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After months of waiting, we have finally made it. Aston Villa have had one lone bright spot in this abysmal season and it has been the FA Cup run. We've seen otherwise all-too-rare victories happen in the run, and now we get to the culmination of it all. Happy FA Cup final day, everyone!
Of course, Villa are at Wembley to take on Arsenal for the final. The Gunners are the holders, having beaten Hull City in the final last year, and they are the clear favorite. But Liverpool were the clear favorites in the semifinals, and that didn't prevent Villa from dominating that match and winning.
Arsenal will be a formidable opponent, though, and nothing should be taken for granted. If you're looking for something to occupy you in the final hour before kickoff, we've got plenty. There's Adam's look back at the '57 Cup final, or Matt's Holte History on Jack Grealish's great-great-grandfather winning the Cup with Villa in 1905. We had a gunner tell us why we should hate Arsenal, and returned the favor for them. And of course you can read about (and donate to!) our fundraiser for the Villa Rockets Powerchair Football Club. A little last-minute good karma can't possibly hurt our chances today!
And now let's get to the lineups. And then the match! Use the comments below as your open thread!
Aston Villa starting XI
#AVFC (v @Arsenal): Given, Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson, Westwood, Delph (c), Cleverley, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Benteke. #AVFCLIVE
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) May 30, 2015
Aston Villa subs
#AVFC subs (v @Arsenal): Guzan, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Cole, Sanchez, Baker. #AVFCLIVE
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) May 30, 2015
Arsenal starting XI
.@Arsenal team to play Villa: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 30, 2015
Arsenal subs
.@Arsenal subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud #WeAreArsenal #FACupFinal
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 30, 2015
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Throughout the FA Cup final week, we're raising money for the Villa Rockets Powerchair Football club. With your help we can reach £5,000 and get them a new powerchair! Read about the club and our effort here, or simply click here to donate and help us reach our goal! And remember, if you donate any amount, you can enter to win a free Fabian Delph t-shirt from The Art of Football!