Key events
Tomas Soucek has scored a late winner for West Ham at Goodison Park, which is great news for Luton – especially as Nottm Forest and Brentford are both drawing. It’s getting very cosy down there.
A bit of pre-match reading
Everton’s leap up the table having had four points returned by the Premier League has added an extra layer to the farce that the relegation battle could become. Luton have gone from one point to four adrift of the last safe spot thanks to the legal minds deciding what the right punishment is for falling foul of Premier League rules. It must be terribly distracting for the Hatters to wonder what will happen next, with Everton (again) and Nottingham Forest charged over profitability and sustainability breaches, which could lead to more deductions.
All Luton can do is focus on themselves in an attempt to finish on the right side of the line. After three consecutive defeats in the league, getting back on track with a positive performance is imperative heading into a crucial month when they will face Crystal Palace and Forest.
Told you
There’s just under 10 minutes remaining in the 3pm games. As things stand it’s a decent day for Luton and Villa, though you’d expect at least one of Everton, Nottm Forest or Spurs to get a late winner.
Team news
Rob Edwards makes three changes to the Luton side that lost to Manchester City in the week. Thomas Kaminski returns in goal, with Tim Krul doing one; Issa Kabore is preferred to Chiedozie Ogbene at right wing-back and Andros Townsend comes in for Cauley Woodrow.
One change for Villa: Ezri Konsa is in for Pau Torres, who is only fit enough for the bench. No point risking him with Ajax to play on Thursday.
Luton (3-4-2-1) Kaminski; Burke, Mengi, Bell; Kabore, Clark, Barkley, Doughty; Townsend, Chong; Morris.
Substitutes: Shea, Krul, Hashioka, Piesold, Berry, Ruddock Mpanzu, Nelson, Ogbene, Woodrow.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1ish) Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Moreno; McGinn, Luiz; Bailey, Tielemans, Ramsey; Watkins.
Substitutes: Olsen, Digne, Torres, Chambers, Kester-Hayden, Zaniolo, Iroegbunam, Diaby, Rogers.
Referee Michael Oliver.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of Luton v Aston Villa in the Premier League. This is Luton’s last chance to beat a Champions League-chasing team at Kenilworth Road. They’ve troubled all of them, yet have only one point to show from games against Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd. They were also plugged 6-2 by City in the FA Cup in the week, but that doesn’t particularly suit our narrative so we’re not going to dwell on it.
Luton and Villa both have their eyes on fourth, fourth bottom in Villa’s case. Their need for points, and the non-negotiable positivity of both teams, should make fora lively evening in Bedfordshire.
Kick off 5.30pm.