Lee Dixon
Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

A lot of people asked why Arsenal let Emiliano Martinez leave as he was the best keeper at the club, but it isn't as simple as that. He had his own reasons to leave, and there was obviously a money issue as well.

They also had Ramsdale on the backburner and has taken the team, by storm. I spoke to Dave Seaman about it but he said things gone on behind the scenes and he didn’t feel he wanted to stay.

Sometimes a transfer everyone is happy with – very rarely happens – but I think everyone was happy and it was a good deal all round.

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has just been chewing the fat with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher from Sky Sports.

Speaking about his team selection he says that Alexandre Lacazette "totally deserves his chance because of the way he conducts himself," and that Nuno Tavares, "is a development player with huge talent and a lot of potential. We want to give young players a chance."

On Aaron Ramsdale's presence in goal, he adds: "Really impressed with him and what he is able to transmit to the team and the crowd and that courage to play."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith speaking to Sky Sports: "It has [his three years at the club] surpassed my expectations. It's been a great journey so far and there's a lot of people...the sporting directors, the CEO, to thank.

"We have a really strong squad now. Its been step by step but it's getting to where we want to be. You see a reaction when you lose games. We were really comfortable for the majority of the game and ended up the wrong side of the result. We are a confident group. We believe we have a lot of ability and hopefully we will see that tonight."

On Emiliano Buendia: "You saw his performance against Wolves. You saw the qualities he has. This is the 11 that was winning 2-0 [against Wolves] until were were forced to make changes."

On Leon Bailey: "He's had a thigh injury and he came with a bit of a hamstring (problem) so we have to be careful with him. It's been a gentle, gentle approach but he is an exciting player that our fans and staff want to see more of."

Arsenal began the season with three consecutive Premier League defeats which including a 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City.

However, Mikel Arteta's side have steadied the ship since then and will be looking to extend their unbeaten top-flight run to six matches this evening.

Image source, BBC Sport

Talk about evenly matched. Both of these massive Premier League clubs will have designs on playing this fixture out from a slightly loftier perch.

The longest-serving and most successful manager in the Arsenal's history is 72 years young today.

Wonder if Arsene Wenger will be watching this evening as he celebrates.

Image source, @Arsenal

Alexandre Lacazette makes his first Premier League start since April.

Bukayo Saka is fit to start despite being injured in Monday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Arsenal make three changes from that game, with Lacazette, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga replacing Kieran Tierney, Nicolas Pepe and Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Tavares, Partey, Sambi Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Odegaard, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Elneny, Kolasinac, Martinelli.

Image source, .

Aston Villa are unchanged from their 3-2 defeat by Wolves.

Matty Cash has recovered from a dead leg suffered in that game.

Leon Bailey is on the bench after recovering from a thigh injury.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Mings, Tuanzebe, Targett, Cash, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Watkins, Ings.

Subs: Steer, Sanson, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Bailey, Archer, Ramsey.

Image source, .

Image source, BBC Sport

Both these teams are in mid-table for a reason - there are some positives about the way they have started the season, but there are ways to get at them too.

Aston Villa suffered a late collapse against Wolves last time out, while Arsenal scraped a draw with Crystal Palace on Monday in a game that said more about where they are at the moment than their recent run of three straight wins did.

The Gunners probably thought they had turned the corner after their poor start to the season but I don't think that is the case. I'm going with them to win this one, but that is mainly down to them having home advantage.

Prediction:2-1

Team news to drop very shortly.

Be interesting to see if Bukayo Saka is fit for Arsenal and if Leon Bailey is going to be in from the off for Aston Villa.

The game this evening is one of a number of live commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live over the weekend.

• Arsenal v Aston Villa (Friday, 22 October, 20:00 BST)
• Everton v Watford (Saturday, 23 October, 15:00 BST)
• West Ham v Tottenham (Sunday, 24 October, 14:00 BST)
• Man Utd v Liverpool (Sunday, 24 October, 16:30 BST)

So head on over there in five minutes or just click play at the top of this page if you fancy a listen.

Oh almost forgot, that slightly newer thing of grabbing a selfie with your favourite player outside the ground!

I'd probably rather sneak a quick pint in to be honest but if getting a snap for Insta is more your thing give us a thumbs up.

Image source, Getty Images

The smell of hot food wafting across from catering vans, the glow of the stadium in the skyline and that first look at the pitch under the floodlights.

What's not to like about a Friday-night game as Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to town in the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images