Guardiola sorry for fan chants, Villa latest, Ronaldo fallout: football countdown – live | Premier League

Lampard is asked about the three straight defeats leading into tomorrow’s Palace match: “We have to understand it will take time … goiing to Tottenham going to Newcastle, it’s not easy … I’m not too concerned with how the last few games have looked like … tomorrow’s a completely different animal, against a very good team, but back at Goodison. So we have an opportunity to answer some of those questions.

“We can’t come away from the fact that Goodison is special … so we have to use that as one of our weapons.”

The Everton manager Frank Lampard was asked about Gerrard’s sacking a little earlier: “I know Stevie … get on well with him … and huge amount of respect for him as a player, as a person, as a manager, coach … so that’s the first thing. I think it’s not nice for someone to lose their job and when it’s in the public eye … I know from my experience it can be difficult in many ways. But he’s a very tough lad, a good family around him and all those things but … I won’t comment much more because having been in that situation I know there are always a lot things beneath that … he’s a great, great football person. That’s all I’ve got to say, really. We all understand the jeopardy of the job we work in … and there are a lot of pluses to it, huge pluses … but as a coach in the modern day you need time to work … sometimes time isn’t afforded in the modern day. I think you see really good examples of when you give coaches time … there’s always moments and periods … and you have to give people time to do that.

“The coach who’s top of the Premier League [Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta], rightly lauded as an amazing coach, there have been many a time when people have questioned if people should lose his job … as a general thing, I think that would be what I would look at. Unfortunately it’s become part of the modern game.”

Ben Fisher

Aston Villa are eyeing an ambitious move for the Sporting head coach Rúben Amorim after receiving little encouragement from Mauricio Pochettino about replacing Steven Gerrard, who was sacked after less than a year in charge.

Following on from the earlier news about Newcastle’s training trip to Saudi Arabia in December:

Human rights campaigners Amnesty International, who have repeatedly accused the Saudis of using Newcastle to “sportswash” their reputation, urged the club to show solidarity with oppressed people.

Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s head of priority campaigns, said: “It obviously wouldn’t be reasonable to expect football managers and players to reinvent themselves as human rights experts, but we’d still like to see key figures at Newcastle United using their considerable platforms to show solidarity with those jailed and silenced in Saudi Arabia.

“Earlier this year, 81 people were executed in a single day in Saudi Arabia, we’ve seen Twitter users given punishingly heavy sentences, and there’s still been no accountability for the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

“Last year’s Saudi takeover of Newcastle should have sparked a full review of the Premier League’s ownership rules to ensure that those implicated in human rights violations aren’t able to buy their way into English football. We still hope to see a tougher ownership test introduced as soon as possible.”

Thanks David for your sterling work. Now, over my email inbox:

“I bloody loved Sol Campbell growing up, an absolutely imperious defender, who in his prime seemed to either prevent any attacker’s space or to materialise exactly where needed,” writes Ben Lake.

“He also scored nearly the greatest goal the England team had ever seen by dribbling with the ball nearly the entire length of the pitch and taking on multiple opponents on the way. Many of whom seemed as confused as the rest of us as to exactly what was happening, as Campbell stormed out of the backline.

“Disappointingly I can’t remember what match this was from [Argentina v England in 1998, I believe?] but it lives hung like a Picasso in my mind.

Then there was his presence in that ridiculous Portsmouth team. Along with another of my favourite ever players, Nwankwo Kanu. Unfortunately I find his late-stage entry into politics personally disappointing but he’s allowed his views. Still, a career well worth idolizing.”

That’s my cameo done. It’s back to Luke McLaughlin to guide you through the rest of the afternoon.

Antonio Conte is fearful Dejan Kulusevski may not play for Tottenham again until after the World Cup.

The Sweden international has not played for Spurs since September 17 due to a hamstring injury sustained while away on national team duty but recently suffered a setback with his rehabilitation.

“Yeah, definitely,” Conte replied when asked if he was worried Kulusevski may be out until after the tournament in Qatar which finishes on December 18.

“Kulusevski is not available (to face Newcastle). We have to wait a bit of time for him to be available.” (PA Media)

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is currently trading as an odds-on favourite with some bookies to be the next Aston Villa manager following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

Amorim was heavily linked with the Wolves job earlier this month but he’s now leapfrogged Mauricio Pochettino in the ‘next Aston Villa boss’ betting markets.

Some layers have former Burnley boss Sean Dyche as second favourite.

Back to Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City boss has offered (brief) injury updates on three players: John Stones, Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker.

“John has been training the last two days with us.

“Kalvin is recovering really well, but I didn’t speak with doctors about Kyle. Hopefully they can help him.”

City host Brighton on Saturday and Guardiola had some encouraging words for new Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi.

“He is already playing the way he wants to play. His impact here will be massive.”

De Zerbi guided Brighton to a 3-3 draw at Liverpool in his first game in charge but has managed just one point out of nine since.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has had the axe hanging over him for most of the season it seems. So he was inevitably asked about the lot of a football manager following the sacking of Steven Gerrard, who was club captain during Rodgers’ time as Liverpool boss.

“Stability and patience seems to be running out in football.

“It seems to be the way of it now, every day a manager is losing his job or under threat.

“I’m bitterly disappointed for Steven because he did a fantastic job at Rangers. I’m disappointed for him, with time and that patience he could have got them to where they wanted to be.

“Everyone is different, it depends what you let in as a manager. Some managers would look at every newspaper and listen to every pundit.

“For me, it’s straightforward and I regulate it by not listening or reading anything. It’s something you learn through time.

“I’m clearly aware if you are not doing so well you are going to have critics but the key thing is to get a laser focus on what you can control. When you do that everything else really is noise.”

The pressure on Rodgers has eased a little following home wins over Nottingham Forest and Leeds but the second-bottom Foxes will be looking for their first away point of the season when travelling to Wolves at the weekend.

On the team news front, James Maddison will be available after suspension. Jonny Evans has an outside chance of returning after a calf problem while Marc Albrighton is expected to be in the squad after missing the victory over Leeds with illness.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has apologised after chants by his club’s fans referencing the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies during last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool expressed their disappointment over chants from City’s fans, with the Anfield Road stand concourse damaged with similarly-themed graffiti.

Guardiola said: “I didn’t hear the chant. If it has happened I am so sorry. It does not represent who we are as a team or a club.”

Asked if the rivalry between the clubs has become toxic, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so. I don’t think so. From our side I am pretty sure of that.” (PA Media)

Let’s go in a little deeper on Darwin Núñez, who is an injury concern for the trip to Nottingham Forest.

Despite the “he’s all arms and legs, looks like Andy Carroll, isn’t Erling Haaland” chatter, the Uruguayan netted one in the Community Shield, scored on his Premier League debut and now has three in his last four for the Reds.

Here’s a quick look at how long it took some other Liverpool strikers to get their debut goal courtesy of lfchistory.net:

18 Peter Crouch
11 Robbie Keane, Divock Origi
10 Ian Rush, Michael Robinson

Nunez currently has five in 12 for the Reds.

Over to Jürgen Klopp for what he said about his frontman and some news on other injuries.

On Darwin Núñez: “He is one of the cases where we need to have a look because he was not injured, but he felt something and I don’t know if he feels that still today and what the medical department tells me then, we have to see.”

On Joel Matip: “Good, everything is going well, but he needs a bit of time. I think with him it will be tight until the World Cup break, hopefully the last two or three games he might be in contention, but I don’t know yet. It is all going in the right direction.”

On Naby Keita: “He was only involved in parts [in team training], but will be from Monday on – I think, like Ibou [Konate] – both will be involved in full training after the Nottingham Forest game on, which is obviously good. But then Naby especially needs time, Ibou not that much because he was not out that long. Naby is a bit behind Oxlade – Oxlade trains now for four or five days with us, so that is better but he was out for a long time as well.”

Thanks Luke. I’ll whack on the new heater I bought off the internet (much cheaper than central heating apparently)and open with some more Liverpool team news…

I am off for a bit of lunch, David Tindall will now be your guide.

The Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, was speaking a few minutes ago. Of course he was asked about Gerrard’s sacking: “I am sure he will come back from that,” Klopp said. “I’ve been seven years at Liverpool, and we’ve not met a lot for different reasons, but we created a close relationship and I’ve always followed him. We had a quick exchange this morning, nothing too deep.

“I can imagine it’s disappointing for him because of the things he wanted to achieve at Aston Villa. We all get knocks – it’s about how you respond. These things can happen. A lot of great managers out there had to leave clubs for different reasons. He will be back.”

News from Scotland:

Stephen Robinson wants St Mirren to keep their improving home form going when they host Dundee United in the Premiership on Saturday. The Buddies are unbeaten in the league in Paisley since the opening-day defeat by Motherwell at the end of July.

“We want to build on that,” Robinson said. “So it was important that we didn’t get beat last week, we kept the run going and it is another opportunity. Dundee United have improved, they have picked up results recently outwith the cup game. They have a good squad, they have very experienced players, they spent a lot of money putting the squad together and there are some big names in there as well, so we are under no illusions.

“I watched them against Kilmarnock and there wasn’t a lot in it. We played them already, we know their threats and we feel it is a game we can take to them. It was a very good result the last time (at Tannadice). We caught them on a bad day, we played very well on the day and it was the perfect away performance. We are wary of their threats but believe, like every team, they have weaknesses and we aim to try to exploit them.” (PA Media)

Ian Baraclough has been sacked as Northern Ireland manager after a dismal Nations League campaign saw fans turn against the 51-year-old. Baraclough, who replaced Michael O’Neill in June 2020, had been under pressure after his side collected only five points from a possible 18 in League C, finding themselves battling relegation in a campaign in which they had targeted promotion.

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said: “Under Ian’s stewardship we have seen the introduction of new players who will wear the green jersey with pride for years to come and for this we place on record our gratitude. However, in light of the overall record of results on the pitch, the Irish FA board has subsequently taken this decision.”

The one like Pep Guardiola will be having a chat at 1.30pm, it says here.

“Gerrard was a gamble that didn’t work out,” emails Gavin Stamp. » “His was Villa’s most daring appointment since Jozef Venglos and sadly it turned out the same way, with dour football and terrible results. Clearly axing Dean Smith was a serious mistake. The club seems to be jinxed at the moment. Even when it shows ambition and ingenuity, things don’t work out. We’re so far off where we were in the 80s, 90s and noughties that it’s hard to know where to head next. There’s no obvious replacement. The club’s plight means it will likely have to turn to a battle-hardened escapologist, whose lifespan will always be limited, rather than a proven winner with European experience capable of taking us to the next level. That said, if Simeone can be persuaded to leave Atletico Madrid, that would be one helluva statement.”

Ah, the 1990s …

A couple of things that dropped overnight, firstly the MLS playoffs:

And something on the Matildas’ preparation for next year’s World Cup:

Over on the Premier League’s Twitter, to mark Black History Month, they are celebrating the top-flight career of the great centre-back Sol Campbell.

He was just 14 minutes away from scoring the winner in the Champions League final, too, before Eto’s pesky equaliser for Barcelona:

The Crystal Palace manager, Patrick Vieira, is asked about Wilfried Zaha’s future: “There is speculation on all good players who are [nearly] at the end of their contract. The only thing we can do is to show him the love we have for him … and the way he’s been playing, I think he is sending back the love as well.

“There is no trouble, there is no losing energy on that situation. We know how important he is for us. And I think he understands that he is a big player in this football club. We expect a lot from him and Wilfried loves to have that kind of pressure on his shoulders … we will do everything we can to keep him at this football club.”

Was Gerrard’s sacking harsh? “I think we are in the industry where we say that the long-term in our job is the next five games. So this is the business that we are in. It’s really ruthless. It’s really tough … But I don’t have any doubt on Stevie getting back and doing what he loves around the game.

“We managers will go through periods where we will get sacked and we just have to bounce back. He was a strong player, and I don’t have any doubts about his mental strength to get back into what I’m sure he loves doing.”

On Everton tomorrow: “A tough one, we know how difficult it is to go there because of the pressure and the atmosphere. We have to be prepared.

“Last year we had a really good first half and in the second half it wasn’t good enough and we gave them an opportunity to get back into the game … we will have to be ready to compete and to perform as best as we can.”

Vieira is asked about Black History Month, and the Best of Africa Lifetime Achievement award he collected recently: “I think it’s really important to remind ourselves that there’s good black people who are doing good things around the world … when you are looking at our football world, when you look at the number of managers around, the number of journalists you have in the room, I don’t think there is enough diversity, I would say … I think we have to use, again, football, and what’s going on on the field, to show what the world is all about, this kind of diversity, where we can accept all our differences and live well together.”

Andy Hunter is at the Liverpool press conference, and reports that Darwin Núñez is an injury doubt for this weekend’s match against Nottingham Forest following his goal-scoring turn against West Ham in midweek:

The Brighton manager, Roberto de Zerbi, chips in on Gerrard’s sacking: “I’m sorry for him, but this is the football … in the Premier League, in Serie A, other countries … when the results don’t arrive, it’s a problem for the coach, no?

“This is the rule of football.”

After last night’s defeat by Leicester, Jesse Marsch said the following: “In both boxes we are not helping ourselves, but right now we have to find ways to stop the bleeding. We have to fight and be ready for what is to come. I am here and I am doing everything I can to help this team.

“The league is tough, we’re not getting enough out of it right now, and we’ve got to figure out some solutions.”

Now, what else is going on? Patrick Vieira is speaking soon before Crystal Palace’s trip to Everton tomorrow afternoon.

Jamie Jackson reports from Erik ten Hag’s media conference and his words on Ronaldo:

“I’ve seen and heard some real twaddle being spoken about Gerrard in recent weeks and months, especially by ex-players and pundits who seem to have little knowledge of what’s actually been going on at Villa in the last year or so,” emails Tom Duggins.

“The players haven’t always performed, yes, but I suspect that’s because they had a strong dislike for the guy, as many of the fans have eventually come to share. Things went drastically downhill as soon as Michael Beale left, leading everyone to the sensible conclusion that he – in Gerrard’s own words – really was the ‘brains of the operation’. The football has been turgid and predictable for months, with SG persisting with a narrow 4-3-3 that is easy to defend against and limits the creative talents of our best players. We look like one of the worst coached teams, if not the worst, in the league for a reason: he clearly wasn’t up to the job. His dour manner and incredible arrogance only compounded the situation as it meant the fans came to detest him.”

Jamie Jackson

Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest walkout on Manchester United marked two significant endings. The final curtain on supporters’ unconditional love for a pouting superstar who as an unused replacement could not stomach sticking around to celebrate a scintillating win over Tottenham. It is also the death knell of this 37-year-old being of relevance – to Erik ten Hag and the United side he seeks to build – underlined by the manager dropping him from the squad for Saturday’s game at Chelsea.

For anyone that missed it, Manchester United’s statement about Ronaldo-Gate was short and to the point:

“Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea.

“The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”

Now, for balance, in the comments Esdaile reckons the Aston Villa players, and not Gerrard, are really to blame:

“Who would be a football manager! Gerrard showed so much early promise both at Rangers and in his first months at Villa where he got off to a pretty good start. What has gone wrong? The real question is should the board have given him more time to sort things out and get underperforming players playing again. I think the answer to that is yes and football history is littered with managers who go through a difficult period to emerge as successful. I’m sure someone has done an analysis of the outcome of manager replacement mid-season and how effective it is. No doubt other clubs will be looking at offering him a job on the crazy managerial merry go round.”

An impressively composed and clear performance from Erik Ten Hag there, when questioned on the latest instalment of the interminable Cristiano Ronaldo drama.

The pre-Chelsea press conference begins and the Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag, is of course asked about Cristiano Ronaldo first up.

What was said after Ronaldo walked off on Wednesday during the win against Spurs? “It’s between Cristiano and me. The statement is also clear, I think,” says Ten Hag.

Does he have a role in future? “Yes. That’s also in the statement. He makes an important part of the squad.”

Did Ronaldo refuse to come on to the pitch on Wednesday? “Yes.

“I’m the manager. I’m responsible for the top sports culture here … and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.

“We are in a team, in a team we have standards, we have values and I have to control that. So after Rayo Vallecano [when Ronaldo and others left the pre-season friendly early] I told him it was unacceptable. But he wasn’t the only one. That is for everyone.

“The second time, there will be consequences. … that is now what we did, we miss him [against Chelsea] tomorrow, that’s a miss for us, for the squad, but I think it’s important for the attitude, for the mentality from the group. Now we have to focus on Chelsea and that’s the most important.”

Does Ten Hag expect him to apologise? What will leaving him out of the squad achieve? “I think it’s also for everyone else, I said a warning at the start of the season. The next time, it has to be consequence … when you are living together, playing together … you have to fulfil certain standards.”

“Gerrard is just the latest in a long line of brilliant footballers who were unable to translate that prodigious ability to management,” comments UncleKarlM. “It’s not an easy transition, but realising you haven’t got the ability would save a lot of heartache, both for self and fans! I hope he finds a niche commensurate with his abilities.”

Is that a thinly-veiled reference to a bright future career in punditry?

The Manchester United press conference is coming up in five minutes, according to the timings on their official app.

“One of the most impressive things we’ve seen from Erik ten Hag is how he’s managed Ronaldo.” comments DamoOfOxford. “No awe, no special treatment, team first. No one is safe.

“Likely best for Ronaldo to go in January, but Rashford’s profligacy the other night (despite a very good game otherwise and the fact he’s never going to be a true No 9) show’s why we needed Ronaldo in the squad in the absence of a regularly fit centre forward. Erik ten Hag is what the club has needed for years.”

Ten Hag did say after the Man City thrashing that he didn’t bring Ronaldo on ‘out of respect for his career’. Which was odd. But despite that looking suspiciously like special treatment, I think that assessment of Ten Hag’s handling of Ronaldo is correct.

Eddie Howe also had kind words for Gerrard following his dismissal by Aston Villa: “Disappointed for Steve, I think he’s a very, very good manager and I think it just goes to show the short-term nature of everyone’s thinking,” said Howe “We’re in a very volatile job … I’ve got no doubt on his quality and I am sure he’ll be back very soon. I was thinking about him last night. That could be any of us, at any stage, and I always feel for a manger who loses his job.”

“Please accept my apologies if these are incredibly basic questions about the modern machinations of football management,” emails Bill Preston.

“StevieG his backroom staff all going from Villa makes me curious. Is it now common for managers to bring their entourage with them into club, and all depart together when the gaffer gets the old heave-ho?

“This makes me think further, which is never good.

“Isn’t it counterproductive in that a huge hole gets left on departure, and limits longer-term employees chances of moving up the trade, if they don’t have a coat tail to ride (which sounds awful, but is the only way I can think to phrase it)?”

Thanks for the email Bill. Yes, it’s frequently the case that a manager comes and goes with a big backroom team, and yes, the regular hiring-and-firing done by clubs means a massive amount of upheaval. As you rightly point out, it’s frequently unfair on staff within the clubs who have more knowledge and deserve a chance.

The fact that Gerrard’s team are leaving would seem to suggest Villa have lined up a big-name replacement who will come with a big team. But let’s see.

The Southampton manager, Ralph Hassenhüttl, was asked about Gerrard’s sacking by Villa. He straight-batted the question, while pointing out that firing the last manager didn’t really do the trick either:

“It’s a shame when a manager loses his job. If they [Aston Villa’s board] think it will be a better situation, they should sack him, like they did with Dean Smith, although it didn’t work really … It’s up to them. It’s their decision. It’s not up to us to discuss this.”

Manchester United’s Fred said his football has improved as a result of his partnership with compatriot Casemiro after the Brazilian midfielders impressed in a 2-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Bruno Fernandes and Fred scored as United clinched victory after dominating the game from start to finish.

The midweek win was the third straight game in which Fred and Casemiro played alongside each other, with coach Erik ten Hag having previously preferred a midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen. “I’m very happy playing next to Casemiro. He’s a big player for the Brazilian team, we’ve already played a long time together in that team,” Fred told the National in an interview published on Thursday.

“It’s very important being side-by-side with him and playing with him improves my football. (Casemiro and McTominay) are both very important. Everybody knows (Casemiro’s) qualities and how important he is for the team, and Scott is also a great player.” United, who are fifth in the league, travel to fourth-placed Chelsea tomorrow. (Reuters)

Ella Braidwood

For the Brighton captain, Victoria Williams, overcoming her struggle with, in her own words, “a lack of self-confidence”, has been one of the biggest hurdles in her playing career. In fact, it is one of the reasons she wants to talk today, when we meet in a function room at her club’s training complex.

“I think there’s probably quite a lot of people in the same position, where you feel like you don’t fit in,” she says. “And I just want to say: you do. You just have to find the right environment for yourself.”

My sources (the Guardian’s Gregg Bakowski) tell me the Manchester United press conference is coming up at 11.30am, so I shall be tuning in for that one, all being well, and bringing you the latest from Erik ten Hag on Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest tantrum.

Half-time interviews were previously a staple on ITV’s Champions League coverage, I seem to remember, Gabriel Clarke often being able to nab a few words with Fergie in the tunnel.

There was also Graham Taylor’s “You play football with your heads” in Poland during England’s infamously unsuccessful bid to qualify for the World Cup in 1994.

Ben Fisher

Managers at the World Cup will have the option of doing half-time interviews, with Fifa deciding to follow the Premier League in exploring the possibility of providing greater access to television viewers. It is thought unlikely that many teams will take up such offers but managers such as Gareth Southgate could provide half-time insight in Qatar.

“Gerrard was a disaster,” writes Spikey78 in the BTL comments. “Tactically inept, inflexible and seems unable to motivate. Other teams are out-running the opposition. Even Leeds who are relatively struggling give everything.

“We lack energy, we always seek to slow the game down (often time wasting 10 minutes in), several players have gone backwards under his tenure. We offloaded Target, El Ghazi, Trezeguet & Traore, without improving or at least replacing on what they brought to the squad. We played 10-man Leeds, and Nottingham Forest, and failed to create anything of note.

“Our next run of fixtures could easily see us adrift at the bottom by Boxing day. Great decision to roll the dice. Steven needs to go to the Championship to finally learn his trade.”

Jamie Carragher, Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate, has been speaking to his current employers on Sky Sports News about Gerrard’s plight.

“You can always look at the players, but every manager knows when he goes into a job, if the players are not performing at their best, it is the manager who is going to carry the can,” Carragher said. “Stevie is well aware of that. I’m sure he will be disappointed with certain performances, from individuals and the team.

“But when you go into management, you know the price on the ticket – and if results are not right or whether the players are letting you down or not performing, it is the manager that carries the can. That is always the case and that is the brutal part of football management.

“I’m really not sure if Stevie would go back in [to a management role] or wait 12 months. I spoke to him a few days ago about the upcoming games and he’s not daft, he knows the situation,” Carragher said.

“It will be really interesting. That’s not what I have spoken to him about, whether he wants to be a manager for the next 20 years or he will pick certain jobs that will appeal to him. I think that is what he has done with his jobs that he has picked. Whether Stevie would drop down to the Championship I am really not sure.” (Quotes via PA Media)

Eddie Howe’s been having a chat. The Press Association have kindly written it up:

The Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has defended the club’s decision to return to Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp. The Magpies, who are 80% owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, confirmed on Friday morning that they will go to Riyadh between 4-10 December after making a similar trip to Jeddah in January.

Asked about the criticism that trip might spark, Howe said: “We’ve made a football decision. We’ve looked at the World Cup break, what’s the best thing for the team. The best thing for the team, I believe, is to take the team away like you would in pre-season, away from distractions, a chance to really train the group, enhance the team spirit with hopefully some good weather, so that’s what we’ve done. We’ve made it from a purely footballing backdrop.”

Howe’s side will play a friendly against Pro League champions Al-Hilal on December 8 during a trip he hopes will yield similar results to their last visit, after which they won five of their next six matches as they embarked upon a nine-game unbeaten run.

He said: “When you look back to last year, our decision to go there and the benefit it had for the team and the results on our return were really good, so we got a few positive connotations from that. Going back to our trip last year, the weather was very good, the facilities were first class, we were able to spend some quality time together to bond the group and really focus our energies on our battle to stay in the division. The team spirit off the back of that trip was very, very good. Obviously we have that positive experience to fall back on and it’s helped with our decision this time.”

Last night’s match reports here, for anyone that missed anything:

If you have any thoughts on Gerrard’s dismissal by Villa – or anything else – you can get in touch with me by email, Twitter, or comment BTL. Get involved.

It being Friday morning, we’ve got 10 things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend. Get a load of these:

In the past few minutes, Villa have confirmed that Gerrard’s backroom team will also be moving on:

And also: “First-team coach Aaron Danks will take charge of the team for Sunday’s Premier League match against Brentford at Villa Park and will be supported by additional Bodymoor Heath technical and coaching staff.”

Read the full statement here.

“Steven Gerrard was fired 90 minutes after Aston Villa fell to an embarrassing 3-0 defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage last night.”

That’s the headline. But there is much more to come – both on the identity of Aston Villa’s new manager, and the conveyor belt of football fixtures being shoe-horned in before World Cup commences in a few weeks’ time.

Team news, previews and top-drawer banter will be coming up throughout the day. But first, here’s Jacob Steinberg’s story on Steven Gerrard’s sacking: