Wind the clock back to May 2022.

Steven Gerrard:

“I can assure [the supporters] we will do everything we can to improve this team. The idea is to ... go into the full season with a more competitive squad. Those conversations are well underway.”

The reality: only one transfer fee paid - for a player now ruled out for much of the season - twelve days until the close of the transfer window, a smaller squad than 2021-22, no improvement on the pitch, no action in the boardroom.

Palace, West Ham and Arsenal are up next before the window slams shut.

Selhurst Park needs to be kinder than it has been in recent seasons.

Villa need all the help they can get right now.