Manchester City's 'dangerous' ace makes the team of the week alongside three Aston Villa players and Liverpool stars
The Premier League is back and talkSPORT's Gabby Agbonlahor has revealed her standout stars from the first round of fixtures.
On the first day, the top four from last season started with a win, while Manchester United They left it to the last and Leicester were the only promoted team to manage to record a point and a goal.
Players of Manchester CityNewcastle, LiverpoolBournemouth, Arsenal and of course, Agbonlahor's beloved Aston Villa makes up its first team of the week for the 2024/25 season.
Papa Nick
I felt that with Newcastle down to ten men so early on, you can only get a good result in those games if the goalkeeper is up to par. I felt the goalkeeper was exceptional. He made saves that other goalkeepers wouldn't make. Whatever Pope fails with his feet, he makes up for in stopping shots.
Rico Lewis
Kyle Walker is in his mid-30s, so this is a season when Rico Lewis will get more play. Christopher Nkuknu, a very good player, was quiet and that's thanks to Lewis. He marked him out of play and was a real threat in attack.
He has a very bright future and don't be surprised to see him in future England selections.
Paul Torres
He is the reason Aston Villa play the way they do. He receives the ball, moves from the centre-back position. He is comfortable dropping into midfield and is very good on the ball.
Michail Antonio, Jarrdo Bowen and Mohammed Kudus usually cause real problems for teams and he kept them quiet.
He was very good with the ball and aggressive in his defense.
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk is now Mr. Reliable. That pass to (Mo) Salah that led to his goal was outstanding. He has that presence to take on strong, big strikers. He knows where to be at the right time and he has that aggression and strength.
He is exceptional and has started the season as one of the best weekend defenders.
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Milos Kerkez
I watched the Bournemouth game and Kerkez is a defender I like. He was very comfortable on the ball last season. I like how aggressive he is.
He was very fast going forward and when they scored the equaliser, he was up there and putting in crosses. He is very comfortable playing in the attacking third and, when needed, he can make a tackle.
He is a player who goes unnoticed because he is in a small club, but looking at him he is very reliable and I think he will be a very good defender.
Amadou Onana
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This guy received a large sum of money. Everton and for me it is one of the best debuts I have seen in an Aston Villa shirt.
He started off a few minutes in with a great header and from then on he improved until he was very good with the ball.
He's aggressive, he's a big block of men, so in set pieces he was there on both ends.
For me he was the man of the match.
Bukayo Saka
What I like about Saka is that he doesn't look like he needs pre-season. Mr Consistent, if you look at (Kai) Havertz's first goal, it's a pass from Saka, a cut inside, he plays it towards the near post area, you know one of your strikers has to be there.
He scored a powerful goal at the near post, catching the goalkeeper off guard. He is reliable and, for me, number one on Arsenal's list.
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Mateo Kovacic
I was watching the game and I thought: it seems that… Chelsea With nine men, Kovacic found it very easy to get on the ball and stay one step ahead of Chelsea's midfield. He made some important interceptions and made it look very easy.
He understands the role of the midfield and is one of the best midfielders in ball control. He is deservedly in the team of the week.
Morgan Rogers
What I love about Rogers is that he is proving the doubters wrong. When Middlesbrough sold him, his fans were laughing, saying Aston Villa had overpaid. Who's laughing now?
He has come into the team without any fear. He can play on the left wing or as a number 10. He has the ability to run with the ball and to get forward through the centre of the pitch. He had some very good opportunities and, if he wants to break into international football, he needs to improve his finishing ability. Apart from that, I think he is a very interesting signing for Aston Villa.
Mo Salah
I have Saka on the right so I've put Salah on the left to slot him in. He was very quiet against Ipswich in the first half, he can do that sometimes.
Once Ipswich got a little tired in the second half, he tormented the Ipswich defence. If you look at the assist, his movement was outstanding.
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Even his goal, great movement and determination to get into the box. He probably could have scored two more goals.
Erling Haaland
His inclusion is not only due to his goal, his holding game was better and caused a headache for the defenders.
In his goal, not many strikers can do that. People will think it's an acceptable goal, but having played there, getting four touches in the box is not easy.
He looks stronger, looks like he's gained some muscle.
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His goal was a small but nice touch. Not all strikers have that finishing ability. Haaland does and I think he will be the top scorer again.
What's dangerous for the rest of the league is that he's had a full preseason and looks like he's on fire.
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