The stage is set for the biggest Premier League match of this weekend as Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium after the mid-week matches.

The kick-off time for the match is 6.30 pm and will be the last Premier League game for today (Saturday).

Both teams head to the game after winning their last Premier League matches in mid-week against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, respectively.


Arsenal won 2-1 against Spurs while Aston Villa won 1-0 against Everton in an away clash.

The last time both teams met was in the Premier League in August, 2024

The Gunners defeated Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park, thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.


Arsenal will endeavour to close the four-point gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool when they welcome Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, will also hope to build on his last win when they face Aston Villa at home.

Arteta has already confirmed at his pre-match press conference that he has a few decisions to make with the medical staff to understand whether his injured players are in the best condition to feature against Aston Villa.


The Spaniard also admitted that Villa have an excellent coach, and very good players.

The former midfielder will be without the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus against the visitors due to injury.

Arteta’s side currently sit in second position on the Premier League table with four points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand.


Aston Villa, on the other hand, will hope to build on their last win against Everton when they visits Arsenal.

They currently sit in the 7th position on the Premier League table with 35 points after 21 matches.

Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery has already confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Pau Torres and John McGinn are not available to play against Arsenal.

According to Emery, Ross Barkley is still out and Diego Carlos is not feeling good to play against the hosts.

The 53-year-old, who has coached Arsenal in the past, also admitted that his former club is “very, very difficult”.

A win for Villa against Arsenal will see Emery’s side move up from the 7th position on the log.

Emery will hope to revenge the defeat his team suffered at home last August at the hands of Arsenal when they visits Emirates Stadium this evening.

His Arsenal counterpart Arteta will hope to complete a league double against Aston Villa and continue chasing down Premier League leaders Liverpool on the table.

Chelsea is not ready to sanction a loan exit for their player Joao Felix despite transfer interest from AC Milan this January window.


Felix returned to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for £45m last summer.

The Portugal international had spent six months on loan at the Premier League west London club in 2023.


However, the versatile forward has found it hard to get regular playing time under Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s team.

Felix is behind Cole Palmer in the number ten position in Maresca’s squad.

The former Barcelona star has six goals in cup competitions for the Blues this season.


He has started just three games in the Premier League for Maresca’s side this season.

His lack of regular game time has led to the interest of some of Europe’s elite clubs this January as they look to lure the 25-year-old away from Chelsea on loan.

AC Milan has emerged as one of the clubs interested in signing Felix this month.


But according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are not ready to let go of Felix on loan this window despite interest from the Serie A side.

Infact, the Premier League club are said to be keen to sign more attacking players this month.

As countdown to the 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon begins, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management, Mrs Yetunde Olopade, has promised to deliver the ‘best ever’ long distance race in history.


The 10th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will hold on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Lagos, and Olopade says the organising body, adding, Nilayo Sports Management is going to deliver a top notch marathon to celebrate a decade of excellence.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a Gold Label Race, which draws attention from top runners across the globe.

Mrs. Olopade said this year’s event will go down as one of the best ever, adding that Nilayo Sports Management and top officials of Lagos Sports Commission are working to actualise a hitch-free event. She took over as Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management following the appointment of her husband, Chief Bukola Olopade, as Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).


Meanwhile, Olympian Yusuf Alli, who is the Race Director, has revealed that over 4,000 foreign runners, including about 100 elite athletes are expected to participate in the event.

“We have started the process ahead this year’s Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. I am in Lagos now, and everyone is working because we are going to deliver the biggest ever event this year being the 10th edition,” Alli, who is the immediate past chairman of Edo State Sports Commission told The Guardian yesterday.

He promised that the marathon will paint the streets of Lagos with love and unity on February 15, one day after St. Valentine’s Day.

Apart from the lead sponsor, Access Bank, the marathon, renowned as one of Africa’s largest, is also supported by 7UP Bottling Company, Kia Motors, Airtel, and the Lagos State government.

Alli said: “While February might be winter in other parts of the world, Lagos is looking to bring the heat with its vibrant energy and world-class hospitality. Whether one is running, cheering, or soaking in the sporting and festive atmosphere, the 10th edition of this race promises to be an unforgettable experience.”