European Football's Top 10 Performances of the Weekend

It has been far from straightforward this weekend.

Aston Villa recorded a memorable win at Liverpool, while both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid stuttered to home draws.

So, who are the players that will be making Monday morning's headlines?

Read on to find out, and make sure you add your suggestions in the comments.

Christian Benteke

The cries for Darren Bent's inclusion, although he is injured at the moment, will have lessened this weekend after a fine individual performance from Christian Benteke.

As Aston Villa took Liverpool apart 3-1 at Anfield, the Belgian forward stole the show with a glittering performance.

He scored twice—the second goal was almost too easy—but it was his sensational back-heeled assist for Andreas Weimann that dazzled most.

Kiko Casilla

Thrown in at the deep end, the Espanyol goalkeeper was dauntingly asked to make his first appearance in the league this season at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

And as Espanyol shocked Spain and snatched a 2-2 draw—effectively ending Real Madrid's faint title hopes—Kiko Casilla put in an inspired performance.

A string of excellent saves, first against Alvaro Arbeloa and then twice against Angel di Maria, plus a brilliant near-post stop against Mesut Ozil, laid the platform for the away side's late equaliser.

Luca Toni

Fiorentina comfortably beat Siena 4-1 on Sunday, with a familiar 35-year-old helping himself to two goals in the process.

The man in question? Luca Toni.

Both goals were headers, and it was a demonstration of forward play that has increasingly become more and more rare in the modern game.

Adel Taarabt

It wasn't quite "one of the all-time great performances," as Harry Redknapp put it (via bbc.co.uk), but Adel Taarabt's was nevertheless wonderful on Saturday.

Seeking their first win of the season still, QPR entertained Fulham at Loftus Road and took the lead through a deflected long-range effort from the Moroccan.

He doubled the lead with a sumptuous, almost nonchalant, finish (that you need to see to appreciate), before Fulham added a late consolation.

Alejandro Galvez

Alejandro Galvez was at the heart of the Rayo Vallecano back line as they kept their first clean sheet in 19 games against Valencia.

Most impressive was that it was the first time a side has prevented Los Che from scoring at the Mestalla in the league this season.

Rayo fans will hope it wasn't a one-off though, and that Galvez's impressive performance in the win can continue next week.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

One keeper with a big future demonstrated on Friday night against Bayern Munich why he is so highly rated.

As Borussia Monchengladbach held Bayern to a 1-1 draw, Stegen's goal was akin to what some may consider physical abuse.

The home side created almost 30 chances but found Stegen and his defence too hard to break down, while Monchengladback made their one shot on target count.

Yaya Toure

Last season's heights have not quite been hit by Yaya Toure this season, but there were more than glimpses of a return to them against Newcastle.

Manchester City won the clash 3-1, and it was Toure's brilliant defence-splitting pass that allowed Samir Nasri to set up Sergio Aguero to get the ball rolling.

With Newcastle chasing the game at 2-1, the Ivorian then put the game to bed as he sent home City's third goal, ensuring three points.

Lionel Messi

When a tiger silenced Camp Nou, it looked like the flea may be human after all. As ever, this wasn't to be the case.

Lionel Messi stole what had started out as Radamel Falcao's show, adding two second-half goals in Barcelona's 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

It takes him to over 90 goals for the calendar year and, even as early as December, seemingly helps Barca effectively wrap up the La Liga title.

Andrea Pirlo

To coin an all-too-familiar, quite possibly over-used, cliche, Andrea Pirlo, like a fine wine, continues to get better with age.

Juventus beat Atalanta 3-0 at home on Sunday, and the bearded wonder was at his all-so-regular, brilliant best.

Completing 96 percent of his 128 passes—nine of which were key—and scoring Juve's second, he continues to show no sign of relenting (via whoscored.com).

Mario Gotze

Borussia Dortmund won 3-1 at Hoffenheim on Sunday, eating two points into what is a fairly significant Bayern Munich lead at the top of Bundesliga standings.

The star of the show for Dortmund was attacking midfielder Mario Gotze.

His excellent left-footed effort flew in to the top corner, giving them the lead in the first half, and his all-around play was very tidy, with him completing 91 percent of his passes (via whoscored.com).