Arsenal v Aston Villa – Premier League latest as Bailey and Watkins stun Gunners

The possession stats are surprisingly even, 54 per cent to Arsenal. It feels more like 65-35.

For all Arsenal's pressure, Emi Martinez has only had a couple of relatively comfortable saves to make.

At the other end, Villa break promisingly but Tielemans overhits a through pass to Diaby. It wasn't a particularly difficult pass either.

Havertz makes a perfectly timed run through on goal, onto a chip over the top, but Diego Carlos shows superb pace to get back and challenge Havertz on the edge of the area.

Villa give their defenders a breather by keeping the ball for the best part of 90 seconds. They needed that because the pressure was becoming asyphxiating.

Jesus makes just enough room in a crowded area to hit a shot that is bravely blocked by McGinn. It's all Arsenal.

Martinez was out of his goal but there was a covering defender and it drfted wide anyway.

Villa enjoy their first extended spell of possession, which includes the first hint of an opening for Watkins. He's quickly crowded out on the edge of the area.

Odegaard plays another gorgeous straight pass to release Saka in the area. His first touch is slightly loose, which makes the angle too tight, and he rattles a right-foot shot into the side netting.

Odegaard is running the show.

Arsenal are getting closer. Odegaard found Saka, who moved back on his left foot and teased a cross beyond the far post. Jesus pulled away into space but then headed into the side netting; it was a tame effort.

The flag went up after the event so it probably wouldn't have counted anyway.

He caught Saka slightly late, prompting Mikel Arteta to hop around in anger. It wasn't a particularly bad challenge but the referee showed him a yellow card.

Trossard cuts inside from the left and angles a lovely through ball to Havertz, who gallops into the area and sweeps a first-time shot that is blocked at the near post by Martinez.

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Odegaard's sliderule pass, the kind we've seen a million times before, releases Saka on the right side of the area. His first-time cross is importantly blocked by Pau Torres at the near post.

Arsenal have started confidently, as you'd expect given their recent form, though so far it's all been front of the Villa defence.

Arsenal have started with Kai Havertz in midfield, Gabriel Jesus up front and Leandro Trossard on the left wing.

Villa have Nicolo Zaniolo on the left, Moussa Diaby on the right and Morgan Rogers just behind Ollie Watkins.

A long throw is headed away as far as McGinn, whose fierce half-volley knocks Trossard off his feet. Watkins then heads the loose ball over Raya and onto the roof of the net from about 15 yards. It was a very difficult chance.

Trossard is fine.

Morgan Rogers has the first touch of the game. Villa are kicking from right to left as we watch.

Arsenal (possible 4-3-3) Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Gabriel Jesus.
Subs: Ramsdale, Partey, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah, Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Vieira.

Aston Villa (possible 4-2-2-2) Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Zaniolo, Rogers; Diaby, Watkins.
Subs: Cash, Alex Moreno, Chambers, Lenglet, Duran, Olsen, Kesler-Hayden, Bailey, Iroegbunam.

Referee David Coote.

Ebere Eze's early goal dealt a savage blow to Liverpool's title hopes, who stay in third place even though Arsenal have this upcoming game in hand.

It's easy to forget, given the focus on the title race, how big a game this is for Aston Villa in the race for a guaranteed Champions League place. They are marginally ahead of Spurs on goal difference, having played the same number of games, but Spurs still have to play all three of the title challengers.

In short, a draw today would be a superb result for Villa. A win would be off the charts.