Rick Edwards, Luke Edwards and Nigel Reo-Coker discuss the weekend’s Premier League action.

Spurs got a huge win away from home against Crystal Palace to end the year with a win. In form Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for Leeds to draw 1-1 against Sunderland and make it six goals in a row.

It’s an 11th successive win in all competitions for Villa as they came from behind to beat Chelsea thanks to a double from Ollie Watkins.

And as we head into 2026 Luke, Nigel and Rick pick their manager and player of the season so far!

TIMECODES:

04:25 – Big win for Spurs

Wayne Rooney, Kelly Somers and Kae Kurd sit down with Xavi Simons at Tottenham’s training ground for a rare and revealing conversation.

Xavi reflects on his journey from child prodigy with 2 million Instagram followers at 12, to international star navigating moves from the Netherlands to Barcelona, PSG, Leipzig and now London. He shares what it was like leaving Barça at 16, walking into a PSG dressing room with Neymar and Mbappé, and why Neymar became a mentor.

He opens up about choosing Tottenham, his Premier League ambitions, and the player who’s impressed him most in England. Plus, Wayne recalls Ruud van Nistelrooy’s fiery clashes with Cristiano Ronaldo, his childhood idol Duncan Ferguson, and even the time Barcelona’s goalkeeper drove over his foot.

You can watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube, iPlayer, as well as listen on BBC Sounds.

The Commentator's View faces FPL Podcast from BBC Sport in 5 Live's annual football quiz. Will John Murray and Ian Dennis beat Chris Sutton and Statman Dave? Will Ali Bruce-Ball stay impartial as quizmaster? And will they all stay friends?

Five rounds:

Katie Smith is joined by former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby to look ahead to the busy festive football period.

They discuss what it’s like to be a footballer at Christmas time and whether it’s possible to enjoy the holidays while also getting ready for matches.

Boxing Day’s only Premier League match this year sees Manchester United host Newcastle, the panel discuss how much Ruben Amorim’s side will miss Bruno Fernandes during his spell out injured.

Coventry City look to take another step towards promotion to the top flight when they host Swansea on Boxing Day and Sky Blues fan Katie Stafford discusses what life is like at the moment.

The panel also chat about West Ham’s struggles and the WSL headlines going into the winter break.

1:00 – Nigel and Fran’s Christmas traditions

Steve and Alex Bruce join Aaron Paul & Jobi McAnuff for the 72+ Christmas special. They talk about what Christmas was like in their playing and managerial days. Steve reveals who his most generous chairmen were and how he once turned down the Newcastle job. They have their say on allegations of nepotism, with Alex excluded from the Hull WhatsApp group. And of course, what’s on the menu on Christmas Day?

02:55 Steve Bruce on having Christmas off

5 Live / BBC Sounds Premier League commentaries:

Rob Green and Glenn Murray react as Arsenal become the last team to secure their spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over London rivals, Crystal Palace.

What can Palace take away from their performance at the Emirates despite defeat? And could this tournament be the catalyst for further success for Arsenal? 

Rob and Glenn join John Murray, BBC Football Correspondent, and Kelly Cates to dissect the victory for Mikel Arteta's side, and we hear from the Arsenal boss himself.

Plus, how have Arne Slot and Thomas Frank reacted to news of a fractured leg for Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, and how does it link to reports around Antoine Semenyo joining Manchester City?

Timecodes:

Commentaries this week:

Ben Haines, Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Emma Sanders host a Christmas special!

The team do a mid season review and revisit predictions made at the start of the season and whether they expect much to change. Emma gives an insight into what recruitment we could see in the January transfer market, plus a look at the WSL2 with play-off spots up for grabs.

Bristol City manager Charlotte Healy and Newcastle boss Tanya Oxtoby join the pod and share how they are working to get promoted to the WSL. Tanya also shares how important pigs in blanket are to her team!

And who will be crowned the Women’s Football Weekly friends quiz champion?

Timecodes:

How has Unai Emery masterminded Aston Villa's rise? Will United and Liverpool compete for Semenyo? And who are Africa's new superpower, how is Mo Salah viewed in his home continent and why has a major change been made to the African Cup of Nations?

Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Pat Nevin join Mark Chapman to discuss and debate the big questions of the week on the Monday Night Club.

Guillem Balague, author of 'The Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution', joins the panel to provide insight into Emery's excellent work at Villa Park.

The group then consider the other side of Sunday's 2-1 victory over Manchester United, who have lost talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes to injury. How can they replace him, and might it force the Reds into a transfer battle with bitter rivals Liverpool? Arne Slot's title holders are waiting for further news on Alexander Isak, with reports suggesting their record-breaking signing has suffered a leg break.

African football journalist Maher Mezahi joins us from AFCON to explain a major change to the competition, how Morocco and Senegal are competing to be the continental superpower and how Mo Salah is viewed by those in his home nation and continent after controversy at Liverpool.

Plus, what is Pep Guardiola's Christmas diet for his Man City players, and how does it compare to Chris and Pat's from back in the day?

Timecodes:

Commentaries coming up this week:

Ben Haines, Luke Edwards and Clinton Morrison discuss the weekend’s Premier League action. After Morgan Rogers scored another brace for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win over Manchester United, is he one of the most in-form players in the league right now? And how fearful should Manchester United fans be after Bruno Fernandes left the field at half time due to injury? In the weekend’s other matches, they discuss whether Arsenal’s lack of convincing wins should be concerning, and one of the games of the season – Newcastle v Chelsea. Should there have been a penalty? Plus, what does Alexander Isak’s injury mean for Liverpool, and how concerning is Tottenham’s discipline? And at the bottom of the table, is there any way back for Rob Edwards’ Wolves?

TIME CODES:

02:25 – Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard speaks to BBC Sport's Betty Glover about the Wear-Tyne derby win, promotion and the impact Granit Xhaka has had on the Black Cats. They discuss how everyone has adapted so well to the Premier League and his teams aim for the rest of the season. They also get into his ability to step up in big games and how he's improved himself since last season.