Preview: Arsenal v Aston Villa (Sun)

by Setanta Staff , 28 January 2012

Arsenal are hoping that Thierry Henry will be fit enough to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.


The French striker is expected to shake off a knock in time for the fourth round clash, as is midfielder Mikel Arteta, while defender Bacary Sagna is also set to be included in the match-day squad, having been out of action since October due to a broken fibula.

Arsene Wenger is delighted to see the return of Sagna. The manager said: “Bacary is back in full training. Many players who are not specialist right-backs have been playing in this position so we are relieved to have him back.”

However, midfielder Jack Wilshere has suffered a setback in his attempt to complete his recovery from ankle surgery and will not take part.

For Villa, striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey are both available for selection, despite concerns over illness and an Achilles injury respectively.

Midfielder Steven Ireland has recovered from a hamstring strain and is likely to start at the Emirates Stadium, where Villa won 2-1 in the Premier League last season.

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Djourou, Koscielny, Walcott, Song, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Van Persie, Almunia, Park, Yennaris, Squillaci, Benayoun, Miquel, Arshavin, Henry, Arteta, Sagna, Coquelin.

Aston Villa (from): Given, Guzan, Hutton, Lichaj, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Bannan, Clark, Petrov, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent, Keane, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Weimann, Marshall, Johnson, Gardner, Stevens.

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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