I’m done with talking about United.

Relax. I’m not going talk about United. I’ve been doing that for too long. I haven’t got anything to add and I’m bored of the subject now. What is interesting though is that the Jim Reaper’s lackies are now all repeating what I’ve been saying, which tells me Amorim’s time is nearly done. They wouldn’t dare stray into the areas they have this weekend without knowledge or permission - perhaps both.

I want to talk about Villa today. What on earth is going there? As a Coventry fan I should be revelling in their current plight, but I can’t, because I don’t share the same feelings as every other Coventry die-hard. I’ve never disliked the club.

I was a huge fan of Doug Ellis, both as a man and an administrator. There was always a warm welcome whenever we were at Villa and bumped into him. And I enjoyed his company many times when I met him socially in Mallorca.

He built something special at Villa But whatever he did was never quite enough for Villa fans, who didn’t share my affection for him and I found that sad.

What he handed over was a club with first class facilities and with little or no debt. Why they haven’t competed at the top end more often is a mystery.

It feels as though they’ve spent more time we the wrong end down the years - never as bad as when Steven Gerrard was in charge, but not as good as Emery has had them.

But this? Just two points and still no goals? Fans have got every right to be asking questions.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out why. In a year when PL clubs spent a record £3.29b in the window Villa shelled out just £40m. They haven’t stood still - they’ve gone backwards and every single one of the teams they might see as rivals has streaked away from them.

I don’t buy PSR excuses. They apply to every club, but seem not to affect their ambitions. Chelsea spend as they like. Newcastle weren’t shy in the last window. Nor were Forest (again), nor United (again). So why are Villa so publicly scared?

I have no evidence to support this theory, but my feeling is the owners - Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris and American billionaire Wes Edens - don’t want to spend. They’re hiding behind PSR excuses.

My gut tells me something else is going on, but I’ve no idea what. And I can’t think of a good reason why. But something feels wrong.

Villa were on the cusp of taking the next step. They were enjoying heady CL nights. Going toe-to-toe with the big boys. At one stage it looked as though they were about to join the elite clubs, but it’s all come crashing down.

Just spend. Compete with the rest. If the PL come calling refer them to City’s lawyers. It’s Everton that will get any points deduction anyway. I’m being facetious of course, but I’m not far from the truth!

It’s early days yet and Villa might get going, but after tipping them for a 5th placed finish I fear they’re in for a rough season.

Good-bye Daniel Levy. But why? I don’t get it. I know few Spurs fans will be shedding tears for him, but I think he’ll be missed. Yes - he was tight. Yes - sometimes he got it badly wrong. Sacking Mourinho in the week of a cup final was madness, but on the plus side, Levy was a Spurs fan and cared about the club. Like Doug Ellis he was a top administrator and he’s left the club in fantastic condition. Over time I think he’ll be missed.

Name the agents please. I’m referring of course to the people at the heart of the 74 charges levelled at Chelsea. I’m talking about the people who took ‘off-the-books’ payments during the Abramovic years. Who are they? We want to know. They should be exposed. And then dealt with.

Before we finish with this week’s officiating howlers I want to give Ian Holloway a mention. Take a look at the top of League Two and you’ll see why.

Swindon were a mess when he joined them in October 2024, in 22nd place one point above the relegation places. Now look at them. It’s a rare good news football story. Well done Ollie. Keeping it going.

And welcome back Chris Wilder. At the time of writing his re-appointment at Sheff Utd isn’t confirmed but I can’t see why it won’t be. What damn fools Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy were sacking Wilder last summer. If Chris is back, as I believe he will be, let’s give the above mentioned a little bit of credit for admitting their error. Wilder will get the Blades going again.

And finally…honest ref watch. Sorry Howard - it wasn’t a good weekend again was it?

What a ridiculous call by Jarred Gillet to rule that Spurs goal out. Error - big error, compounded by the fact he was looking at a nailed-on pen when Fernandes wrestled Van de Ven to the ground, but gave nothing. VAR could only have been asleep again.

Wolves’ lMosquera has got to go for a denial when Harvey Barnes is clean through at Newcastle. It’s as clear a dogso as you’ll ever see.

And Ugochukwu has got to go for that lunge on Mac Allister. That was really nasty. Why didn’t he? Because Michael Oliver was ref and as we know nobody questions Michael. But Oliver got another one wrong.

I’m keeping count of these errors for Howard Webb because our chief ref struggles with his adding up. Three VAR errors last season? That’s really funny.

RIP Ricky. And thank you for all the great nights. You won’t be forgotten. What a warrior. 🩵.