Image source, Opta

As we can see from this graphic, Aston Villa are dominating possession but haven't been quite as dominant in the last 10 minutes.

Oh, hang on. A lovely overhead kick from Rudy Gestede that Swansea captain Ashley Williams runs back to head clear before a mid-air Lukasz Fabianski gets to fist it away.

Do Swansea think they're safe and are struggling to get up for this?

Bafetimbi Gomis is making a rare start for Swansea - after scoring four in the first four games of the season he has only managed one more since August.

He turns and shoots here but it's well wide.

Rudy Gestede has a chance as he meets Jordan Veretout's cross but the Aston Villa striker's effort is comfortably held by Lukasz Fabianski.

At the other end Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot is blocked by Ciaran Clark. 

Only a slight quickening in the pulse rate.

Still tepid fare in Swansea. The home team are at least enjoying a spell in Aston Villa's half but they're not doing anything particularly creative in there.

The Swans' Modou Barrow is played in by Gylfi Sigurdsson but is flagged offside. He was - but only just.  

Aly Sissoko the first man into Mike Dean's book for bringing down Modou Barrow. Free-kick to Swansea from about 30 yards... well wide from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Liberty Stadium

This may be Francesco Guidolin's first game back on the touchline since he was taken to hospital with a chest infection, but the Swansea head coach is his usual animated self.

The Italian is getting as close to the action as his technical area will allow him, waving his arms and cajoling his players.

A second corner for the Swans after Joleon Lescott and keeper Brad Guzan get in each other's way as they try to clear a cross... another corner follows as Bafetimi Gomis heads out and this one is easily cleared.

Jordan Ayew causing some bother in the Swansea penalty area from a long throw and is unlucky to inadvertently concede a goal-kick as the ball bounces off him.

Villa quickly win a corner and Ciaran Clark isn't too far away with a header that goes over.

Swansea very, very poor so far but let's give some credit to Aston Villa after all the criticism they've had so far this season. A really spirited start from the visitors and they deserve to lead on the balance of play.

Ooh, a bit of handbags. Swansea captain Ashley Williams and Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede link arms as they contest a header and end up twirling each other about - in an increasingly aggressive manner - before some pushing and shoving.

A cross between bar-room brawl and a ballroom dance floor... referee Mike Dean tells them to cut out the nonsense.

As animated as it's got so far.

It's taken nearly 13 minutes but Swansea have finally woken up - Jack Cork's stooping header from a corner isn't too far away.

Very quiet at the Liberty Stadium... almost a pre-season feel but they've not had much to get excited about.

Swansea's Andre Ayew is missing today with an ankle injury, which means he misses a second on-pitch meeting with his brother, Aston Villa's Jordan.

The Villa man tries to make an early impression but his shot sails over and is of no concern to Lukasz Fabianski.

Good to see Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin back on the bench after a chest infection that necessitated a stay in hospital forced him to miss three games.

Wearing a woolly hat, he is on his feet early here, looking slightly concerned with his side's sluggish start.

Remember when Joleon Lescott used to knock them in for fun (particularly the 2007-08 season at Everton when he reached double figures)?

Seems a long time ago now (well, I suppose it is) but he has the first shot of the game here, dragging wide from the edge of the box with his left foot.

Villa with the brighter start.

Aston Villa are the first to go on the attack, but a looping cross from the left is an easy settler for Lukasz Fabianski.

And we're under way...

The teams are on the pitch... not long now. A calm and pleasant evening in south Wales. Pristine turf... the Swans having a pre-match huddle.

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator

"With an eight-point cushion over the bottom four, it would take a dramatic turnaround for Swansea to be genuinely considered as a potential relegation candidate.

"If 40 points remains the safety target, even in this most unpredictable of seasons, then the visit of a hapless Aston Villa surely offers a great opportunity for the hosts to register three of the seven points they may need.

"Head coach Francesco Guidolin describes it as their 'most important game of the season'.

"His opposite number, Remi Garde, stated only last week his side can still 'do a Leicester', external and survive - a first away win since 8 August would still do little to convince many that Villa truly have what it takes to beat the drop."

Twitter: @alistairmann01, external

Image source, Getty Images

Gylfi Sigurdsson must be licking his lips as he prepares to face Aston Villa's porous defence - the Icelandic midfielder has scored seven in his past 11 games.

Will it be feeding time at the zoo at the Liberty Stadium today?

Only Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero have scored more in the top flight in 2016.

Image source, #bbcfootball

Read Lawro's full predictions v BBC athletics commentator Steve Cram

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Liberty Stadium

This time last week, there was a chance Swansea’s match against Aston Villa would be overshadowed by Six Nations celebrations in Wales.

But with Wales’ title hopes evaporating with last weekend’s defeat in England, this afternoon’s match against Italy in Cardiff (won 67-14 by the hosts) was effectively rendered a dead rubber.

That leaves Swansea’s meeting with a doomed Villa side as the most significant sporting encounter in south Wales today.

While Villa are all but cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League, Swansea are eight points clear of the relegation zone and victory today would be another big stride towards safety for the Swans.