Summary

  • Giroud gives visitors lead from penalty spot

  • Ramsey doubles Gunners' lead

  • Arsenal go top of Premier League

  • Villa still waiting for first win under Remi Garde

  • GET INVOLVED: #bbcfootball

  1. 'Great chance for Arsenal'published at 13:18

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Jason Roberts
    Former West Brom striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    "The key difference [between Olivier Giroud and other top strikers] is the goals against top opposition. Giroud’s record against the top four isn't very good. I don't think he's the one who decides the big games. 

    "Chelsea are struggling and Manchester City aren't doing brilliantly. There’s no reason Arsenal shouldn’t be running away with this league. I don’t see when they’ll get another opportunity like this.

    "I think so [Villa will go down]. I don’t see where they go from here."

    Olivier GiroudImage source, Reuters
  2. get involved

    When football puts you on top of the worldpublished at 13:15

    #getinspired

    After Bournemouth's win over Manchester United, we want to know what was the most euphoric football has left you feeling? It can be any match, any level, or even a particular signing.   

    Amit Paul: One word. Aguerooooooo! Still have tea stains on the ceiling! Will never forget Fergie waving his players off the pitch!

    Mark Alexander: Easy one that. Ricky Villa, FA Cup replay v Man City. Wonder goal. I think I hit my head on the ceiling!

    Get involved at #getinspired, external or text 81111. Feel free to send pictures as well.

    Ricky VillaImage source, Getty Images

    Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aimed at increasing participation in sport.Find out more over here!

  3. 'Arsenal have to win the league'published at 13:13

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Mark Lawrenson
    Former Liverpool defender on MOTD 2 Extra

    .Image source, Getty Images

    "This is the season when Arsenal have to win the Premier League. The worry is, they always seem to let you down. 

    "One thing in their favour though is that this season Mesut Ozil has been fantastic. He really hasn't got the column inches he deserves.

    "Jose Mourinho once said to me, when sometimes he would turn his back in training with Real Madrid he could always tell when Ozil struck the ball. It made a different sound."   

  4. get involved

    When football puts you on top of the worldpublished at 13:10

    #getinspired

    After Bournemouth's win over Manchester United, we want to know what was the most euphoric football has left you feeling? It can be any match, any level, or even a particular signing.   

    Chris: The equaliser in the 1990 World Cup semi-final. That was my generation's moment. For a short while we touched greatness and football here was never the same.   

    Get involved at #getinspired, external or text 81111. Feel free to send pictures as well.

    Gary LinekerImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    So, so close...

  5. 'We're lacking experience'published at 13:08

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    .Image source, Getty Images
    Quote Message

    I am already working on the January window. We know what we want to do. I feel we will need to improve the team to get more chances (of staying up). Experience is something we need. We are going to try to improve the team in the transfer window but we have other games to try to win and I am only focused on that."

    Remi Garde, Aston Villa boss

  6. 'Villa look certain to go down'published at 13:05

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Martin Keown
    Former Arsenal & Aston Villa defender on MOTD2 Extra

    "Arsenal must now be starting to believe they can win this Premier League. After Manchester City stumbling to a home win over Swansea, they need to lay down a marker today. 

    "This is an Aston Villa team that is really struggling though. I do feel for Remi Garde. There doesn't seem to be much inspiration or desire around this club anymore, and at the moment they are looking certain to go down."

  7. Postpublished at 13:02

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Decent record...

    .Image source, .
  8. Team newspublished at 13:00

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    The big news for Aston Villa is Jack Grealish has to settle for a place on the bench after a two-match absence as punishment for his off-field behaviour. Leandro Bacuna and Rudy Gestede both start after injuries for the unchanged Villains, as captain Micah Richards misses out with a knee injury.

    VillaImage source, .

    Arsenal name the same starting XI that beat Olympiakos so impressively in the Champions League in midweek. Costa Roca forward Joel Campbell starts again for the Gunners, who are still missing the injured lexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Tomas Rosicky.

    ArsenalImage source, ..
  9. Can Arsenal go top?published at 12:58

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    We're concentrating on events at Villa Park now where Arsenal can go one point clear at the top of the Premier League table. A reminder of the team news coming up...

  10. get involved

    When football puts you on top of the worldpublished at 12:55

    #getinspired

    After Bournemouth's win over Manchester United, we want to know what was the most euphoric football has left you feeling? It can be any match, any level, or even a particular signing.   

    Ruth Daly: Everton's 2008 Uefa Cup last-16 clash with Fiorentina. No one had given us a chance of coming back from a two-goal away deficit. But the moment Mikel Arteta's shot hit the back of the net to level on aggregate was pure ecstasy.

    Get involved at #getinspired, external or text 81111. Feel free to send pictures as well.

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'Desperate times for Villa'published at 12:51

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Steve Bower
    BBC football commentator at Villa Park

    .Image source, Getty Images
    Quote Message

    Arsene Wenger hailed his team's 'complete performance' after their win at Olympiakos. Arsenal's next assignment is Aston Villa, who have been teetering on the brink for far too long. These are desperate times for Villa, one of seven clubs to have been permanent members of the Premier League - a number which is in severe danger of dwindling to six."

  12. get involved

    When football puts you on top of the worldpublished at 12:48

    #getinspired

    After Bournemouth's win over Manchester United, we want to know what was the most euphoric football has left you feeling? It can be any match, any level, or even a particular signing.   

    Tom B, Essex: As a Man City fan it's close between watching us get promoted in that epic play-off final v Gillingham (2-0 down at 80mins back to win on pens) or being there to watch us beating QPR on my birthday to win the league in 2012... I think it has to be the latter!!!   

    Get involved at #getinspired, external or text 81111. Feel free to send pictures as well. 

    Sergio AgueroImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Tom was there with City in 2012...

    Man City play-off winnersImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    And back in 1999, too

    Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aimed at increasing participation in sport.Find out more over here!

  13. New ideas needed at Swansea?published at 12:45

    Man City 2-1 Swansea

    Conor McNamara
    Match of the Day commentator on BBC Two

    "The Swansea story has been a fantastic one of continuity. From Roberto Martinez, to Brendan Rodgers, to Michael Laudrup, to Garry Monk - they all kept that possession-based game. 

    "But maybe that has been found out a little bit now? Everything runs its course. Every effective tactic you have to tweak. 

    "Monk was part of the furniture there, and although I think he could well have turned it round, perhaps they need a few new ideas to freshen things up."

  14. get involved

    When football puts you on top of the worldpublished at 12:42

    #getinspired

    After Bournemouth's win over Manchester United, we want to know what was the most euphoric football has left you feeling? It can be any match, any level, or even a particular signing. 

    Mark Haver: Hiding under the table at the age of 51 as Didier Drogba ran up to score to win us the Champions League! I couldn't get out from under it quick enough!!!

    Mike: Villa winning the European Cup against Bayern, 1982, even with my dog almost biting me as I celebrated Withe's goal.    

    Get involved at #getinspired, external or text 81111. Feel free to send pictures as well.  

    Aston Villa celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aimed at increasing participation in sport.Find out more over here!

  15. 'City's title-winning form'published at 12:39

    Man City 2-1 Swansea

    Mark Lawrenson
    Former Liverpool defender on MOTD 2 Extra

    "That is how you win the Premier League - by playing poorly and still winning. Chelsea were absolute masters at it last season.

    "But if I were Garry Monk I would be so annoyed. All of a sudden those Swansea players start to play? When he's left? The players in that dressing room seriously need to have a look at themselves." 

  16. No changes for Arsenalpublished at 12:37

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Arsenal unchanged from the side that started the midweek win over Olympiakos in the Champions League.

  17. Aston Villa unchangedpublished at 12:35

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Villa unchanged from the side that drew 1-1 at Southampton on 5 December.

  18. BREAKING VILLA TEAM NEWSpublished at 12:31

    Aston Villa v Arsenal (13:30 GMT)

    Jack Grealish is named on the substitutes bench.

  19. 'Van Gaal doesn't pick enough strikers'published at 12:30

    Bournemouth 2-1 Man Utd

    Mark Lawrenson
    Former Liverpool defender on MOTD2 Extra

    "I don't think Manchester United's players are intimidated as such, for me the number one thing is Louis van Gaal doesn't pick enough attacking players. 

    "He always seems to play with a back six, with those two defensive midfielders sat in front of the back four. 

    "Also, Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial are young. The fact they don't have more strikers is unbelievable. It's Manchester United we're talking about."

  20. get involved

    When football puts you on top of the worldpublished at 12:28

    #getinspired

    After Bournemouth's win over Manchester United, we want to know what was the most euphoric football has left you feeling? It can be any match, any level, or even a particular signing.   

    Roy, a Dundee United fan: The 1980's was a time of euphoria for us 'Arabs'. I'll pick the best two: In '83, Dundee Utd won the SPL with a victory at next door rivals Dundee thanks to a winner from the legend that is Ralphie Milne. In '87 we became the only British club in history to beat Barcelona both home and away. A record we hold to this day.   

    Get involved at #getinspired, external or text 81111. Feel free to send pictures as well. 

    Lionel MessiImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Fancy having another go at the modern-day Barca?..

    Ralph MilneImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    We'll let you have Ralphie back

    Get Inspired is a BBC initiative aimed at increasing participation in sport.Find out more over here!