Wise men say empires implode from within and, in fairness, Aston Villa pressed the self-destruct button expertly on their manager Steven Gerrard.
If this was ruinous defeat proves the sunset over Gerrard's uninspired year in charge, he will leave with travelling disciples from Spaghetti Junction serenading him with a refrain from the songbook of the damned to “get out of our club.”
Outplayed at Craven Cottage, Villa's performance was almost bereft of saving graces, with midfield clot Douglas Luiz's inexcusable red card the worst dereliction of all.
