Aston Villa v Manchester City buildup, Premier League news, WSL, and more – matchday live

Key events

Last season, after a slow and creaky start, Aston Villa went into their home fixture with Manchester City on the back of five wins from their last six games in all competitions. They won the game 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Matty Cash.

This season, after another slow and creaky start, Villa also host City on the back of five wins from six. Will history repeat? Or will 100% City continue their bid to reach the maximium 114 points, meaning they’d still finish with 64 (and a likely Champions League spot) even if docked 50 should the guilty verdict hold up?

Check out the team news and predicted starting XIs for all the weekend top-flight matches.

Arsenal v Everton could be decent but it’s those two bookend top-flight fixtures which really take the eye. Today’s Premier League offerings are below – all times BST.

And don’t forget the clocks go back tonight. Or is it forward? Back I think. Anyway, it’s goodbye to BST and hello to GMT. I’ll be honest, the latter is my least favourite of the UK time zones but it is what it is.

Ipswich are up to ninth after that draw with Forest. The visitors have nudged up to 16th but, once more, should really have come away with more than a point.

Fun Ipswich fact: they’ve now won as many home points (7) as they managed in the entirety of their previous Premier League campaign in 2024/25.

Not fun Forest fact: No team have underperformed their xG more than Forest this season – just six goals from 13.4 created.

Here’s ~~Michael Fish’s~~ John Brewin’s report from a windy Portman Road.

“Amid a Suffolk squall, winds whipping, a constant drum of rain, an encounter full of half-chances, mistakes, the obligatory refereeing controversy and searching questions…”

Preamble

Good morning! This Premier League weekend is already up and running after a 1-1 draw between Ipswich and Nottingham Forest at Portman Road last night. We’ll have reaction to that and also look ahead to today’s four top-flight matches. There are some crackers and, if it’s too windy outside, the sofa is your friend today as you enhance your televisual experience by following our various blogs and minute-by-minute offerings. You’ve made a great start by already tuning into this one so let’s mildly entertain you for the next few hours.