85 min: Can Villa find a consolation? They created plenty of chances first half. Second half has been more one-way traffic. And that Barcelona high line has looked less inviting.

Cancelo has McGinn on toast down the Barcelona left, ghosts towards the box, and delivers an absolutely fantastic pass, with the outside of his right boot, that swerves behind the Villa defenders and into the vacant corridor of uncertainty around the six-yard box. It’s not vacant for long, though: Raphinha makes a perfectly-timed run into the six-yard box. The Brazilian hammers a first-time shot unerringly into the corner. That’s class, and that’s 3-0. What a delivery by the former Manchester City man. Absolutely on a plate for Raphinha.

46 min: Immediate danger for Villa. Lamine Yamal released to the byline on the Barça right flank. He is repelled once again by this over-worked Villa back line, Suzuki rushing off his line to block a shot from a tight angle.

“I know I have my beer goggles on but aside from Yamal and giving the ball away at the back, Villa, I think, have created more chances,” emails Richard.

“I appreciate those two factors could be enough to lose by a large score!”

43 min: Cubarsi and Jackson go for a 50-50 near halfway. Both hit the deck. Cubarsi isn’t happy, and when Jackson goes back to “help” him up, there is a bit of a flare-up, with others coming to get involved in the fun.

Studs were showing there from Jackson there is a check for a red card … it’s not a horrendous challenge by any means, but this is probably going to be …

No! Check over. I feared the worst there. It’s a yellow card for Raphinha, for getting involved after, and one for Jackson too for the challenge on Cubarsi.

38 min: Lamine Yamal is good at football. Granted, everyone out there on the pitch is, but he really is a class apart. The problem for Villa is he can create chances for himself and others seemingly effortlessly, and no matter how much pressure Villa apply at the other end, Barcelona have a world-class outlet to take advantage of at their leisure. Right on cue, Lamine Yamal produces a ridiculous nutmeg pass, angled from the right wing, to create yet another decent chance.

23 min: “This new iteration of the Villa team has come together faster than I could possibly have imagined,” emails Benjamin. “But our defence could have done with strengthening even before the summer’s team evisceration, and where Cash, Lindelof and Pau are all very good - on their day - this is not a wholly confident Villa fan assuming my stool in the Frog & Fiddle.

“While Gordon has stepped up magnificently post-move, and is legitimately a part of an intimidating Barça attack, Cash has the chops to match him… Maatsen vs Yamal, though … stuff of nightmares!

“This will be a fascinating test of this nascent team. Our season doesn’t hinge on this, but a win would probably outstrip the achievements of the prior Champion’s League campaign.”