In these disorientating times, it can feel as if all reference points are scrambled. Aston Villa, for instance, are not supposed to destroy Liverpool, the remorseless Premier League title-winning force shaped by Jürgen Klopp, making their star-studded back four look like rabbits in front of floodlights. But on an extraordinary night at Villa Park – sadly silent Villa Park – that is precisely what happened.
Ollie Watkins, the £28m arrival from Brentford, had a hat-trick by half-time and Jack Grealish, the game’s outstanding performer, scored twice and contributed three assists. Villa have now won three out of three at the start of a top-flight season for the first time since 1962.
