Premier League Preview: Villa's pressure, Chelsea's inconsistencies and other stories

Pedro Neto's celebration backfired on Wednesday, will he have one to bask in at Bournemouth on Saturday? (Photo credit: Goal) It's f...

Pedro Neto's celebration backfired on Wednesday, will he have one to bask in at Bournemouth on Saturday? (Photo credit: Goal)

It's fast and furious this season, which is why we love the festive side of the Premier League season, one that comes with back-to-back games and loads of twists and turns.

We feel for the players, but we love the game. All they do at this critical point is to play, recover, train a little, and then play again. This phase is when managers get to rotate their squads to manage minutes; we love this end of the season.

We start our questions with the big one, the one at Villa Park between league leaders Arsenal and third-placed Aston Villa. Arsenal won both games last season, but the home loss to Aston Villa two seasons ago, which ultimately ended Arsenal's title hopes, still resonates with everyone at Arsenal.

Aston Villa started the season poorly; they have been the most consistent side in recent weeks, and you wonder if they have enough to trouble this Arsenal side after a thrilling 4-3 win at Brighton in midweek.

Both sides rotated roundly, with Arsenal also welcoming some injured players back; we expect them to restore their top players to the starting lineup. Will Arsenal prove their title credentials this time, or will Villa break into the title race fully?

Bournemouth is sliding down faster than we imagined. Their early-season form, which saw them mix it with the big boys, has dissipated into losses and fruitless labours, but up next for them is the visit of Chelsea to the Vitality Stadium.

Chelsea managed to lose at Leeds United, a result that took them nine points off the Gunners at the top; both sides need a result from this one to inspire confidence again. Which of them will get it?

Who would have thought that a time would come when a Pep Guardiola side would concede four goals against a team you don't consider to be a top side in the Premier League? The 5-4 they played against Fulham leaves too many questions unanswered.

Sunderland remains a giant-killer; they earned a point at Anfield to heap more misery on Arne Slot and the failing champions, and now, they have another chance to trouble another top side. What should we expect from this game?

Finally, we look at Leeds United as they take on the reigning champions. There's this confidence that comes with winning against a big side, and with Liverpool's confidence at an all-time low, should we expect another banger result from this one?