The best images of tonight's Premier League action

Arsène Wenger is hoping that, if results go his way tonight, Arsenal can reclaim top spot in the Premier League table Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ian Kington/guardian.co.uk But seventh-placed Aston Villa, who have lost only twice at home in the league this season, will provide stubborn resistance. Here, James Milner and Aaron Ramsay vie for the ball Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Photograph: Shaun Botterill/guardian.co.uk Villa defender Richard Dunne chases Arsenal's Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ian Kington/guardian.co.uk Eduardo is again the focus of attention as he gets chopped down by James Collins Photograph: Simon Dawson/AP Photograph: Simon Dawson/guardian.co.uk Thomas Vermaelen goes off injured after just 35 minutes ... it later transpires he's broken his leg Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Photograph: Richard Heathcote/guardian.co.uk His exit prompts the introduction of Sol Campbell for his first league start for the Gunners since returning to the club Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Photograph: Shaun Botterill/guardian.co.uk Villa's Bulgarian player Stiliyan Petrov rifles the ball goalwards ... but chances for the hosts are few and far between Photograph: IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: IAN KINGTON/guardian.co.uk Bacary Sagna is beaten in the air by Emile Heskey Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters Photograph: Darren Staples/guardian.co.uk Tomas Rosicky is one of two Arsenal players to crack the woodwork ... neither side can find a breakthrough and the game ends 0-0 Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images Photograph: Matthew Childs/guardian.co.uk At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are also hoping to reclaim top spot from Manchester United. Here, Michael Ballack battles with James McFadden of Birmingham City Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty Images Photograph: Phil Cole/guardian.co.uk After just five minutes, Florent Malouda punctures City's defence with a headed goal past Joe Hart Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Photograph: Darren Walsh/guardian.co.uk Frank Lampard doubles Chelsea's advantage with a low right-foot shot Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP Photograph: Matt Dunham/guardian.co.uk Lampard is congratulated by Deco on his 12th club goal of the season Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP Photograph: Matt Dunham/guardian.co.uk Birmingham, who were unbeaten in 15 games, are hardly in this match. In a vain bid to remedy matters, their manager, Alex McLeish, urges them forwards ... Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA Photograph: Rebecca Naden/guardian.co.uk Chelsea dominate the second half and, after a quick change of contact lenses for Joe Cole, they see their way to a 3-0 win - Lampard's 90th minute strike capping the performance Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Photograph: Darren Walsh/guardian.co.uk Wigan Athletic travelled to Blackburn Rovers ... both teams needed points to ease themselves clear of relegation worries ... Hendry Thomas is seen here levering El-Hadji Diouf off the ball Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics Sport Photograph: Mike Egerton/guardian.co.uk Wigan captain Mario Melchiot wears a special mask to protect the fractured nose he sustained in victory at Wolves earlier this month Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Photograph: Carl Recine/guardian.co.uk Morten Gamst Pedersen gives Rovers the lead with a screamer into the top corner Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Photograph: Carl Recine/guardian.co.uk Nikola Kalinic scores their second goal after Gary Caldwell had drawn Wigan level Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images Photograph: Paul Thomas/guardian.co.uk Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia looks dejected - he knows defeat has left his side just two points above the drop zone Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images Photograph: Paul Thomas/guardian.co.uk At Goodison Park, Sunderland could overtake their hosts, Everton, if they beat them sufficiently this evening. But for Kieran Richardson, centre, and his team-mates, victory is an unlikely prospect as Everton boss the opening exchanges ... Photograph: Stephen Pond/Empics Sport Photograph: Stephen Pond/guardian.co.uk Tim Cahill puts the Toffees in front before Landon Donovan, on loan from LA Galaxy until the end of the season, doubles their advantage Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images Photograph: Alex Morton/guardian.co.uk Louis Saha tangles with the upturned Lee Cattermole Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images Photograph: Mark Thompson/guardian.co.uk Cahill crunches Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon as Everton ride out a deserved 2-0 win Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images Photograph: Alex Morton/guardian.co.uk