Classics from the archive: Arsenal vs Aston Villa (Video)

It has been a season to forget for both Arsenal and Aston Villa for vastly different reasons.

Arsenal, after the usual early season promise, have imploded and will, more than likely, end the season with no silverware. Villa, on the other hand, were not expecting to be in a struggle to stay in the top flight, especially after the appointment of manager Paul Lambert who had worked wonders with Norwich the previous season.

The two teams meet on Saturday at the Emirates and despite Arsenal’s recent good league form they have endured two morale sapping losses to Blackburn and Bayern Munich in the FA Cup and Champions League respectively.

Villa, meanwhile, have not played a game for nearly two weeks following a 2-1 home win over West Ham which means Lambert has had plenty of time to prepare his troops ahead of this Premier League clash.

Apparently, this fixture has produced more goal less draws than any other in the Premier League history and it was indeed 0-0 when the two teams met at Villa Park earlier this season.

A 0-0 draw would suit Villa but Arsenal will be looking to get back on track after a terrible week.

Let’s hope we see some of the quality that Robert Pires was able to produce when the Arsenal travelled to Aston Villa way back in 2001.

What a brilliant goal and it gives us a chance to remember what a cracking player Pires was in his heyday.