Sergio Aguero and David Silva celebrate the winning goal on Sunday. Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
Team news
Previews: here's what you need to know about tonight's Premier League games
There are seven fixtures in the English top flight as Man City host Stoke, Man United visit Craven Cottage, Arsenal play Villa and Liverpool travel to Wigan…
Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal in recent years – the Gunners have only lost twice in the last 25 meetings.
Arsene Wenger’s went down to a David Silva goal on Sunday but will look to get back to winning ways tonight.
The news that Darren Bent is still out of action with a thigh strain is a worry for Villa, as they have failed to score in four of their last five league games.
The former Charlton Athletic striker is unlikely to be seen out shopping this evening after he apologised to fans for popping out during Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool.
Emile Heskey joins Chris Herd on the sidelines while James Collins is touch-and-go but Gabriel Agbonlahor does return from suspension.
For Arsenal, Alex Song misses out after picking up his fifth booking over the weekend and Johan Djourou doesn’t feature because of a groin strain.
Arsenal (from): Szcesny, Alumnia, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Miquel, Squillaci, Benayoun, Arteta, Ramsey, Frimpong, Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho, Arshavin, Chamakh, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamerlain, Park, Eastmond, Rosicky, Hoyte.
Manchester City v Stoke City, 7:45
Man City host a Stoke side who are on a run of four Premier League wins in a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens have dropped just two points at home in this campaign and are heavy favourites to deal with Stoke’s robust playing style.
Roberto Mancini will make club history with a win tonight as it would guarantee a Christmas top spot for the first time since 1929.
Edin Dzeko and Gael Clichy are both back in contention for a starting berth after their respective injury and suspension, while Tony Pulis has to make do without Ryan Shawcross (suspension), Andy Wilkinson (back injury) and possibly Glenn Whelan, who is doubtful.
Teams:
Manchester City (from): Hart, Taylor, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Y Toure, Barry, Savic, Johnson, Onouha, De Jong, Aguero, Silva, Balotelli, Milner, Hargreaves, Nasri, K Toure, Dzeko.
After a superb opening few months for the Magpies, they are winless in five games and could really do with one against West Brom, who lie six places behind them in 13th.
Influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye misses his first league game of the season while serving a one-match ban and Ryan Taylor and Danny Guthrie are struggling to be fit.
The Baggies have recalled trio George Thorne, Gonzalo Jara and Marc-Antoine Fortune from loan spells but Scottish midfielder James Morrison is out with a hamstring injury.
The Premier League’s two lowest scorers face off having only found the back of the net at a rate of one goal per game. David Moyes is desperately in need of a consistant goalscorer but the Toffees lack the financial muscle to make any sort of waves in the transfer market.
Swansea paid €4m for their top marksman Danny Graham in the summer and his return has been a respectable five league goals but they could do with more.
The Swans welcome back defender Angel Rangel but winger Nathan Dyer is unavailable. Everton, meanwhile, may have to do without Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell.
Manchester United have failed to pick up three points on each of their last three visits to Craven Cottage. However, Alex Ferguson’s side do have the best away record in England’s top flight this season.
If their noisy neighbours slip up against Stoke, a win tonight could close the gap at the top to goal difference, and while that is unlikely, Fergie always emphasises the importance of picking up results around the Christmas period.
The current champions have added Darren Fletcher to the list of absentees, which includes Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Michael Owen and Nemanja Vidic. Javier Hernandez has recovered from injury quicker than expected while Phil Jones should partner Michael Carrick after an excellent game against QPR on Sunday.
Bobby Zamora could return to action for Fulham after a lay-off but will probably have to make do with a place on the bench.
Manchester United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Diouf, Berbatov, Welbeck, Park, Gibson, Giggs, Rafeal, Young, Hernandez.
QPR v Sunderland, 8:00
Two teams lying dangerously close to the relegation zone who would bite your hand off for a win.
From their last seven fixtures, both QPR and Sunderland have won just one. QPR’s was against Stoke last month, while Seb Larsson gave Martin O’Neill a winning start to his managerial reign by scoring the winer against Wolves two weeks ago.
Radek Cerny has deputised in goal for the R’s while Irish pair Paddy Kenny and Brian Murphy recovered from injury, but with Kenny back, Neil Warnock could change his man between the sticks.
Jay Bothroyd, Anton Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon are all doubtful, however.
The Black Cats have Fraizer Campbell, Craig Gordon and Michael Turner missing and Phil Bardsley, Wes Brown and Conor Wickham could all join that list, depending on late fitness tests.
Liverpool were hit with the news that striker Luis Suarez is facing an eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
However, during the 14-day period which allows the club to consider an appeal, the Uruguayan will be available to play.
Notoriously inconsistant Wigan have actually fared pretty well at Anfield in recent visits – taking a win and two draws from the last three meetings.
They may again start with former UCD frontman Conor Sammon as Hugo Rodellega is struggling for fitness.
Other than long term absentee Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard who is a week away from fitness, fellow midfielder Jay Spearing is suspended.
Previews: here's what you need to know about tonight's Premier League games
Aston Villa v Arsenal, 7:45
Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal in recent years – the Gunners have only lost twice in the last 25 meetings.
Arsene Wenger’s went down to a David Silva goal on Sunday but will look to get back to winning ways tonight.
The news that Darren Bent is still out of action with a thigh strain is a worry for Villa, as they have failed to score in four of their last five league games.
The former Charlton Athletic striker is unlikely to be seen out shopping this evening after he apologised to fans for popping out during Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool.
Emile Heskey joins Chris Herd on the sidelines while James Collins is touch-and-go but Gabriel Agbonlahor does return from suspension.
For Arsenal, Alex Song misses out after picking up his fifth booking over the weekend and Johan Djourou doesn’t feature because of a groin strain.
Teams:
Aston Villa (from): Guzan, Marshall, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Cuellar, Petrov, Clark, Delph, Albrighton, Lowry, Agbonlahor, N’Zogbia, Johnson, Bannan, Delfouneso, Weimann, Burke.
Arsenal (from): Szcesny, Alumnia, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Miquel, Squillaci, Benayoun, Arteta, Ramsey, Frimpong, Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho, Arshavin, Chamakh, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamerlain, Park, Eastmond, Rosicky, Hoyte.
Manchester City v Stoke City, 7:45
Man City host a Stoke side who are on a run of four Premier League wins in a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens have dropped just two points at home in this campaign and are heavy favourites to deal with Stoke’s robust playing style.
Roberto Mancini will make club history with a win tonight as it would guarantee a Christmas top spot for the first time since 1929.
Edin Dzeko and Gael Clichy are both back in contention for a starting berth after their respective injury and suspension, while Tony Pulis has to make do without Ryan Shawcross (suspension), Andy Wilkinson (back injury) and possibly Glenn Whelan, who is doubtful.
Teams:
Manchester City (from): Hart, Taylor, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Y Toure, Barry, Savic, Johnson, Onouha, De Jong, Aguero, Silva, Balotelli, Milner, Hargreaves, Nasri, K Toure, Dzeko.
Stoke City (from): Sorenen, Begovic, Shotton, Wilson, Huth, Woodgate, Higginbotham, Diao, Palacios, Whitebread, Pennant, Etherington, Delap, Upson, Fuller, Walters, Crouch, Jerome, Jones, Pennant.
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion, 7:45
After a superb opening few months for the Magpies, they are winless in five games and could really do with one against West Brom, who lie six places behind them in 13th.
Influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye misses his first league game of the season while serving a one-match ban and Ryan Taylor and Danny Guthrie are struggling to be fit.
The Baggies have recalled trio George Thorne, Gonzalo Jara and Marc-Antoine Fortune from loan spells but Scottish midfielder James Morrison is out with a hamstring injury.
Teams:
Newcastle United (from):Krul, Harper, Santon, Williamson, Coloccini, Simpson, Ferguson, Perch, Tiote, Guthrie, Obertan, Ba, Best, Gutierrez, Kader, Smith, Ben Arfa, Vuckic, Shola Ameobi, Abeid, Sammy Ameobi.
West Brom (from): Foster, Fulop, Jones, Jara, Dawson, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Shorey, Scharner, Mulumbu, Brunt, Thomas, Odemwingie, Long, Tamas, Thorne, Cox, Dorrans, Tchoyi, Fortune, Sawyers, Mantom.
Everton v Swansea City, 8:00
The Premier League’s two lowest scorers face off having only found the back of the net at a rate of one goal per game. David Moyes is desperately in need of a consistant goalscorer but the Toffees lack the financial muscle to make any sort of waves in the transfer market.
Swansea paid €4m for their top marksman Danny Graham in the summer and his return has been a respectable five league goals but they could do with more.
The Swans welcome back defender Angel Rangel but winger Nathan Dyer is unavailable. Everton, meanwhile, may have to do without Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell.
Teams:
Everton (from): Howard, Mucha, Hibbert, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Neville, Fellaini, Gueye, Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Saha, Cahill, Distin, Drenthe, McAleny, Barkley, Vellios, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Rodwell.
Swansea City (from): Vorm, Moreira, Rangel, Williams, Caulker, Taylor, Britton, Gower, Allen, Graham, Routledge, Sinclair, Tremmel, Orlandi, Dobbie, Monk, Lita, Moore, Bessone, Agustien, Richards, Moras, Cotterill.
Fulham v Manchester United, 8:00
Manchester United have failed to pick up three points on each of their last three visits to Craven Cottage. However, Alex Ferguson’s side do have the best away record in England’s top flight this season.
If their noisy neighbours slip up against Stoke, a win tonight could close the gap at the top to goal difference, and while that is unlikely, Fergie always emphasises the importance of picking up results around the Christmas period.
The current champions have added Darren Fletcher to the list of absentees, which includes Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Michael Owen and Nemanja Vidic. Javier Hernandez has recovered from injury quicker than expected while Phil Jones should partner Michael Carrick after an excellent game against QPR on Sunday.
Bobby Zamora could return to action for Fulham after a lay-off but will probably have to make do with a place on the bench.
Teams:
Fulham (from): Stockdale, Etheridge, Baird, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise, Kelly, Murphy, Etuhu, Hughes, Briggs, Ruiz, Dempsey, Kasami, Duff, Gecov, Frei, Dembele, Johnson, Zamora, Sa.
Manchester United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Diouf, Berbatov, Welbeck, Park, Gibson, Giggs, Rafeal, Young, Hernandez.
QPR v Sunderland, 8:00
Two teams lying dangerously close to the relegation zone who would bite your hand off for a win.
From their last seven fixtures, both QPR and Sunderland have won just one. QPR’s was against Stoke last month, while Seb Larsson gave Martin O’Neill a winning start to his managerial reign by scoring the winer against Wolves two weeks ago.
Radek Cerny has deputised in goal for the R’s while Irish pair Paddy Kenny and Brian Murphy recovered from injury, but with Kenny back, Neil Warnock could change his man between the sticks.
Jay Bothroyd, Anton Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon are all doubtful, however.
The Black Cats have Fraizer Campbell, Craig Gordon and Michael Turner missing and Phil Bardsley, Wes Brown and Conor Wickham could all join that list, depending on late fitness tests.
Teams:
QPR (from): Cerny, Kenny, Young, Putnins, Hall, Traore, Mackie, Barton Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Conolly, Taarabt, Orr, Buzsaky, Smith, Helguson, Bothroyd, Campbell.
Sunderland (from): Westwood, Carson, O’Shea, Brown, Bardsley, Laing, R Noble, Larsson, Colback, Cattermole, Richardson, Sessegnon, Wickham, Ji, Gardner, Vaughan, Elmohamady, Meyler, McClean, Bendtner.
Wigan Athletic v Liverpool, 8:00
Liverpool were hit with the news that striker Luis Suarez is facing an eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
However, during the 14-day period which allows the club to consider an appeal, the Uruguayan will be available to play.
Notoriously inconsistant Wigan have actually fared pretty well at Anfield in recent visits – taking a win and two draws from the last three meetings.
They may again start with former UCD frontman Conor Sammon as Hugo Rodellega is struggling for fitness.
Other than long term absentee Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard who is a week away from fitness, fellow midfielder Jay Spearing is suspended.
Teams:
Wigan (from): Al-Habsi, Pollitt, Stam, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Gomez, Watson, Van Aanholt, Lopez, McArthur, Diame, McCarthy, Jones, Moses, Sammon, Thomas, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Doni, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Henderson, Kuyt, Adam, Rodriguez, Downing, Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy, Aurelio, Wilson.
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