Almost the opener for Tottenham as Richarlison gets up well to meet a delivery from a corner, but he sends his header across the face of goal and wide.

Fantastic pass by Archie Gray to find Mathys Tel on the left side of the box, he cuts inside and drives an effort at goal that is deflected behind.

Paul Robinson
Former Tottenham goalkeeper on 5 Live at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Looking down from our elevated position in the gantry it’s so obvious that Tottenham are in a 4-4-2 formation. If in doubt, revert back into a 4-4-2 system. Micky van de Ven in at left-back, and Djed Spence, who we expected to play as a left-wing back is playing as a right-back, and Pedro Porro tucked into a defensive right midfielder position.

If Aston Villa can get a W on the board today it would move them to within a point of Manchester United, who sit third in the Premier League.

Perhaps more importantly though, a victory would give them a five-point cushion over Liverpool and they'd go six points clear of Chelsea in the chase for a Champions League spot.

First attack of the game for Tottenham = first corner of the match as Ola Aina heads behind Djed Spence's floated delivery to the back post.

Mathys Tel drives the ball in but it is headed away at the near post.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Villa Park

A really bright starts for the hosts, who will see this as an opportunity to get back to winning ways, despite West Ham being in a really good vein of form.

A few chances in quick succession early doors here will give them some confidence.

Lucas Digne tests Mads Hermansen from distance but the Aston Villa keeper is equal to that.

From the corner that follows Konstantinos Mavropanos again comes to the rescue, heading away from under his own cross bar.

Luke Chambers
Former Premier League defender on 5 Sports Extra at Villa Park

Some early warning signs for Aston Villa. They aren't going to have it all their way against this West Ham team that are seemingly playing with a lot of confidence

Paul Robinson
Former Tottenham goalkeeper on 5 Live at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Very good ball into the box, and a nervy moment for Kevin Danso, who actually did very well to get a surface on it in the air.

Superb defending from West Ham's Konstantinos Mavropanos, who whips the ball away from the toes of Ollie Watkins with the Aston Villa forward coming in at the back stick on to Jadon Sancho's cross.

Elliot Anderson is onto a lofted pass into the box and he turns to carry the ball towards goal. He goes down under a challenge from Kevin Danson, VAR takes a look but no further action taken.

The sun is shining and it's been a very low key start at Villa Park with both teams giving the ball away cheaply. At present it feels more like a testimonial than a Premier League match.

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

"We'll fight for everything, all together," was Cristian Romero's pre-match messaged played on the big screens.

There is a lot of unity at Tottenham before kick off but how long will it last?

It is up to the players to deliver a performance - and a victory - in a huge game. A reminder, Tottenham have not won in the Premier League since 28 December.

Positive start by Nottingham Forest and Kevin Danso gets an important header in to clear a cross with Igor Jesus lurking.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Unai Emery's programme notes focus heavily on the importance of the home support this afternoon.

The Spaniard acknowledges the effort and commitment from the players but reiterates the utmost importance of decision making on the pitch.

No side has scored fewer Premier League goals so far in 2026 than Aston Villa (10).

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Victory for Nottingham Forest would plunge Tottenham into further trouble and lift them over their hosts to give them a platform for survival.

Forest have not won in the Premier League since a 2-0 win at Brentford two months ago, meaning they sit precariously above the drop zone on goal difference.

Boss Vitor Pereira has also not won in the Premier League for 11 months, with his last coming against Leicester last April having left Wolves in November without a league win this season.

Yet the Portuguese may be happy to see Xavi Simons on the Spurs bench after the attacker's best game for Tottenham on Wednesday, scoring twice in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.

Slightly later than advertised, away we go in our 14:15 GMT games.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Villa Park

The press box at Villa Park is so close to the pre-match pyro that it's almost singed my eyebrows off.

Only just had them done guys, can we not.