Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Aston Villa’s struggles continue, more West Ham problems while Brighton wrap up Carlos Baleba in cotton wool

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds the fans. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.

(1) Guardiola and Arteta opt for muscle

Pep Guardiola becomes ever more the traditional English football man. As his Manchester City stay extends to 10 seasons, he relies ever more on the principle that big players can win big matches. Hence his late-career conversion to employing a wrecking ball striker in the peerless Erling Haaland.