Even less unsurprising is that Manchester United need a new manager. Three seconds later it’s going to be Unai for sure. He would, according to the ever-unbiased Gary Neville, walk to Old Trafford for the opportunity. Dwight Yorke, who seems to be as good at remembering he played for us as he is at remembering he’s got a son, agrees with him seconds later. Just because we’ve got a Labour government and Oasis are touring doesn’t mean it’s the late nineties; they can’t click their fingers and get what they want anymore.

Whether by coincidence or whether some mysterious force is at play, Yorke finally gets a job a day later. He’s now head coach of Trinidad & Tobago.

For some time we’ve been saying that our second team would be good enough to hold their own in the Premier League. They got their chance against Palace in the League Cup, and didn’t exactly take it. Ten changes and a goal down early on, we got back into the game thanks to Jhon Duran then just as it looked like we might look like winning, sat back and let them take control again.

Diego Carlos was at fault for Palace’s second, but if they hadn’t scored that one they’d have probably got another from somewhere else. Their strongest team was better than our reserves on the night and the crowd seemed bigger than last season against Everton, so at least that’s one lesson half-learned although we won’t know for sure because Villa’s attendances are a state secret these days. The best thing about the night, though, was seeing Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Camara both playing and putting in challenges that were as good as they’ve ever been. It wasn’t much consolation.

Back to unsurprising and an interview with Jhon Duran where he says that him and the boss fight but there’s mutual respect and the manager’s improving him. Tony Morley said the same about Ron Saunders.

Marc Albrighton, who like most Villa free transfers ended up drifting down the leagues, has returned as an Academy coach.

And the week ends with a trip to the bottomless money pit that is whatever Spurs are calling their ground now. Saturday’s results had gone well and the team was back to the usual suspects. Everything was set fair to go third in the table and a goal up at half-time, with a couple of other good chances going begging, there was every possibility that would be how the week would finish.