Has Mesut Ozil gone off the boil a bit? He doesn't seem to have been at his very best in recent months, but maybe the Premier League has just adjusted to him. Arsenal still dictating play but not looking too menacing going forward.

Axl Villa:, external Can I make a public plea to Wes Hoolahan to join Villa asap. He would make a real impact.

Patrick Brennan:, external No doubting who has been the best German midfielder for Arsenal tonight. It ain't Ozil.

Lovely touch from Serge Gnabry as he drifts away from two challenges as he drives inside from the right, he looks a real prospect for Arsenal. Bacary Sagna is then left in a heap on the floor after a late tackle but referee Neil Swarbrick waves play on.

Villa playing with much more tempo and drive now, and it's lifted the fans in the process. Villa Park warming up as Gabby Agbonlahor works hard to win the ball back and flash in a cross which Laurent Koscielny does well to clear.

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live at Villa Park

"Villa's change of formation, forced by Nathan Baker's injury, worked straight away. The two up front - Benteke and Agbonlahor - combined and the late run from El Ahmadi worked. It was a good chance."

You can listen to live audio commentary from Villa Park on BBC Radio 5 live.

Villa have changed their shape it seems, more of a 4-4-2 now, and straight away they have a chance! Fabian Delph crosses from the right and the fast arriving Karim El Ahmadi slices a shot over the top. Much better from the hosts.

Image source, Getty Images

A standing ovation at Villa Park as Nathan Baker leaves the field on a stretcher. He has an oxygen mask on as well, he took a real whack to the face.

Leandro Bacuna does come on and we will have plenty of stoppage time. I'll let you know if we hear any update on Baker's condition.

As this lengthy injury stoppage continues, let's have a look at the opening 15 minutes from a stats point of view. Pure domination from the Gunners.

Phil Knox:, external Was looking forward to watching Villa play tonight. Doesn't look like I'm going to get to. Not touched the ball yet!

Peter Riley:, external Gnabry shown that he has the ability to fill Walcott's role for Arsenal. Shame England don't have an obvious replacement.

Nathan Baker is in a bad way here, that shot has knocked him out cold by the looks of it. The paramedics are on, as Leandro Bacuna is readied to come on and take his place. Bacuna usually plays in midfield so maybe Paul Lambert is using this opportunity to change it up.

Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick:, external Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo on his second Ballon d'Or!!! The guy is a machine, phenomenal and full deserved.

Arsenal take a quick corner - that's three times already that the home side have switched off at a set-piece - and Serge Gnabry shoots left-footed from 20 yards, rifling it right into the face of a charging Nathan Baker. If you've ever taken a size 5 to the face, you'll feel his pain. Ouch...

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live at Villa Park

"Aston Villa are the home side and they have got to try to lift this home crowd. They have had nothing to shout about yet because Villa are happy to let Arsenal dictate possession. They will be punished if they continue to do that."

You can listen to live audio commentary from Villa Park on BBC Radio 5 live.

Villa's back five are so narrow, they are all within the width of the 18-yard box. Bacary Sagna and Nacho Monreal are the key men, they are seeing loads of the ball. But hang on, a chance for Villa out of nothing!

Christian Benteke wins the ball off Jack Wilshere and Fabian Delph drags a shot wide from 20 yards. Decent opening that.

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Villa Park

"Some ominous signs for Aston Villa in the early phases - particularly from Bacary Sagna on Arsenal's right flank. He is making use of the space he is being given and has twice delivered inviting crosses in Olivier Giroud's direction. Villa not exerting any pressure on the Gunners at all."

Villa are letting Arsenal have it. Years of observing would suggest that is not the best tactic.

Dal, London: I'd like to see Arsenal score four or five tonight and show City that they're not the only ones who can give another team a pasting. Also to bolster our goal difference. Arsenal for the win.

Andrew: Huge game for both sides tonight, but for very different reasons. The smart money is on an Arsenal win to see them return to the top of the league, but wouldn't it just be like this crazy PL season for Aston Villa to cause a major surprise tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Villa are playing a 3-5-2 wing-back system tonight but all it is doing is giving Arsenal's full-backs all sorts of space. Bacary Sagna is the out ball at the moment and not for the first time he delivers the goods, a real beauty of a cross into the six-yard box which Olivier Giroud almost reaches, Villa captain Ron Vlaar just doing enough to put him off.

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live at Villa Park

"Patient football for Arsenal as they look for the opportunity. Aston Villa have got to try to put pressure on Arsenal and get to grips with the Arsenal triangles. The away team are dominating at the minute."

You can listen to live audio commentary from Villa Park on BBC Radio 5 live.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have started the game very nicely indeed, popping passes off in midfield as easily as you like. Bacary Sagna then swings in a first-time cross which Olivier Giroud heads wide. He thinks he should have done better...