Aston Villa vs Arsenal live: Score and updates from Premier League clash

A high press results in the first shot of the game as Timber wins the ball midway into the Villa half.

It’s shipped on to Odegaard and he tries his luck from outside the area, but it’s too close to Martinez.

Arsenal are now starting to press higher, with Pau Torres doing well not to concede a corner just there.

The Gunners win the ball in midfield but give it away uncharacteristically quickly. It’s been stop-start so far with plenty of exchanging of possession.

Villa are a lot more keen to press Raya and co. when they have the ball early on, while Arsenal are beginning to put some pressure on in midfield.

A strange touch from Raya brings the ball closer to going in his own net but he manages to boot it clear.

Arsenal already looking pretty settled when in possession, though neither side has been able to put together anything in attack.

The Gunners are happy too sit off when Villa have possession in their half at the moment.

We’re underway at Villa Park!

Can Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the league, or can Villa enter the title race (for however long)?

Both sides are in the tunnel at Villa Park, so we’ll be underway soon in the Midlands!

Here’s the full list of Premier League fixtures for the day then:

Aston Villa vs Arsenal – 12.30pm

Everton vs Nottingham Forest

Leeds Utd vs Liverpool – 5.30pm

“It is the reality of the level, you have to keep winning, the level is so high, we know we’re going to have to maintain it for 10 months,” adds Arteta on the title race.

On Villa, he adds: “They dominate a lot of the game, collectively, individually, they can create vertical attacks, set-pieces, they’re really well coached, well organised.

“Some day it has to be broken, and hopefully it will be today,” he adds on Villa’s run of results at home.

Mikel Arteta has been speaking to TNT ahead of kick-off, and he calls the game “an opportunity to perform at our level against a really good side”.

“Depending on how the players are feeling, we know they’re at different stages, so I just put the strongest line-up but also think how I can change the game,” he says.

On Declan Rice, he adds: “Very important he gives us balance, threat, he makes everybody click. We had some players not available, but the ones who are available are in great condition and excited to play.

Arsenal haven’t conceded more than twice in any of their last 108 games in all competitions, the outright longest run of any team in English football league history surpassing Manchester United’s 107 between 2016 and 2018.

Mikel Arteta is one of only five to have won more than half of their 100+ away games along with Pep Guardiola, Alex Ferguson, Jürgen Klopp and José Mourinho.