Arsenal began 2011 with a crushing defeat at the hands of Aston Villa in the Premier Reserve League this evening. Five goals in each half added to an early red card for George Brislen-Hall saw the champions put themselves in the driving seat for a fourth successive title.
Neil Banfield was without a selection of his usual first choice options, including captain Ignasi Miquel, so rotated. Rookie centre back Elton Monteiro made his first start at this level alongside Danny Boateng, while Nico Yennaris was forced to fill in at full back.
Villa on the other hand boasted solid experience at this level, with American international Eric Lichaj starting alongside first team players Chris Herd, Isaiah Osbourne and Nathan Delfouneso. Manager Kevin MacDonald also fielded a number of players who are on the fringes of Gérard Houllier’s team.
ARSENAL: Shea; Eastmond, Boateng, Monteiro, Brislen-Hall; Ozyakup, Yennaris, Henderson; Aneke, Sunu, Emmanuel-Thomas.
Subs: Martinez (GK), Angha, Rees, Deacon, Freeman.
Arsenal went straight for their hosts right from the offset. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas surged onto the ball and, after cutting inside, he flashed a warning shot just wide of Parish’s goal. It would prove to be the only real chance of the first half for the boys in yellow.
Aston Villa then found their feet and grabbed a stunning opener from nowhere. James Shea’s hacked clearance went straight to Gary Gardner, and from all of 40 yards, he smashed the ball into the empty net. 1-0.
It shelled shocked the Gunners, but they reacted in the worst possible way. George Brislen-Hall went in hard on Jonathan Hogg in the middle of the park. A coming together from both sets of players ensued, and Brislen-Hall was dismissed with little complaints. It was massive challenge for Banfield boys from here on.
Villa pressed on and were soon out of sight. Weimann side footed home from close range for 2-0, then Gardner’s free kick was headed in by Chris Herd for 3-0, and before Arsenal could even react, Hogg cracked home a fourth in epic fashion. 4-0 and Arsenal were heading for a mauling.
Just before half time, things went from bad to worse. Özyakup handled Gardner’s corner for a penalty, and Gardner stepped up and stroke the ball home. 5-0 at half time.
Banfield switched the team at the break, bringing on Josh Rees and Freeman, and it appeared to work. Arsenal improved and showed good defensive quality but eventually Villa got their sixth. Herd turned in Harry Forrester’s ball and then Weimann took the ball off the awful Monteiro and picked out Delfouneso for 7-0.
The same man made it 8-0 shortly after, turning in Berry’s cross. Roarie Deacon pulled one back with a header from an Emmanuel-Thomas free-kick, but it made little difference.
Chris Herd wrapped up his hat-trick by bagging the ninth, then Delfouneso joined Herd on a hat-trick with a quality finish for number 10.
There was just time for a nasty looking brawl on the far side of the pitch before the game came to a close, but nobody was booked. A crushing night for Arsenal, which leaves Neil Banfield with work to do with his latest crop.