FA Cup 2014/15: Preview of the Arsenal v Aston Villa Final
This season’s FA Cup competition reaches it’s conclusion on Saturday at Wembley. Kick off will be at 5.30pm on Saturday 30 May 2015 and will be shown live on BBC1 and BT Sport.
The competition started back on 16 August, with ties such as
- Barnstaple Town v Witheridge
- Willand Rovers v Radstock Town and
- Plymouth Parkway v Buckland Athletic
It progressed to the first round in November, and the world took delight in seeing Exeter City embarrassed live on TV by Warrington Town. The second round saw the same fate go the way of Hartlepool United losing to Blyth Spartans. The fourth round Chelsea were humbled at Stamford Bridge losing 4-2 to Bradford City. With the eyes of the media looking at a Steven Gerrard final for his birthday, Aston Villa had other ideas dispensing them in the semi-final at Wembley. Championship side Reading, did well to get to a semi-final but couldn’t overcome Arsenal.
The road to Wembley
| Arsenal | Aston Villa | ||
| 3rd Round | Arsenal 2 Hull 0 | Villa 1 Blackpool 0 | |
| 4th Round | Brghton 2 Arsenal 3 | Villa 2 Bournemouth 1 | |
| 5th Round | Arsenal 2 Middlesbrough 0 | Villa 2 Leicester 1 | |
| 6th Round | Man Utd 1 Arsenal 2 | Villa 2 West Brom 0 | |
| Semi-final | Reading 1 Arsenal 2 | Villa 2 Liverpool 1 |
Villa fans will be housed in the West end of the stadium, and will be plying in their traditional colours of claret and blue. Arsenal fans will be in the East section of Wembley and the team will be playing in their away trip of yellow and blue.
The referee will be 44-year-old Jon Moss, who hails from West Riding. Moss is on the Premier League list of officials, and has refereed a number of FA Cup ties this season: Wimbledon v Liverpool; Southampton v Crystal Palace; and Man Utd v Cambridge.
Jon Moss will be assisted by Darren England and Simon Bennett, while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official. Harry Lennard will be the reserve assistant referee. Moss speaking to The FA Website said of his appointment:-
It was a complete surprise. When I got the call it was the realisation of a dream really. For any referee it is the pinnacle of your career.
I’ve been involved in the Community Shield and the Conference and Championship play-off finals – but this is the biggest game I will ever referee.
As a young boy I used to watch The FA Cup Final with my dad. We always had the programme and we went to a couple of Finals at Wembley.
You dream about playing in a Final as a boy but I’ve dreamed about refereeing as I got older. Referees are no different to players and you strive always to get those massive games.
The trophy will be presented to the winning captain by the Duke of Cambridge.
