Arsenal and Aston Villa went head-to-head in Reserves League South this evening, knowing that a win for either side would have dramatic consequences on the final destination of the League Trophy.
Just four points separated the two clubs before kick off, and a win for the Gunners would cut that gap to just a point. However, a win for the hosts would all but kill of any hopes Neil Banfield’s boys have of winning the silverware.
7 of Steve Bould’s Under 18 regulars made the step up, whilst the bench included a host of young talent who should feature more and more over the next 12 months.
Mannone
Eastmond – Nordtveit (c) – Bartley – Cruise
Watt – Frimpong – Coquelin – Mérida
Emmanuel-Thomas
Sunu
Subs – Ayling – Evina – Freeman – Afobe
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa – Match Report
Aston Villa looked the brighter from the offset, and showed their dominance within 3 minutes. Barry Bannan’s tricky run resulted in a free-kick conceded by Craig Eastmond – Shane Lowry crashed Bannan’s resulting delivery straight at Vito Mannone in the Arsenal goal.
Mannone was then sent scrambling across his penalty box after Marc Albrighton got to the by line and crossed. It proved to be the final unanswered Villa attack, as Jay Emmanuel-Thomas went up the other end and dragged a left footed shot inches wide.
James Collins and Andreas Weimann then combined, the latters cross picked out Albrighton who saw his effort blocked by Nordtveit’s sliding tackle.
Things were beginning to hot up. Weimann was then presented with the brightest chance of the evening, as he was put through 1-on-1 with Mannone, but failed to find a way past the Gunners number one.
Villa had Arsenal on the rack with the half hour mark approaching – culminating in Collins and Bannan both smashing the bar in quick succession.
Neil Banfield’s boys then pushed on, and would have had the opening goal if it wasn’t for Ciaran Clark who kicked Emmanuel Frimpong’s goal bound shot off the line. With the half time whistle closing in, Nordtveit and Isaiah Osbourne exchanged efforts, but the League’s top two sides went down the tunnel level at the break.
Half Time – Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
The second period began at a frantic pace. The live-wire Weimann managed to skip beyond Cruise, before Nordtveit deflected the diminutive marksman’s shot wide.
Albrighton and then Weimann again had Mannone earning his corn for the evening, until the tempo was disrupted by an Arsenal change. Cedric Evina replaced Sanchez Watt on the wing, but the extra defensive cover made no difference.
Bannan’s fizzed drive had Mannone scrambling across his line yet again – but the 20-year-old had to get back up quickly to deny Collins’ follow up.
Benik Afobe made his Reserves debut late on, but Arsenal limped over the full time whistle without creating anything special.
The points doesn’t really help anybody in the title race, it’s still very much game on.
Article By – J.Sanderson
looks like we’ve got away with a point. with so many of our future “stars” playing – JET, Coquelin, Sunu, Frimpong, Nordtveit, Merida – its a bit disheartening to hear about performances like this. or am i reading too much into it? Are AV as good, or better in terms of youth then, or did their lineup have more senior players?
whats happened to Randall?
While the headlines and everyones attention are on a reserve team alumni tonight, credit has to be due for a great result at Underhill. Looking at the reports on both your page and the official site, we don’t sound like we put in an “arsenal preformance”. However, a point against the top team has to be a plus, and, as Arsene would say, shows both mental strenght and character.
Unfortunately there was another match on but thanks for the report. Any reason why Randall didn’t feature? I like him even though most don’t; good intelligence and technique but his decision making will decide him.
how did nordveit play considering hes barely played much last few months
Randall was suspended due to his recent sending off.
Yes, Randall didn’t get to play because he belongs in Blackburn or Bolton considering his style of tackling.
nordveit did well, but was exposed in the pace department again, bartley and frimpong look to have bright futures at the club
randall is shit a he will never make it at arsenal as his ability is poor compared to other young members of arsenal’s squad
I’m glad that Nordtveit is playing again, but wheres Rui fonte i have barely seen him lately