David Michael, My Old Man Said Podcast, external

Despite Aston Villa crashing out in the opening rounds of both domestic cups, the mood among Villa supporters for the second half of the season is one of optimism.

Unai Emery’s points haul of 13 in his first six league games has only been surpassed once in the Premier League era by a Villa manager – John Gregory with 15 in 1998.

Compared to the stats of the 2022-23 season games prior to Emery’s arrival, Villa unsurprisingly have seen a vast upturn. Perhaps the most telling and tangible is previously being 18th in the Premier League in terms of distance covered in games, with an average of 104.1km, while under Emery they are now ranked 7th with 109.3km.

On top of whatever tactical changes Emery has implemented, this increased willingness of Villa’s players has been very apparent. The recent win against Leeds was the perfect example of the team’s increased effort and the resulting resilience it is breeding under their new boss.

Villa are currently unbeaten in the league in 2023 and will see if their manager’s start is beyond just a bounce when they next play two teams in the relegation mix - Southampton and Leicester City.

In recent seasons, Villa's progress has been undermined by dropping points against teams they start favourites against, so the games will be an opportunity to further certify the Emery revolution.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on Football Focus

Danny Ings is a fantastic signing for West Ham, if they can keep him fit.

A fit Danny Ings gets you double figures, something that West Ham need, and Everton need.

Everton let Richarlison go to Spurs; they haven't replaced him.

Image source, BBC Sport

Southampton look like they have turned a corner, with a huge win at Everton coming off the back of their progress in both domestic cups.

Saints are still bottom of the table but they have something to build on now. It has been interesting to watch James Ward-Prowse play as a number 10, and it seems like a smart move from their manager Nathan Jones.

Villa have only played two away league games under Unai Emery, against Brighton and Tottenham, and have won them both. This game smells like a draw to me though.

Prediction: 1-1

Sutton's full predictions v The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

Tom: That’s two hours of my life I won’t get back. Gakpo, Nunez and Mudryk all looked ineffective but unfortunately the price tags don’t afford them any settling in time.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It is not that easy to see into the directors' box from my seat at the London Stadium but I am told Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is expected at today's game.

This is being viewed as a show of solidarity after club executives were advised not to attend last week's home defeat by Southampton.

It certainly would be significant given how long it has been since Moshiri last attended an Everton game.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on Football Focus

Everton need to show a lot of fight and determination; they've found themselves in more than a difficult situation. The concern is turning to panic.

We've seen them play three home games against bottom of the table Wolves, which they lost, bottom of the table Southampton, they lost, and they were expected to beat Brighton too. Those fans that thought they could turn it around have been mistaken and now they face another side struggling for form.

This game is massive for both, but certainly Everton.

Liverpool (W8-D5-L6) have 29 points after 19 matches, their lowest points tally at the halfway stage of a Premier League campaign since 2014-15 under Brendan Rodgers (28).

Chelsea (W0-D3-L4) remain winless in seven successive competitive away games for the first time since November 2010 to January 2011 under Carlo Ancelotti (W0-D2-L5), a streak that included a 2-0 league loss at Anfield.

It ends goalless, the final whistle greeted with near silence.

The fans here know they cannot afford to drop points right now.

The draw leaves both teams still well short of the top four. It could be a 12-point gap by the end of this weekend.

We're dealing in seconds left now.

Liverpool charge forward looking to land the killer blow!

Fabinho is found on the edge of the box but his shot deflects to Darwin Nunez, who is offside.

Is that the final chance?

Cesar Azpilicueta is the calmest man in the building.

Liverpool chip a cross to the back post but the Chelsea defender coolly chests back to Kepa.

Big chance!

Mykhailo Mudryk sets Carney Chukwuemeka away into the Liverpool box but he dwells on the ball when he should be shooting and invites the challenge that stops him.

We've had two of the added five minutes. It's all very stop-start.

Every decision is getting an angry reaction from the team it goes against now. There is an awful lot of frustration flying around both these clubs at the moment.

Joe: I'm surprised Elliot has been left on. The right side of Liverpool's defence is wide open with two slow players there - Elliot & Milner. That's where Chelsea's goal is going to come from.

Yep. Five added minutes.