Premier League
The Villa Park meeting of Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion saw the hosts score a late winner for a two one victory. Teenager Aaron Connolly started for the visiting ‘Seagulls’ but was withdrawn at half-time while Shane Duffy was introduced from the bench in the 70th minute. Conor Hourihane retained his starting position for the host ‘Villans’ but was withdrawn after 63 minutes. Ciaran Clark did not receive an international call-up last week, which surprised many, but he retained his starting position for Newcastle United who went down to a one nil defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. High flying Leicester City defeated visitors Burnley by two goals to one. Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady started for the ‘Clarets’ with Kevin Long an unused substitute. Matt Doherty was a half-time substitute for Wolverhampton Wanderers who were held to a one all draw by visitors Southampton at Molineaux where Shane Long was an unused substitute. The late kick-off saw Crystal Palace go down to a two nil defeat by Manchester City at Selhurst Park where James McCarthy was an unused substitute.
Championship
Derrick Williams started for Blackburn Rovers who were held to a two all draw by Ewood Park visitors Huddersfield Town in the Championship early on Saturday afternoon. Our U21 captain Jayson Molumby started for loan club Millwall alongside Shaun Williams as they made the short journey to face Brentford in Griffin Park. The ‘Lions’ held a two goal lead when Molumby was substituted on 74 minutes but then conceded three times in the final ten minutes to suffer defeat. Midfield loanee Josh Cullen started for Charlton Athletic who defeated visitors Derby County by three goals to nil at the Valley. Ryan Manning, continuing in his new left back role, scored for QPR who made the journey to face Hull City at the KCOM Stadium and secured a three two success. Luton Town defeated visitors Bristol City by three goals to nil at Kenilworth Road where James Collins started for the victors while Callum O’Dowda was a 58th minute substitute for the visitors. Darren Randolph and his Middlesbrough colleagues suffered another home defeat as visitors West Bromwich Albion scored a late winner. U21 defender Dara O’Shea was again on the substitute bench for the victors. Reading scored the only goal in the 8th minute of added time to defeat visitors Preston North End at the Madejski Stadium. Sean Maguire started for the ‘Lilywhites’ while Alan Browne was a 58th minute substitute. Stoke City continued their revival with a two nil victory over visitors Fulham at the bet365 Stadium where loanee Scott Hogan was a 76th minute substitute while James McClean was an unused substitute. Harry Arter started for Fulham but was withdrawn on 64 minutes while Cyrus Christie was an unused substitute.
League One
Manchester United loanee Kieran O’Hara was on goalkeeping duty for Burton Albion but suffered bitter disappointment as his side went down to a four one defeat at Fleetwood United. in League One on Saturday afternoon. U21 defender Trevor Clarke who has recovered from injury was an unused substitute for Rotherham United who went down to a two one defeat by visitors Oxford United. Alan Judge started for Ipswich Town but was withdrawn after 66 minutes of their two nil defeat at Accrington Stanley on Sunday afternoon.
Scottish Premiership
Glenn Whelan, Jake Mulraney and Adrian White started for Heart of Midlothian who played out a one all draw with Glasgow Rangers at Tynecastle in the Scottish Premiership early on Sunday afternoon. Aiden Keena and Colin Doyle were unused substitutes for the hosts.