2vs1

I play 2vs1 with my friends occasionally, me the 1. They know build orders and counters, but I'm faster, so it tends to be quite even until late game, where I get overwhelmed because of pop cap. Thus I need to up my game, and I have some inquiries.

On an open map, I try to be aggressive vs both, and while I can do some damage, I don't manage to end it before imperial. Besides simply getting better at pushing, how should I approach this issue? Is it better to go FC and push with siege, or should I invest heavily in a feudal army and try to stop them from walling up? I prefer scouts in 1vs1, but would archers be preferable here?

If I'm up vs longbows and paladins late game, which civs would work?