Look who's at the City Ground this evening. Only Arsenal legend Robert Pires.

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Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Arteta is enjoying himself and where he is.

He wants to do something with this group of players so good on him for quashing them [rumours of him leaving Arsenal].

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Arsenal's Martin Odegaard tries to play a reverse pass with Emile Smith Rowe looking to catch it, but he can't get there in time and the ball goes out of play for a goal kick.

Arsenal have started with Gabriel Jesus tight to left touchline, with Gabriel Martinelli playing through the middle.

The visitors dominating the ball early doors.

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On the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast, Telegraph's Luke Edwards discusses Miguel Almiron, who is set to stay at Newcastle after Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab failed to meet Newcastle's £30m price tag.

"Newcastle definitely had needed improvements, but they will go again in the summer," says Edwards.

"And it's just a story of this window, really. Everybody has needed to sell to buy. Everybody has been looking at loans. Nobody wants to do those deals, unfortunately."

Listen to the full episode here

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe accepts his side need to be at their best to beat Aston Villa.

The Magpies are looking to end a run of four successive Premier League defeats.

"It's been a mixture of training and recovery (since the FA Cup win over Fulham)," Howe said.

"We need to make sure we're prepared for Villa. It will be a very difficult game. They're in very good form so we need to get our game plan right."

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Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The City Ground

Nottingham Forest's players never lack support and it is another atmospheric night at The City Ground as they face Arsenal.

It was here last season that Forest's victory made them safe and ended Arsenal's title tilt. We are not at that stage yet but this is huge for both sides.

Arsenal, in particular, know defeat is unthinkable with Premier League leaders Liverpool coming to Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

And a busy evening of Premier League football starts at the City Ground.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Some of the teams over the winter have these periods that are not easy. Both teams have not been firing the way they were earlier this season but at this place, under the lights, it's normally rocking. They generally win here and they win quite well.

I was here when they played Man City. They won 1-0 but they hammered Man City.

Newcastle need to try and get back to form. I was at the [5-1 over Aston Villa] earlier in the season. On that day I thought one of these teams were going to be challenging for the league, and I didn't think it was going to be Aston Villa.

They are asking the same players to perform week in, week out, and they just look tired.

Martin Keown
Former England defender on TNT Sports

I think it was a really big thing when Smith Rowe signed a new contract and they gave him the no.10 shirt.

It hasn't really kicked on for him and he has had injuries. He has been sitting watching for a lot of this season and it is a really big opportunity for him.

I expect him to take it.

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says "keeping the squad intact" would constitute the ideal end to the January transfer window.

The window shuts at midnight on Thursday and a number of Howe's squad - including Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Tripper - are still linked with a move away.

Speaking in his news conference before tonight's trip to face Aston Villa, Howe said: "Keeping the squad intact, as a manager, would be A1 for me.

"But, as I said so many times, we are guardians of the club's future and we want to make the right decisions for the club's future.

"We don't want to breach FFP and that's where I will support the decisions made for the long term future.

"We are waiting to see what happens. I don't want to talk about individual names.

"It's a complex situation. Nothing is clear cut and all eventualities could happen. What we probably won't do is bring a player in without losing one the other way."

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I believe that when Forest play at home, they play with 12 players. It is very noisy and the fans get involved.

I think the fans know how important it is to get their team over the line to get them away from any potential mess they will be in [due to FFP issues].

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Aston Villa drew 0-0 with Everton last time out, which was manager Unai Emery’s first goalless draw in the Premier League in his 97th game.

Only once has he seen his side fail to score in consecutive Premier League matches.

“We want to play a match in 90 minutes doing everything," Emery said. "We have to do everything: with the ball, without possession, trying to be organised defensively, trying to be aggressive in the duels.

“It’s a really exciting match, trying to face them with their best level like they showed in the first match. We are trying to show our good moment now.”

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This is a massive game for Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder because of how badly his side need a result, but it is also huge for Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.

I just wonder what the atmosphere will be like at Selhurst Park and whether the Eagles fans will really get behind Hodgson after their protests against Arsenal in their last league game.

They need to, whatever they think about the overall direction of the club, because Palace are in danger of getting dragged into the relegation mire.

On the pitch, the return of Michael Olise from injury would be a massive boost for Hodgson and, if he is fit enough to start, then along with Eberechi Eze he will probably be the difference-maker in this one.

Sheffield United won't lack commitment, we know that, but again it is a lack of quality that lets them down. I've spoken about Forest and Everton becoming desperate, but the Blades are bottom of the table and are already at that stage.

Prediction: 1-0

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm glad to see Emile Smith Rowe back and I believe he has something to offer Arsenal.

Long term he has something offer. I think he will make the difference.

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Each of Emile Smith Rowe's last three Premier League starts have come in three different years (2024, 2023, 2022).

Will he make an impact today?

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery named an unchanged side from the side which drew 0-0 with Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round last Friday.

Ollie Watkins starts up front for Villa as he attempts to end a run of six games without a goal.

Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Moreno, McGinn, Luiz, Kamara, Tielemans, Diaby, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Wright, Carlos, Chambers, Zaniolo, Kesler-Hayden, Bailey, Ramsey, Iroegbunam

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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has also gone with the same side from their last game - a 2-0 win over Fulham in their fourth-round tie on Saturday.

Miguel Almiron, who has been linked with a move to the Saudi Prol League, is on the bench for the Magpies having missed the game against the Cottagers through illness.

Striker Alexander Isak needs one Premier League goal to eclipse last season's debut haul of 10.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Miley, Guimaraes, S Longstaff, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Subs: Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Almiron, White, Hernes

Image source, BBC Sport