Five talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Aston Villa’s bid to blow open the title race and Manchester City’s defensive issues.
In-form Aston Villa aim to blow open title race
The Premier League weekend kicks off with a huge showdown as Aston Villa host Arsenal in Saturday’s lunchtime slot. It’s third against first, with two of the league’s in-form teams going toe-to-toe.
Arsenal have the look of champions this season. The Gunners have lost just once all season and have conceded only seven goals in their 14 games.
They’ve been similarly impressive in Europe, with maximum points from five Champions League games. After three consecutive runners-up finishes, Arsenal are aiming to finally get over the line this season and end the club’s 22-year title drought.
However, there are few tougher fixtures than this weekend’s acid test in the Midlands. Villa have recovered from a shaky start to surge up the table and have won eight of their last nine Premier League games. It’s also six straight wins in all competitions for Villa, under the guidance of ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
Unai Emery now holds the 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙈 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙨 of any #AVFC manager in the competition’s history❗👏
62 — 𝐔𝐧𝐚𝐢 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐲 (115 games) 🆕
61 — Martin O’Neill (152 games)
61 — John Gregory (148 games)
51 — Brian Little (130 games)Villa’s rise under Emery continues 📈🟣 pic.twitter.com/RaODPsvLS2
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) December 3, 2025
A win for either would be a huge statement, but if the home side can overcome the leaders, Arsenal’s advantage could be reduced to just two points by the weekend’s conclusion. Villa, with a win, can get within three points of the top.
Can Chelsea combat Caicedo loss?
Moises Caicedo’s crude challenge on Mikel Merino landed the midfielder a three-match ban earlier this month, with the Ecuadorian dismissed during Chelsea’s derby draw with Arsenal.
With 10 men, Chelsea battled to a point, but the Blues certainly felt his absence at Leeds in midweek. Chelsea crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Elland Road, with Enzo Maresca admitting there were few positives to take. Leeds overwhelmed their visitors, with a midfield trio of Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, and Anton Stach asserting themselves on the game.
It’s hard to imagine that Chelsea would have been so passive if Caicedo had been on the pitch. The 24-year-old leads the division for interceptions and remains arguably the best ball-winner in the Premier League right now.
His importance to Chelsea is evident in the stats. Chelsea have won just two of the eight Premier League games Caicedo hasn’t started since his arrival from Brighton (25%), a win percentage that shoots to 52% (43/82) when he’s in the XI.
Caicedo remains unavailable for selection for two more games. A tricky trip to Bournemouth is up next, before Everton, in impressive away form under David Moyes, head to Stamford Bridge.
Dyche makes first Everton return
There will be a familiar face in the opposition dugout this weekend when Sean Dyche makes his first return to Everton.
It’s less than 12 months since Dyche’s departure, following an 11-game winless run last season. However, it feels like much has changed since then.
The return of David Moyes has coincided with an improvement in results, while the summer move to Hill Dickinson Stadium already makes the Dyche era feel like the distant past.
🗣️“Deep down they know the work we did…..What reception I get is not important.”
“Moyesy is doing a good job as I thought he would do. They have spent some money. They knew they needed to invest and they have done that,” – Forest Manager, Sean Dyche pic.twitter.com/qM3OMJkhMv
— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 (@EvertonNewsFeed) December 4, 2025
The 54-year-old is not remembered overly fondly by Evertonians as things soured, though he deserves some credit for his reign amid difficult circumstances.
Dyche navigated two points deductions to ensure Everton remained a top-flight team, keeping the club afloat despite minimal resources and off-the-field issues. His tenure ended terribly, but he has provided the foundation for a new era in which Everton are looking upwards.
Leaky Manchester City a concern for Guardiola
It’s not often a team concedes six goals across two games and still comes out with maximum points. That will not be lost on Pep Guardiola, who has watched his side overcome thrillers with Leeds and Fulham over the last week.
After blowing a 2-0 lead against Leeds at the Etihad, the Citizens required a last-gasp Phil Foden goal to snatch the points last weekend.
In midweek, City were cruising at Craven Cottage until a Fulham fightback set up a grandstand finish. There was plenty of relief when the whistle blew for full-time with City 5-4 victors.
City have now conceded 16 goals in the Premier League this season, more than double the amount of leaders Arsenal, and the highest of any side in the top six. Guardiola needs his backline to rediscover their form if his side is to remain in the title race.
Leeds look lifted by Farke formation
Daniel Farke tweaked his tactics in midweek as Leeds snapped a four-game losing run to beat Chelsea. A move to a 3-5-2 formation paid dividends for Leeds, who thoroughly deserved the three points at Elland Road.
It’s a system that appears to get the best from the players at Farke’s disposal. Jaka Bijol was outstanding and looked comfortable as part of a three-man forward line, while Gabriel Gudmundsson impressed with added licence to get forward from wing-back.
👌 Waking up after beating the world champions! pic.twitter.com/LBPoVS4m4I
— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 4, 2025
Perhaps most noticeable was the lift for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha as a front pairing. Neither forward is overly prolific, but as a partnership, their attributes complement well. It would be a shock if Farke did not stick with the new system for Liverpool’s visit on Saturday evening.
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