Arsenal v Aston Villa

Munitions workers from Woolwich facing one of English football's founding dozen; newcomers rarely chose tougher opposition for a first outing.

Arsenal, then known as Royal Arsenal, and Aston Villa first crossed paths in the late 1880s. Villa were already established as one of the dominant forces in English football, having been founded in 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel cricket team. Arsenal, formed in 1886 by munitions workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, were the upstarts from south-east London. Both clubs were among the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888 (Villa) and early entrants to the professional game (Arsenal joined the Football League in 1893). The fixture quickly became a staple of the English football season.

Villa claimed the Double in 1897; Tottenham would not repeat the feat for another 64 years.

Villa's Victorian dominance was extraordinary. They won the league title six times between 1894 and 1910, and completed the coveted League and FA Cup Double in 1897. During this period, Arsenal were still finding their feet in the lower divisions, and the gulf between the two sides was considerable. Villa's 1897 FA Cup final victory over Everton at Crystal Palace, combined with their league title, made them only the second club to achieve the Double. It would be 64 years before Tottenham matched the feat.

Five titles in a decade; Villa replied by dropping out of the top flight entirely.

The balance of power shifted decisively in the 1930s. Under Herbert Chapman, Arsenal won their first league title in 1931 and went on to claim five titles in the decade. Villa, meanwhile, were relegated from the First Division in 1936 for the first time in their history. The fixture transformed from a meeting of unequals into one where Arsenal held the upper hand. Chapman's revolutionary approach to tactics, including the WM formation, made Arsenal the team of the era. Highbury became a fortress, and Villa's visits to north London grew increasingly uncomfortable.

Wembley 1957 was Villa's finest hour, yet their semi-final clashes and league fixtures with Arsenal throughout the decade drew equally large, passionate crowds.

The 1957 FA Cup final remains the most celebrated meeting between these two clubs. Aston Villa beat Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley that year, but it was their semi-final clashes and league encounters with Arsenal throughout the 1950s that defined the decade. Both clubs were mid-table regulars, producing tight, competitive fixtures that drew large crowds.

Peter Withe's scuffed winner in Rotterdam made Villa only the fourth English side to conquer Europe.

Aston Villa's 1980-81 First Division title, under Ron Saunders, was one of the great underdog stories. They followed it with the European Cup in 1982, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam. Arsenal, by contrast, were in a relative trough, and the fixture during this period saw Villa arrive in north London with genuine swagger. Peter Withe's scuffed winner in the European Cup final remains one of English football's most cherished goals. Villa became only the fourth English club to lift the trophy.

Ten straight wins to steal the title; Wenger's continental revolution had Villa and the rest chasing shadows.

Arsène Wenger's first full season in charge produced Arsenal's second Double. The Gunners beat Villa in both league meetings that season, and the fixture became a barometer of Arsenal's new continental style. Wenger's side played football that felt genuinely different: quick, technical, and ruthlessly efficient. The 1997-98 title race saw Arsenal overhaul Manchester United with a remarkable run of ten consecutive wins. Villa were among the sides swept aside as Wenger's revolution took hold at Highbury.

A 60,000-seat modern arena transformed Villa's away day into one of the finest fixtures in European football.

Arsenal's move from Highbury to the 60,704-capacity Emirates Stadium in 2006 transformed the matchday experience. The new ground in Ashburton Grove, Holloway, gave the club one of the finest stadiums in European football. Villa's visits to the Emirates became premium fixtures, with the increased capacity and modern hospitality facilities elevating the occasion.

Sánchez scored twice inside four minutes and 90; Villa never got close.

The 2015 FA Cup final was a one-sided affair. Alexis Sánchez opened the scoring after just four minutes, and goals from Per Mertesacker, Olivier Giroud, and a second from Sánchez sealed a comprehensive 4-0 victory. It was Arsenal's record-extending twelfth FA Cup triumph and their second in consecutive years. For Villa, it was a painful afternoon that preceded their relegation from the Premier League the following season. Tim Sherwood's side simply had no answer to Arsenal's quality on the day.

Forty years in the wilderness, then Emery arrived and Villa were Champions League-bound again.

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal mounted their strongest title challenge in nearly two decades during the 2022-23 season, ultimately finishing second to Manchester City. Aston Villa, revitalised under Unai Emery following his appointment in October 2022, surged into the top four and qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 1982-83. The fixture regained a competitive edge not seen for decades. When these two meet at the Emirates now, it carries the weight of two clubs with genuine ambitions at the top of the English game. The atmosphere reflects it.