As is tradition, The FA Cup final brings down the curtain on the domestic season and this year’s showpiece sees the holders Arsenal come up against Tim Sherwood’s revitalised Aston Villa side.

When the semi-finals were drawn few would have expected Villa to have negotiated Liverpool but they did, and with relative ease they ended the Steven Gerrard love story. Now they once again find themselves as big under dogs against Arsene Wenger’s charges.

The Gunners are looking to become only the second team since 1990 to retain the trophy and in turn would become the most successful club in the old competition’s long history.  They are around 4/7 to win the game in 90 minutes and as short as 2/7 to lift the trophy through any method.

The price to win in 90 minutes is particularly short considering Arsenal’s last three fixtures at HQ have all gone to extra time and all against teams that they should have brushed aside easily.

The two sides ended their league campaigns in stark contrast to one another. Whilst Arsenal were demolishing West Bromwich Albion 4-1, Aston Villa were on the end of a home reverse to relegated Burnley. This was of course following the 6-1 defeat that Sherwood’s men took off Southampton the week previous.

The head-to-head certainly should give an air of optimism for those fans making the short tube trip across from North London, with The Gunners losing only one of their last 15 clashes with The Villains. The two fixtures this season have also been dominated by the team in red with Arsenal having netted eight times without response.

Back Draw/Arsenal on HT/FT @7/2

The first bet that seems a healthy price for Saturday’s showpiece is on the Half Time/Full Time market; in their last three games at Wembley, Arsenal have only gone into the interval in the lead once. They tend to start slow in these big games and it wouldn’t be a surprise for Villa to still be right in the game at the break but fade before the final whistle.

Back Arsenal to win and Both Teams to Score @ 23/10

Although the price for Arsenal to simply win the game in 90 minutes is particularly slim, there is still value on a match result bet. Aston Villa under Sherwood have discovered how to score goals again and will offer The Gunners’ rear guard a real examination. Christian Benteke in particular is back to his ferocious best and he may find the net; it seems a strong possibility that both fans will have something to cheer on Saturday.

Back Theo Walcott to score last @ 15/2

The final bet is definitely the long shot of the three, backing a last goal scorer is always a risk before seeing the teams but it seems a good chance that Wenger will opt for Olivier Giroud to start meaning Theo Walcott will take a spot on the bench. He looked in blistering form last week against West Brom and a fresh Walcott against tired Villa defenders could be a recipe for disaster for those in claret and blue. Especially if Sherwood’s men are chasing the game, his pace could see him put the icing on the Arsenal cake.

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