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1. Trio Depart

We already knew that Everton had triggered Idrissa Gueye’s release clause so it was no surprise when pictures surfaced of him at their training HQ, Finch Farm. The speculation didn’t last long, Everton quickly confirming a four-year deal.

Somewhat more surprising was the fact Ciaran Clark was another player with a £5m release clause and Newcastle had submitted a qualifying bid. More surprising still, Clark wanted to go; he was pictured in Newcastle the same day Gueye was in liverpool.

It only seems a few days ago RDM was expressing his confidence in Clark staying:

Ciaran is a Villa man, a Villa boy, he has pledged his future to us, he will be staying with us. He is very happy to be with us, to stay here. I know he has a long-term contract as well.

Then he was gone.

Meanwhile, Scott Sinclair and Celtic had been flirting with each other all week. They finally got a room on Sunday, Villa got £3m in exchange. Sinclair made his debut the same day, coming on as a 61st minute sub against Hearts and scored the 81st minute winner. Not a bad start.

2. McCormack Signs

While Clark was signing with Newcastle, Fulham confirmed they’d accepted a bid for striker Ross McCormack. A four-year deal was announced the next day with a rare disclosure of the fee paid – £12m according to @avfcofficial.

McCormack is as close you can get to a proven goalscorer at this level. He’s scored 116 goals and contributed 57 assists over eight seasons in the Championship; scoring or creating a goal every 135 minutes.

He’s performed well above expectations over the last couple of seasons at Fulham, but he’s just about to turn 30. That’s when things inevitably turn south. Then there’s the settling in period. Not to mention question marks about this team’s ability to create chances both in terms of quantity and quality.

Hopefully he settles in quickly, goodness knows we need to score some goals and win some games sooner than later. The Power of Goals has some interesting analysis.

3. Squad Numbers Released

The squad numbers for 2016/17 were released and there were several changes.

You can find these changes and a few other youngsters updated on the Squad Page.

4. Youngsters

Young centre backs Easah Suliman and Niall Mason headed out on half-season loans. Suliman joined Cheltenham. Mason links up with Riccardo Calder at Doncaster.

Andre Green’s breakthrough in to the first team squad was confirmed with a new three-year contract. He’d signed his first professional contract back in November and still had a couple of years remaining. This new deal, then, represents a pay rise (presumably) and update in status, but in terms of expiration, it’s a 12 month extension.

Green’s new contract has been updated on the Contracts Page.

A little ahead of Green on the development curve is Jack Grealish. Let’s just say he learned a few lessons the hard way last season, but in this Telegraph interview he shows encouraging signs of maturity.

We all make mistakes when we’re young but you won’t be seeing me do any of that again. I felt like a kid last summer and in February last year, before Tim Sherwood came in, nobody would have known who I was. I didn’t realise what the attention would be like, I just thought I’d go on holiday like all young lads do. I look back on it now and as a professional footballer you can’t do that sort of thing. We’re supposed to be role models for kids.

5. Season Begins, Feels Familiar

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Aston Villa 0

In a slightly surprising move, Ross McCormack was thrown straight into the starting lineup for the curtain opener at Hillsborough. Make of that what you will. It didn’t yield any goals this time, but it looks like there will be a few once he gets to at least learn his new teammate’s names.

The first half was encouraging enough, although the home side carved open a few chances. What became most apparent is that newly appointed captain Tommy Elphick is a legitimate leader. And, called upon several times, new number one Pierluigi Gollini is much better than your average 21 year old goalkeeper.

The second half brought an improved performance, but the vital breakthrough couldn’t be found. Unfortunately, a poor clearance from the otherwise impressive Gollini presented the home side with an opening they took full advantage of.

Not the start we were hoping for, but lots to feel positive about. Wednesday finished 6th last season and were denied entry to the Premier League by a single goal against Hull in the play-off final. They lost just twice at Hillsborough last year.

We know we were the worst team in the Premier League last season, but, quite frankly, most of the 24 teams in the Championship could have turned us over too. A marginal loss to a very good side feels like a bit of progress.

A bit.

Starting XI: Gollini, Hutton, Elphick, Baker, Cissokho, Westwood, Gardner (Tshibola 70), Bacuna (Green 86), Ayew, McCormack (Grealish 77), Gestede
Unused Subs: Bunn, Okore, Richards, Amavi

6. Upcoming Games

August 10th: Luton Town (A) [League Cup]
August 13th: Rotherham (H)