It's hard to be a player, it's even harder to be a Premier League player! While players from other leagues have taken to the streets to buy Christmas presents, Premier League stars still have to sweat on the training pitch because they still have a lot of tough games to play. From December 20 to January 3 next year, the Premier League will have four rounds of battles in 14 days, which is the terrifying "Christmas schedule". The current Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has publicly criticized the "Christmas schedule": "Arranging such a dense schedule is like smoking 3 packs of cigarettes a day and being alive, but this is obviously not good for your health!" ”

It's not enough, but the league has to go on as usual, and there's an old saying in the Premier League: you can't win the title at Christmas, but you can lose it at Christmas. For the traditional three strong ones Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, who still have a chance to compete for the title, the tragic "three kills" will be the watershed moment in whether they can finally win the title. Under the bombardment of a dense schedule, only the toughest and most prepared teams will make it to the end.

However, it is mostly foreign players and coaches who feel pain and dissatisfaction, and for local players and coaches in the UK, football is not only entertainment, but also a spiritual pillar. The Premier League is played over the Christmas season and is more of a religious ritual than a sporting event. They go to play football, their family and friends go to the stadium to cheer them on, so that Christmas is more meaningful.

The second game of the Christmas schedule is also the last game of the first half of the Premier League, although this closing game is only a battle worth three points, but it has a great psychological impact on the players and fans, even the team who started badly, they want to have a good ending, and it is the wish of all teams to welcome the new year and the second half with a victory.

The highlight of the game was the clash between leaders Arsenal and fourth-placed Aston Villa, who were expected to hold back Arsenal, who were about to break away from Earth's gravity and head straight for Mars. Otherwise, the Premier League, which has always been known for its fierce competition, will become another gun version of the Bundesliga.

Aston Villa can be expected by Premier League fans across the country, not only because of his fourth-place position, but they have a lot of strengths and characteristics that can make other fans fantasize.

First of all, Aston Villa's first half of the season was the most outstanding defence, conceding only 17 goals in 19 games, second only to Chelsea's defence. Coach O'Neal brought in Manchester City discarded Dunn and West Ham United centre-back Collins this summer to replace Laursen (retired) and Curtis? The combination of Davies (who have been injured) has become Villa's most reliable centre-back partner, while American goalkeeper Friedel remains one of the most responsive goalkeepers in the league.

Secondly, Aston Villa's results are not accidental, they have stood in sixth place for two consecutive seasons, and if it were not for their weak second half of last season, which has not won 12 games in a row since February, Arsenal would not even have a chance to play in the Champions League this season.

The third is that Aston Villa has played against Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool in the first half, but the traditional three teams of the Premier League have not been able to beat Aston Villa, and since the 11th round, Aston Villa has not tasted defeat in seven rounds.

Such a team is entirely likely to pose a threat to Arsenal, although Arsenal have a more brilliant record, Professor Wenger admits this, and he believes that O'Neal's team has a solid defence, and Milner and Ashley in attack? With excellent wingers like Young and Downing, and striker Abang Lajo's finishing skills, there's a good reason why they finish in the top four.

However, Arsene Wenger believes Aston Villa are not likely to win the title: "I don't think Villa can compete for the title, they can pose some threat to the top four teams, but the title belongs to Arsenal. Maybe Martin? O'Neill could one day build a championship team. But it is very difficult to compete with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Aston Villa have done well so far this season, but they haven't reached that height. ”

In private, O'Neill is a gentle and affectionate good Northern Irish man. He once gave up the Celtic dynasty he had worked so hard to build in order to take care of his wife who suffered from lymphoma, and he also gave up a picture of "Martin, don't go!" for the fans. Banner and resolutely stayed in Leicester City, which was difficult to achieve. But O'Neill, who studied under legendary coach Clough, was by no means a soft persimmon, and his unyielding spirit and tough approach have made him successful at every club he coached. A typical example is that in the summer of 2008, Barry was lured by Liverpool to divorce, and O'Neill, who was determined to make a career this season, made a ruthless move to retain people: raising prices externally to scare off the Reds, and internally he did not hesitate to impose three stops on Barry to calm the morale of the army. In the end, the team finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League.

O'Neill immediately responded in fierce words after hearing Professor Arsene Wenger's statement that Aston Villa could not win the title, saying: "Two seasons ago, we didn't have a good way to meet any opponent, let alone win the title, but I don't think we have a chance to win the title now, after all, we are too far behind, but beating Arsenal is a more realistic and easier goal than winning the title." ”

Professor Arsene Wenger was so angry with O'Neill that he no longer had a war of words with O'Neill, and stepped up his preparations to compete with the Northern Irishman, known as the magical coach, on the field.

The game was played on the afternoon of the 27th, and the Christmas period did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Arsenal fans, the Emirates Stadium was packed an hour before the game, and the bars and Internet cafes around the Emirates Stadium were also crowded with fans without tickets, who had to stand in front of the TV and computer to cheer on their team, and share with their friends the joy of Arsenal breaking the record of winning in the top five leagues held by Inter Milan.

Aston Villa's tactics are rigorous, but they are also rich in views, O'Neill is a famous magical coach in the Premier League, whether it is the manager of the England team or other clubs, whenever there is a vacancy, O'Neill is the natural favorite, because whether it is the Premier League or the Soviet Super League, he knows it well. From low-tier clubs like Wycombe to Premier League underdogs like Leicester and a languishing Celtic, O'Neal can make a big difference with a little bit of money when he takes over. Arsenal under the leadership of Arsene Wenger is the representative of the technical flow of the Premier League, O'Neill and Wenger, Aston Villa's matchup with Arsenal has also attracted many reporters to the scene for interviews.

In the face of many reporters, crowded fans, and strong opponents, both managers showed composure, standing on the sidelines, smiling, and confident.

Although Cesc Fabregas came to the pitch today, he did not start, his injury has just recovered, the team doctor said to use him carefully, and Wenger did not directly send him to start. It is Li Huan who now exercises the captain's power on the court.

In the face of this highlight between the top four, the on-site commentator has already had a dry mouth and foamed at the situation of these two balls, no matter how big or small, and the scandal is almost all gushing out of the mouth of this commentator.

“…… Arsenal's starting line-up is like this, Arsenal (4-1-4-1): 1-Almunia/13-Li Huan, 10-Galla, 5-Vermaelen, 30-Traore/17-Alexander Song/19-Wilshere, 2-Diaby, 15-Denilson, 9-Eduardo, /14-Walcott ,......"

"We don't say much about Arsenal, now who doesn't know Li Huan, Cesc Fabregas, who doesn't know Arsenal, only Wilshere, the 17-year-old starter, is surprising, I don't know if this is the Arsenal midfielder is really no one, and the wonderful pen of the professor. Now we take a look at the line-up of the away team Aston Villa, Villa (4-4-2): 1-Friedel/2-Luke Young, 24-Cuera, 5-Dunn, 25-Volnock/7-Ashley Young, 19-Petrov, 8-Milner, 6-Downing/18-Husky, 11-Abonlahio. ”

Barry has finally left Villa, but Aston Villa's record has gotten better, with the 19-year-old Delphi still a hopeful star and Sidwell and Leo Cork not enough to prove an immediate replacement for Barry. Hopefully, Downing will play a role in closing the loophole.

Aston Villa's most common formation is 4-3-3, but O'Neill is a master tactician, pretty much about what team to play against and how to play. Today he had a forward centre-forward Heskey and speed striker Abonlaho on the pitch, as well as two wing-backs and two full-backs with speed to prevent Arsenal from breaking through the flanks......"

"Force!"

Amid the chatter of the commentators, the two top-four teams, Arsenal and Villa, kicked off the season's finale.

Arsenal, who were playing at home, did not change the madness of slaughtering Hull City before Christmas, and launched a fierce attack on Aston Villa after the opening period.

Van Persie is out due to illness and Cesc Fabregas is not fully injured. Nasri was thrown to the youth team by the club because of the stampede and drunken fights, and now the entire Arsenal attack and defense rely on Li Huan alone, Li Huan knows that he has a great responsibility, and after the opening, he took the lead in taking the ball to assist and step forward to be a pioneer for his teammates.

Villa's left-back Noel Walker not only made a stubborn posture after the opening, but Downing did not press too forward, in order to prevent Li Huan's breakthrough cross. Originally, it was Milner who played on the left side, but in order to suppress Li Huan, O'Neill sent two left-footed players today, and O'Neill hoped to use their speed to block Li Huan's assist.

(To be continued)