Aston Villa went into the last international break, just after the summer transfer window had shut, on the back of a 3-0 humbling by Crystal Palace and a frustrating deadline day that seemed to do little more than paper over the cracks.

A very eventful month on and while the cracks haven't disappeared, the atmosphere around the club does seem better.

Sunday's 2-1 victory over Burnley was their fourth in succession and - while even at the time they seemed like catastrophising, any fears of a struggle at the wrong end of the division have disappeared.

Villa are 13th and while that won't set too many hearts aflutter, they within three points of everyone's darlings Palace.

Going back to transfer deadline day, questions remain to be asked about what was done in the final few days of Monchi's time at the club.

Between them Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelof have started just three games and it's difficult to see what value they bring other than being just bodies. Hopefully Elliott and Sancho can get up to speed and contribute meaningfully.

There are still concerns over errors at the back, with...