Introduction

On the latest Essential Football, Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith joins Ron Walker to look ahead to the weekend’s Premier League action.

With Arsenal knocked off the top of the table, how will Mikel Arteta’s side react with a Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Aston Villa? Will the game have an extra spark for Villa boss Unai Emery after his bruising spell at the Emirates Stadium?

In the Saturday Night Football match at St James’ Park, will Liverpool return to Sky Sports with another victory after the Merseyside Derby win? Can they realistically still make the top four?

Newcastle have drawn four out of their last five – how much of a concern is that, and what impact does the Carabao Cup final next weekend have on Eddie Howe’s players?

Tottenham are live on Super Sunday against West Ham. Can they shake off their inconsistency against their London rivals? And how green are the shoots of recovery David Moyes has overseen at the London Stadium?