Luton Town

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Former Rangers and Brentford manager Mark Warburton discussed Aston Villa's 3-2 win over Luton on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily:

"Magnificent, what a spectacle for the Premier League and truly a game of two halves.

"The quality displayed by Villa, had they been 4-0 up at half-time then it wouldn't have been an unfair scoreline.

"But a magnificent reaction from Luton, tactically tweaking some things, personnel, and you saw players stepping up. Edwards clearly asked them for more intensity second half and they responded so well.

"The crowd got behind them and at 2-2 they could have easily gone on to win the game.

"But the Premier League being the Premier League, that final basic - not closing down a cross - great quality from [Moussa] Diaby, great finish from [Lucas] Digne and there's the three points.

"That's the difference between Champions League and Premier League."

Ollie Watkins scored two against the Hatters and was a threat all afternoon and Warburton believes he has earned a place in the England squad.

"What a fantastic option for Gareth Southgate to look at," he added. "You have someone with confidence, pace, great technique, and a constant thorn in the side of defenders."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Nottingham Forest v Liverpool

• Luton Town v Aston Villa

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Luton Town boss Rob Edwards, speaking to Match of the Day: "We have to defend the final [stages] better, we have to brush up on those things.

"We will continue to work hard on that and if we don't we know what will happen. The boys were incredible especially in the second half.

"We got done in the first half with two set-pieces, but in the second half we were outstanding - we pushed them back and dominated the game."

On if losing was because of mentality: "No, I don't think so. It's all linked, we have to learn. It's hard to think about positives, but there is so much to like.

"If we can keep massive aspects of what we are doing then I believe we can do this. There are little areas we have to improve on quickly.

"We finished the game with not many defenders on the pitch. It is hard with injuries, but I am not going to complain about it.

"The lads took their chance today, it was an outstanding performance against an outstanding football team. Villa have great individuals and are very well coached."

On Tahith Chong: "He has real qualities and a brilliant personality on the ball that is why we brought him to the football club.

"The fans have taken to him and he is working hard and like all of us he has areas to improve on."

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Luton are still battling.

The Hatters, in their maiden season in the Premier League since the 1992 rebrand, have had a hugely impressive campaign to still have hopes of survival. Burnley and Sheffield United, who were promoted alongside them last season, are as good as relegated.

They looked out of this game after 45 minutes with injuries affecting them - not for the first time this season.

An early injury to Amari'i Bell left them playing people out of position at the back but they improved when they brought on Japan defender Daiki Hashioka for his Premier League debut.

After what would prove to be the winner from Lucas Digne, they had one more big chance but Teden Mengi headed over five minutes into stoppage time.

Worryingly though this was a fifth defeat in a row in all competitions. Is time running out?

• Aston Villa have won three successive away Premier League games for the first time since January 2023, in s their first three such matches under manager Unai Emery. It is the first time that the Villa have recorded three consecutive away victories while scoring two or more goals in the competition since November 2007.

• Luton Town have lost each of their last three Premier League home games. It is the first time that the Hatters have suffered three consecutive league defeats at Kenilworth Road since April 2016 as a League Two side.

• Aston Villa have scored 59 goals in the Premier League this season, their outright second most in a single campaign in the competition after only 2007-08 (71).

• Ollie Watkins has been directly involved in 26 Premier League goals this season, the outright most of any player in the competition (16 goals, 10 assists). Watkins has netted 16 goals in the Premier League across 2023-24, surpassing his previous highest tally in a single top-flight campaign (15 in 2022-23).

• Leon Bailey and Watkins have combined for seven Premier League goals this season, more than any other duo. It is the second most for a Villa duo in a single Premier League campaign, after Savo Milosevic and Dwight Yorke in 1995-96 (eight).

• Luton's Carlton Morris has been directly involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) across his last seven Premier League games, twice as many as in his first 19 appearances in the competition (four). Morris has either scored (3) or assisted (1) a goal in each of his last four at Kenilworth Road.

Lucas Digne scored a dramatic late winner as Aston Villa strengthened their grip on a Champions League place and meant Luton Town's comeback was in vain.

Villa had looked in complete control thanks to Ollie Watkins' first-half double and it seemed as if they would go on to increase their lead.

England striker Watkins headed in from Leon Bailey's corner to give Villa the lead and raced onto Douglas Luiz's ball over the top before slotting in their second.

That one was initially disallowed by the officials for offside but awarded after a video assistant referee review.

Luton, who did not have a shot until first-half injury time, looked like a new team after the break.

Tahith Chong gave them hope with a goal after a scramble in the box and Carlton Morris' controlled volley from Alfie Doughty's free-kick levelled the score.

Morris even had a chance to win the game for Luton but his header was straight at Emiliano Martinez.

And Digne made them pay when he headed in a cross from fellow substitute Moussa Diaby.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Luton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Villa fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are seven games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries and get live text updates here

Radio commentaries

• Nottingham Forest v Liverpool

• Luton Town v Aston Villa

All times are GMT

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Sam McTrusty and Ross McNae from rock band Twin Atlantic.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Luton have had so much praise recently - including from me. I said at the start of this month that Rob Edwards deserves to be named 'manager of the season' if he keeps them up.

I still stand by that, but with Everton getting some of their points back, and Luton losing three league games in a row, they are now desperate for points again.

This feels like an important time for Luton. We've seen how difficult it has been for clubs to come to Kenilworth Road all season, but it feels like their home defeat by Sheffield United on 10 February was a big setback that they have not got over yet.

The other thing about the way they are approaching games is that, while they always look like they have got a goal in them, being that little bit more expansive means they are vulnerable.

When you consider how dangerous Aston Villa are going forward, it feels like they are asking for trouble and it will be interesting to see if Edwards tweaks his approach again.

I don't think he will and, while I expect Luton to score, Villa will score more.

Sam's prediction: 1-0

Ross' prediction: 0-3

See the full list of predictions here

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League match at home to Aston Villa.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards confirmed Elijah Adebayo, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Gabe Osho will all be unavailable for the visit of Villa.

• He added that Amari’i Bell will be given "as much time as possible "after the defender came off in the first half of Tuesday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester City with a slight hamstring issue. However, his replacement that night, Joe Johnson, will not be in contention to start as he has missed trained since with illness.

• On the shape of his squad: "It’s a longer list than I’d like, but it’s an opportunity for other people to come in. I’m confident we can go into the game with a strong team."

• He finds it hard to believe that potential Everton and Nottingham Forest appeals for a breaching Premier League financial rules could be ongoing after the final day: "It is weird that it could be going on even after the season - I find that mental."

• On facing Aston Villa, where he came through the academy as a player: "I’m looking forward to it. It’s a clear game for us and it’ll be different to the City and Liverpool games where there was lots of chaos. It’s not a must win but we know it’s an important game."

Follow the rest of Friday's Premier League news conferences

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BBC Three Counties Radio's Luton in the Prem podcast looked at Rod Edwards' comments on the Hatters' style of play for the final third of the season:

Commentator Simon Oxley: "At Aston Villa [the 3-1 defeat in October], it was damage limitation. Luton barely crossed the halfway line for the first 70 minutes and Villa found a way through. You can't defend against that sort of quality continuously for a whole match. You'd assume they will play in a much different way in the home game this weekend.

"[There's been] A lot of goals [conceded] in the last few games. I know they've been against Liverpool, Man Utd and Man City but Sheffield United also got three. Their results apart from that haven't picked up at all.

"It is difficult to find that balance. Yes we want to have a go, but perhaps rein it in a little bit. It does depend on personnel I suppose. If you have no [Marvelous] Nakamba and [Albert Sambi] Lokonga who is covering the back three?"

Fellow commentator Geoff Doyle added: "It's got them points and goals and I think this is the way forward, but can they just rein it in a little bit?

"It's going to be fascinating against Villa, because they can pick you off. I don't think it's going to be 0-0 at Kenilworth Road."

Listen to the full episode here

• Luton Town have won nine of their past 11 home games against Aston Villa. However, this is their first such meeting since August 2016 in the League Cup, and first in the league since April 1992.

• Villa have won seven of their past eight Premier League games against promoted sides, winning both away games in this run by an aggregate score of 8-1.

• Only Arsenal (14) have scored more headed goals in the Premier League than Luton this season (12), with the Hatters having the highest share of headed goals so far this term (34%). However, no side has conceded fewer headers than Aston Villa (one), accounting for just 3% of their total goals conceded.

• Aston Villa have scored more first-half goals than any other side in the Premier League this season (27), while only Manchester City (13) have been leading at half-time more often. However, Luton have conceded the lowest share of their Premier League goals before the interval this season (33%).

• Luton’s Carlton Morris has been involved in six goals in his past six Premier League games (four goals, two assists), and has either scored or assisted a goal in each of his past three at Kenilworth Road.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Luton v Aston Villa at 17:30 GMT on Saturday

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

Luton Town came up against a rampant world-class team on Wednesday night in the FA Cup.

Seeing Manchester City at close quarters gave us a privileged glimpse at the ultra-elite technical ability of the very best players in the world. It was frighteningly and breathtakingly good. Movement, touch, control, rhythm, speed, awareness and tactical intelligence. Precise, quick one-touch passing in tight spaces.

It was a football educational masterclass as Pep's side taught not only the Luton players, but also all of us watching a lesson in elite football.

Plucky Luton tried to match City with their bold, aggressive play and attacking intent and, while it produced two great goals and pure excitement and drama, it did leave Luton painfully exposed at times.

Afterwards, Rob Edwards told me he will continue with this fearless approach - anything less and he feels his side will be going backwards.

You have to admire his bravery and that of his team. If the philosophy works and it keeps Luton up, Edwards should be named manager of the year.

It has huge risks and at times against City it looked a little naive, but it is a strategy that has seen Luton knock four past Newcastle and Brighton recently and score on every occasion in their past 13 Premier League games.

A bit more caution at times would be nice and less space between the lines, but with a rising injury list it could be that attack is the best form of defence for Luton in their Premier League survival bid.

Whatever happens, if the tactics remain like this it's going to be a rollercoaster in these upcoming 13 'cup finals' - as Edwards described the remaining games.

Go down or stay up swinging or being conservative? I'll take the attacking option but would be in favour of toning it down a tad.

There won't be many nil-nil's that's for sure.

Commentary of Luton Town v Aston Villa on BBC Three Counties Digital Radio and Online (UK only) via BBC Sounds on Saturday from 17:30 GMT

We asked you for your thoughts on Tuesday's FA Cup tie between Luton and Manchester City. Here are some of your comments...

Luton fans

Vicesh: Played really well. Can’t fault the lads really - tried hard but, overall, just outclassed by a team full of talent with money behind them.

Nick: Don't want to overreact, but we are conceding way too many goals. Defending has to improve - the system we play means we are open at the back a lot and we will get punished at this level. Wing-backs have to defend as well as push forward - this seems to have been forgotten.

Neale: You have to admire Rob for wanting to play a certain way, but if lessons cannot be learned and we give teams the time and space we gave City, then it’s going to be a hard struggle. I am looking forward to seeing the reaction from the players and I continue to hold the faith that we will survive in the Premier League…COYH!

City fans

Franklin: Best they've played for a few weeks.

Ian: Bit different from City. Less patient in their build-up and instead played with plenty of forward runs and it paid off. Credit to Luton because they went for it as well, but City were just to good.

Colin: Excellent result and some great football. The fans were brilliant and never stopped singing.

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Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Luton Town "can't let the manner of the [FA Cup] defeat [by Manchester City] affect them," as Rob Edwards' side continue to battle for Premier League survival.

"This was never going to be a season-defining game for them," said Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live. "I don't like the phrase 'free hit' but this was one of those.

"Nobody expected anything from them, Manchester City came here as Treble winners and the expectation was on them.

"They can't let the goals and the manner of the defeat affect them for the rest of the season, and that's what the manager will be saying to them. It's done and finished, you put it behind you and the FA Cup was never going to be a priority this season.

"They now have to concentrate on staying in the Premier League, which is a difficult task, and it's hard not knowing where they stand because of the points deductions looming over the teams around them."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

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The FA Cup may not have been particularly high on Luton's list of priorities this season but such a heavy home defeat, even to a side of Manchester City's quality, will hurt.

Few teams would have been able to cope with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland in the form they were in, particularly in the first half and Rob Edwards' side found themselves carved open time and again.

But while that will hurt, as will the final score-line, the manner in which they fought back to 3-2 and kept pushing right until the last should offer some encouragement.

Jordan Clark also treated the Luton fans to one of the goals of the season with his 25-yard stunner just before half time and added another with a thumping finish early in the second half.

City pulled away again soon after but Luton did have their chances.

It is those positives that the Hatters will try to focus on as they return to league action at the weekend.

They welcome Aston Villa to Kenilworth Road on Saturday and there is Premier League survival to be fought for.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards, speaking to ITV: "Manchester City were pretty good, weren't they? We came up against a brilliant team and brilliant individuals who are well coached.

"We are going to evolve and hopefully get better. We are not going to change even though tonight we left ourselves exposed at times. At 3-2 we are in the game. The fourth one was obviously a bit of a killer.

"We could have been a bit better. We are quite bold. Sometimes when you come up against that kind of opposition you get a bit of a doing."

Here are the key facts and figures from Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round game between Luton Town and Manchester City.

• Luton Town have conceded six goals in an FA Cup tie for the first time since a 6-2 loss to Bolton Wanderers in a third round replay in January 1997. It's the first time they've done so at home since losing 6-0 to Derby County in the first leg of the third round in January 1946.

• Erling Haaland is the first player to score at least five goals in an FA Cup tie (first round onwards) since Duane Darby for Hull City against Whitby in a first round replay in November 1996 (six goals).

• Kevin De Bruyne has now assisted 16 of Erling Haaland's 79 Manchester City goals. He's the first Premier League player to provide four assists for a teammate in a game in all competitions since Harry Kane for Son Heung-min for Tottenham against Southampton in the league in September 2020.

• This is just the second time Erling Haaland has scored five goals in a game in his senior career, previously doing so for Manchester City against RB Leipzig in the Champions League in March 2023.

• Kevin De Bruyne has provided nine assists in his past five FA Cup appearances for Manchester City, one more than his first 23 appearances for the Citizens in the competition (eight).

• In six FA Cup starts for Luton, Jordan Clark has been involved in five goals (four goals, one assist), with this his first brace in the competition.