Villa become the first side to face Abu Dhabi since, to the surprise of no-one on nodding terms with reality, the Manchester interlopers were charged with “more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018”. 

In what is described as the biggest financial scandal and financial doping (aka cheating) ever seen in English football, the typically good grace of Abu Dhabi sees chief apologist Guardiola approach matters even handedly - denying any knowledge of how a small, provincial, unsuccessful club became an overnight heavyweight whilst calling any criticism “jealously.”

Given UEFA found Abu Dhabi guilty of similar charges only for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to find in favour of the club under severe legal pressure there is little confidence that justice will prevail.

Ollie Watkins scores his 34th goal for the club on his 100th appearance (94 Starts) after joining from Brentford under Dean Smith in September 2020 for a then record fee of £27,720,000 to record W38 D16 L46, 34 Goals, 10 Assists, 11 Bookings and 1 Red Card so far in his Villa career.