Chris Sutton
Former Norwich striker at Carrow Road for 5 live Sport

"Villa must appoint Nigel Pearson as manager. They should have done it as soon as Remi Garde left - he knows the Championship inside out. 

"I don't think Villa will free-fall through the divisions, but they need someone to steady the ship. There is talent in this Villa squad and I think they can bounce straight back up to the Premier League. 

"But why didn't they immediately appoint Pearson? I think clubs are afraid of him because he's his own man."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Enjoy live commentary at the top of this page when the time comes...

Image source, Getty Images

No doubt about the game of the day in the Championship. It's Brighton against leaders Burnley, who will pull seven points clear of their opponents if Sean Dyche's side make it seven wins in eight games.

Dyche has been linked, external with Aston Villa since Remi Garde's departure but Clarets fans will be hoping the 44-year-old stays and finishes the job at Turf Moor.

And as I've just told you, you can follow that game via the medium of live text commentary right here.

There is no Pato but Chelsea do hand a debut to United States defender Matt Miazga, who signed from New York Red Bulls in January. Elsewhere, Ruben Loftus-Cheek starts in midfield and Baba Rahman comes into defence.

Aston Villa make two changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Swansea last time out in the league with midfielder Carlos Sanchez and defender Micah Richards coming into the side at the expense of Ciaran Clark and Jordan Veretout. 

I have three other lives to plug for you (you know, in case I bore you). If Aston Villa v Chelsea is your bag then you might want to head here, where Al Magowan will guide you through the build-up and then action from Villa Park.

You can also stay across all matters Championship by clicking here.

Alternatively, if you prefer your football with a Scottish vibe, Thomas McGuigan is on hand to guide you through all the action from north of the border.

But if it is a general overview of all the Premier League action you want, then you stay right where you are.

Football Focus

Football Focus will be on your screens on BBC One - and on the website too - at 12:10 BST.

Image source, Reuters

Tell us which club you think has been the biggest underachievers this campaign...

Boise Stat Geek: It's probably Villa objectively, but as a US-based Everton fan, I am beyond disappointed with this season.

Lucy Northstandram: Some might say Derby, but a new manager beginning of season and then a sacking. We're still fifth with fate in our hands. On track.

Matthew Vins: Impossible to look past Aston Villa as biggest flops, both on and off the pitch. The club should be a powerhouse.

Join in via #bbcfootball,, external texting 81111 (UK only) or posting on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Few early arrivals at Villa Park, on the basis of this...

Cheers James. So, we've been asking you who the biggest flops of the season are. Two of the front-runners for that title will be taking to the pitch to face each other in about 45 minutes...

Right, time for me to hand over to Phil Dawkes. He'll take you through all this afternoon's action until the close.

Former Newcastle bossJohn Carver on BBC Radio 5 live: "If you look at the four games coming up, they are winnable games. I’m trying to live in hope. 

"I'm delighted with Rafael Benitez's appointment, it should have happened earlier, it would have given them an extra 10-15 days. Rafa has given the fans a huge lift. They are still believing. People are looking up at the top of the table, but Norwich v Newcastle is the biggest game, if we lose this we are in big trouble. It could be a fatal blow."

Injured Newcastle goalkeeper Robbie Elliot on BBC Radio 5 live: "Rafael Benitez has been brilliant and his attention to detail is one of the things he’s carried over during his career. Not having long to work with us, he’s been straight down to business, there’s not loads of time to build relationships he’s just working on training.

"He has changed the type of training. It's not traditional English training. A lot more tactical, more Spanish if you like, and a lot slower maybe going over things more. 

"We have done more sessions but that’s maybe more down to the situation. He has changed a few things and hopefully it will be of benefit in the long run. I’m confident he will keep us up."

Image source, getty

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez must now choose between Karl Darlow and 19-year-old Freddie Woodman after Rob Elliot became the latest keeper to be injured.

Elliot, 29, suffered a serious knee injury during the Republic's 2-2 friendly draw with Slovakia on Tuesday and joins Tim Krul on the treatment table.

Darlow, 25, has made just one Premier League appearance for the Magpies, while Woodman is yet to make his first-team debut. 

Jonathan Pearce
Match of the Day commentator at Carrow Road

"This is huge. It's the first of three successive relegation six pointers for Norwich. A win, followed by victories at Crystal Palace and home against Sunderland, should see them nearly safe. If they lose, I fear for them.

"Defeat for Newcastle would leave them six points adrift and almost certainly facing the drop.

"Having 13 players out recently has been an obvious handicap but the squad has too many who are no longer good enough for the Premier League, or never were. The scattergun transfer policy has been ruinous."

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

"Manchester City are an ageing team and haven't really addressed that. I think they have so much work to do in terms of players in and players out. 

"He [Manuel Pellegrini] will be thinking about his next job. It is a really strange situation."

On whether they could miss out on a Champions League place: "There's a very big chance."

Image source, PA

Tell us which club you think has been the biggest underachievers this campaign...

Lewis Denny: Has to be Crystal Palace, a team that was looking to get into the Europa League to now a team which looks to be in a relegation fight.

Shane Daly: The biggest flop has to be Chelsea. The players got their beloved manager sacked and almost relegated themselves.

Kyle: The biggest flops are Newcastle United - we spend £80m and we are worse than last season!

Join in via #bbcfootball,, external texting 81111 (UK only) or posting on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

"Bournemouth are safe and will have a real go at Manchester City, whose form has been horrendous on the road.

"The way City are playing at the moment, it is hard to see them improving on that too much at the Vitality Stadium."

Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator at Vitality Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

"The outcome here partly depends on which Manchester City turn up. If it's the one we've seen in recent weeks, then Bournemouth will fancy their chances. They'll be mindful of what their opponents are capable of though after losing 5-1 at the Etihad in October.

"A return to some sort of form is needed by City sooner rather than later if they're not to miss out on the minimum expectation of Champions League football next season under Pep Guardiola."