Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts
BBC Radio 5 live at Villa Park

Image source, Getty Images

"Manchester United are dominating possession early on but Aston Villa are trying to compete. Villa have Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke up front together in a normal forward two harking back to the days of 4-4-2. Benteke has to hold the ball up better than he has so far, but United should be wary of that threat."

Replays show that Sylvain Distin did foul Shane Long so it's a strange call from referee Jon Moss. Southampton are up and running now though, Nathaniel Clyne getting up the right wing to cross for Graziano Pelle, but his powerful header is over the bar.

Image source, Getty Images

Straight out of the textbook. A near-post corner, a hint of a flick-on and Joleon Lescott storms in to meet it with a full forehead and score his first goal for the Baggies.

QPR don't pick up much away from home. These are the sort of games they need to get points from. What have they got in the locker?

Image source, Reuters

Never mind Christmas cheer, there's little cheer of any kind at Borussia Dortmund at the moment. Dortmund, last season's German runners-up and 2013 Champions League finalists, are stuck in the bottom three of the Bundesliga.

Victory at bottom club Werder Bremen this afternoon would make Jurgen Klopp's festive dinner more palatable - but they have slipped 1-0 behind after just three minutes.

Over in Spain, Barcelona are aiming to end 2014 on a high as they entertain lowly Cordoba at the Nou Camp and they have also made a cracking start. Spain forward Pedro, who scored a midweek treble in the Copa Del Rey, bags the opening goal after just 72 seconds.

And, all you European football connoisseurs, remember you can follow the Dortmund match and the Barcelona game.

Image source, AFP

Now then! Shane Long looks to gallop in behind the retreating Everton defence, Sylvain Distin goes in for the challenge and knocks the striker to the ground. There's an in take of breath as the prospect of an early red card arises - but referee Jon Moss doesn't even give a foul! Big call. Did Distin get the ball?

It has been tight and tidy at Loftus Road so far. West Brom's Craig Gardner, who can really hit them, has had a decent snap-shot, but Rob Green got two solid palms behind it.

Christian Eriksen is beginning to work his magic in that number 10 role for Spurs, and the Danish playmaker fires in a low, angled shot which is saved at his near post by Tom Heaton.

Wayne Routledge scampers onto a long lump forward, but he can't find a finish, sending the ball screwing wide off the outside of his foot.

Play switches up the other end and Gaston Ramirez clumps a half-volley high and wide under pressure on the edge of the box.

There is space and chances at the KC, the finishing is AWOL at the moment.

As soon as I say that West Ham go close! Kevin Nolan pings a pass into the feet of striker Diafra Sakho, his first touch is superb to manoeuvre the ball on to his left foot, but his shot ends up just beyond the far corner. Wonderful technique though to hit it on the spin.

On-song West Ham will be looking to keep their fine start to the season going this afternoon, but it's Leicester who make a decent start. Plenty of ball so far.

Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts
BBC Radio 5 live at Villa Park

Image source, Getty Images

"The first question for United was whether they are going to play Juan Mata in the hole - they were practising that shape in the warm-up and he has started in front of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. Carlos Sanchez looks to have attached himself to the Spaniard though. Attacking-wise we know what United are capable of but defensively? Villa will get their chances."

The first sniff of an opening at Villa Park as Ashley Young ignores the boos to skin his man and send a low cross skimming into the box. Robin van Persie swings his left peg at it, but gets only a glance on it and it heads wide.

Image source, PA

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock on his side's disallowed goal: "We worked so hard at the Etihad. Two goals down and you score a good goal like that, it knocks you. I don't know why top class officials get it wrong. It wasn't even close. It was a disgraceful decision.

"The linesman will be disappointed when he sees it. It's not hard to look across and see it. We might have lost 5-1 - I can't tell you that, but at 2-1 the crowd might have been nervous. We worked so hard all week - it's nothing to do with us that the goal was chalked off."

Positive stuff from Burnley early on, with Kieran Trippier putting in a decent cross from deep and Scott Arfield nips in at the far post but blazes his effort high and wide.

Manchester United have come out like they have not seen fresh meat in a week. Plenty of pressing on the Aston Villa defence.

United have opened up with Rademel Falcao and Robin van Persie up top with Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney floating behind.

Image source, Getty Images

Graziano Pelle - holder of the sharpest parting in football - gives away a cheap free-kick in the opening seconds. Southampton have changed to three at the back this afternoon.

And we are up and running in today's 15:00 GMT matches.

Ashley Young strolls down the line of Villa players slapping palms. Not a lot of familiar faces left since he left the Villains for United in June 2011.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It was a very good win. A very good performance. I enjoyed the way the team worked the whole week - to work in a different way without strikers.

"Palace are a team who know how to defend. It was a great job to score three goals. They are also dangerous on the counter. We had two clear chances in the first half - the way we had chances is by moving the ball. David Silva is a top player with lots of quality. We are not just Sergio Aguero - we work hard every day. We have strikers out and Vincent Kompany is injured.

"I did think December is a key month to be in the fight for the title, and if you want to be involved you must be very near the top of the table. I hope we continue playing like this. The fight for the title was not just one team. There are so many games in November and October. We must continue working."

Rob Gallagher: So excited to see this Manchester United attacking talent on display today. Fingers crossed for win number seven!

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external