Mick McCarthy is almost certain to be without Ciaran Clark for next month’s Euro play-off after the Newcastle United left the Emirates on crutches on Sunday.

At Vicarage Road, Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton were drawing 2-2 with Watford and had been reduced to 10 men. They made an immediate substitution, but did not sit back and try and defend their one point.

Tottenham booked a fourth round trip to Southampton after surviving a late scare in a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.

There are obvious holes to be picked in the belief it is never a bad idea to watch a game of football.

Ciaran Clark is wearing a broad smile at the Irish squad’s training base in Abbotstown — and with good reason.

Of all the potential impacts of VAR on the Premier League, one surprise knock-on effect could be witnessed at Stamford Bridge yesterday, and twice at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Is it me or are these international intervals getting longer? Maybe the reason they’re called ‘breaks’ is you end up wanting to break everything in the house.

Roy Keane has reignited a war of words with his former boss, Alex Ferguson, and questioned the almost unanimous praise which is heaped on the Scot.

Daniel Storey looks back at the opening weekend of Premier League action.

Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce has vowed to win over the doubters after admitting he has always regretted turning down the job the first time he was offered it.

Edu has returned to Arsenal to become the club’s first technical director.

Quotes to remember from the year in football...

Who is the best fit for the role?

Scott Hogan has seen enough clean slates to roof a housing estate but the Aston Villa striker is hopeful of a few more as he looks to kickstart a career that has been starved of momentum at club level and with the Republic of Ireland.

Smith, a lifelong Villa fan, leaves Brentford, while Terry moves into coaching having just announced his retirement as a player. Jesus Garcia Pitarch has also been appointed as sporting director.

Bruce had a cabbage thrown at him before last night's game.

An exquisite free-kick from Conor Hourihane rescued a point for Aston Villa in Saturday’s Championship clash at Blackburn.

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has warned Tottenham there is no cheap solution in their pursuit of Jack Grealish.

An Irish teenager with the ‘Wright stuff’ has signed for Aston Villa.

Former England captain John Terry will leave Aston Villa this summer.

Here are all the latest headlines this lunchtime...

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson believes the seeds of their Champions League final appearance against Real Madrid were sown two years ago thanks to a rousing speech by Jurgen Klopp.

Hull City player Brian Lenihan has announced his retirement from football at the age of just 23.

All three Aston Villa goals were scored by Irishmen.

“He looks a different player. He’s oozing that confidence now and he looked the real deal today.”

Where were you on the evening of November 18, 2014?

We’re just seven years shy of a century since a side representing the 26 counties first played international football and in all that time, only one midfielder has broken double figures when it comes to scoring goals.

Cardiff maintained their 100% start to stay top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-0 home win over Sheffield United, but Aston Villa dropped into the relegation zone after losing at Reading.

John Terry insists adding a Championship promotion with Aston Villa to his decorated CV would rival his other significant achievements in the game.

Aston Villa have signed Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan in a deal which could rise to £2m (€2.2m).

Alexandre Lacazette believes he has all the attributes needed to help fire Arsenal to the Premier League title next season after completing his dream move.

Former England captain John Terry has rejected more lucrative offers from Chelsea’s Premier League rivals to join Championship club Aston Villa on a one-year deal.

Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has signed a one-year deal with Championship club Aston Villa.

Aston Villa appear close to announcing the signing of John Terry after owner Tony Xia welcomed him to Birmingham on Twitter.

Aston Villa are making a determined effort to bring John Terry to the club.

All the latest transfer rumours from the papers and online.

New Birmingham manager Harry Redknapp admits he has dived into the unknown as he bids to keep the club in the Sky Bet Championship.

England midfielder Jake Livermore revealed how he reached out to Ireland’s Harry Arter when the Bournemouth midfielder’s daughter was stillborn in December 2015.

Championship

Conor Hourihane says he aims to “hit the ground running” after completing a £3m move to Aston Villa yesterday.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Aston Villa 0: It depends on whether you see the glass half-full or half-empty, but here are two ways of looking at Tottenham’s not entirely comfortable passage through to the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Aston Villa.