Man. City’s James Milner (right) in a tussle with Arjen Robben.Man. City’s James Milner (right) in a tussle with Arjen Robben.

Champions Manchester City have already played Liverpool (at home 3-1) and Arsenal (away 2-2), both top-four teams last season, in their opening four league games.

Tomorrow afternoon, City face another big test as they meet league leaders Chelsea, on maximum points after four matches, at the Etihad Stadium. It was at this venue where the Citizens slipped to their first loss this season, 1-0 to Stoke.

In Europe, both teams failed to impress as the Citizens suffered a last-gasp defeat at Bayern Munich while Chelsea were pegged back by Germans Schalke at home.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini believes City striker Sergio Aguero has “all the qualities” needed to win the Ballon d’Or in the near future.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho showered Diego Costa with praise as the newly-signed striker became the first player to claim a hat-trick this season in the 4-2 home win over Swansea.

The hard-working Spaniard has already struck seven goals in four league games.

Chelsea have beaten City five times away from home in the last 10 years:

February 2014: City vs Chelsea 0-1.
February 2013: City vs Chelsea 2-0.
March 2012: City vs Chelsea 2-1.
September 2010: City-Chelsea 1-0.
December 2009: City-Chelsea 2-1.
September 2008: City-Chelsea 1-3.
April 2008: City-Chelsea 0-2.
March 2007: City-Chelsea 0-1.
December 2005: City-Chelsea 0-1.
October 2004: City-Chelsea 1-0.

Aston Villa fans are in seventh heaven as their team are undefeated and occupying second spot in the table, two points adrift of Chelsea.

Last weekend, Villa stunned Liverpool, beating them 1-0 at Anfield.

This afternoon, Villa, who have only conceded one goal in four matches, host Arsenal.

Belgian striker Christian Benteke has hinted that he is ready to return to training and bring to an end his five-month injury nightmare.

Gabriel Agbonlahor has hailed the impact of assistant coach Roy Keane at Aston Villa and believes his appointment can be pivotal in revitalising the club’s fortunes.

Although still unbeaten, Arsenal trail Villa by four points after a win and three draws.

In the Champions League, the Gunners were no match for Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-0.

Arsene Wenger was delighted to see midfielder Jack Wilshere return to his old self with a gem of a goal against City.

The Manchester United fans had something to cheer at last after their team hit QPR for four with new signings Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera among the scorers.

Tomorrow, the Red Devils travel to the Midlands to play Leicester.

Manager Louis van Gaal is keen to lead Manchester United back to the Premier League title in the next two seasons after strengthening his squad with some quality signings in the summer.

At the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, who knew they faced a tall order at Chelsea, will look to pick themselves up when they meet South-ampton.

Swans captain Ashley Williams praised Bafetimbi Gomis after the French striker made an encouraging full debut in the 4-2 loss to Chelsea.

Defensive frailties

Dejected Liverpool, defeated by Villa at home, travel to London to clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has conceded that the defensive frailties that undermined Liverpool’s title challenge last season are still plaguing his side following the home upset against Aston Villa.

In their Champions League comeback, Liverpool failed to set any bushes on fire but still claimed the spoils after a 2-1 home win against Bulgarian side Ludogorets.

Everton, who beat Wolfsburg 4-1 in the Europa League at Goodison Park on Thursday, remain in front of their fans to duel with Crystal Palace.

Romelu Lukaku has set his sights on becoming one of the world’s leading players after his impressive performance at The Hawthorns.

Tottenham, who drew 2-2 away to Sunderland last weekend, stay on home territory to entertain West Brom.

Mauricio Pochettino was a disappointed man after seeing Spurs twice let a lead slip in their draw at the Stadium of Light. On Thursday, the Londoners were held by Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League.

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster hit out at a section of West Brom fans who verbally abused their captain Chris Brunt.

Alan Irvine admitted West Brom did themselves few favours as two individual errors condemned them to a 2-0 defeat against Everton.

Fxtures and forecast

Premier League – 16.00
Aston Villa-Arsenal - 2
Burnley-Sunderland - X
Newcastle-Hull City - 1
QPR-Stoke City (13.45) - 1
Swansea-Southampton - X
West Ham-Liverpool (18.30) - 2

Tomorrow
Everton-Crystal Palace (17.00) - 1
Leicester-Man. United (14.30) - 2
Man. City-Chelsea (17.00) - X
Tottenham-West Brom (14.30) - 1

Standings: Chelsea 12 points; Aston Villa 10; Swansea 9; Southampton, Manchester City, Tottenham 7; Arsenal, Liverpool 6; Manchester United, Hull City, Everton, Leicester City 5; West Ham, Stoke 4; Sunderland, QPR 3; Crystal Palace, Burnley, West Brom, Newcastle 2.

The Championship
Brighton-Blackpool - 1
Derby-Cardiff - 1
Fulham-Blackburn - X
Leeds-Huddersfield - X
Middlesbrough-Brentford - X
Millwall-Nottm Forest - X
Norwich-Birmingham - 1
Rotherham-Charlton - X
Sheffield Wed.-Reading - X
Watford-Bournemouth (13.15) - 1
Wolves-Bolton - 1

Monday
Wigan-Ipswich (20.45) - X

League One
Colchester-Bradford - X
Doncaster-Chesterfield - 1
Fleetwood-Bristol City - X
Gillingham-Walsall - X
MK Dons-Crewe - 1
Notts County-Oldham - X
Port Vale-Barnsley - X
Preston-Crawley - 1
Rochdale-Coventry - X
Scunthorpe-Leyton Orient - 2
Swindon-Sheffield Utd - X
Yeovil-Peterborough - 2

League Two
AFC Wimbledon-Morecambe - 1
Bury-Burton - 1
Cambridge-Luton - X
Cheltenham-Dagenham - 1
Mansfield-Carlisle - 1
Northampton-Accrington - 1
Oxford-Stevenage - X
Plymouth-Hartlepool - 1
Portsmouth-Wycombe - 1
Shrewsbury-Newport - 1
Tranmere-Exeter - 1
York-Southend - X

Hot four
Brighton, Watford, MK Dons, Preston North End.

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