Trevor Griffin invited to re-apply for job after seventh-placed finish in 2022

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2022

The MCC have advertised for a new London Spirit coach in the women’s Hundred after missing out on the knockout stages in the tournament’s first two seasons.Trevor Griffin, the Western Storm and Sydney Thunder coach, took charge of Spirit in the last two seasons but has been invited to re-apply for his job as part of an open recruitment process. Hundred coaches are appointed on one-year contracts which can be extended by mutual agreement.Spirit missed out on the play-offs on net run-rate in 2021 but struggled in 2022, losing four of their six games and finishing second-bottom in the group stages.Related

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“London Spirit has recently opened the process to recruit a head coach for its women’s team in the 2023 edition of the Hundred,” an MCC spokesperson said.”This open recruitment process is designed to find the best possible head coach for London Spirit women for 2023, with all candidates who meet the criteria, including the head coach from 2022, invited to apply.”London Spirit, in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board, will announce the outcome of the recruitment process at a later date.”Dates for the Hundred’s 2023 season have not been officially announced but the tournament is expected to run from the first week of August until the weekend of August 26. Applications for Spirit’s vacancy close on November 21.

Anfield might have seen sweeping structural changes enforced this summer, but very little has been tweaked within the Liverpool first-team squad.

Various bits of fat were trimmed, but Federico Chiesa has been the only signing to have played for the Reds this season – and his injury issues have left him with merely three appearances to date.

It’s hardly been detrimental. Liverpool have been brilliant under Arne Slot, smashing past opponents to claim the top spot in the Premier League and Champions League tables, through to the last eight of the Carabao Cup too.

Slot’s tactical nous and disarming demeanour have worked a treat for Liverpool in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s departure. The Dutch boss has been loath to enforce changes, but there’s one area that has seen two players jockey for the number one spot: left-back.

Liverpool's left-back tussle

For what seems like the first time since Andy Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City in a deal worth around £10m, his number one spot on the left side of the backline is under threat.

Kostas Tsimikas, 28, has been happily playing second fiddle since arriving just over three years ago and has been an able deputy throughout, posting 17 assists across 97 outings.

But Robertson was embroiled in suffering across the 2022/23 campaign, along with his teammates, and was beset by more trouble last season, injuring his shoulder on international duty in October and failing to recover his finest form.

The 30-year-old Robertson has been a stalwart for Liverpool, but Slot seemingly isn’t the biggest fan and appears to be sending out probes ahead of anticipated transfer activity in 2025.

Liverpool eyeing new left-back

As per a recent report from Football Insider, Liverpool have joined Manchester United in weighing up a move for Fulham’s Antonee Robinson.

The USMNT international has been a core part of Marco Silva’s success over the past few years in the Premier League and, aged 27, has built up the experience to make a positive impact at a top-performing club.

A separate report commenting on the Red Devils’ interest reveals that Fulham are willing to field offers worth £40m for the dynamic left-back, and this might be worth the money for a Liverpool side already flying high.

Why Antonee Robinson would be a Robertson upgrade

Robertson is keen to prove the doubters wrong once again, and in fairness, the Scotland skipper is still one of the finest full-backs in the world, even if there are signs of regression.

Is it so hard to recognise that a player of unceasing energy might splutter after many years of service in a full-throttle Klopp system? Liverpool writer Leanne Prescott once hailed the Scotsman as a “Duracell Bunny”, but all batteries run out of juice at some stage.

Robinson isn’t quite a new kid on the block, but the 27-year-old is currently operating at the height of his game and has only played 261 senior club matches across his career. Robertson, in comparison, has played 514 – with only 45 coming since the start of last season.

The Fulham man’s performances have led pundits such as Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley to hail him as “one of the best left-backs in the world”, with others, like analyst Ben Mattinson, claiming that the North American ace is a full-back with “insane defensive numbers and anticipation.”

As per FBref, Robinson ranks among the top 4% of Premier League full-backs this season for assists and carries into the penalty area per 90. Praiseworthy stuff. However, he also ranks among the top 6% for tackles and interceptions won and the top 9% for aerial duel success rate.

It’s quite clear that Robinson is operating at a brilliant level, and that he might be the missing piece in Liverpool’s puzzle. The Reds are thriving under Slot’s wing, sure, but there are always facets to work upon, to improve.

As the table above demonstrates, Robinson is outperforming his positional peer across a range of key metrics this season, having been far more aggressive in defensive phases and more accurate still.

Furthermore, the west Londoner is actually seeing more of the ball than Robertson despite playing in a team that enjoys less possession and control. This is largely down to his mobility, performing 1.1 dribbles per match compared to his Liverpool counterpart’s 0.2.

While Robertson has been marginally more creative than his counterpart, it’s important to remember that Fulham, impressive though they have been, do not operate in the same realm as Slot’s rampant Reds.

And still, Robinson has outstripped the Scot. Given the quality of Liverpool’s rivals in England’s top flight, it’s vital that means of improvement are uncovered and pounced upon, lest stagnancy take hold and fellow Premier League heavyweights enter the ascendency.

The fate of Trent Alexander-Arnold on the opposite side of Slot’s backline is bound to conjure up the most deafening noise from a transfer perspective, but keep an eye on the left flank; Robertson is still an excellent player, but Robinson is showing every bit the signs of superiority right now.

If Liverpool are to create a dynasty under their new boss, perhaps this might be the move to go for, completing the strength of the left side.

Liverpool thought they had the next Messi & Ronaldo, then he left for £0

Liverpool must regret signing £20m flop who was once compared to Messi & Ronaldo

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Angus Sinclair

Nov 14, 2024

Taylor had retired hurt on 51 in the third ODI on Monday and is yet to recover

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2022West Indies allrounder Stafanie Taylor has been ruled out of the first two T20Is against New Zealand after having suffering an injury while batting in the third ODI in North Sound on September 25. Taylor had retired hurt on 51 on Monday and will be replaced by Sheneta Grimmond, who last played a T20I in September 2020, for the first two T20Is.Grimmond, the 24-year-old offspin-bowling allrounder, was in good form for Trinbago Knight Riders during the side’s run to the inaugural women’s CPL title. She picked up three wickets in as many games at an economy rate of six. Prior to the WCPL, Grimmond had taken four wickets in five games at the women’s 6ixty at an economy rate of 5.36. She will assist fellow offspinners Hayley Matthews and Karishma Ramharack in the West Indies attack.”This five match series forms part of the team’s preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup,” Ann Browne-John, the lead selector, said. “Unfortunately, Stafanie Taylor has been ruled out of these two matches after being injured while batting in the third CG United ODI. This squad for the 1st and 2nd T20Is sees the return of offspinner Sheneta Grimmond who had a good WCPL performance, and we believe her offspin will provide added support to the other offspinners, Hayley Matthews and Karishma Ramharack.”All five T20Is will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound. New Zealand won the preceding ODI series 2-1.Squad: Hayley Matthews (capt), Shakera Selman (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams

Tottenham have now tabled an offer to sign a young star who has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi as they look to hand Ange Postecoglou more firepower in 2025, it has been reported.

Tottenham looking for attacking midfielders

Dejan Kulusevski has emerged as a key man for Postecoglou in the early stages of the new Premier League season, but James Maddison has blown hot and cold in north London, while there is a lack of alternatives for Postecoglou to turn to.

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The Australian coach has experimented with his midfield, using Pape Sarr as a box-to-box option, but is yet to settle on a true first choice trio.

The club have been linked with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White in recent windows, but they have managed to land neither and still look a creative midfielder light for Postecoglou’s attacking style of football, part of the reason that they have been unable to sustain any sort of form in the first quarter of the campaign.

Now, they could be set to try and change that by snapping up a young talent turning heads in the top flight.

Tottenham target teenage talent

That comes as a fresh report from Spain claims that Tottenham have tabled a £20m+ offer to sign impressive teenage talent Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton in 2025. The Argentine broke through at CA Rosario Central under the management of former Man City striker Carlos Tevez, and he revealed that the teenager reminded him of his one-time teammate Messi.

“I watch football and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone play who gives me as much pleasure as Buonanotte. When he brakes and accelerates, he reminds me of [Lionel] Messi. He is at a very high level.”

Bought by Brighton, he was sent on loan to Leicester City for the 2024-25 campaign and has already played a starring role for his new side, grabbing four goals and two assists in the first stage of the Premier League season.

Appearances

11

Goals

4

Assists

2

Minutes per goal/assist

133

% of club goals involved in

37.5%

His form has seen him dubbed a “magician” by Rising Stars XI on X, who claimed that the Argentine is “impressing everyone” by shining in a struggling Foxes side.

Still just 19-years-old, his form has turned heads and the report reveals that Tottenham have already made a big step towards trying to secure his signature. The Lilywhites have reportedly “put an offer of 25 million euros [£20.7m] on the table” plus potential add ons, though this is below Brighton’s asking price of 30m euros (£24m).

Any move would not take place until the summer given Buonanotte’s current loan spell in the Midlands, by which time his value could have soared yet further should he manage to reach double figures in either goals or assists for the Foxes, a possibility that doesn’t appear unreasonable given his current form.

As a result, Tottenham may want to get an agreement set sooner rather than later, while Brighton could find themselves better off holding out until the summer.

Prithvi Shaw is back in the T20I squad, while KS Bharat gets a maiden call-up to the ODI squad

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jan-2023India have left Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli out of their T20I squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. KL Rahul is also not in the squad, and while the BCCI put his absence – and that of Axar Patel, from both the ODI and T20I legs of the series – down to family commitments, it gave no specific reason for Rohit, India’s regular all-format captain, and Kohli missing the series.As a result, India’s first-choice top three from their last two T20 World Cups are now missing successive T20I series.This may not yet have a major bearing on India’s long-term future in the format, however. Ahead of the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rohit said the selectors and team management had made it clear to a number of senior players that they would not be able to play all three formats over the next few months for workload-management reasons, with India building up towards the 50-overs World Cup later this year.Related

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Hardik Pandya, who captained India in the three T20Is against Sri Lanka earlier this month, will continue to lead the side in the T20I series, which will be played in Ranchi, Lucknow and Ahmedabad from January 27 to February 1, with Suryakumar Yadav as his deputy.Rohit and Kohli are part of the squad for the ODI series that will take place before the T20Is, from January 18 to 24 in Hyderabad, Raipur and Indore.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Prithvi Shaw in, Harshal Patel out

The T20I squad is also notable for the return of opener Prithvi Shaw, who last played for India in July 2021, and whose absence from subsequent squads – particularly in the T20 format – has been a constant source of debate, given his rare ability to provide rapid starts in the powerplay. Shaw forced himself into the reckoning earlier this week by scoring 379 off 383 balls – the second-highest first-class score by an Indian batter – for Mumbai against Assam in the Ranji Trophy.Left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took a Player-of-the-Match-winning 3 for 51 in the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Thursday, is also back in the T20I squad, having last featured for India in that format in August 2022. He is one of two wristspinners in the squad along with Yuzvendra Chahal.Sanju Samson, who was ruled out midway through the T20I series against Sri Lanka with a knee injury, remains out of the squad – the BCCI release did not provide an update on his fitness. Jitesh Sharma, who replaced him, remains in the squad as one of two wicketkeeping options alongside Ishan Kishan.Fast bowler Harshal Patel, who played only the first T20I against Sri Lanka, has been left out of the squad.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

KS Bharat called up to ODI squad

With Rahul sitting out the ODIs, India have called up the uncapped KS Bharat as a second wicketkeeper alongside Kishan. Bharat is also part of India’s squad for the first two Tests against Australia in February – he is expected to contest the lead wicketkeeper role with Kishan in the absence of regular keeper Rishabh Pant, who has undergone knee ligament surgery after suffering a serious car crash in late December.In Axar’s absence, meanwhile, the selectors have called on a like-for-like replacement in Shahbaz Ahmed – both are allrounders who bat left-handed and bowl left-arm spin. Shahbaz has been part of the white-ball mix in recent months, and has played three ODIs, most recently in December on the tour of Bangladesh.Also back in the squad is fast-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur, who was left out of the series against Sri Lanka. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh, who was part of the ODI squad against Sri Lanka but didn’t get a chance in the starting XI, misses out – he remains part of the T20I squad, however.Jasprit Bumrah, who was initially named in the ODI squad against Sri Lanka before pulling out before the start of the series – he is on the road to recovery from a long-term back injury – is not part of either white-ball squad or the squad for the first two Tests against Australia.

In what would be one of the most shocking moves of 2025, Manchester City have reportedly opened talks with the representatives of a Premier League title rival’s player in an attempt to land a Raheem Sterling repeat.

Man City transfer news

For the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut campaign, Manchester City are in need of a host of reinforcements. From an ageing backline to similar issues in midfield, the Premier League champions must turn towards the transfer window in 2025 if they want to prevent their recent blip from becoming a gradual fade away from the title picture.

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With that said, it’s no surprise that the Citizens have been linked with Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes in recent weeks. The Brazilian midfielder would be an instant upgrade on Ilkay Gundogan, whose return included plenty of sentiment, but ultimately failed to make the positive impact that City had hoped.

The German, now 34 years old, is past his best and among the players that City will need to replace when they get the opportunity to do so. And Guimaraes isn’t the only Premier League talent that they could turn to in terms of reinforcements.

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City have opened shock talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold over a potential move to the Etihad Stadium when his current £180,000-a-week Liverpool contract expires in the summer.

To say that the move would shock the Premier League would be an understatement. Alexander-Arnold would likely have a strained relationship with Liverpool fans if he decided to move to Real Madrid, but a move to Man City would end that relationship entirely.

He wouldn’t be the first to swap Anfield for the Etihad, as a certain Raheem Sterling did the same in the summer of 2015, with City splashing out a reported £49m to sign the Liverpool winger, who went on to enjoy incredible success under Guardiola.

Despised by the Reds ever since, Sterling is a prime example of what Alexander-Arnold may have to prepare himself for if he completed such a move.

"Fantastic" Alexander-Arnold would reach new level under Guardiola

Throughout history, there are several examples of dream partnerships which the world of football never quite got to see play out on the pitch, with Steven Gerrard and Jurgen Klopp near the top of that list.

And by the end of his career, the world of football may well be left wondering just how Alexander-Arnold would have excelled under Guardiola unless he shocks the rest of English football this summer.

The England international is undoubtedly one of the best right-backs in Premier League history and we’ve already seen how the detail of Arne Slot’s tactical approach has created a new version of the Liverpool star.

So there’s no telling just how much Alexander-Arnold would evolve under the guidance of one of football’s greatest minds in Guardiola.

Dubbed “fantastic” by former Liverpool manager Klopp last season, it feels unlikely that Alexander-Arnold would shatter Liverpool hearts to such a degree at this stage, but he certainly has a decision to make in the coming months.

Looking to take full advantage of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stance, Barcelona have now reportedly set their sights on signing a Manchester United star who has already earned the praise of new manager Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd transfer news

With defeats against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest sandwiched in between the shock exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth, before Manchester United needed a late winner to defeat Viktoria Plzen, the difficulty of Amorim’s task has never been clearer.

Attempting to organise the chaos that Erik ten Hag left on the pitch whilst INEOS and Ratcliffe continue to steal the headlines for the wrong reasons away from the action, Amorim desperately needs the January transfer window to arrive.

It’s not just incomings that could take place when 2025 arrives, however, with several names likely to head for the exit door as Amorim looks to mark his own stamp on the current side. And that could yet see one shock player head for the exit door.

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona have set their sights on signing Marcus Rashford, who Ratcliffe is reportedly ready to sell for as little as £40m when the opportunity arrives.

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The academy graduate has struggled to rediscover his best form in the last year or so, which far from helped Ten Hag’s tenure, and it remains to be seen whether he will find a permanent role under Amorim, given his system without wingers.

This comes despite the new manager’s early praise and encouragement for Rashford, telling reporters as relayed by Reuters after a 4-0 victory over Everton: “He can do so much, so he has to continue to improve, he has the ability to do it, he already proved that. But he can play so much better, as can the other guys. Was a good performance, (but) tomorrow he has to recover and start thinking about Arsenal.”

"Great" Rashford needs fresh start

Manchester United may be his boyhood club, but if Rashford is to rediscover his best form then he must do what many before him have decided to do by leaving Old Trafford for pastours new. Old Trafford has seen the likes of Angel Di Maria, Danny Welbeck all those years ago and, more recently, Andreas Pereira all depart before finding their best form in better environments elsewhere. Now, Rashford should do the same.

If it’s Barcelona who come knocking too, then the England international should swing the door straight open and take hold of what should be a dream move for almost any player.

Despite how it ended under Ten Hag, the Dutchman was so often full of praise for Rashford, praising his “great” form at the end of 2022 when he was at his very best in a Manchester United shirt. With Ten Hag gone and Rashford yet to find his form under Amorim, however, a shock exit seemingly looms.

MatériaMais Notícias

da betano casino： A vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Avaí, na noite desta segunda-feira, pela 23ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, foi de extrema importância ao Internacional para entrar de vez na briga por uma vaga no G4.

RelacionadasFora de CampoAtacante do Sport finge ser torcedor e faz brincadeira inusitada com motoristaFora de Campo22/08/2022BrasileirãoNo apagar das luzes, Inter vence o Avaí e cola no G4 do BrasileirãoBrasileirão22/08/2022InternacionalApós ofensa ao quarto árbitro, Mano Menezes é expulso de campo; confiraInternacional22/08/2022

da bwin： Diante do feito, Pedro Henrique, ao final da partida, fez uma revelação. O atacante, por sua vez, contou que pediu a Edenilson, cobrador oficial do Colorado, para cobrar o pênalti destacando sua confiança no momento do lance.

“Futebol é questão da confiança. Uma temporada atípica para mim, na última temporada na temporada fiz cinco gols de pênalti. Cheguei aqui e esperei a oportunidade. Temos um grande batedor que é o Edenilson. Hoje pedi a ele para bater porque senti que poderia sair com a vitória. Esta torcida merece, compareceu. É para eles e minha família. Estamos juntos em todos os momentos, independente se é bom e ruim”, disse o jogador de 32 anos ao ‘SporTV’.

Aproveitando a deixa, o atleta ainda complementou fazendo uma análise do confronto diante os catarinenses.

“Um jogo de muito contato físico. O Avaí nos impôs muita dificuldade até pela situação que vive. Soubemos acalmar os ânimos, temos qualidade para isso e conseguimos esta vitória importante”.

Calendário

O Inter voltará a campo apenas na próxima segunda-feira (29), diante do Juventude, às 20h (de Brasília), no estádio Beira-Rio.

A true underdog of the tournament, Seattle will look to shock the soccer world this summer

The Seattle Sounders will be one of two MLS sides competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Brian Schmetzer's team looking to make a statement performance in the competition.

Schmetzer, the lone MLS manager to ever win the CONCACAF Champions Cup, is also a two-time MLS Cup champion and a two-time runner-up in the MLS Championship game as head coach of the Western Conference side. Representing MLS on the touchline in the competition, one of the league's most talented managers will look to navigate the "Group of Death" when Seattle take on some of the world's best in this summer's competition.

"If we can pull out a result against any one of those three teams. That makes a statement that MLS is not so far behind some of the other teams in the world," Schmetzer told GOAL at MLS's Media Day.

Bolstered by MLS' best defense in 2024, the Sounders will look to be poised on and off the ball in the tournament – a strategy under which Schmetzer-led teams have always flourished.

With their stout defense comes a blockbuster attack that – when healthy – rivals all of MLS. The group features U.S. internationals Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris, while Argentine winger Pedro De La Vega is their X-factor.

Behind them, though, is perhaps the most talented player in Seattle's colors: 19-year-old Obed Vargas. The midfielder is one of the hottest commodities in the league, and is bound to compete at the highest level in Europe. He's someone Schmetzer has highlighted as a key player heading into the competition – and even someone they could move in the transfer market thereafter if he impresses, too.

A true underdog of the tournament, Seattle will look to shock the soccer world this summer.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.

Next up is Seattle, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for one of MLS' two representatives – along with Inter Miami – at the tournament.

IMAGNThe Basics

DOMESTIC LEAGUE: Major League Soccer

CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: One prior appearance in 2022

GROUP: B (Seattle Sounders, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico de Madrid, Botafogo)

OPENING MATCH:  Botafogo – June 15, 10 p.m., New York

AdvertisementSeattle SoundersHow they got here

Seattle clinched a berth in the 2025 competition after defeating Liga MX side PUMAS in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup final, claiming one of the confederation's four allocated berths.

IMGANThe player to watch

Jordan Morris recently became Seattle's all-time leading scorer, and he's coming off a brilliant 2024 campaign in which he produced near career record numbers. Although he is currently sidelined with a minor injury, he's expected to return to the pitch by late April – thus getting him more than a month of regular season action before the Club World Cup.

The U.S. international can play as a striker or on the wing, and his pace plus goal-scoring ability has long been a threat he provides in the attack.

In the Club World Cup, he'll be one of their primary attacking outlets on the counter and on set pieces.

Getty Images SportRealistic Expectations

Realistically? Seattle should get grouped. They'll be lucky to earn a point against any of the three teams they face during the Group Stage. However, it's a tournament – and in competition soccer, legitimately anything can happen.

Seattle is arguably MLS' most composed and well coached team. They're resilient as hell, and from a defensive scheme are second to none within the league. From a comparison point of view, Schmetzer is a lot like Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid – one of their Group Stage opponents.

It will be a fascinating tournament for Seattle and a real test. Can they prove their doubters wrong?

da betsson： Aston Villa and NSWE are thought to be interested in signing a Real Madrid player who is seen as ideal for Unai Emery.

Aston Villa eyeing new signings ahead of January

da esoccer bet： The Villans failed to make it four wins in a row in all competitions after a late defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Despite a stunning save from Emiliano Martinez in the second half and Jhon Duran’s opener, two late goals were enough for Forest to take the three points.

Emery said after the defeat: “Disappointed, but we are in a process. We played the match that I had in my mind. We tried to play dominating and keeping possession. They are usually not going high press, man-to-man or even with more players. We were building up with the goalkeeper, centre-backs and midfielders. Until the minute 70 we did it (the game plan). We didn’t concede corners or chances.

“After our goal they changed. They pushed more and added more players (attacking). In that moment you have to be consistent in the game plan. We were not that strong in the tactical idea and we started conceding attacks, corners and then a goal which VAR disallowed. We conceded two goals.

Aston Villa’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Man City (home)

21/12/2024

Newcastle United (away)

26/12/2024

Brighton (home)

30/12/2024

Leicester City (home)

04/01/2024

Everton (away)

15/01/2024

“For 70 minutes we played like we planned and the final 20 minutes we have to correct in our process. Every experience we are having now it is about learning and trying to use those corrections for the next games.”

Attention behind the scenes is likely on the January transfer window at Villa Park, with some of the names being linked with moves to the Midlands including Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz.

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Benfica defender Antonio Silva is also of interest to Villa, as is Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund, and another name has now emerged from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Aston Villa interested in Real Madrid defender Asencio

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa are interested in signing Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, with top-flight rivals Forest and Newcastle also keen.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his limited La Liga appearances at the Bernabeu and is seen as an ideal option for Villa and Emery after coming through Madrid’s academy and playing for their youth sides.

Asencio, who is primarily a centre-back, is valued at around €10m, so should he move to link up with Emery, could rival the likes of Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings for a spot in the matchday squad. NSWE may have to pip Forest and Newcastle to a deal, so it could be one to keep an eye on heading into 2025.