Image source, Getty Images

Blimey. What a day of chaos.

It started with a defiant message and pledges not to quit.

It ends with a leader losing their job after being pushed.

Steven Gerrard departs.

More turbulent days lay ahead for Jesse Marsch, one would imagine, while Brendan Rodgers might have earned himself a renewed vote of confidence.

Just another normal day in the Premier League. Let's do it all again on Saturday. Until then!

Sarah Morgan: Steven Gerrard had a good management record and good players at Villa who should have done better. They were less than the sum of their parts under Dean Smith, too so I think it might well end up being a case of different manager, same problems!

Aston Villa

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's embarrassing to be part of. We’ve let the travelling fans down, the manager down. It’s a bad night for us.

"We’ve stopped the rot in the last few weeks. We created a lot of chances against Chelsea but unfortunately lost the game. We went into this game full of confidence. It’s up to us now to get ready for Sunday.

"It doesn’t matter who’s in charge of that team. It’s nothing to do with the manager – the players have to look at themselves in the mirror.

"We’ve definitely not lost faith in [the manager] – it’s us who are responsible. He’s a top manager, he’s hurting just as the players are. We’ve let him down tonight. It’s up to us now to put in a performance for him.

"I understand the fans’ frustration. There can be a nasty side to those shouts. The support are very demanding so I can understand the frustration. You’re playing at a top level and if you’re not performing, you get criticised."

Before the news about Steven Gerrard's sacking broke, we heard from Villa captain John McGinn.

Reads even more interesting now. Here's what he said...

Marc: Villa should do whatever it takes to get Pochettino. As for Gerrard, he's not the first world class player to struggle in management and he won't be the last but the players need to step up!

Who's next for Villa then? A few potential options (in no particularly order) immediately spring to mind.

Unai Emery?

Sean Dyche?

Michael Beale?

Thomas Tuchel?

Mauricio Pochettino?

Let us know what you think using #bbcfootball.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, who himself has come under pressure in recent weeks, has been asked Steven Gerrard's dismissal.

Rodgers managed Gerrard at Liverpool, of course.

"I'm bitterly disappointed for Steven, he did a fantastic job at Rangers and the ambitions at Villa, I assume, are to be challenging for Europe.

"It seems every day a manager loses his job or their job is under threat. I think stability and patience seems to be running out.

"I believe with time and patience he could have got to where that football club wants to go.

"I'm bitterly disappointed for him."

I'd love to know the logistics behind Villa's announcement.

Does Gerrard still have to jump on the bus home with the lads?

Was he told on the bus?

Was he told before the Villa squad left London and managed to hitch a ride home in a pal's car?

A whole lot of awks however it played out.

If a picture tells a thousand words...

Image source, Reuters

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

That Steven Gerrard has left Aston Villa was inevitable after recent results. And he simply could not survive a performance and defeat like the one at Fulham tonight.

What next for Steven Gerrard?

He won't be going back to Villa Park for a while.

Instead he might spend a few more hours in the Bowring Park...

Short and not-so-sweet from Aston Villa.

A 41-word statement signals the end of a 40-game reign.

Here's how Aston Villa have broken the news...

"Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that head coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.

"A club spokesman said: 'We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future'."

Steven Gerrard has been sacked as Aston Villa manager.

WOAH!!! Big breaking news...

Anon: A lot of Rangers fans said that Beale was the main reason behind their success, looks to be true.

Matt: As a Liverpool fan I always follow Gerrard's work as a manager and even as biased as I am; you can tell things aren't the same without Beale behind him.

No wonder Michael Beale, Gerrard's former assistant now in charge at QPR, has been coveted by Wolves.

Glenn Murray
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The depth in Fulham's squad is really good, especially from a newly promoted Championship team.

Fulham

Fulham manager Marco Silva, speaking to Prime Video: "It was enjoyable to see. Our first 30 minutes we were playing with quality and everything we planned, they did it on the pitch and it's a great feeling for a manager when you see it from the players.

"We knew after the last two matches it was important to start on the front foot. Clearly the best team on the pitch and we deserved the three points. I have to congratulate my players and the atmosphere in the stadium was really good so congratulations to the fans too.

"Our team spirit is there, every single player works hard in a good environment and I want them to be happy with a smile on their faces.

"We want to make the Cottage our fortress, we want to do well and challenge all the opponents at home. We're doing well and making life difficult for the opponents at the Cottage.

"The confidence is the same from the first Premier League match. We trust ourselves, we knew it would be difficult and it will not always be sunshine and there will be dark days."

"No-one's happy, I'm not happy," says Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.

Lots of doom and gloom.

Shall we hear from someone who is happy tonight?

Here's Fulham manager Marco Silva to brighten the mood after a positive evening for his club...