Talking Points: Arsenal vs Aston Villa, 17th August 2013

Villa’s Day Out

Benteke scored a brace

The Villans have not much to complain about today, with the exception of the knock that Nathan Baker took. Most decisions went their way, but fortune favors the brave. After letting in an easy opener for Arsenal, Villa bounced back and were led by their talisman, Christian Benteke.

Benteke, who dragged Aston Villa to 15^th last year, showed why he is the man to watch at Villa Park. He scored two out of two penalties, albeit not very commandingly, and made a menace out of himself in the final third. More often than not, Per Mertesacker looked over his left shoulder to spot Benteke scurrying past. At one occasion, Per was so consumed by Benteke’s movement, he completely forgot to check Fabian Delph’s foray, which thankfully struck the woodwork and spared the home side any blushes.

The Austrian Andreas Weimann and England’s Gabriel Agbonlahor are two to watch, with both of them firing in the pre-season games. Even Antonio Luna, the debutant left back found the net with a cool finish, leaving the visiting crown pretty satisfied.

Benteke was a proposed target for Wenger, but didn’t pan out well, and the former signed a long term contract with Villa, just like six others of last season’s squad. Score of 7 goals from 5 pre-season games should have put him higher up the ladder, but clearly Wenger has other plans.

With Shay Given’s departure, Villa do not have single player over the age of 30 in the squad, showcasing the young blood at hand and the ability to do much better than last year. Lambert has the resources to do justice to the Villa fans, and a top ten finish cannot be too much of a stretch.