Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has left new signing Donyell Malen on the bench following his move from Borussia Dortmund earlier this week.

But Emery has been full of praise for the 25-year-old Dutch winger, who began his career at Arsenal, but never played a senior game for the Gunners before moving to PSV Eindhoven in 2017.

“He is usually playing as a number seven, sometimes as an number 11 on the side, sometimes can play as a number 10,” the Spaniard added.

“He is always close to the attacking third, close to the opponent’s box and scores goals and assists. We need a player like him to try and threaten the opponent.”

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live chief football correspondent

The groans and gasps on the concourse here at the Emirates as the Darwin Nunez goals went in.

That simply means Arsenal need to follow up their very good win against Tottenham with another one.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk: "Every win is a big result. Especially when the teams around us are very strong. We have to stay consistent, win games and perform well."

On Darwin Nunez's double: "You have to earn these things. As a striker you get judged on goals especially at a club like Liverpool. Today he put his mark on the game. Very important. We need everyone at their best. Today was his day."

Were they at their best? "I think so, yeah. Don't you think so?"

"They have a very clear structure. You try to break a low block down and if you lose the ball sometimes you can get a counter-attack on you. They create some danger moments. They create them against any team in the league. We handled it well and could have scored more.

"There is no walk in the park. Every game, teams are very good. They want to play their best game against us like we want to play our best game against them.

"If nobody is ready for a bumpy ride then this season will definitely be one."

Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told BBC Sport: "It was a lot of hard work. Brentford away is a difficult place to come. The way they press high, eventally going to a low block and the quality they have on the break. We did well. We kept working, kept trying. Eventually Darwin made a difference with the two goals.

"We've experienced it two games in a row - especially the second half against Forest. It's also quality from Brentford that they want you to try to force it a bit because they'll get you on the break. We did well and limited them.

"Darwin since the day he came in he brings a lot of energy. As a striker you're judged by your goals. Maybe it's tougher than ever. He's working hard and learning. Today he had a massive part of the victory. It was well deserved.

"Today was a small piece of the puzzle. We have to keep going."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal

Arsenal entertain Aston Villa on the back of a 2-1 win over north London rivals Tottenham.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "I loved the attitude that the team played with, a great occasion in front of our people, the atmosphere was brilliant but we move on to the next one, that's a big game.

"We will try as hard as possible to prepare in the best way to win. We know the difficulty of the team [Aston Villa] that they are, that's why they are performing so well. Great players, and a great coach."

The Gunners are in the hunt for the title again and Arteta, speaking in his news conference earlier in the week, added: "If we refer to the stats, the stats said we were the best team in the league [last year] but the reality is we didn't win the league so we still need to improve and be better.

"We are playing to win and that's exactly where we want to be. The pressure comes from within. You have to thrive to be the best that you possibly can be."

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football Focus

Brentford had plenty of chances, but they didn't seem to have that punch in their shots.

Thomas Frank went toe-to-toe with Arne Slot. Kevin Schade went on at the end when it was 0-0 and he was really going for it.

Liverpool go seven points clear but maybe only for two and a bit hours as Arsenal take on Aston Villa in the late game, with that one starting at 17:30 GMT.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

They got there in the end. I think people were looking at Liverpool after dropping points to Man Utd and Nottingham Forest. This was always going to be a tough test with Brentford's home form. Darwin Nunez off the bench with two crucial goals.

They have that seven-point gap again.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

That's how you win titles. Going to the end, fighting until the end and taking your opportunities.

The much maligned Darwin Nunez - he doesn't score enough goals, doesn't contribute enough - well he has now.

Image source, Getty Images

Jean-Philippe Mateta scores twice as Crystal Palace secure a 2-0 win against fellow Londoners West Ham.

The hosts had Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off for two bookable offences but did not have a single shot on target in the whole match.

Graham Potter was brought in to bring some entertainment to the Hammers, but it has been a truly miserable showing from West Ham today.

They have two weeks to sign a striker, any striker.

Darwin Nunez's late double sees Liverpool retain control of the title race.

Image source, Getty Images

A seventh league defeat in a row for Leicester as Fulham get a deserved win.

Image source, Getty Images

Darwin Nunez, who was booked for the first celebration, is lucky to avoid a second yellow for a foul on Nathan Collins.

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football Focus

Darwin Nunez blasted through that one. 'You get out the way Salah I'm having this'

These are the hard miles when you become champions - you have got to win these matches.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Well it's darling Darwin now, What an emphatic finish. That's a devastating Liverpool counter.

He's absolutely hammered that.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

On his first goal

Arne Slot said in the week that he couldn't get Darwin Nunez firing. What an important goal that could be for Liverpool.

He's not going to miss those sort of opportunities.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Stevenson
BBC Final Score reporter

Arne Slot and his team are so calm, but that is a huge celebration in the Liverpool dugout.