Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa on Saturday night, as the Gunners once again lost ground to Liverpool in the title race.

The hosts started the match quickly, squandering chances early on, but they were deservedly ahead at the break as Gabriel Martinelli bundled in Leandro Trossard’s cross at the back post.

The second half started in a similar fashion, and the pressure paid off after another excellent cross from Trossard allowed Kai Havertz to volley in for 2-0.

Arsenal looked like strolling towards a straightforward win at that point, only to fall asleep and allow Lucas Digne to swing in a brilliant cross that Youri Tielemans dived to head in.

Villa’s pressure then told as Ollie Watkins volleyed in Matty Cash’s cross to equalise late on.

There was still room for more drama at the Emirates as Mikel Merino’s effort was disallowed after hitting Havertz’s hand on the way in, but the points were shared in a match that could prove pivotal in the title race.

Follow all of the latest from the Emirates Stadium in our live blog below:

Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE

• Arsenal host Aston Villa in the Premier League, with kick-off at 5.30pm | Live on Sky Sports

• 88' DISALLOWED GOAL! Merino volley is chalked off after hitting Havertz's hand (ARS 2-2 AST)

• 68' GOAL! Watkins levels it with cushioned volley (ARS 2-2 AST)

• 60' GOAL! Tielemans claws one back with diving header (ARS 2-1 AST)

• 55' GOAL! Havertz volleys in at the near post (ARS 2-0 AST)

• 35' GOAL! Martinelli converts Trossard's cross (ARS 1-0 AST)

Arsenal FC 2 - 2 Aston Villa FC

The Arsenal substitution that helps explain their crumbling title bid

21:46 , Chris Wilson

Mikel Arteta waited 84 minutes to make a substitution in this match, and when he finally broke glass, his only tool was a decidedly blunt Raheem Sterling. For all Sterling’s known talents, he is a 30-year-old winger of fading impact and it was enough to wonder whether the player he was replacing, an utterly knackered Gabriel Martinelli, might still have been the better option as the minutes ticked away.

Arsenal’s lack of depth right now doesn’t entirely explain how they contrived to draw this game 2-2, having led 2-0 after an hour, as mighty chunks of their title bid crumbled away. Aston Villa deserve plenty of credit. But it was conspicuous that where Arteta made only one substitution, just minutes before kick-off here, Liverpool had snatched victory at Brentford thanks to a £60m substitute, Darwin Nunez, one of five luxury second-half changes by Arne Slot.

Football in the five-subs era is now a new game of two halves: the first hour, in which the first XIs play; and the final 30 minutes plus added time when half of the outfield players change, when tactics shift and identities morph and games are won and lost.

The Arsenal substitution that explains their crumbling title bid

Mikel Arteta bemoans Arsenal’s crippling injury list after Aston Villa draw

21:45 , Chris Wilson

Mikel Arteta hinted that injuries to his Arsenal squad are close to ending their Premier League challenge following a crushing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz fired the home side into a 2-0 lead but Villa fought back through goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins in eight second-half minutes to deal a potentially devastating blow to Arsenal’s title tilt.

Arsenal have been rocked by injuries to a host of players this season, with Bukayo Saka out until at least March following hamstring surgery, while Gabriel Jesus is sidelined for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Mikel Arteta bemoans Arsenal’s crippling injury list after Aston Villa draw

Arsenal’s title bid dealt a blow as Aston Villa hit back for a point

21:30 , Chris Wilson

Arsenal’s Premier League title bid was dealt a hammer blow after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead in the first half before Kai Havertzdoubled the home side’s advantage 10 minutes after the interval.

But Villa responded just four minutes later through Youri Tielemans, with Ollie Watkins grabbing an equaliser for the visitors.

Arsenal’s title bid dealt a blow as Aston Villa hit back for a point

Manchester United hopeful of sealing Viktor Gyokeres deal despite Arsenal interest

21:15 , Chris Wilson

Manchester United are hopeful of holding off competition for Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres to secure a deal in the summer.

Arsenal are understood to have raised the striker in discussions over a badly-needed forward signing for January, having brought forward plans from the summer after the ACL injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus.

Mikel Arteta this week admitted they are looking, and Gyokeres has been raised along with options such as Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Brighton's Evan Ferguson. Arsenal have not seriously pursued PSG's Randal Kolo Muani yet this window.

Man Utd hopeful of sealing Viktor Gyokeres deal despite Arsenal interest

Emery: "To get something here is very difficult"

20:30 , Chris Wilson

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery told Sky Sports that he felt his side "competed well” today.

“To get something here is very difficult. To compete like we did is the only way. They were controling and pushing more [earlier on]. We had to defend strongly.

"The second half we reacted well. The mentality we showed is the mentality we want. We needed the goalkeeper, the defenders. We were always trying some transitions. Fantastic job. Now we are in good balance. We are fighting with really strong teams. How we started the second part of the season has been good.

"[We thought] scoring one goal could open the match for us and it did."

On being set to bring off Ollie Watkins before the goal: "Yes I wanted a change with a fresh player like Duran but after his goal I tried to take my time."

On being booked: "I don't know. I kicked the ball. I only kicked the ball in the direction of the players. I didn't deserve a yellow card."

Arteta says he is proud of performance

20:22

In his own post-match interview, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is proud with how his side played.

“The way we played and competed, for the third time in six days and after playing 120-minutes, to deliver that dominance and performance, it was outstanding.

"We deserve much more, that is clear. But the way we defended for the second goal cannot be part of our game if we want to constantly win games.

"Overall, they were exceptional.

"There were players who were absolutely dead. They perform like this, wow. They just go about it and try to be the best version.

"Villa are a top side and we did a lot of good things."

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

20:12 , Chris Wilson

Ollie Watkins has scored six Premier League goals against Arsenal, with four of those coming at the Emirates Stadium. Since joining Aston Villa ahead of the 2020-21 season, no visiting player has scored more away goals against the Gunners than Watkins.

Watkins: "If that was against me I'd be a little be disappointed"

20:07 , Chris Wilson

Villa striker Ollie Watkins says that he’d be “disappointed” if that handball decision was given against him.

He goes on to add: "We got the goal and got a lot of momentum from that. They were quite open and there were chances to be had.

"We knew they went man for man. There were a few times where I could of done better, I was one on one with Gabriel a few times. They are always a little bit open.

“"When I got my goal, I felt like we had enough time to push on and get a goal.

"It was about being brave and making more passes. Once we got it down and made a few passes, that's when you can catch them."

“We had a bad run before and everyone said it was a dodgy decision. You can see how close the league is, Bournemouth went to Newcastle and won 4-1.

"Personally, this is the best I've felt. Coming back from the Euros and having no pre-season takes its toll.

"Feeling good and want to get to 20 goals. I'm on penalties now so that's the target and breaking Gabby's [Agbonlahor] record."

Martinelli speaks

19:54 , Chris Wilson

Speaking to Sky Sports, Gabriel Martinelli said that “it's a disappointing day” for the Gunners.

“We wanted to win the game, but we have to keep going.

"We trust in ourselves, and we have to keep going and improving - it is a long journey to go. We have to focus on ourselves.

"That's football, that's the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world.

"We have to see the game and see what we have done wrong and improve for the next games.

"We know our qualities and we know the potential we have and we trust in ourselves."

Tielemans: "We take the point and move forward"

19:50 , Chris Wilson

Speaking to BBC, Youri Tielemans had this to say: ewqqq"We came back really well into the game. The [first] goal gave us freedom and belief. It's not an easy task. They were on top of us for 60 minutes.

"I saw the space and tried to jump into it. Good goal.

"From our point of view [a good result] is always deserved. We take the point and move forward. They had many chances but we defended with our bodies on the line. 2-2 is a good result for us. First half we had a couple of counters, misplaced passes from me which could have put Ollie Watkins in.

"We fought really well to come back into the game.

"Handball is handball when it is a goal. It is what it is.

"Big win. We have had some bad results away from home. We just need that consistency away from home because we're doing well at Villa Park. It gives us a massive boost of confidence for the rest of the season."

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:47 , Chris Wilson

Meanwhile, Arsenal have failed to win a Premier League home game in which they led by two or more goals for the first time since October 2019 (2-2 versus Crystal Palace)

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:46 , Chris Wilson

Aston Villa avoided defeat in a Premier League away game in which they trailed by two or more goals for the first time since November 2013 (2-2 vs West Bromwich Albion), ending a run of 52 straight defeats in that situation.

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:42 , Chris Wilson

As mentioned previously, that result leaves Arsenal in second, six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Villa are now in seventh with 36 points, just two behind Newcastle in fourth.

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:36 , Chris Wilson

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:33 , Chris Wilson

Well, what a game that turned out to be at the Emirates. The points are shared after a dramatic encounter in the capital, with Arsenal giving up a two-goal lead before having a last-minute winner chalked off for handball.

It leaves the Gunners six points off Liverpool, who have a game in hand at the top.

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:28 , Chris Wilson

The referee brings the match to an end and Villa take points off Arsenal in a title race yet again.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:27 , Chris Wilson

98 min: Odegaard swings it in but Martinez collects...

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:26 , Chris Wilson

97 min: Digne drags down Sterling for a late free-kick, and it’ll surely be the last chance Arsenal get.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:26 , Chris Wilson

96 min: Was that the chance to win it?

Lewis-Skelly slips a through ball into the path of Trossard, who is 1-v-1 with Martinez but drags his effort wide of the far post!

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:25 , Chris Wilson

94 min: Raheem Sterling and Morgan Rogers are both in the book late on, the first for a foul and the latter for dissent.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:22 , Chris Wilson

93 min: Tielemans takes a shot from distance but it’s always going wide.

Arsenal come again. Can they find a winner?

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:21 , Chris Wilson

91 min: CLOSE! Villa survive again!

Arsenal are piling on the pressure here and they put the ball in the box. It comes back to Merino and he fires a low shot that cannons back off the post, before Trossard forces a good save from Martinez!

There’ll be seven minutes of added time.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:20 , Chris Wilson

90 min: It was an easy decision to disallow the goal, as the volley from Merino came off Havertz’s hand and deflected in. No controversy there.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:18 , Chris Wilson

88 min: GOAL!

It all comes from great work from Rice, who skips past a challenge before swinging in a cross. It bounces to Merino on the edge of the box, and he fires a volley into the ground that takes a deflection off Havertz and goes in!

But hang on...drama at the Emirates! It’s been disallowed!

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:16

86 min: Arsenal are having plenty of possession at the moment but they’re not really probing efficiently. In fact, they lose it near their own box and Villa counter well, with the ball eventually making its way to Bogarde on the edge of the box.

The Dutchman takes the shot but it takes a small defection before Raya makes the save.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:13 , Chris Wilson

84 min: Sterling gets away from his man but his through ball runs out of play.

Villa bring on Leon Bailey for Jacob Ramsey.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:12

83 min: Arsenal finally make a change as Raheem Sterling comes on for Martinelli.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:10

81 min: Cash loses it deep into his own half but Merino can’t capitalise, before Trossard sees his cross headed away.

Arsenal come again but Odegaard sees his shot blocked.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:08 , Chris Wilson

79 min: It’s not a bad ball from Rice, but Gabriel can’t generate enough power on the header.

Now Villa make a sub, as Jhon Duran replaces Watkins.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:07 , Chris Wilson

77 min: No subs yet for Arsenal, which is perhaps more of a telling sign about what Arteta thinks of his bench.

Kamara is booked for a foul near halfway, and Arsenal will have the chance to swing in a ball from deep.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:05 , Chris Wilson

76 min: Great play again from Tielemans to skip through a challenge and start the counter, but it’s wasted as Cash stumbles and loses possession on the edge of the box.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:03 , Chris Wilson

74 min: Trossard lays it off to Rice on the edge of the box and the midfielder lines up a shot, eventually driving it wide of the far post.

Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

19:03 , Chris Wilson

72 min: It’s hectic match at the Emirates now, though it was calmed down by a couple of breaks in play for treatment.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

18:59 , Chris Wilson

68 min: GOAL! Villa are level!

It’s brilliant from Watkins too. The free-kick is re-worked by Villa and Cash swings in a cross from the right. It looks like Havertz might deal with it but it goes over his head to Watkins, who reacts so quickly to side-foot a brilliant volley over Raya into the roof of the net!

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

18:57 , Chris Wilson

67 min: Trossard is the next player in the book as he drags down Watkins. Villa still look dangerous on the counter.

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

18:56 , Chris Wilson

65 min: A decent chance there for the hosts as the chipped ball is played over to Martinelli, but he can only fire over on the volley.

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

18:53 , Chris Wilson

63 min: Now Emery is booked for kicking the ball away! Tense times at the Emirates all of a sudden.

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

18:51 , Chris Wilson

62 min: CLOSE! Oh, so close!

Villa get on the attack straight away and it bounces out to Tielemans on the edge of the box – he cannons an effort off the post!

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

18:50 , Chris Wilson

60 min: GOAL! Another great goal from nowhere!

It’s so simple too, as Digne picks up the ball on the left and swings in a lovely cross to the near post. Tielemans has made the run between the defenders and dives to head it low past Raya! Game on.

Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa

18:48 , Chris Wilson

59 min: Villa have been on the attack since the goal but Arsenal have all the control now, though Martinelli can’t make the most of a promising counter-attack opportunity.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa

18:46 , Chris Wilson

55 min: GOAL! Out of nowhere, the Gunners have doubled the lead!

It’s more brilliant work from Trossard, who twists and turns to create space for the cross and fizzes in a low ball straight to Havertz, who volleys in at the near post!

The shot took a deflection off Martinez as he tried to save it, and nestled in the far corner!

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:40 , Chris Wilson

51 min: The first set-piece is headed behind, so Arsenal come again. The ball in is cleared and falls to Trossard, whose volley is then blocked.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:39 , Chris Wilson

49 min: So close to a second for the hosts as Trossard pokes in a pass to Lewis-Skelly, who fires in a cross that Digne clears for a corner.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:37 , Chris Wilson

47 min: An early free-kick from Arsenal, on the left wing around 10 yards from the box.

Odegaard swings it in and it’s an inviting ball, but Havertz heads over from six yards.

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:34 , Chris Wilson

Back underway in the capital as the hosts get us started.

Maatsen does indeed make way for Digne.

HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:33 , Chris Wilson

The teams are emerging from the tunnel again at the Emirates. Lucas Digne was warming up at half-time, so you’d assume he’ll come on for Maatsen.

HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:29 , Chris Wilson

Another decent half for the neutral at the Emirates, with chances for both sides and a good goal to give Arsenal the lead.

The hosts have been deserving of their lead too, limiting Villa to counter-attacking chances.

The visitors have performed to a decent level, but they haven’t had the final touch in attack – they’ve shown that they can hurt Arsenal on the counter though, if the Gunners give up chances.

HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:25 , Chris Wilson

HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:19 , Chris Wilson

The referee brings the first half to an end, and the hosts lead at the break at the Emirates. A deserved lead, just about.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:19 , Chris Wilson

47 min: Arsenal win a late corner after Mings has to clear from Martinelli’s counter-attack. It’ll be the last action of the half.

Odegaard delivers – and it’s headed away.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:16 , Chris Wilson

45 min: A few breaks in play as we head towards half-time, and they’ve taken the rhythm out of the game. There’ll be two minutes of added time.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:13 , Chris Wilson

42 min: Havertz wants a penalty for a Konsa handball but he had pushed the England man, and Villa are awarded a free-kick.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:12 , Chris Wilson

41 min: Arsenal continue to dominate at the Emirates This time, Partey threads a pass into an unmarked Merino, but he can only curl his shot wide of the far post.

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:10

37 min: There was some more immediate bad news for Villa as Onana was forced to come off injured, and he’s replaced by Lamare Bogarde.

Moments later, the hosts have another half-chance but it was offside as it was lashed over the bar.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

18:08 , Chris Wilson

35 min: GOAL! Great goal for the hosts, as Trossard picks the ball up on the left and creates the space for the cross, firing it in between the ‘keeper and defenders. Martinelli is there to poke it goalwards, and it is right at Martinez, but he can’t keep it out, eventually knocking it over the line!

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

18:05 , Chris Wilson

34 min: Some superb carrying from Morgan Rogers ends with him putting the ball into the path of Watkins again, but the striker’s shot is blocked.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

18:04 , Chris Wilson

32 min: Partey is a lucky man. He takes a throw midway into his own half but inexplicably throws it straight into the path of Watkins.

The England striker spots Raya off his line and tries to hook an effort over him, but it goes over! He’s let them off there.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

18:03 , Chris Wilson

31 min: Better from Arsenal as there’s finally a bit more urgency, with the fro-kick taken quickly into the path of Havertz. The German cuts back inside but the angle isn’t favourable, and he fires straight at Martinez.

He was offside in the end anyway.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

18:01 , Chris Wilson

29 min: Another Villa counter-attack is promising, but Watkins is too isolated and eventually has to turn back to his teammates.

Mikel Arteta is booked on the sideline, but not sure who he was shouting at there.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:59 , Chris Wilson

27 min: Right idea from the hosts as Rice’s diagonal pass finds Martinelli in space, but the Brazilian’s cross is blocked.

Seconds later, Havertz fires wide from distance.

The hosts are dominating possession at the moment.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:55 , Chris Wilson

24 min: Great idea from Tielemans to almost set Watkins clean through from his own half, but Timber does well to intercept.

A mistake from Ramsey almost lets Odegaard in, but the ball runs to Martinez.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:53 , Chris Wilson

22 min: The free-kick comes to nothing as Gabriel misreads Odegaard’s ball in. All a little bit pedestrian when Arsenal are in attack, in contrast to the opening exchanges.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:51 , Chris Wilson

20 min: The first booking of the day as Maatsen pulls back Martinelli while the hosts were on the counter.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:49 , Chris Wilson

18 min: Much better from Villa in the last few minutes, but it’s Arsenal who have the next chance as the ball is worked to Trossard on the wing.

He cuts inside and hits a decent effort, which takes a deflection before Martinez makes the save.

At the other end, a lovely touch from Rogers plays it into the path of Watkins, but Gabriel stops him from getting the shot away.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:46 , Chris Wilson

15 min: Villa have settled somewhat here after a frantic opening 10 minutes or so.

Both sides are keeping possession at times, but neither is keen to force the issue yet when they do have the ball.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:44 , Chris Wilson

13 min: SAVE! Villa get forward again and it’s Maatsen who breaks into the box, benefitting from a lucky deflection before testing Raya with a shot across goal.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:43 , Chris Wilson

11 min: Villa have their first real foray forward after some good work from Rogers and Ramsey. However, it ends with the ball back at the feet of Martinez.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

9 min: How have they not scored?! From the corner, Gabriel wins a header at the back post and diverts the ball into the six-yard box, where Partey somehow contrives to smash it over the bar from close range in a scramble. Villa survive.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:38 , Lawrence Ostlere

7 min: Villa are just about dealing with the set-piece threat so far, but they can’t go on like this for 90 minutes. Arsenal have yet another corner, taking from the right by Odegaard, which Villa flick away for a corner on the far side. Rice jogs over and we go again...

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:35 , Lawrence Ostlere

5 min: It’s all Arsenal so far. Rice again picks out Martinelli at the far post who forces a save from Martinez in the Villa goal, before another Rice cross is diverted behind the Villa goal for a corner.

Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:34 , Lawrence Ostlere

3 min: A fast start by Arsenal, who earn a corner and immediately go into deep set-piece mode. When Declan Rice eventually delivers it finds Martinelli at the back post, but he can only head back across goal, and Villa clear it.

Kick-off! Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

17:30 , Lawrence Ostlere

We’re underway.

Arsenal v Aston Villa – Premier League LIVE

17:29 , Lawrence Ostlere

The players emerge on to the Emirates pitch on what is a cold night in north London. The one is about to get going...

Arsenal v Aston Villa – Premier League LIVE

17:25 , Lawrence Ostlere

Will the Arsenal dressing room have been deflated by those two late goals from Darwin Nunez at Brentford? They need to put that result out of their heads and start quickly against a dangerous Aston Villa side here this evening.

Match facts

17:22 , Chris Wilson

Aston Villa are hoping to beat Arsenal in successive away league matches for the first time since 1993.

Arsenal have lost five of the past 10 Premier League meetings, as many as they had in their previous 46 against Villa.

None of the last 18 Premier League encounters between these sides have been drawn.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How will Arsenal’s remodelled backline cope this evening? Aston Villa have plenty of talent in their forward line, as evidenced by their bench strength - Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey and new recruit Donyell Malen all lurk ready to make an impact if required.

Head-to-head

17:10 , Chris Wilson

These two sides have met a total of 187 times in the past, with Arsenal winning 82, Villa winning 66 and 39 ending as draws.

Earlier this season, Arsenal eased to a 2-0 away win at Villa Park, though the Villans won both matches last season (1-0 at home and 2-0 away) to scupper Arsenal’s title challenge.

Unai Emery expects tough outing against Arsenal

17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We can feel a little bit of confidence after we won in Everton, but the challenge is to be competitive,” Unai Emery said yesterday. “Through being competitive, we can be close to taking a good result.

“Arsenal tomorrow will be very, very difficult. Every match we are facing is being very, very difficult – in Everton as well.

“We are preparing the match, we are very motivated and we’re going to try to play, improving things we did in Everton and improving things we did away in the last matches against top teams in the Premier League.

“Tomorrow we play one of the candidates and favourites to win the Premier League.”

Unai Emery confirms Aston Villa defender in talks over departure

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has confirmed Diego Carlos is in discussions to leave the club this month.

Brazilian defender Carlos, who joined from Sevilla in 2022, has been linked with a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce and a deal could go through before the end of the January window.

The 31-year-old has not played in the last three games because of a "small injury" and will not be involved today.

Asked if he will still be at Villa Park at the end of the month, Emery said: "I don't know. The medical report this morning was that he was not feeling good and he is not going to train for tomorrow.

"I know they are more or less in conversation about the possibility to leave but I don't know.

"In case someone is leaving we will have to sign another player to replace him, each player can leave."

Why Arsenal need a 10-game winning run to the Premier League title – and it must start now

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It was Aston Villa who delivered a crucial, critical blow to Arsenal last season, something Mikel Arteta’s side will be hoping to avoid tonight. Lawrence Ostlere examines what they might be need to keep up their chase of Liverpool:

Why Arsenal need a 10-game winning to run beat Liverpool to the title

Liverpool’s surprise complication hands Arsenal hope to deliver overdue Premier League drama

16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Is the title race alive? Liverpool’s recent stumbles suggest so, as Miguel Delaney explains:

Liverpool’s surprise complication hands Arsenal hope in unusual title race

Team news - Aston Villa

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Donyell Malen could make his Aston Villa debut off the bench against a club where he spent time as a teenager.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara, Tielemans; Ramsey, Watkins, Rogers.

Team news - Arsenal

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Gabriel Martinelli is recalled to the Arsenal starting side but William Saliba misses out with reported muscle tightness.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Rice, Odegaard; Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz.

Team news on the way...

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, it’s nearly team news time. Does Raheem Sterling continue in Arsenal’s front three or does Mikel Arteta have another option up his sleeve?

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes Premier League title race prediction: ‘It is going to be a long, long run’

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mikel Arteta insists it is not a two-horse race between Arsenal and Liverpool in the battle for the Premier League title.

Arsenal moved to within four points of Arne Slot's table-topping Reds following their 2-1 comeback victory against Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Chelsea have been cast 10 points adrift following a poor run, while champions Manchester City are a dozen points back, having played one game more than Liverpool.

Arteta makes Premier League title race prediction: ‘It's going to be a long run’

Arsenal appoint Renee Slegers as new boss after impressive interim stint

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Arsenal’s women, meanwhile, are under new management - sort of. Renee Slegers could have done little more to earn the role on a full-time basis during her interim stint and has been confirmed as Jonas Eidevall’s permanent successor. Jamie Braidwood has the story:

Arsenal appoint Renee Slegers as new head coach after impressive interim spell

Myles Lewis-Skelly feared looking 'soft' in front of grandma during derby debut

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly said he was determined to impress on his north London derby debut because he did not want to "look soft" in front of his grandmother.

Lewis-Skelly, 18, followed Cesc Fabregas to become Arsenal's youngest player to start against Tottenham in two decades, and the left-back turned in an eye-catching display at the Emirates to help his side secure a 2-1 comeback win that keeps their Premier League dream alive.

Lewis-Skelly only made his first appearance for Arsenal as a late substitute against Manchester City in September, but he has now started seven of the club's last nine matches.

Declan Rice hailed Lewis-Skelly's performance against Spurs as "scary", "ridiculous" and "unbelievable". And the defender told Optus Sport: "My mum, my grandma, my friends (were at the game). And I had to put on a show for my grandma, to make sure that I did not look soft in front of her. I had to make sure I was winning my tackles for her, and hopefully she is proud of me.

"The match was amazing, and everything that lived up to my dreams. I couldn't believe it. I just had to take in every moment and every second. Honestly, it was amazing, and it is moments like this that we live for."

Mikel Arteta tells Bukayo Saka to go on holiday during injury absence

15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Injured Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has been told to go on holiday by his manager Mikel Arteta.

Saka had been Arsenal’s star performer this season with nine goals and 13 assists prior to the hamstring injury he sustained in last month’s win against Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old England international has been ruled out until at least March following surgery on the muscle tear.

But he was back at the Emirates for the first time – albeit on crutches – for Arsenal’s crucial comeback win against Tottenham on Wednesday.

However, when asked if he is happy for Saka to jet off on holiday, Arteta replied: “Yes, he needs to.”

Mikel Arteta tells Bukayo Saka to go on holiday during injury absence

Tributes pour in for 'true gentlemen' Denis Law after death aged 84

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wayne Rooney has paid tribute to Denis Law after the former Scotland and Manchester United striker died aged 84.

Law won two league titles with United and was a member of their European Cup-winning side under Sir Matt Busby in 1968 when they became the first English club to lift the trophy.

A short family statement read: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.

“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently. We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you.”

Law scored a total of 237 goals in 404 appearances during an 11-year spell at Old Trafford until 1973, which places him third behind Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton on United’s all-time list.

Tributes pour in for 'true gentleman' Denis Law after death aged 84

Denis Law, legendary Manchester United and Scotland goalscorer, dies aged 84

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There was sad news late on Friday night with the passing of Denis Law, a fine footballer and fine man. Richard Jolly charts the life of a Manchester United and Scotland great.

Denis Law, legendary Manchester United and Scotland goalscorer, dies aged 84

Transfer news LIVE

14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And you can follow all of the latest twists and turns in the transfer market with our live coverage throughout January.

Transfer news LIVE: Man City close in on Marmoush, Arsenal chase forward

Manchester United hopeful of sealing Viktor Gyokeres deal despite Arsenal interest

14:30 , Miguel Delaney

Manchester United are hopeful of holding off competition for Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres to secure a deal in the summer.

Arsenal are understood to have raised the striker in discussions over a badly-needed forward signing for January, having brought forward plans from the summer after the ACL injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus.

Mikel Arteta this week admitted they are looking, and Gyokeres has been raised along with options such as Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Brighton's Evan Ferguson. Arsenal have not seriously pursued PSG's Randal Kolo Muani yet this window.

Man Utd hopeful of sealing Viktor Gyokeres deal despite Arsenal interest

Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE

11:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa. Amid an injury crisis, Mikel Arteta’s men revived their title hopes with a midweek derby win over Tottenham, but face another tough test against a side that knocked them off course last season.

Kick off is at 5.30pm GMT.