BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson predicts Arsenal will beat Aston Villa.
Arsenal take on Aston Villa in Saturday’s FA Cup Final aiming to win the trophy in back-to-back years.
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has told The BBC he expects Arsene Wenger’s side to win, but is slightly nervous about his prediction.
He called a 2-0 win for the Gunners, but feels they will be made to work hard for the win.
He said: “I am backing Arsenal to win on Saturday but I am a little bit reticent because the Gunners do forget to turn up at Wembley on occasions, especially when they are favourites.
“In last season’s final they got off to a terrible start against Hull before fighting back from 2-0 to win and I don’t think they will find it easy against Aston Villa either.”
Aston Villa won’t mind the underdogs tag, after beating Liverpool in the semi-finals, and will be confident they can pull off another upset on their return to Wembley.
Arsenal may have a mental edge over Villa however, winning 3-0 against them away from home in September and then demolishing them 5-0 at The Emirates in February.
Both of those games came when Paul Lambert was manager, but such was the manner of ease of Arsenal’s victories that a Villa win would be a big shock, but an even bigger achievement for new boss Tim Sherwood if he can pull it off.
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