5) Get Delph on Cazorla
Speaking of Delph, it is important that Villa’s best defensive midfielder can win the duel against Arsenal’s best playmaker – Santi Cazorla.
Although there is a threat all over the pitch from players like Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Sanchez-if he drops deep-it is undoubtedly the Spaniard who has made Arsene Wenger’s side tick this season.
No one else in the Gunners squad has come close to contributing as many assists (11) and he is also their best passer with an 89% accuracy (Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are slightly higher but have played far fewer games, while Mertesacker is also above Cazorla but inevitably ends up playing safer passes and with more time on the ball).
Unlike Ozil, who can disappear a little and lacks that burst of pace and energy, Cazorla relishes getting on the ball, taking players on and moving it forward, making him the biggest threat to Villa tomorrow.
Needless to say, Villa will need to get a lot of things right to pull this off, but getting close to Cazorla and stopping him from dictating the play is bound to give Arsenal far fewer scoring chances.
(Stats via WhoScored.com)