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Disaster, dreadful, depressing, devoid and delusional.

All begin with a “D” and all refer to Aston Villa this season. A Villa fan on a radio phone-in show attempted tell the listening audience that Villa are a big club. Deluded came to mind and this article is not the first to suggest that some Villa fans live in the past with a slim grip of reality.

The club that was founded in 1874, can never have felt as low as this. Their decline has been coming, as season after season their form has dipped alarmingly. Not even an unlikely FA Cup final appearance last year can put a smile on the faces of Villa fans.

Relegation looks odds on, the great escape from the gaping trap door looks a sure bet and then humiliation in the weekend’s FA Cup game at the weekend. Will the real Aston Villa, please stand up…

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The game on Saturday against a rampant, free-scoring Manchester City was so easy for the Citizens, that Pellegrini even played teenagers. The crowd of 23,636 (17,500 approx were Villa fans) didn’t even fill a stadium that has the capacity to cater for over 42,000. This is a sign of the times and although Remi Garde steered them through an unbeaten five match run, it didn’t last long.

According to transferleague.co.uk, Aston Villa spent £52.5million during the summer and sold players worth £44.25 million – giving a net spend of £8.25million. Where are the players? None seem to have stood up to the rigours of Premier League football. None can be regarded as stars – their names have faded from the general memory. Only Brad Guzan gets a mention he is the last line of a dodgy defence and that means him picking the ball out of the back of the net more often than not.

Villa are no longer a big club, but a dinosaur. They reached last year’s cup final, but haven’t won a major trophy since the League Cup in 1996. Of course, without doubt, their finest moment came in 1982 when they proudly won the European Cup, but that was ages ago and it is beginning to feel like it.

Seven times winners of the old First Division, those halcyon days are a thing of the past, yet there was, at the beginning of the season and towards the end of last, a hope of a new dawn. Tim Sherwood replaced Paul Lambert in February 2015 before Garde came in in November 2015. Sherwood kept them up and got them to the FA Cup Final. Then came an opening day win at Bournemouth and they were the high points. Another”D” – downwards.

Aston Villa will have to accept their fate. Two league wins all season, ten points from safety and actually more victories in the cup than in the league.

For a club that has been an ever present in the Premier League – only six other teams can boast this honour – it will indeed be a shame to see them fall from grace. To say it is any one person’s fault is wrong. Collectively, Vila haven’t bought the right players, have gone through managers like there’s no tomorrow and under Randy Lerner’s ownership, the funds have been tight to say the least.

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Seven managers, since Martin O’Neill in 2010, have tried to guide the good ship into better times, but none stayed very long, bar Paul Lambert. Since O’Neill, the club have finished 9th, 16th, 15th, 15th and then 17th last season, just three points clear of relegated Hull City. In May 2014, Lerner put the club up for sale at a reported £200million. Lerner still has the club, but I wonder what the value is now?

And then on Monday’s January transfer deadline day, Villa’s attempts to sign Seydou Doumbia ended in disappointment as the striker decided to join relegation rivals Newcastle Another issue for the club is trying to attract good players to the club – their failure to sign anyone across January suggests they can’t even do that right now.

It seems as though there is an air of inevitability about the next few months, but they need to take the situation, re-build and go again – many clubs have. Maybe Villa will once again become a big club, but right now, they are not and relegation will mean an enormous amount of lost revenue for them. It may take time for them to recover, or they may bounce straight back up, but so many Championship teams have tried that and are still, annually, trying to win promotion from what is probably the toughest division in the land.

It seems almost poetic that the club badge has the word “Prepared” emblazoned upon it. Therefore, Aston Villa, with sadness, be prepared to endure the realities of The Championship next season.

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Much change is expected at Manchester United this summer. Louis van Gaal is set to be replaced by Jose Mourinho at the end of the season, if not sooner, and the Red Devils will almost certainly spend big in the transfer market to improve a squad lacking genuine world-class quality.

Indeed, the Dutchman’s dreaded ‘philosophy’ has taken the majority of the heat from the media spotlight, but the Red Devils’ squad quite simply isn’t on the same level as their divisional rivals – particularly the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City – and they’ll have an untold fortune to spend during the summer as the Premier League’s £8billion TV deal comes into effect.

Consequentially, United could turn to La Liga as a potential recruitment pool. Monopolised by Barcelona and Real Madrid, the smaller clubs in the Spanish top flight simply don’t have the resources to turn down lucrative offers from the Premier League.

With that in mind, we at FootballFanCast have been running the rule over FIVE La Liga stars that are, and should be, on United’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

EVER BANEGA

In sharp contrast to their transfer policy over the last few summers, Manchester United are targeting Sevilla star Ever Banega on a free transfer.

The Argentina international was on the Old Trafford radar before – until bizarrely running over his own leg in 2012 and resultantly spending several months on the sidelines – and after a few years out of the limelight is enjoying strong form once again.

Indeed, the 27-year-old midfielder has bagged four goals and two assists in 17 La Liga outings this term, also averaging 1.7 created chances, 1.5 shots and 1.2 successful dribbles per match.

He’d add a new sense of fluidity and creativity to United’s engine room and on a free transfer, certainly represents good value for money. However, Inter Milan are also keen and Banega could still agree a contract extension at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

Manchester United lack firepower up top and quality out wide – two issues that could directly lead them to versatile Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann this summer.

Indeed, the France international earned a summer 2014 move to Vicente Calderon for his talismanic displays as Real Sociedad’s goal-scoring wide man, playing a pivotal role in their rise from the Spanish second tier to the Champions League.

But since signing for the Mattress Makers, Griezmann has netted 44 times in 87 appearances operating almost exclusively as a centre-forward, emerging as one of the most potent goalscorers in European football.

Also famed for his industriousness, energy and stamina, the 24-year-old has often been billed as a particularly good fit for the Premier League. Atletico will be incredibly reluctant to sell with their transfer embargo just around the corner, however, so United would likely have to activate Griezmann’s £60million release clause.

AYMERIC LAPORTE

The heart of Manchester United’s defence is calling out for a very specific type of player; a top-class, ball-playing, left-footed centre-back – hence their long-standing interest in Mats Hummels. Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte embodies two of those requirements and certainly possesses the potential to eventually meet the third.

A loose comparison would be with Everton’s prodigious John Stones, sharing his speed and quality on the ball, but the Frenchman boasts considerably greater experience, with over 100 La Liga appearances under his belt already.

Resultantly, plenty of major clubs are interested in the 21-year-old, who has averaged an impressive 1.7 tackles, 2.8 interceptions and 2.2 aerial duels per match this season, including Manchester United.

But with such widespread interest, the Basque outfit are unlikely to budge on Laporte’s £39million release clause amid United’s interest.

GARETH BALE

Manchester United’s long-standing interest in Gareth Bale is no great secret, nor is itparticularly surprising. After all, the Real Madrid star is one of the most potent attacking threats in world football and furthermore has already proved his compatibility with the Premier League.

Indeed, the Welsh wizard bagged 26 goals across all competitions during his ultimate campaign at Tottenham Hotspur and has netted a further 52 in 109 since moving to the Bernabeu, helping Los Blancos claim a Copa del Rey and a Champions League title in 2014.

United have been continually linked with his services over the last few years and will likely be chasing him again during the summer transfer window. The 26-year-old represents exactly what the Red Devils lack in the final third, as a counter-attacking threat blessed with great power, pace and netting prowess.

But they’ll struggle to attract the £87million signing to Old Trafford this summer without the incentive of Champions League football. Furthermore, Bale seems more than happy with life in the Spanish capital at the moment.

NEYMAR

Manchester United’s interest in Neymar – allegedly launching a world-record bid for him last summer – has been well documented this season, but it remains to be seen if they can actually convince the Brazil international to ditch the dizzy lights of the Nou Camp for poster-boy status at Old Trafford.

No doubt, Neymar is verging upon Ballon d’Or levels of greatness. He’s bagged 18 goals and nine assists in 22 La Liga appearances this term – also averaging 3.3. created chances and 4.6 successful dribbles per match – and produced a level of form unrivalled throughout world football whilst Lionel Messi was injured earlier in the campaign.

The lesser chance of claiming the individual accolade whilst playing in the same team as four-time winner Messi, coupled with the Neymar family’s ongoing tax scandal, could push the 23-year-old forward towards a Premier League move.

Recent reports, however, suggest he’s on the verge of agreeing a new contract with the Catalan outfit.

Tonight the excitement returns. Over the past few months we’ve sat in Champions League withdrawal. Ever since the last 16 draw pitted Chelsea with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal with Barcelona and Bayern Munich with Juventus, football fans around the country have been salivating over these ties.

‘Narrative’ has been spun, Chelsea’s annual match-up with PSG has been turned into ‘Le Nouveau Classique’ or ‘The New Classic’ by eager Parisian social-media executives.

But tonight all we’ll really see is two teams who have met over the past three seasons who seem to be going in different directions.

In 2014, Chelsea were firm favourites for the clash. Even though PSG were on the up, and the moneyed French champions were replete with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, they were fairly new to the elite European stage. Chelsea managed to sneak a win with a last minute Demba Ba goal took the Londoners through on the away goals rule.

Fast forward a season, and the tie was even tighter, if that were even possible. Chelsea were no longer firm favourites. It was a more even contest going into the tie. PSG were considered just as good as Chelsea, it was neck and neck.This time it was the Parisians who came out on top: after an initial 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes, PSG dealt superbly with the expulsion of their talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second leg.They came back twice at the Bridge to draw 2-2 on the night and go through on away goals once again.

This time, PSG will go into the game as favourites. Given Chelsea’s form and the fact that PSG are an unstoppable Ligue 1 juggernaut.

Will that make a difference? It’s unlikely. PSG have turned themselves into a formidable machine who beat Ligue 1 teams with ease. But that’s different to playing a team with the quality of Chelsea.

The PSG of this season are the same machine-like entity as Chelsea were last season. Last season Chelsea’s aura was enough to beat Premier League sides. Yet they couldn’t best PSG. This time, it’s PSG’s aura that sees them brush aside their domestic opponents on a weekly basis.

Yet if Chelsea could fall to PSG last season, then surely PSG can fall to Chelsea this time around. Aura will not be enough for PSG to progress in Europe, they’ll need to call upon their considerable class and quality. Chelsea aren’t favourites, but they’re not all-out underdogs either. This tie looks a lot like last season’s, just reversed.

Last weekend, PSG warmed up for the Chelsea clash with a dismal 0-0 draw against Lille. They had a miserable seven touches in the opposition’s penalty area. Against a side who are currently struggling in a league they lead by 24 points, that’s a poor showing. Chelsea, on the other hand, won their game comfortably, scoring five goals.

It’s a tie of comparison and contrast. London v Paris; west London class v Rice Gauche Paris chic; Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a battle of the richest in Europe, by socio-economic location, by on-pitch quality and by financial means.

Chelsea v PSG truly is the new classic, whether the hype is true or not, it’s certainly one of the most evenly matched ties in Europe in every way possible. So sit back and watch the clash of two titans.

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Too little, too late. Or perhaps not too little at all – but still probably too late.

It turns out that Rafael Benitez is shoring up the Newcastle defence. Clearly a good manager and a great organiser can work wonders, and his pedigree probably helps too. If only Newcastle could have attracted him in the summer, but Rafa was Florentino Perez’s stooge of choice at that time.

Any list of odd owners in the world of football would probably have to include Benitez’s last three employers. Perez: a man whose sole purpose as Real president seems to be buying players as if it’s transfer deadline day on his FIFA 16 Career Mode – you can just imagine his controller buzzing away permanently. Aurelio de Laurentiis at Napoli: a man who advised his players not to move to England as English women do not wash their genitalia (though the less said about that the better). And Mike Ashley: the less said about him the better too, frankly.

Poor Rafa hasn’t had much luck in that regard, and indeed he hasn’t had much luck in any regard recently. Preparing to lead Real Madrid in ‘Clasicos’ and Champions League games, he’s now struggling to keep the likes of Steven Taylor and Vurnon Anita in the Premier League. But the green shoots of recovery at Newcastle look to be sprouting.

So is it too little, too late?

In a way, no. No matter what happens. Because the long game is the important one. Finishing 17th is better than being relegated, but in terms of the long-term, it’s not that much better. If they do go down, and they do keep hold of Benitez – though that does seem somewhat unlikely – those green shoots will keep growing. It’s all about where Newcastle can be in two or three seasons. Scraping 17th place finishes is just as bad as being a yo-yo team, surely. Perhaps not financially, but certainly in terms of prestige and success.

The great organiser can turn his team of underachievers into something resembling a real football team. Rafa Benitez is the maths teacher who swoops into the failing inner-city comprehensive to turn a bunch of delinquent kids into maths wizards – there’s a film about that, right?

Even if it is too late to keep Newcastle in the division – given Sunderland’s points and game in hand – Benitez could make Newcastle’s future look much brighter.

Of the last three clubs Benitez has managed, Newcastle looks like the closest to a complete basket case. But in terms of potential, the chance of bringing such a big club back from the depths, rising like a phoenix from the flames, it is surely the most exciting one.

It’s strange to think that such a terrible season can yield anything other than more doom and gloom around a grand old club, but there is cause for optimism, even if a few good defensive performances do not make a good team.

But what it does show is that Newcastle really just needed a manager who could get the best out of the group of players they already possessed. The last time they were relegated, they managed to keep hold of their best players, if they get relegated again this season they can do the same again. If they don’t, they have a decent squad, probably a big name manager with a pre-season to work with and a truck load of TV cash to spend. And at a club that treats its heroes like religious figures, why shouldn’t Benitez try to stay and build something, even in relegation?

Surely the future’s bright for one of the Premier League’s most gloomy clubs… though if anyone can mess that up, it’ll be Mike Ashley.

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Since parting company with Manchester United for as little as £800,000 in 2012, Paul Pogba’s rise to stardom has made the midfielder one of the most sought after players on the continent this summer.

With both Manchester City and Manchester United expressing an early interest in the talented Frenchman, Juventus’ chief executive, Giuseppe Marotta, is keen to start a bidding war for one of his most prized possessions.

However, after refusing to match the Italian club’s £71million valuation last summer, Manchester City again seem reluctant to splash out such a hefty sum, paving the way for Mourinho to lure Pogba back to the Red Devils.

It is no secret that Mourinho is an admirer of Pogba’s talents, having attempted to sign the midfielder for Chelsea last year, and already making him a top transfer target so early on in his tenure as United manager.

So, haunted by his previous failure, Mourinho will have an added impetus to not let the chance slip through his fingers a second time and is reportedly willing to break the British record transfer fee by tabling a massive £60million bid in order to secure the French international’s services.

Although Manchester United will be buoyed by Guardiola cooling his interest in the midfielder, one huge challenge for Mourinho will be to quell the interest from La Liga – Pogba is known to favour Spain and a move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Another stumbling block is that United cannot use Champions League football as a bargaining factor, while the two Spanish giants have shared the trophy between them over the past three years – an ominous trend that the English clubs will be desperate to stop.

But following United’s £30million capture of Villareal’s Eric Bailly, speculation surrounding a £78million bid for Paul Pogba suggests money will be the motif in the Mourinho era and does signal an intent to build a highly-competitive side.

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It has been a tiresome three years for Manchester United. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired after an incomparable career, the two managers to grace the touchline at Old Trafford have failed to reignite the flame that burned brightly for 25 years at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, the arrival of Jose Mourinho has filled United fans with optimism once again. The Portuguese tactician looks set to overhaul a squad that has disappointed tremendously over recent campaigns, and that means excitement is guaranteed.

With the most recognisable manager in the world now in the hot seat, United look set to attract the very elite once more, as they look to claim back a Premier League trophy that has been far out of reach since the ‘Fergie’ era ended.

We take a look at which THREE players look most likely to leave Old Trafford and the THREE new faces most likely to arrive.

IN- Zlatan Ibrahimovic

While most media sources have confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be heading to Old Trafford this summer, the saga still rumbles on as the Swede continues to remain focused on EURO 2016 with Sweden before making any decision on his future.

However, it looks as though one of the world elites will be joining Manchester United for at least a season. This is a big statement from Jose Mourinho as he looks to improve on a squad that has underperformed significantly over the last three years.

OUT – Juan Mata

Possibly one of the only men in the Manchester United squad disappointed with arrival of Jose Mourinho, Juan Mata’s time at Old Trafford could be heading for an abrupt end.

Despite having won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award for two consecutive seasons prior to Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese manager swiftly axed the Spaniard.

Clearly, Mourinho does not believe that Mata fits into his favoured systems, so expect the 28-year-old to depart Manchester this summer.

IN – Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Recent reports have suggested that Manchester United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Armenian is blessed with electric pace and an eye for goal; he and man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang formed a lethal partnership in the Bundesliga last season.

This transfer may rest on whether Dortmund find suitable replacement for their host of departing players.

OUT – Daley Blind

Another potential casualty of the incoming era of Mourinho, reports have surfaced suggesting that Daley Blind will be surplus to requirements next season.

Despite producing some stellar defensive performances last season, the Dutchman seemingly does not have a place in the new set-up at United, especially with the arrival of £30m defender Eric Bailly.

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IN – Nemanja Matic

On the back of an incredibly underwhelming season for Nemanja Matic at Chelsea, former boss Jose Mourinho looks set to hand the Serb a fresh start at Old Trafford.

Matic would be the perfect addition to the United squad. Mourinho always employs a defensive midfielder in his system, with this man playing an integral part of the team structure. With United lacking quality at this position, Matic could find himself a key man at the Theatre of Dreams.

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OUT – Matteo Darmian

Recent reports have surfaced from Italy suggesting that Matteo Darmian will be heading for the exit door at Old Trafford this summer.

The Italian struggled to establish himself in the first team and never looked comfortable against the elite Premier League forwards.

Darmian may be used as part of a swap deal should Mourinho look to the Italian league to find the next world class addition to the United squad.

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After what was a disappointing season for both of Manchester’s biggest football clubs, both City and United have been busy at work so far this summer in order to make amends for the depression of last season.

The blue half of the City have acquired themselves the services of Spain star Nolito, Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan, as well as Ukrainian youngster Alexander Zinchenko.

The red half however have made the most waves in the transfer world thus far, having signed £30 million man Eric Bailly from Villarreal, coveted Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan and most notably enigmatic Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one year deal.

Both clubs still have plenty of business to do however, with City and United expected to complete the signings of Leroy Sane and Paul Pogba respectively over the next few days.

Throw in the new men in charge of both clubs – Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho – and we have a huge Premier League season ahead of us, fuelled not only by the divide of a city but now also by the rivalry of those in at the helm. Portugal vs. Spain. Madrid vs. Barcelona. Jose vs. Pep.

City have ruled the Manchester roost for the past years following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, however their time at the top could come to an end with a new era set to begin at Old Trafford this season.

If City are to remain on top, here are three thing’s they could learn from their rivals in order to maintain their status as Manchester’s top club…

The Importance of Youth

United have demonstrated on multiple occasions over the past two decades how vitally important it is to allow young players to develop and prosper amongst the elite stars.

As recently as last season Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial stole the hearts of United fans with their hunger and desire which ultimately led to their sides FA Cup triumph.

Look at the United side of the late 90’s – 2000’s and so much of it was built on the foundation of solid young players such as Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.

Ultimately, the Red Devil’s reliance on those born and bred at the club led to their unfathomable consistency during that era – something City have failed to reproduce.

Consistency is Key

In a similar vein of the previous point, United’s success under Sir Alex Ferguson was built upon consistency within his squad.

Over the years, Ferguson’s side always had a distinct and recognisable backbone to it – whether that had been Stam, Scholes and Cole or even O’Shea, Carrick and Rooney – those omnipresent pseudo-superstars were the key to his and the clubs fortunes.

Rather than build a solid foundation as such, City have splashed the cash in an ever-changing squad of the years, and yes this may have brought them intermittent success, but never consistent success.

Experience Can Be Bought

In all of United’s sides across the years, they have always had a healthy blend of youth, big money superstars and experienced, proven Premier League players.

The latter can not only help the rest of the squad develop, but provide the know-how and skill to play and succeed successfully at Premier League level. City have very few of those character’s in their dressing room besides the ever-injured pair of Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero.

Think Van Persie, Van De Sar, Carrick, Ferdinand – even as far back as Andy Cole. All of those arrived at Old Trafford with countless seasons of top flight football already under their belt. Experience is something you can definitely buy – but City refuse to do so.

It always happens after a big tournament.

One player from each country stands out and usually one that didn’t stand out before. This time around after a decent Euro 2016, Joe Allen had clubs scrambling for his signature.

The 26-year-old Welsh midfielder was one of the stars that saw Wales unexpectedly go all the way to the semi-finals.

The footballing merry-go-round hasn’t stopped for Allen since, who left Liverpool for Stoke City for a fee of around £13m. Strangely enough, despite the hype after the Euros, it’s £2m less than the Anfield club paid when signing him from Swansea City in 2012.

91 games later and Allen will start the next leg of his footballing career under another Welshman, Mark Hughes, at the Bet365 Stadium.

With the move to Stoke, you have to wonder why Jurgen Klopp decided to let him leave. Especially if he can play as well as he did for Wales this summer.

Looking back at last season, Allen found it hard to get the starts he wanted under Klopp and the thought is that he felt under used by the German, especially in the first half of his reign. Now that signings are on their way, one of which Marko Grujic, another midfielder, is on board, Klopp probably felt that this was the time to recoup as much as he could while the players name was in lights.

Despite having impressed during this summer’s tournament in France, Allen still finds club captain Jordan Henderson as well Emre Can, Lucas Leiva and James Milner ahead of him at Anfield, and so his choices were limited with just a year left on his current contract.

In the Guardian, Allen said: “As a footballer you want to play every minute of every game. When you don’t it can be disappointing.

“That’s natural for anyone; that’s not specific to me. It’s how you react. You have to make sure you don’t let it affect you to a point that, when you do get your chances, you’re not up to it.

“What was great about the second half of the season was all the different competitions and how far we went. The support [from the fans] has been brilliant in the last few months.”

Allen is certainly going to be a useful player in the red and white stripes of Stoke City.

Clearly a hard-working, tactically disciplined and tenacious, albeit not overly physical, midfielder, Allen is capable of helping his team both creatively and offensively courtesy of his ability to take the ball from defence to attack effectively after winning back possession.

A versatile and gifted player with a low centre of gravity and quick feet, he is capable of playing in several midfield roles. Due to his vision, composure in possession, efficient passing, and ability to dictate the tempo of his team’s play in midfield as a playmaker, Allen has been described as the Welsh Xavi’ and as the ‘Welsh Pirlo by former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Former club, Swansea City were also in the hunt for the player, but were too late and many around Swansea see this as a missed opportunity.

Not so for Stoke City. Allen knows the Potters manager well and as Hughes builds a progressive side and a club that is going the right way, next season can only get better.

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The international break is over and that can only mean one thing this weekend – the return of competitive football at the highest levels of the game.

The Championship will be roaring back into life with a number of intriguing sub-plots emerging in arguably the most competitive league around.

We’ve two early leaders who few would have expected at the top, whilst one side is still looking for their first victory after the opening five games.

Meanwhile we’ve got some of the promotion favourites floundering so far looking to get their season on track with last year’s promoted sides from League One largely impressing.

Established managers such as Rafa Benitez and Roberto Di Matteo are now well aware of what England’s second division is all about, but what can we expect from this weekend’s action?

Well here are five things to watch for in this weekend’s games…

Will Huddersfield and Fulham remain unbeaten?

Very few would have had these two pegged as the early pace-setters in the Championship but that’s how it’s gone so far.

Huddersfield sit atop of the league on 13 points after four wins and a draw and will be looking to continue in that form away at Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.

Meanwhile, Fulham are hot on their heels with eleven points and have a home game against Birmingham City to keep the pressure up.

Will Blackburn win at last?

Blackburn are the only side in the division yet to have won a game in a run of form that has left them with just one point from a possible 15.

Owen Coyle looks like he has his work cut out already to try and appease a disgruntled fan base at Ewood Park so a win against QPR at Loftus Road is of crucial importance.

It won’t be easy though, the Londoners are fifth in the league.

Can Sheffield Wednesday arrest their slide?

Last year’s play-off final runners up started with an opening weekend victory against Aston Villa but have failed to win a game since.

It’s a run of form the Owls need to sort out quickly if they want to avoid getting cut adrift from the top six so they’ll be aiming to do so this weekend at home to Wigan.

The Latics themselves only have one win to their name this season so it’s a big game for both to try and kick-start their campaigns.

Can Derby get back on track?

The Rams seem to go into every Championship season as one of the favourites for promotion but as yet it hasn’t clicked under new manager Nigel Pearson.

One win and two draws leaves them eighteenth in the table ahead of the Saturday evening game against Newcastle and whilst it’s going to be a tough test, there can be no better way for the team to mark their return with a victory over the Magpies.

Fallen giants face off

Wind back thirty odd years and you have a massive fixture so Sunday’s game will show just how far the two European Cup winners have sunk.

Villa have started life in their new surroundings slowly with just the one victory to their name so far whilst Forest have started brightly being just four points off the top.

The Villains will want to prove they’re good enough to go up though and will look to make a statement against Forest on Sunday afternoon.

When the team news was announced ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Ross County it did come as a bit of a shock to see that Brendan Rodgers had made eight changes to the team that reached the final of the League Cup.Significantly, the three survivors were all in defence but even there there was a change of position as Mikael Lustig moved inside to partner Erik Sviatchenko in the centre.Making wholesale switches, the onus was on each individual player to impress, which is a harder task in such circumstances than when slotting into an established, winning side.

For large chunks of the game, Ross County looked capable of taking something, but they found Craig Gordon in top form before Celtic enjoyed a late goal burst.

In the cold light of day, it’s unlikely that last night’s performance will have altered Rodgers’ thinking for Saturday’s match against Aberdeen, but the Bhoys boss has the reassurance of knowing that he has a handful of fringe players are ready to step in and maintain standards.

PATRICK ROBERTS

The on-loan Manchester City kid started the game on fire last night, cutting in from the right flank to send a great shot past Scott Fox for the opening goal.

At times he seemed too intent on one touch, or one trick, too many but that’s part of the deal with an incredibly skilled young player and is something that Rodgers and his coaching team will be working on.

Roberts was heavily involved in all of Celtic’s best moments and is ready to step into the first-team and make an impact when needed.

STUART ARMSTRONG

Things looked ominous for Armstrong when he was left out of the squad for the home tie with Hapoel Be’er Sheva then linked with a Deadline Day loan move to Ipswich Town not long ago.

Rodgers’ man-management came to the fore when he brought him on in the 5-1 win over Rangers, replacing Tom Rogic to score the final goal of the game.

His recent appearances have been influential as he states a strong case to partner Scott Brown anchoring the midfield.

LIAM HENDERSON

It would have been tempting to send the midfielder out on loan again but Rodgers is clearly a believer with the Hibs Scottish Cup hero starting the recent matches against Motherwell and Ross County.

Slotting a largely creative player into a strong running midfield isn’t easy but there are touches and passes in Henderson’s game that others can’tÂsupply.

With a heavy schedule of matches before the turn of the year, there will be more opportunities for Henderson to impress. He’s not yet knocking on the door for a starting place but he’s capable of coming in for the occasional match and making a useful contribution.

CRISTIAN GAMBOA

The most low key of Rodgers’ summer signings is discovering the realities of life at Celtic.

Concerns over Mikael Lustig’s fitness and the fact that the Swede is in the final season of his contract will ensure that there are more chances given to the Costa Rican.

Michael Gardyne was a tough opponent to handle but Gamboa squared up well and backed up Roberts on the right wing as Celtic pushed forward.

EMILIO IZAGUIRRE

The magic is no longer there but ‘Izzy’ is still good enough to come into the side and allow Kieran Tierney a night off.

All the old traits were on show: the enthusiasm, the misplaced crosses and debatable defending, but it can’t be easy to come back from a World Cup to find your place taken by the former ball boy that is now on the wanted list of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Izaguirre can be relied upon as a deputy but his final days as a regular highlighted the flaws in his game were being regularly exploited by opponents.