Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
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Bournemouth look to repeat Old Trafford heroics, Saints must get ugly and it’s Füllkrug time for West Ham. Approaching the halfway point, it is hard to gauge where Aston Villa are at. Regardless of Manchester City’s extended wobble, a result at home to Pep Guardiola’s side will go a long way to providing an indication. It was always going to be a big ask for Villa to better or even equal last season’s achievements but, with automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16 a distinct possibility and a top-four finish within reach, it has been another solid, if imperfect, start. Only once this season have Villa recorded victory after a European night, in September after winning at Young Boys. This time last season Villa were third in the division, two points off the summit, on 35 points. They may be 10 points worse off now but, despite defeat at Nottingham Forest last time out, they remain in a good spot. Ben Fisher.
![[Callum Hudson-Odoi (right) and Morgan Gibbs-White]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/05d4d4e477d88554880260c560513c5a8dcd91c2/0_0_4323_2948/master/4323.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Aston Villa v Manchester City, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT). Despite Nottingham Forest’s success this season, their possession share of 41% is the second lowest in the Premier League. Do not expect Nuno Espírito Santo to change things for the trip to Brentford, with Forest’s 14 away points this season only bettered by Chelsea (19) and Liverpool (17). Brentford should enjoy plenty of the ball but must beware Forest’s threat on the break: Thomas Frank’s side have conceded more goals on counterattacks (five) than any other team. Forest’s pacy forwards Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White will be licking their lips. Michael Butler.
![[Jefferson Lerma clears an Arsenal corner off the line on Wednesday]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d4adbaba1e8c2ac10912e416ae58f1250700e701/0_0_5549_3329/master/5549.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
