Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: match preview

Kickoff: Sunday, May 15, 11 AM EDT
Emirates Stadium, Norf Lahndon
TV Coverage: Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.tv (subscribers only)
SBN Aston Villa coverage/PIMP needs: 7500 to Holte

Arsenal face Aston Villa at the Emirates on Sunday in their push to finish in second place ahead of Chelsea and to stay out of fourth place behind Manchester City. There's not a lot to say about the match beyond that as the season close draws near; Arsenal's season has been so manic, especially since January, that to try to imagine a goal or sort of unifying theory for what has happened is futile. Yay!

However. THOMAS VERMAELEN IS STARTING.

That's right: everyone's favorite Belgian cyborg from the future is lining up in place of Laurent Koscielny, who has sustained a thigh injury. There is no word on anyone driving cars through the front of police stations, beating up bikers, or trying to stop the child who will lead an insurrection against your laptop in the future.

Also out are Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky, who are not cyborgs, at all.

Gael Clichy is back. Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri might be fit.

Possible team:

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1: Szczesny; Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, Clichy; Song, Wilshere, Fabregas; Arshavin, van Persie, Walcott.