FA Cup third round replays and the built-up to the next round of English Premier League action was overshadowed this week by the shock transfer of Darren Bent, who – two days after handing in his transfer request at Sunderland – became the newest member of Aston Villa Football Club. The AVFC club record acquisition did not come without controversy, with accusations of tapping-up and an acrimonious response from Sunderland supporters clouding the days after the deal’s completion.

On this edition of the EPL Talk Podcast, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself give our reactions to and talk about the implications of Villa’s purchase before going over the rest of the league’s news, FA Cup third round replays, as well as the weekend’s action in the Premier League.