Image source, Reuters

Here come the teams at the KC Stadium. Not many smiles on either set of players, they know the enormity of this match. The proverbial 'six-pointer' is about to get going.

The players are in the tunnels around the land. Here we go!

Image source, Getty Images

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas
Final Score

"This is not the Manchester United I was brought up on. Yes they are getting the job done and getting points on the board but from a fan's perspective, I am bored. They don't look like they have found a style. Paul Scholes was saying you don't see players taking risks now, which he was always encouraged to do."

The atmosphere is building at Selhurst Park.

Their real live Eagle - called Kayla - is doing the rounds, the 'Crystal' cheerleaders are dancing and the fans are taking their seats.

Arsenal have a job on their hands here as the hosts are up for it

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas
Final Score

"The difficulty in recovering for the Premier League after playing in Europe is something Jose Mourinho has highlighted, but Chelsea have a big squad capable of coming back and dealing with that. Burnley have nothing to lose today. They will try and get some confidence to take into their next dogfight."

Keelan Shaw, London: Darnell Furlong was in my brother's class at school and was always an absolutely top lad. Amazing to see him in the starting line up today for QPR (see 14:22). So much is said about footballers' attitude and behaviour but he's as true as they come.

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or Google+ area., external You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Chelsea fans will be keen to see the best of Juan Cuadrado today. The Colombian winger has yet to make an impression since his deadline day switch from Fiorentina but is in the starting XI this afternoon. He will play wide on the right with Eden hazard on the left.

Villa have lost five Premier League games in a row and are the only side yet to win in 2015. It's no wonder really that Paul Lambert got the boot.

Tim Sherwood has a big task on his hands. Can he start off in positive fashion?

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas
Final Score

"Tim Sherwood has selected Carles Gil, Christian Benteke, Scott Sinclair and Gabriel Agbonlahor, so he is going to play in an attacking, expansive style. The problem at Villa is the fear they have had. You strip that away by going and attacking games.

"For me Tim's honesty is one of his biggest strengths. He gets the best out of players. Players want to be told when they are not doing well. At Spurs he would take me to one side and work closely with me on my fitness, and it made me better, I went on one of my better runs in the side when he was there and I put that down to Tim."

John Roder
BBC commentator

Image source, @JohnRoderComm

"Bit crowded on the TV gantry here at Brentford v Bournemouth."

Watch highlights of that key Championship match from Griffin Park - with John's commentary - on the Football League Show tonight on BBC One at 23:50 GMT.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane
Final Score

"Steve Bruce has done it [avoided relegation] before, he has got experience in these situations. He did it at last season at Hull and at Wigan Athletic when I was there, that is the key."

What a job Alan Pardew has done at Crystal Palace. The Eagles have lost just one of five league games since he took over. They are still only five points clear of the drop zone but another win today would surely be a huge step towards safety?

Pardew looks to be enjoying life.

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas
Final Score

"I worked with Chris Ramsey at Tottenham. Earlier this week Tim Sherwood was talking about the kind of legacy he left at Spurs, and Chris was right in the thick of that too. He is somebody who believes in young players, who gives them a chance, and you can see that with his selection of Darnell Furlong at right-back today."

Opta Joe:, external 6 - Sunderland have netted just six goals in their last nine Premier League home games. Dark.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane
Final Score

"Tim Sherwood is going into a different situation, at Aston Villa. He knew a lot of the youngsters at Tottenham and he gave them a chance. It's a different situation at Villa who have had a negative feeling for years now. Things will be different now and the emphasis will be on the players going out there and showing what they can do. I doubt they will be playing a containment game, which will be good for Villa."

Diego Costa is back in the Premier League for the first time in a month. He scored on his debut at Turf Moor on the opening weekend of the season and has managed 17 in 19 Premier League games so far.

As debut seasons go, it's not been too shabby for the Brazilian.

BBC Final Score

We're asking on Final Score if Tim Sherwood will keep Aston Villa in the Premier League?

Vote on the top right-hand-side of the page or under the 'Vote' tab on mobile devices.

The vote will close at 17:00 GMT with results read out on the show shortly after. Terms and conditions here.

There look to be a few nerves around at the KC Stadium as we build towards kick-off.

Both sides know, if things go badly, they could end up in the drop zone as the end of the season gets ever nearer. A win for either side would be massive.

How's your bottle?

Kevin MacDonald returned to Villa Park as Tim Sherwood's assistant this week and he is taking a very hands-on approach to the pre-match warm-up, puling players this way and that as they go through a passing drill. Will Sherwood be wearing his famous gilet?

Will he start in the stands or in the technical area?

Opta Joe:, external 8 - West Brom have collected more wins against Sunderland than any other opponent in Premier League history (eight times). Bagged.