Live Football

Aston Villa will test their Champions League credentials when they host red hot Arsenal on Wednesday in the Barclay's Premier League. The Villans have been in search of a top four finish and the coveted Champions League spot that comes along with a top four spot. In the past month though Villa have fallen apart and dropped out of the top four and down to seventh. Arsenal took advantage of Chelsea's time off to jump ahead of the Blues in the league standings. Kickoff between the two is set for 19:45 local time at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.

Aston Villa survived a tough test from Football League One side Brighton on Saturday in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Nathan Delfouneso gave Villa an early lead with his fifth minute goal but the Seagulls would shock Villa with an equaliser from Tommy Elphick in the 41st minute. Ashley Young put Villa back in front with a headed effort in the 48th minute. Fabian Delph doubled Villa's lead to 3-1 with a goal in the 63rd minute, finishing off the Seagulls despite their late consolation goal in the third minute of stoppage time. Arsenal were bounced from the FA Cup on Saturday when Premier League foe Stoke City defeated the Gunners 3-1. Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke a quick lead with his second minute goal. Denilson equalised for Arsenal in the 42nd minute and the match appeared headed for a draw until Fuller struck his second of the match in the 78th minute to regain the lead for Stoke. Dean Whitehead sealed the win for Stoke with the Potters' third goal in the 84th minute, sending Stoke through to the fifth round.

Aston Villa will be on the road in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but the Villans must wait to see where they will travel. The Villans will face the winner of a fourth round replay match between Wolverhampton and Crystal Palace. Villa have defeated Arsenal just once in the last 22 years with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last season. During that 22 season stretch, Villa have gone 1-7-14 against Arsenal. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 10 trips to Villa Park since a 3-2 loss there in December 1998.

A lot will be on the line when these two sides collide on Wednesday. The Gunners have fought back to take over second place in the Premier League, level on points with now third place Chelsea, and just one point behind Manchester United. Arsenal need a win to remain in control as they face United over the weekend and Chelsea have three league fixtures in the next week with the potential to retake first place and stretch their lead as they make up for lost matches. Aston Villa's European hopes could suffer a big blow with a loss at home to the Gunners.