Nottingham Forest

This is Forest's first game since 3 September and their last until 3 October. This time next week we will be knee deep in Nations League action.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa

Image source, PA

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says his side "need to back up" their impressive performance against Manchester City.

A fine finish from Leon Bailey earned Villa a point against the champions in their last match two weeks ago and, after a stuttering start, the display suggested they were finding their feet this season.

However, Gerrard is refusing to take anything for granted as he plots a route up the Premier League table, with Villa current 17th.

"What we showed against City was that when we’re at our best, and our top players are close to their best form, we can compete against anyone in the league," he said.

"We want to make it a turning point but just because you perform well against a high-quality opponent, it gives you no guarantees.

"You’ve got to go and put it in on the training ground, reset yourselves and then back that performance up."

Jesse Lingard dropped to the Forest bench seven games into the season?

Meanwhile, Ashley Young is making his first Premier League start of the season for Aston Villa at the age of 37.

Aston Villa make two changes from the side that held Manchester City to a draw in their last outing.

Matty Cash drops out of the squad with a hamstring injury, while Douglas Luiz is on the bench.

They are replaced in the starting XI by Ashley Young and Philippe Coutinho.

Aston Villa: Martínez, Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne Coutinho, Kamara, McGinn, Bailey, J Ramsey Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Luiz, Sanson, Ings, Buendía, Chambers, Augustinsson, Nakamba, Dendoncker

Visitors Southampton make just one change to the side beaten by Wolves in their last game.

Joe Aribo is named on the bench and is replaced by Moussa Djenepo in midfield.

Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud, Diallo, Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi, Aribo, A Armstrong, Adams

Subs: McCarthy, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Aribo, S Armstrong, Mara, Edozie, Larios, Walcott

Steve Cooper makes three changes to the Nottingham Forest side who lost to Bournemouth in their last Premier League outing.

In comes Willy Boly for his debut, Remo Freuler and Taiwo Awoniyi, while Joe Worrall, Jesse Lingard and Cheikhou Kouyate drop to the bench.

Forest XI: Henderson, Cook, Williams, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White, Johnson, Yates, Freuler, McKenna, Boly, Lodi.

Subs: Hennessey, Biancone, Worrall, Lingard, O'Brien, Toffolo, Surridge, Kouyate, Dennis.

Image source, BBC Sport

There are two changes to the Fulham side who suffered defeat by Tottenham in their last league game.

Issa Diop starts alongside new signing Willian, making his first start. Neeskens Kebano drops to the bench.

Injured Antonee Robinson is not in the squad.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Adarabioyo, Reed, Mitrovic, Ream, Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian, Palhinha, Diop.

Subs: Rodak, Duffy, Kebano, Cairney, Chalobah, James, Mbabu, Vinicius, Harris.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

Fulham will climb above both Chelsea and Liverpool into sixth spot with a win at Nottingham Forest.

Forest are looking to avoid a fourth straight Premier League defeat.

Aston Villa are hunting a first win in five league games, but Southampton could finish the night in the top six with victory at Villa Park.

Image source, Rex Features

The Premier League is returning to action for the first time since the Queen passed away.

Three games have been called off this weekend due to policing issues surrounding the funeral on Monday - including Manchester United v Leeds and Chelsea v Liverpool.

Those games that do go ahead will all observe a minute’s silence before kick-off, followed immediately by the national anthem.

Image source, Rex Features

Friday

Aston Villa v Southampton (20:00 BST)

Nottingham Forest v Fulham (20:00)

Saturday

Wolves v Man City (12:30)

Newcastle v Bournemouth (15:00)

Tottenham v Leicester (17:30)

Sunday

Brentford v Arsenal (12:00)

Everton v West Ham (14:15)

Hello!

The Premier League is back with seven matches spread across the next three days, including leaders Arsenal at Brentford and second-placed Manchester City at Wolves.

But we start this weekend's action with two matches in the Midlands.

Villa Park and the City Ground are our focus tonight.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters