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.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent at Wembley

Eberechi Eze is a major doubt for today’s Carabao Cup final versus Manchester City.

The England international was substituted in the win over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday and has been in a race against time to prove his fitness for Wembley.

And BBC Sport sources have indicated that Eze is set to miss the showpiece final through injury.

There is also doubt over the inclusion of Jurrien Timber who missed the win over Leverkusen through injury.

Aston Villa have lost their past three Premier League games, while West Ham are showing plenty of resilience and have been picking up points.

Morgan Rogers scored a couple of crackers when Villa fought back to beat the Hammers earlier in the season, and this is going to be just as close.

Villa boss Unai Emery is cutting a frustrated figure at the moment with their loss of form, but they are still in fourth place.

They are going to get back on track at some point and, if they can keep Jarrod Bowen quiet, then I see them edging this one at home.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa are looking to complete the league double over West Ham today for the first time since 2010-11.

The last time they did that the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League.

Steph Houghton
Former England captain on 5 Live

The table doesn't lie. For Tottenham it is a real worry. Tottenham have quality players but haven't reached their potential this season. If they can put a performance together where they are all a seven or eight out of 10, there is the potential to go on a bit of a run.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Villa Park

A late change to the West Ham starting XI as Jean-Clair Todibo is replaced by Freddie Potts.

That means West Ham will play with a flat back four instead of three.

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

Supporters group Change For Tottenham shelved plans to protest at the game, recognising the magnitude of the match.

Fans lined the streets outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to welcome the squad this afternoon, in scenes which would have rivalled a trophy parade.

How long that unity lasts will depend on the performance and if Forest start well and go ahead then the togetherness will be tested.

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

What a game this is going to be. Tottenham have a bit of momentum after the Atletico Madrid game, they played well within themselves. The result they had at Liverpool was decent.

Today is the big test, today is the acid test. We will see if those performances have papered over cracks or if there is some life in this Tottenham team.

I cannot understate the size of this game today.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport at Villa Park

A lovely day in Birmingham as Aston Villa welcome an in-form West Ham to Villa Park.

Hammers fans will probably also have an eye on the match happening a bit further down south. A draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a West Ham win here would lift the Irons out of the relegation zone.

Villa are on a poor run of form - having lost their last three Premier League matches - and can expect a tough challenge today against a West Ham side fighting for survival.

Image source, BBC Sport

Take a breath. Loads of reaction still to come from Sunderland's victory at bitter rivals Newcastle.

But we've got a couple of cracking Premier League games on the way with plenty riding on them,plus the Carabao Cup final later as Arsenal and Manchester City's battle for domestic supremacy shifts to the Wembley stage.

Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports

[It is] 10 years since they have played at St James' Park in the Premier League, and Newcastle just cannot beat Sunderland. What a moment for them, probably never dreamed in these last four or five years that they could beat Newcastle. Got up surprising through the play-offs last season, and to do the double over their biggest rivals, one of the best moments their young fans will remember.