O. Giroud has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by A. Oxlade-Chamberlain.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLL FOR ARSENAL! THE CHERRY ON TOP! Oxlade-Chamberlain collects a pass from Wilshere and strides down the right channel before lashing a cross into the box. Giroud gets ahead of his marker to delightfully touch a strike in at the front post! Four-nil!
90' +2
Arsenal have been outstanding today, and most of their big guns have turned in an impressive performance. Alexis, Ozil, Walcott, and indeed Santi Cazorla in midfield, have looked like winners right from the start.
90'
A. Oxlade-Chamberlain enters the game and replaces A. Sánchez.
Three minutes of added time signalled by the ref here and the Aston Villa fans, and players, just want this all to be over now. They have been well and truly beaten today and will no doubt wonder what could have been had they acquitted themselves a bit better.
88'
Third and final change for Arsenal now and it sees Alexis Sanchez, who netted the second goal in spectacular fashion, come off to a standing ovation from his fans to be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is given a couple of minutes to shine.
86'
Agbonlahor collects the ball deep and lays off down the right wing for Bacuna. The substitute attempts to take on Monreal at left-back but then cuts back on his left foot before clipping a cross to the back post. Benteke and Mertesacker compete for it and once again the German comes out on top to clear out of the box.
84'
Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez get involved in an entertaining battle down the right wing and the Englishman comes out on top with a powerful dash to the byline and subsequent cross into the box, but Aston Villa manage to clear comfortably.
83'
G. Agbonlahor gets yellow.
Penalty shout for Aston Villa as Grealish gets the better of Bellerin near the byline before bursting into the box, only to be pulled on the shoulder by the Spaniard! That looked a spotkick but once again the ref waves play on!
82'
Monreal fires a pass into the feet of Alexis and the Chilean is swiftly hacked down by Bacuna, who has swapped to the right-full back position with Hutton going across to the opposite flank. Free kick to Arsenal in a useful position a few yards in from the touchline.
80'
The Aston Villa fans are up in arms as Agbonlahor goes down right on the edge of the penalty area after the challenge from Coquelin, but the referee fails to point to the spot or indeed award a free kick. At the very least it looked a foul outside the box, but no luck for the Villans.
78'
That miss for Walcott will be his last contribution to the match as he comes off to be replaced by Giroud up top. It is a double substitution for Arsenal though as Jack Wilshere makes his first appearance in this season's competition, as he comes on for the tired looking Ozil, who has been impressive.
Minute
Description
77'
J. Wilshere enters the game and replaces M. Özil.
O. Giroud enters the game and replaces T. Walcott.
76'
Benteke surrenders the ball in a poor position and Ramsey takes advantage to win possession and burst ahead down the right wing before finding Walcott with an outstanding pass round the back of the Villa defence. The opening goalscorer attempts to add to his tally with a cheeky chip to the top corner, but it goes high and wide over the bar.
74'
Wenger's men are almost toying with Villa at the moment through a series of short, stabbing passes in those central areas. Just over 15 minutes to go in the FA Cup final and barring a miracle, The Gunners are going to defend their crown, and deservedly so.
72'
Alexis Sanchez's desire to win the ball back in those advanced areas even in these circumstances is quite remarkable. The Aston Villa defenders will be delighted to see the back of the Chilean after today, who has relentlessly hunted them down constantly to try and snatch possession.
71'
C. Sánchez enters the game and replaces A. Westwood.
70'
With every minute that passes you can see the fatigue in the Aston Villa legs become more and more prominent. The Villans have been chasing shadows for much of the day and with 20 minutes remaining, you can see tiredness leading to a mistake or two. Arsenal, meanwhile, are cruising.
68'
L. Bacuna enters the game and replaces K. Richardson.
Another change from Sherwood and it sees Richardson, who was outfought and out-jumped at the back post by Alexis for Walcott's goal, replaced by Leandro Bacuna, who will slot in at left-back. Not the best circumstances to be introduced but the Dutchman is given a run out in the FA Cup final.
66'
Villa's title this season will probably be seen as surviving in the Premier League after a scare towards the end of the campaign, but this will certainly go down as a missed opportunity. Arsenal have been outstanding, but have not came up against much opposition.
64'
Where do Aston Villa go from here? As I mentioned previously, Arsenal are showing an incredible desire to attack for more goals, so this could end up being a rather embarrassing afternoon for the side travelling from Birmingham. One goal round about now would at least give them a small glimmer of hope, though.
62'
P. Mertesacker has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by Santi Cazorla.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR ARSENAL!! THAT SHOULD SEAL THE FA CUP! Cazorla swings in a corner kick from the right-hand side and Mertesacker evades the marking of Benteke to smuggle the ball into the bottom corner with the edge of his shoulder! As simple as you like, and slightly fortuitous, but the Gunners won't care! Three-nil! Game over?
60'
Tactically, this is extremely difficult for Aston Villa now. They have no choice when deciding to attack as they simple need to get a goal, and quickly, if they are to keep themselves in with a shout. However, Arsenal are showing no signs of letting up in their desire for more goals, and will be awarded even more room on the counterattack as the match goes on.
58'
SAVE FROM GIVEN! Some intricate play inside the box involving Bellering, Cazorla, and Ozil eventually sees the former Malaga man receive the ball on to his left foot before lashing a strike towards the bottom corner, but the Villa keeper gets down to the corner to beat the attempt away and keep his side in the game!
56'
Ozil cuts in from the right wing and fizzes a pass into the chest of Ramsey, who takes possession in brilliantly before swiftly swivelling before getting the shot away. The strike from the Welshman cannons off the chest of Hutton and the referee correctly doesn't award a penalty kick despite the protests of the Gunners.
54'
Sherwood has reacted fairly quickly to conceding that second goal as he introduces Gabi Agbonlahor in place of N'Zogbia, who has been desperately poor down that right wing for the Villans. The substitute should provide even more pace on the counterattack for the trailing side.
53'
G. Agbonlahor enters the game and replaces C. N'Zogbia.
52'
A. Westwood gets yellow.
Aston Villa need to be careful here as they are in danger of fading without a trace in this FA Cup final. However, Arsenal know no better than anyone that a 2-0 lead is never safe in such an occasion, as they successfuly overcame the same deficit to defeat Hull in the final last year.
50'
A. Sánchez has scored a goal for Arsenal!
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL FOR ARSENAL! AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING STRIKE FROM ALEXIS SANCHEZ! The Chilean receives the ball around 35 yards out and takes a couple of strides forward before smashing a dipping, powerful strike straight beyond Given, who has no chance! Incredible technique! Two-nil!
49'
Grealish gets into a great position right on the byline on the edge of the six-yard box and attempts to get a cross into the box, but Ramsey is there t to dispossesses before driving forward on the right wing to instigate an Arsenal counterattack.
47'
Benteke has had a couple of minor fleeting moments that have displayed his quality but for the most part the Belgian has been disappointing so far. The striker hasn't received particularly good service, to be fair, but his touch up top has left a lot to be desired.
46'
We are back under way at Wembley!
45' +1
Just the two minutes of added time allocated from the referee as Arsenal attempt to consolidate their lead before the half-time break. A goal just now for Villa would certainly shake things up, but it is not looking likely at the moment.
44'
Ozil and Richardson get involved in a footrace down the right wing and the German eventually comes out on top with a lovely piece of trickery to elude the full-back. Cazorla then receives the ball inside before earning a corner kick out of Cleverley.
42'
An excellent response to that goal from both sets of fans here as the Arsenal faithful celebrate taking the lead and the Aston Villa supporters attempt to claw their side back into contention before the break. It is making for quite the noisy atmosphere!
40'
T. Walcott has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by A. Sánchez.
GOOOOAAAAALLL!!! GOOOAAAALL!!! GOOOAAALLLL FOR ARSENAL!!! Monreal gets to the byline and lifts a cross to the back post, where Alexis rises high to nod back into the danger area. The unmarked Walcott then steps up and thumps a superb left-footed volley into the corner! THE GUNNERS TAKE THE LEAD! One-nil!
38'
The flow of the game has been interrupted for probably the first time in the game due to a series of petty fouls being given away in those central areas. The Aston Villa defence is awarded a breather whilst Arsenal regroup their attacking ideas.
37'
F. Delph gets yellow.
36'
There has been quite a lot of niggling challenges coming in from the Villa players so far and the latest to be punished is Delph for a pull of the shirt on Ozil inside the centre circle. That is two out of the Villans' midfield trio that are in the book now, so there can be no more late tackles or shirt pulls.
34'
The atmosphere really is absolutely rocking in Wembley at the moment as both sets of supporters attempt to catalyse their players into some creativity. Arsenal have dominated possession so far as I have mentioned already, but a threat exists from Villa too, particularly through Benteke.
33'
A. Hutton gets yellow.
32'
So silly from Alan Hutton. Alexis Sanchez looks to get on the end of a pass in the left channel and just gets to the ball a second before the Scot, who comes in with an extremely late sliding challenge to take him out. A needless foul, and a needless subsequent yellow card. The Chilean isn't exactly the ideal opponent for someone who needs to watch what they are doing in their tackling for 60 minutes.
30'
Cleverley dinks a lovely pass down the left wing for Delph, who leaves Ramsey for dead after faking to cross into the box. The cross does eventually go in from his right foot and Szczesny comes off his line to claim, but this time the Pole doesn't clear his lines effectively. Cleverley attempts to keep the attack's momentum going but ends up heading behind for a goal kick.
28'
That 10-minute period there was very fast and furious, but Villa are just attempting to take the sting out of the game and slow the tempo down with some short passing and controlled possession in those central areas. The Gunners may indeed may just be reloading for their next attack, though.
26'
The Gunners really are playing some lovely stuff here. The trio of Alexis, Ozil, and Cazorla are looking particularly dangerous and seem to be in the mood for finding those intricate passes in and around the opposition penalty area. At this point in looks a matter of time until they open the scoring, but Villa are defending solidly.
24'
FANTASTIC BLOCK FROM RICHARDSON!!! Ozil gets into a great position in behind the Aston Villa defence inside the box and reverses a deflected pass into the box for Walcott, who directs a strike towards goal. It looks destined to find the net but the Villa left-back somehow gets across the six-yard box to make the tackle! How did that not go in for Arsenal?!
22'
Cleverley passes into the feet of Grealish, who is hugging the touchline down the left-hand side. The 19-year-old attempts to use some trickery to get beyond Bellerin, but the Arsenal defender remains solid to win the ball. Haven't seen too much from Aston Villa's young star so far.
20'
VILLA LET OFF MASSIVELY! Ozil takes advantage of a mistake from Delph and glides ahead down the left flank before chipping inside to Ramsey. The ball fortuitously finds its way to the Welshman, who gets in behind the opposition defence, but his finish goes high and wide over the bar! That should have been a goal!
18'
Cleverley strides forward down the right wing and strongly evades a couple of challenges before passing wide to N'Zogbia, who cuts inside to rifle a strike at goal, which is blocked high into the air. Benteke takes possession down with a great touch before looking to turn and get a strike away, but the Belgian finds himself outnumbered and ends up surrendering the ball.
16'
SAVE FROM GIVEN!!! Alexis makes his way to the byline and then cuts back inside on his right foot before chipping a teasing cross to the back post. Koscielny gets above everyone to bullet a downward header towards goal, but the Villa keeper moves his feet quickly to get down and make the stop with a solid hand! Almost our first goal of the afternoon!
15'
The first yellow card of the match has been issued and it goes to Cleverley for an extremely cynical trip on Monreal after the former Malaga defender decided to open up his stride and burst forward. Just about the most deserved booking you will see, and the on-loan Manchester United man will need to tread carefully now.
14'
T. Cleverley gets yellow.
13'
Benteke comes deep to receive possession and takes the ball in with an assured touch before finding the marauding Richardson with a lovely left-footed lofted ball to the left wing. The Belgian then dashes into the box to get on the end of the resulting cross from his team-mate, but Szczesny commandingly comes off his line to punch away. Great goalkeeping there from the Poland international.
11'
Cazorla and Ozil link up after a corner kick and the former finds himself under pressure from Benteke, only to wonderfully flick the ball round the corner to burst towards the box. The Villa striker decides to take one for the team and has a swipe at the Spaniard, conceding the free kick in the process. Surprisingly, no yellow card issued though.
9'
The first corner kick is cleared to the edge of the box but Wenger's men swiftly recycle possession and earn another. Cazorla swings it in to the front post and Koscielny rises high before glancing across the box, but Walcott can't make up the ground to get the shot away, and Villa eventually get the goal kick.
8'
Some lovely interplay between Alexis and Cazorla down the left channel eventually sees the Spaniard drive towards the byline and smash a teasing cross into the box, but Hutton is well positioned to turn behind for Arsenal's first corner of the match. The Gunners just going up a few gears now!
6'
A very promising opening few minutes here in London as we have already be shown signs of the battles that will progress in both penalty boxes. Vlaar and Walcott have had a couple of run-ins and the same can be said for Benteke and Mertesacker, who are set to contest quite a few aerial duels in and around the Arsenal area.
4'
Villa enjoy their first little period of ball control, with Delph at the helm in the middle of the park. The former Leeds midfielder then curls a lovely pass out wide to the onrushing Hutton, but the subsequent cross into the box is comfortable collected at the front post by Szczesny despite a deflection on the way through.
2'
Perhaps predictably, Arsenal have started this match by dominating possession, and have already had a set-piece opportunity down the left after a foul on Alexis, but the Villa defence managed to clear. Sherwood's men can of course be devastating on the counter so should be interesting to see how the afternoon pans out.
1'
THE FA CUP FINAL IS UNDER WAY AT WEMBLEY!
Good evening football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa from Wembley!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and it is my pleasure to take you through the action!
Many people consider this to be the most prestigious and exciting fixture of the English football calendar, and the clash between the Gunners and the Villans is finally upon us. It is a fittingly glorious day in London for such an occasion, but the players must aim to keep composed and not let the significance of the result get into their heads.
Arsenal are hoping to continue what has historically been a love affair with the competition, having previously won the FA Cup 11 times – a record only matched by Manchester United. Therefore a victory for Arsene Wenger's outfit today will see them become outright the most successful side ever in the Cup. The Frenchman has contributed to five of these triumphs, and will hope to make it six here on this sun-drenched Saturday.
Conversely, Aston Villa have not been crowned champions in the Cup for 58 years. The Villans' last appearance in the final actually came 15 years ago in 2000, which was the last final held at the famous Old Wembley. On that day they were defeated 1-0 by Gianluca Vialli's Chelsea.
It has been a long and arduous journey for both sides to reach Wembley, but both will no doubt look back fondly at victories over two Barclays Premier League 'big guns' on their route to the final. Arsenal successfully dispatched of Manchester United in the quarter-final, with former Red Devil Danny Welbeck sealing the win in a narrow 2-1 victory. Aston Villa came back from behind against Liverpool in the semi-final and sealed their place in the final thanks to goals from Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph.
This season, it did not look like Aston Villa were going to amount to much and actually found themselves battling against relegation at the turn of the year, but their fortunes have been drastically changed after the appointment of Tim Sherwood as manager. The former Tottenham caretaker manager has not only oversaw survival in the Premier League and ensured a place in the FA Cup final, but injected a confidence and belief in his charges.
Conversely, Arsenal have had a decent season and have once again secured entry into the Champions League group stage thanks to third-placed finish in the league. The players that Wenger has at his disposal means that the defending champions head into the match as favourites, but Villa proved in the semi-final that they are not to be taken lightly against the bigger teams.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Given; Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson; Westwood, Delph, Cleverley; Grealish, N'Zogbia, Benteke.
Arsenal subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.
Four changes a-piece from both sides from their previous games. Wenger brings in Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, and Ramsey in for Ospina, Gabriel, Gibbs, and Wilshere. The biggest team news coming from the Arsenal camp though is that Theo Walcott is given the nod to start up top in preference to Olivier Giroud.
Aston Villa subs: Guzan, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Cole, Sanchez, Baker
For Villa, Given, Hutton, Richardson, and Okore make the starting XI in place of Steer, Baker, Bacuna, and Agbonlahor.
The teams have made their way to the pitch and we are almost ready for kick off!
Half time at Wembley. A highly entertaining opening 45 minutes to the FA Cup final comes to an end as Arsenal head into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead over Aston Villa. The Gunners have looked in the mood for the big occasion today, and probed the Villa defence for the majority of the first half before taking the lead through an excellent strike from Walcott. Tim Sherwood will have a lot to think about as his side haven't been at the races today. You wouldn't want to miss the second half as the 2015 FA Cup winners will be crowned!
FULL TIME! ARSENAL HAVE WON THE FA CUP!
The Gunners end their season with a trophy and can now celebrate back-to-back FA Cup wins thanks to a very comfortable 4-0 win against an abject Aston Villa side, who simply did not turn up. Walcott, Alexis, Mertesacker, and Giroud all got on the scoresheet, with the Chilean's spectacular strike the pick of the bunch. On to next season for Arsene Wenger's men, who will no doubt turn their attentions to an assault on the Premier League! I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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