Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa – Premier League: Live scores, team news and updates as Gunners look to return to top of table and capitalize on Liverpool defeat

Aston Villa have started on the front foot and John McGinn has just had an effort in the face of Leandro Trossard.

He certainly felt that, so did I, and I just watched.

Ian Ladyman is right, you can feel the nerves inside the Emirates.

Arsenal want to get started quickly and we are now getting started.

This is set to be a cracker.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

There were a few shouts and fist pumps among Arsenal staff in the media room at the Emirates as the whistle blew for Liverpool’s home defeat to Crystal Palace.

Arsenal’s task now is to ensure that a two-horse race does not become a procession for Manchester City.

I have to say that Emirates doesn’t sound quite as exciting as I expected. Like all teams at this stage of the season, an early goal may be needed to settle some nerves…

This game now feels bigger than before after the Liverpool result.

The mood is tense, but high, and expectations are high at the Emirates.

Will they be cheering at regular intervals today or will Aston Villa take another step towards Champions League football.

Despite the somewhat frustrating midweek draw against Bayern Munich, Arsenal have been in sensational form since the turn of the year, winning 10 of their 11 league games.

They have conceded just four goals in that time, an astonishing record, with the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White in inspired form.

And what a huge opportunity for the Gunners to return to the top of the Premier League this afternoon.

If anyone saw this coming, I sure did.

I wonder if the Arsenal players will have seen this result, will it affect them on the pitch? I doubt it.

I have a great chance for the Gunners to tighten their grip on this title race.

It was a frustrating night for Arsenal the last time these sides met, with John McGinn’s goal the difference before Kai Havertz had a late equalizer denied.

The win for Villa came in the middle of their amazing run of 15 home wins in a row.

They will be hoping for a replica of that performance at the Emirates today and you can follow highlights from the clash at Villa Park below.

One man missing today for Aston Villa is Douglas Luiz, with the Brazilian midfielder suspended.

He has been integral to Villa’s transformation under Unai Emery and this week he sat down with Mail Sports’ IAN LADYMAN for a fascinating interview.

Luiz’s journey from the favelas to international football was discussed, plus his relationship with superstar women’s footballer Alisha Lehmann and his experiences working with both Emery and Pep Guardiola.

Read the brilliant piece below…

There are sure to be many more twists and turns in the title race, but one of the shocks of the season is currently unfolding at Anfield.

Liverpool had not lost at home since February 2023 before their dismal 3-0 defeat at Atalanta on Thursday, but they could be on the verge of losing two home games in a row.

The Reds trail Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze’s early goal and would lose crucial ground in the title race with defeat.

You can follow full coverage of the final stages of the crunch clash below…

A slight delay from Arsenal’s social media team in announcing their line-up, but here we are.

There are three changes from Mikel Arteta following their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in midweek, with Zinchenko, Trossard and Jesus replacing Kiwior, Martinelli and Jorginho.

The Gunners will be desperate to get back to the top of the league after Man City hammered Luton 5-1 yesterday.

Unai Emery makes two changes to the team that beat Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

Douglas Luiz is suspended, so Nicolo Zaniolo is rewarded with a rare start.

Meanwhile, Moussa Diaby replaces Leon Bailey, who drops to the bench.

Former Arsenal keeper Emi Martinez will be hoping to make his former club pay today.

Arsenal are out to prove a point today after Emery’s men were outclassed by the Gunners when these two teams last met in December.

The Villains – enjoying a really hot run of results at the time – won 1-0 thanks to a very well-worked team move finished off by John McGinn.

Will it be revenge or repeat this time?

Villa appear to be in a bullish mood ahead of their trip to London, at least according to winger Morgan Rogers.

Ahead of the game, he was asked about his side’s chances against the title contenders, before referring to their 1-0 win over them at Villa Park earlier in the campaign.

Read the full story below.

We’ve got a huge title race clash coming your way at the Emirates in a game that also has massive implications for the top four race.

It should be exciting and entertaining in north London as Mikel Arteta welcomes his Arsenal predecessor Unai Emery looking for a third league win in a row.

Villa, meanwhile, have suffered a slight setback in their quest to reach Europe’s elite after losing 4-1 to Man City before a 3-3 draw at Brentford, but they will take confidence from top four rivals Tottenham, who were beaten 4-0 of Newcastle yesterday.

Tune in and follow our live blog for all the latest updates, team news and goals as they happen.