Sacking announced ahead of NUFC clash as fourth Premier League boss departs - Bad news?

Aston Villa have announced that Steven Gerrard has been sacked following their 3-0 defeat at Fulham last night.

After winning only two of their opening 11 games and scoring just once in their last four, the heavy defeat at Craven Cottage saw Villa chiefs pull the trigger late on Thursday night.

It felt inevitable after the final whistle, but it's bad timing from our perspective, as we'd have been licking our lips at playing this Aston Villa side a week on Saturday. However, there could now be a new manager in the dugout for their trip to Tyneside in eight days time.

Gerrard's sacking makes him the fourth Premier League manager to be relieved of his duties this season, coming after dismissals for Scott Parker (Bournemouth), Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea) and Bruno Lage (Wolves).

Nottingham Forest's Steve Cooper was expected to lose his job earlier this month - yet he's gone on to sign a new deal - while Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl has also stayed afloat for another week after their win at Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Let's hope no new manager bounce arrives next weekend and Villa's struggles continue when they come to St James' a week tomorrow! I hear Steve Bruce is out of work and looking for another job...