Holders Arsenal return to Wembley for the fifth time in 13 months for the FA Cup Final, facing Aston Villa who are making their first FA Cup final appearance since 2000, when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Wembley.
The Gunners are looking to negotiate a victory over Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa. Arsenal beat Villa both home and away in the league this season – hitting eight goals in total, Villa blanked. However, Aston Villa are reinvigorated under the leadership of former Spurs coach Tim Sherwood. Sherwood was hired to keep the Villains in the Premier League. He did it with a game to spare and sees the FA Cup as his chance to make history.
Arsenal’s Key Man: Santi Cazorla
The little Spaniard has had a resurgence in form again this term. Playing in a deeper role in midfield, Santi has been able to orchestrate proceedings for Arsenal seeing the game from deep and picking key passes. This has seen Cazorla make 14 assists this season, second only to Fabregas of Chelsea.
To beat Arsenal, Villa will need to prevent Santi from getting hold of the ball.
Santi Cazorla FA Cup Final football boots: Puma EvoSpeed 1.3 | Dragon
Aston Villa’s Key Man: Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke has been in incredible form for Villa of late, scoring 12 goals in the last 12 games for Villa. The Belgian is incredible in the air winning the most aerial contests of any player this season in the League. Whilst Arsenal have 6ft 6 Mertesacker at the back, they are prone to conceding from crosses, where the power and drive of Benteke could tell.
To harness Benteke, Koscielny needs to stay tight to the big man and get in front of him wherever possible.
Christian Benteke FA Cup Final football boots: Nike Tiempo Legend V
The Fa Cup Final Ball: Nike Ordem 2
FA Cup Final Statistics
The FA Cup final will be shown live in over 160 countries, with over half a billion people expected to watch it
736 teams entered the 134th FA Cup in August 2014
This is the first time Arsenal and Aston Villa have met in an FA Cup final
The last FA Cup fixture between the finalists was in the 4th round of 2012. Arsenal came were two goals down but ended up winning 3-2
Aston Villa’s last victory over Arsenal in the competition was in the 4th round of 1974
Arsenal are the joint-most successful side in FA Cup history, having lifted the trophy 11 times – Manchester United are the other team
Arsenal will appear in their 19th FA Cup final – a record for any side
Aston Villa have won the FA Cup seven times, only three clubs have won it more often
