
Aston Villa's bench: Guzan, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Cole, Sanchez, Baker.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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