This is how the top of the Premier League looks after Liverpool’s late win at Crystal Palace. Pretty much whatever happens tonight, we’ve got ourselves a title race!
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 16 | 21 | 37 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 15 | 19 | 36 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 15 | 14 | 32 |
| 4 | Man City | 15 | 19 | 30 |
Aston Villa were nigh-on perfect in beating Manchester City 1-0 during the week. No surprise, then, that Unai Emery sends out the same XI to start this evening’s match.
Arsenal, who needed a dramatic late Declan Rice goal to see off Luton 3-2 on Tuesday, make one change to their starting XI. Oleksandr Zinchenko replaces Jakub Kiwior.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Konsa, Diego Carlos, Torres, Digne, Bailey, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans, Watkins.
Subs: Cash, Alex Moreno, Lenglet, Diaby, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Ramsey, Marschall.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Ramsdale, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Walters.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia).
Arsenal hope to reclaim their place at the top of the table this evening. To do so, they only have to beat an upwardly-mobile collective who have won their last 14 home Premier League matches and only three days ago gave the champions a proper chasing. No biggie, then. Kick-off is at 5.30pm GMT. It’s on!