Arsenal vs Aston Villa FA Cup final combined XI: Does Christian Benteke join Alexis Sanchez in the lineup?
After struggling for most of the season, will any Villa players make the cut?
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal face Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday in an FA Cup final involving two of the competition's most successful sides.
The Gunners, who finished third in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League for the eighteenth season in succession, have won the tournament eleven times, joint-first with Manchester United.
Villa, who finished 17th after Tim Sherwood dragged them out of the relegation zone to safety, have claimed the trophy seven times.
The teams may have experienced vastly different fortunes in the league this season, but history tells us that the form book does not always count on FA Cup final day.
Both sides have overcome stiff opposition on their route to Wembley. Arsenal faced a tricky third-round clash with the side they defeat in last year's final, Hull, before overcoming Manchester United at Old Trafford in the sixth round, and seeing off a brave Reading side in the semi-finals.
Villa dispatched their West Midlands rivals West Brom in the sixth round, a victory which sparked wild pitch invasions at Villa Park and helped to kick-start their season, before turning things round to beat Liverpool 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final.
The scene is set for a fascinating final but, based on their form over the course of the whole season, which players from either side would get into a combined team? And after their dismal showing for much of the campaign, do any Villa players deserve to make the cut?
The line-up is selected based on these predicted line-ups:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Özil, Sanchez; Giroud
Aston Villa: Given, Bacuna, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson; Westwood, Cleverley, Delph; N’Zogbia, Grealish; Benteke
Scroll through the gallery to see the team:
Do you agree with our team? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.
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