THE current Premier League table is highly misleading in regard to my recent visit to Villa Park: Aston Villa in fourth place?

BRENDAN CUMMINS has been around the block a few times, and will be playing his 62nd championship match tomorrow, yet even for him it’s a unique occasion, with Tipperary in a position to shatter Kilkenny’s dreams.

It was gut-wrenchingly tense at times but, thanks to a goal on his competitive debut by substitute Keith Fahey, Ireland came away from a hot and heavy night in Yerevan with a vital win in their opening Group B European Championship qualifier.

HAT-TRICK hero Jermain Defoe hailed his partnership with Wayne Rooney after the pair teamed up profitably in last night’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their opening Euro 2012 Group G qualifier at Wembley.

BULGARIA coach Stanimir Stoilov has called for referee Viktor Kassai to protect his players should England striker Wayne Rooney lose his cool in today’s Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley.

In recent years, the moments at which successive Ireland managers have reached the point of no return have usually been accompanied by howls of rage and frustration from the stands.

John O’Shea reckons it could have been even worse in the Aviva last Friday night — and he’s not just talking about the scoreline against Germany.

Luxembourg U19 2 Ireland U19 5

Wayne Rooney is aiming to have as much fun in his second decade as a Premier League player as he did in his first.

If Brendan Rodgers was under any illusions as to the task facing him at Liverpool, then they were eradicated in 90 painful minutes here.

As Robin van Persie prepares to make his Manchester United debut tonight, the club he left behind is suffering an identity crisis.

Jose Mourinho changed the rules of engagement.

New signing Kevin Mirallas is looking forward to helping Everton enjoy a successful season after joining from Olympiacos.

We are not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods.

Olmpics? What Olympics?

Man City manager Roberto Mancini is certain Robin van Persie will improve Manchester United and has once again stated his belief the Red Devils should be seen as the favourites for this season’s Premier League title.

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool, 17)

Robin van Persie turned the clock back two decades for the answer to the biggest question of his life.

Roberto Di Matteo insists Chelsea would not be held to ransom over their transfer targets as he considered blooding his latest signing in tomorrow’s Premier League opener.

The jokes have been doing the rounds all week.