"Aston Villa's 4-0 win at Sunderland in the sides' last meeting was Gus Poyet's last game as the Black Cats' boss, and a similar result might have Dick Advocaat seriously reconsidering his own future with the club.

"Whatever the outcome, it won't change the fact that he could do with adding to Friday's signing of Ola Toivonen with more new faces before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

"Tim Sherwood, meanwhile, seems to have completed his 'incoming' business successfully.

"The next step for ever-evolving Villa is to improve home form that's brought them just four wins from the last 18 league games at Villa Park."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have had a torrid start to the season with two defeats and a draw in the Premier League and while they picked up a win in the League Cup - 6-3 against Exeter - conceding three goals to a League Two side is still a cause for concern.

Aston Villa only have one league win so far this season but they've had a tough start with games against Crystal Palace and Manchester United and you'd fancy Rudy Gestede to cause the Black Cats defence a few problems today.

If you tune into BBC Two right now there is a bit of football on the telly with The Women's Football Show. You can also watch it online via the live coverage tab at the top of this page.

Image source, .

Michael Oliver has had an unusual week.

After taking charge of Arsenal v Liverpool on Monday, he spent Thursday evening watching his wife Lucy officiate Arsenal Ladies v Reading Women in the Continental Cup. So far, so ordinary.

Then, at half-time, Oliver hears this announcement while sitting in the stands:

"If there is a qualified assistant referee in the stadium, please can they make themselves known."

What were the chances? Not only a qualified referee, but a Premier League/Uefa one. He promptly stepped up and ran the line for the second half of the match.

Bet that made for some interesting chat in the car on the way back to the Olivers' house that night.

Michael takes charge of West Brom v Stoke this afternoon.

Chris Sutton
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Loz in Brum, via text: "I saw Lawrie Sanchez in Padstow a couple of years ago. It was a lovely hot day and he was tucking into a nice big ice cream. I went up to him and said 'that looks good, where'd you buy that from?' (as he was walking out of the ice cream shop)...he smiled and carried on walking."

Steve Bower
BBC football commentator

"Arsene Wenger has described Arsenal's start as "very average" and, having watched Newcastle show renewed defensive spirit at Old Trafford, they will have to rise above that standard to get a result at St James' Park.

"Newcastle will take belief from their performance last weekend as they try to record their first league win under Steve McClaren, though they will be wary of Arsenal's obvious threat when they do click going forward.

"The Gunners haven't had many recent issues away from home, or over the last few years against Newcastle. They won't want Petr Cech in the news again this week - they need the headlines at the other end of the pitch."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal fans will no doubt settle for an uneventful 1-0 win but for all the neutrals, Newcastle versus Arsenal is a belting way to kick off the day.

In the last nine fixtures between the two, 34 goals have been scored - eight of those coming in that unforgettable 4-4 draw between the two in 2011. 

That, too, was at St James' Park, with Newcastle coming back from 4-0 down. More of that please.

Image source, Getty Images

Too soon to rule someone out of the title race?

Of course it is, but if Arsenal don't beat Newcastle today, you sense their fans might start getting a little bit twitchy.

This is supposed to be the year that the Gunners show themselves as genuine title contenders, but that's not been the case so far.

Three games in and Arsenal have been less than impressive, having managed just one win, and that was an unconvincing victory at Crystal Palace.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Darren Campbell this week.

Campbell, who is in Beijing co-commentating on the World Athletics Championships for BBC Sport, briefly gave up athletics for football in his early 20s before returning to the track.

Since retiring from running, the Manchester United fan has worked as a sprint coach with several Premier League clubs.

You can make your predictions now, compare them to Lawro and other fans and try to take your team to the top of the leaderboard by playing the new BBC Sport Predictor game.

Image source, .

Now this is just brilliant.

Image source, Getty Images

And the Daily Mail has introduced me to one of THE great football nicknames with its Chelsea-related transfer rumour.

The newspaper says, external the Blues have offered a contract to Chinese defender Zhang Linpeng, apparently nicknamed 'Zhangmos' - a nod to Real Madrid stalwart Sergio Ramos.

Zhangmos. Fantastic stuff.

Dylan in Hull, via text:  My Sister in law lives next door to Hull City stopper Alan McGregor and recently had a row with him about how bright his new security lights were. To be fair, they were really bright.

Image source, Getty Images

There's a Chelsea focused storyin the Daily Express, externaltoo as the newspaper claims Paul Pogba wants a contract worth £82.5m over five years if he is to join the Blues. Staggering money.

Image source, The Sun

As ever on a Saturday morning, we'll take a look at what the papers are talking about today.

The main story on the back page of The Sun reports that Everton defender John Stones has "fled" his home because of safety fears.

Stones is the subject of interest from Chelsea and the newspaper claims the 21-year-old has been "terrorised by his own fans".