It was clear after one particular Dyche rant that something in the squad/manager dynamic had snapped. His sacking, with Forest now looking for a record fourth manager this season, is the result.

No Premier League story can ever match Leicester City's glorious march to the title a decade ago, but if Aston Villa were to emulate them in May it would run it pretty close.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: Mail Sport has been looking closely at some of the best young players across the world, profiling them and assessing which Premier League clubs would help their talent flourish.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: As he headed for the dressing room following Middlesbrough's 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers started to suspect something was afoot.

NATHAN SALT AND TOM COLLOMOSSE: Ask around Man United about Ruud van Nistelrooy the coach and endorsements quickly come rolling in. 'He's obsessed,' is how one source put it.

ASTON VILLA 0-0 JUVENTUS - RIATH AL-SAMARRAI AT VILLA PARK: There is no end of beauty to evoke when you think of the grand Old Lady of Europe under the grand old lights of Villa Park.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: Now comes his most difficult challenge since the early weeks after he replaced Steven Gerrard, when Villa were drifting in 15th.

MATT BARLOW: The name of Joey Beauchamp still resonates deeply at Oxford United. For many he is the greatest player they have seen.

The seven-times champions of France face relegation to the second tier at the end of the season if they cannot put their finances in order, after the club announced debts of £422million.