Arsenal v Aston Villa: Premier League – Live | Premier League

Today’s Premier League results

We have had four away wins in the best four games played so far today. Can Villa make it five from five to leave Liverpool seven points clear of Arsenal at the top of the league with a game in hand? Emery’s side hammered Arsenal’s title hopes at the Emirates in April last season and will be hoping to do exactly the same today.

Brentford 0-2 Liverpool: Nunez scores his second, cutting inside and slotting the ball past Mark Flekken after running onto a pass from Harvey Elliott. Liverpool left it late but look to have got the job done.

Brentford 0-1 Liverpool: On a day of waste and poor finishing from various Liverpool players, an uncharacteristically composed strike from Darwin Nunez looks to have won all three points for his side in extra time at the Gtech Stadium.

Brentford v Liverpool: With five minutes remaining, Thomas Frank’s side are currently holding Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium, so as things stand, Arsenal can move within two points of the league leaders (having played a game more) with a win over Villa.

Today’s match leaders

• Judge: Chris Kavanagh.

• Assistants: Lee Betts and Neil Davies.

• Fourth Official: John Busby.

• WAS: John Brooks.

• Assistant VAR:Darren Cann

Mikel Arteta: Ahead of this game yesterday, the Arsenal manager reflected on his side’s win over Spurs on Tuesday night before turning his thoughts to tonight’s task.

“I loved the attitude the team played with, a great occasion in front of our people, the atmosphere was brilliant, but we’re moving on to the next one, it’s a big game,” he said. “We will try as hard as possible to prepare in the best way to win. We know the difficulty of the team as they are, that’s why they are performing so well. Great players and a great coach.”

On Arsenal’s title credentials: “If we refer to the stats, the stats said we were the best team in the league but the reality is we didn’t win the league so we still have to improve and get better,” he said. . “We play to win and that’s exactly where we want to be. The pressure comes from within. You have to thrive to be the best you can possibly be.”

These teams: William Saliba is a conspicuous absence for Arsenal as he limped off with a hamstring strain towards the end of his side’s win over Spurs in midweek.

We can probably expect to see Jurrien Timber filling in at center back alongside Gabriel, with Thomas Partey lining up at right back. This match has also come too early for Riccardo Calafiori, who is not in the match squad. Myles Lewis-Skelly retains his place at left-back, where he impressed his nan with his hard tackle against Tottenham.

Unai Emery signs Ian Maatsen as a left-back for Villa, where Lucas Digne is missing. New signing Donyell Malen is on a strong bench where he will be able to make small talk with Jhon Duran and Leon Bailey, among other new teammates.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Early team news

Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all out with injury, but Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori could return from injury after a three-game absence. Whether he starts ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who played so well against Tottenham, remains to be seen.

Unai Emery is without Pau Torres, John McGinn and Ross Barkley, who are all injured. Diego Carlos is also expected to be unavailable due to a minor niggle. The defender was linked with a move to Fenerbahce by his manager yesterday and is expected to leave Villa before the end of the transfer window.

In better news for Emery, the Spaniard can call on Donyell Malen, the 25-year-old Dutch winger who signed for Villa from Borussia Dortmund yesterday and could make his Premier League debut at home to the club where he spent two years as a youth team player.

“He is used to playing as a 7, sometimes an 11 on the left, but also as a 10,” said Unai Emery of Malen. “He is always close to the opponent’s box scoring and assisting goals – we need a player like him to be a threat to the opposition behind.”

Premier League: Arsenal v Aston Villa