Viana

I was glad he got that chance tbh. Went against his instincts with the second chance for Wilson and paid the price.

When you’ve done it in the heat of Houston the Premier League is a breeze.

Nutmegging Kamara was a particular highlight.

All the happy chemicals are flowing inside me right now, so what I'm about to say may seem a bit cheesy. Howe's strategy after leaving Bournemouth is the perfect way to handle a set back; not just as a coach, but in life. His time at Bournemouth was long enough to represent both success and failure. It may have ended on a slightly sour note, but his response; going away and making himself better through reflection and education is what earned him this chance. Even with us, we can't claim he inherited a good ship. We were a fixer upper and there was a perfect chemistry between us and him. We both had a point to prove. I'm not saying this because we've pumped his team 5-1, but I don't think Unai Emery would have worked to be honest. I also don't know how long this journey with Eddie will last, but if he left tomorrow he'd have offers out the door and rightly so.

I just caught the highlights from today and it's hilarious they've conceded the same goal twice in two weeks - long range shot deflecting off a player and past the goalkeeper.

A great moment of validation for Howe, Ashworth, and the board. He was just on it today. His running on and off the ball caused problems and his technical quality made the difference in a big way. I can't wait to see him grow this season.

Sensational. His first goal showed great movement, his second goal showed his composure.

Quite rare to see a cameo that perfectly encapsulates why someone was bought. The assist was lovely, the runs dynamic, and the finishing crisp. He's the Andy Murray of wingers. He's not flash, he's just effective.

To be fair, Villa in general are better suited to being counter punches I agree though, today was a brutal reality check for them.

I'd say that's a tad harsh. They were in it for the first 60 minutes, and that's without mentioning the injuries to Mings and Buendia that have made this a truly shit week. I'd say this; the data for last year had Villa as a bit more lucky than good. There is always a likelihood they regress this season because of that, but they did drop big money on Diaby and Torres. I agree, they're not contenders for the top four, and I think they'll probably get top 8 if it goes right.

Top drawer young man.

How was Sandro's debut you ask?

Still settling a bit I think. The six is a different role and it shows.

That's horrible for Mings. I know he's done his knee before, so hopeful it's not as serious and a speedy recovery.

I didn't catch the whole game today - just the second half - but I think the issue is just quality in the final third. Ross Stewart aside, they don't have someone with a ruthless streak. The likes of Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke are good players, but when the ball gets between the posts and they need someone to apply that touch it's lacking. They'll be fine for mid-table in a worst case scenario, but they've definitely reached a point where the owner needs to invest in a pedigreed striker.

It's proper annoying he's out, but I'd be lying if I said it's not also nice to know we have genuine depth to this squad whereby we don't have to rush him back.

You're not wrong, but I sometimes worry if the start doesn't quite go as intended it could turn like Arsenal last year where it was just frustration.

I just hope the place is bouncing tomorrow. We can really overwhelm teams when we do that.

"These cows are the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia...."

Not sure on this one. Aside from the injury I've always felt he's a second striker more than a traditional 10. Those type of players tend to work best in teams that play direct and don't need to play through the opposition.

It crammed a lot into that first episode. Not sure the pacing was right.

It’s not fair to define Caicedo by one poor game against us. I will say, I’m surprised to see a team spend so much on someone that, as yet, has experienced so little of European football. He’s not played in big top four games. He’s not played in the Champions League. Jude Bellingham has that experience. He was way ahead of where Caicedo is. Chelsea/Liverpool are rushing to spend 100m plus on a player in the hope or belief that he’s going to just take seamlessly to all these challenges. I’ve always understood buying potential; that’s what we did with Gordon, but increasingly I feel like deals for young players are front ended without significant incentivized bonuses. I see why sellers demand it, but I am surprised buyers so willingly go along with it.

That’s where Tonali come in. A half way point between Longstaff’s physicality and. Bruno’s technique meaning we aren’t forced to rely on him creating everything.

@Playmaker - the shirts in the photo of the woman and small boy are both legit. I know her husband

Klopp’s comments about them having a ceiling and not being like us look more and more ridiculous by the second.