The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its thirty-first game week, and the entertainment continues to be relentless and thoroughly enjoyable.

As a result, we will be breaking down each round of fixtures by picking out 3 of the biggest talking points, covering the biggest results, goals and general talking points from the week. We then will round off by picking our player of the week and game of the week based on what we saw in that round of games.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) if you have seen anything in a game that you think we should be talking about, or have anything to share from what you’ve seen at a game that week. Any funny stories, tactical analysis or general comments will be featured.

Villa Dismantle Newcastle

Aston Villa’s 3–0 dismantling of Newcastle United at Villa Park was arguably the headline result of the weekend. Few expected such a dominant display against a side firmly entrenched in the top four, but Unai Emery’s Villa were ruthless, energetic and tactically spot on. From the first whistle, they pressed aggressively and played with a confidence that suggested they believed they belonged in the European conversation.

Ollie Watkins was once again the standout, scoring twice and continuing a remarkable run of form in 2023. His movement troubled Newcastle’s back line throughout, while Villa’s midfield controlled the tempo and cut off supply to the visitors’ key attacking threats. It wasn’t just the scoreline that impressed, but the authority with which Villa handled a direct rival.

For Newcastle, it was a rare off-day in an otherwise excellent season. Eddie Howe’s side looked leggy and struggled to cope with Villa’s intensity, raising questions about squad depth as the campaign entered its decisive phase. While the defeat didn’t derail their Champions League push, it was a reminder that nothing would be handed to them.

Most importantly, the result announced Aston Villa as genuine contenders for European qualification. Under Emery, they had quietly become one of the league’s form teams, and this win felt like a statement to the rest of the division: Villa were no longer outsiders, they were very much part of the race.

Bottom Of The Table

Down at the other end of the table, Week 31 delivered results that only intensified relegation anxiety. Leeds United’s 6–1 home defeat to Liverpool on Monday night was particularly alarming. Defensive frailties were brutally exposed, and Elland Road grew increasingly restless as Liverpool ran riot with pace, precision and confidence.

That result left Leeds deep in trouble, highlighting just how fragile they had become at a crucial moment. Goals conceded were becoming a recurring theme, and the lack of organisation suggested a team buckling under pressure. As the season entered its final weeks, goal difference and confidence were both taking serious hits.

Nottingham Forest’s 2–0 loss to Manchester United also kept them firmly in the relegation scrap. While the defeat itself was hardly unexpected, the lack of attacking threat raised concerns about where goals would come from. Every missed opportunity felt magnified as survival rivals continued to pick up points.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s 2–2 draw with Arsenal gave them a much-needed boost. Twice coming from behind against the league leaders showed resilience and belief, and it injected fresh life into their survival bid. In a weekend full of tension, it was a reminder that momentum, good or bad, can change everything at this stage of the season.

Upsets

Week 31 also served as a reminder that reputation counts for little in the Premier League. Brighton’s 2–1 win away at Chelsea was another impressive chapter in their outstanding season. Playing with bravery and clarity, Roberto De Zerbi’s side outplayed a Chelsea team still searching for identity despite heavy investment.

Goals from Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso capped a performance full of control and invention. Brighton moved the ball with purpose and pressed intelligently, exposing Chelsea’s lack of cohesion. Stamford Bridge, increasingly subdued, bore witness to a side heading in the right direction facing one that looked utterly lost.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth’s dramatic 3–2 win at Tottenham Hotspur sent shockwaves through North London. A stoppage-time winner sealed a famous victory and dealt a blow to Spurs’ hopes of securing a Champions League place. It was a chaotic, open match that summed up Tottenham’s inconsistency during that period.

These surprise results reinforced one of the league’s defining traits: unpredictability. As teams chased wildly different objectives, hunger often outweighed status. In Week 31, belief, organisation and bravery proved just as important as talent, and the Premier League was all the better for it.

Matchday 31 Player of the Week: Diogo Jota As Liverpool hit Leeds for 6, Jota was pivotal with a brace and assist for his 82 minutes on the pitch. A dominant display all-round as the pressure piles onto Leeds.

Matchday 31 Game of the Week: Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Bournemouth With a 95th minute winner for the visitors, this game has to be game of the week given all the late drama, even if it might not have been the most impactful overall to the table this week.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) what you made of the thirty-first round of fixtures, and what you’re looking forward to in the next game week.