Did Aston Villa outplay Birmingham City on Sunday? Absolutely not. Did they deserve the points? Absolutely.

Above and beyond a penalty claim and a soggy pitch, Aston Villa’s FA Cup semifinal loss to Chelsea revealed one thing: it’s time to sell Ashley Young. (Bear with me. I’m not as delusional as you think.)

Martin O’Neill is liked by the vast majority of Aston Villa fans. But loved? That’s a strong word.

Love suggests a mutual intimacy, the type of shared feelings that draw both partners to pursue a similar fate. The relationship between O’Neill and the club he manages was put under the microscope last week, and for the first time both he and Villa supporters were forced to examine their sentiments for one another. That it was so long in coming is not the least bit surprising.