Steven Gerrard’s team are far less passive than in recent weeks. Play is more expansive too. A better performance, although it would feel odd to celebrate it as the best of the season. But it was.

Steven Gerrard’s loss rate reaches 50.00% after 34 games in charge of Villa with a record of W12 D15 L17 at a win rate of 35.29% delivering 1.21 points per game so far in his Villa management career.

Dean Smith had been relieved of his duties in November 2021 with a record of 1.41 points per game, a win rate of 40.29% and a loss rate of 39.57%.

John McGinn collects his 40th booking on his 150th start in a Villa shirt (153 Appearances) to make it W57 D33 L63, 16 Goals, 19 Assists and 40 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Leon Bailey makes his 10th start in 22 appearances in a Villa shirt to make it W7 D1 L16, 2 Goals, 3 Assists and 3 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one every 2.00 starts so far in his Villa career.

Philippe Coutinho makes his 25th appearance for Villa (20 Starts) to record W8 D5 L12, 5 Goals, 4 Assists and 1 Booking at a goal involvement rate of one every 3.12 games played so far in his Villa career.