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On-loan legspinner shines as Durham chip away on rain-shortened day

ECB Reporters Network10-Jul-2023

Chris Dent clips leg side during his 85•MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Gloucestershire 280 for 6 (Dent 85, Hammond 52, Parkinson 3-45) vs DurhamMatt Parkinson claimed three wickets to halt Gloucestershire’s progress on day one of their LV= Insurance County Championship Division Two clash against Durham at Seat Unique Riverside.Chris Dent impressed at the top of the order with a resolute knock of 85, while Miles Hammond offered a change of pace with a blistering fifty to steer the visitors to 170 for 2 before Parkinson led the Durham fightback.The legspinner removed Hammond, Grant Roelofson and James Bracey and Matthew Potts added the scalp of Dent to reduce Gloucestershire to 280 for 6 before rain brought a premature end to day one.Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to bat under the sun at Seat Unique Riverside. Potts and Ben Raine were on their mettle with the Kookaburra ball from the off against the visitors’ opening partnership of Dent and Ben Charlesworth, beating the bat on several occasions without reward in the first half hour. Potts’ persistence earned him the breakthrough with the wicket of Charlesworth, who clipped a tame drive straight to Parkinson at mid-on.The morning session belonged to Gloucestershire as Dent showed his class at the crease to fend off dangerous spells from Durham’s potent attack, featuring new signing Migael Pretorius. Dent and Ollie Price put on 66 and looked primed to take the visitors into lunch one down, but a lapse in Price’s concentration handed Pretorius his first Durham wicket.Dent had to wait until after the interval to score the single required to bring up his second fifty of the season, and his knock continued to provide a valuable foundation for the Gloucestershire innings. Whereas Dent was reserved in his approach, Hammond took the attack to the Durham bowlers after lunch. The right-hander launched back-to-back sixes into the leg-side boundary against Parkinson as he raced to fifty from 43 balls.But, Parkinson would halt his charge for 52 as Scott Borthwick claimed a brilliant catch over his head at cover, which changed the momentum of the session. Dent had frustrated Potts in the morning session and their duel continued into the afternoon before the England seamer produced a beauty to find his outside edge for an impressive 85.Roelofsen and Bracey pressed Gloucestershire to their first batting point, although both were then bowled by Parkinson to open up the tail for the home side. Zafar Gohar and Josh Shaw were left to rebuild the innings before rain ended the day with the visitors 20 runs shy of a second batting bonus point.

New Zealand have called up Georgia Plimmer and Mikaela Greig as replacements

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2024 • Updated on 18-Mar-2024

Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr are in India for the WPL•Getty Images

Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine will not be part of New Zealand’s opening T20I against England, which gets underway in Dunedin on March 19.Kerr, fresh off winning the Debbie Hockley Medal at the New Zealand Cricket awards, was part of the Mumbai Indians side that went down to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL eliminator on Friday night. But “travel complications from India mean Kerr won’t return to New Zealand in time to feature in the opening T20I”, NZC said in a statement.Devine, the New Zealand white-ball captain, scored a 27-ball 32 as RCB beat Delhi Capitals in the final to lift the WPL trophy. Devine and Kerr will link up with the New Zealand squad on Wednesday ahead of the second T20I in Nelson on March 22.Related

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New Zealand have called up batters Georgia Plimmer and Mikaela Greig* into the squad as replacement. While Plimmer has played 12 ODIs and 21 T20Is for New Zealand, Greig is yet to make her international debut. Both Plimmer and Greig will remain in Dunedin after the first T20I and reassemble with the New Zealand A one-day squad ahead of the first 50-over match against England A on Saturday.With Devine and Kerr unavailable, Suzie Bates will lead New Zealand in the opening T20I.”It’s obviously disappointing not to have Melie [Kerr] or Sophie with us for the series opener,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said. “We’ve known that this could be the case for some time now, so we’ve made plans for all scenarios and the positive is that it gives other players an opportunity to test themselves against a strong England side.”Sawyer also threw his weight behind Plimmer and Greig. “Georgia has been a regular part of our group for some time now and she’ll be involved in the ODIs – so we have full confidence she can come in and contribute in the opening T20I,” he said.”Mikaela has been impressive for the Central Hinds all summer and deserves an opportunity to join the group for the first time. She’s shown this season that she possesses power and hitting ability which are important qualities in T20 cricket and we believe she has the ability to contribute if selected in the XI tomorrow.”England also have four players unavailable for the first three (of five) T20Is because of their WPL commitments. Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz), Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) and Danni Wyatt (Warriorz) will only link up with the squad ahead of the fourth T20I. Kate Cross (RCB) has been named only for the ODI series while Issy Wong (Mumbai Indians) did not find a place in either squad.Lauren Bell (Warriorz) and Heather Knight (RCB) had earlier pulled out of their WPL deals to make themselves available for the entire New Zealand white-ball series since the ECB had told the players involved in the WPL that staying in India until the tournament is complete would mean non-selection for the first three T20Is in New Zealand.New Zealand squad for first T20I vs EnglandSuzie Bates (capt), Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Izzy Gaze (wk), Eden Carson, Maddy Green, Mikaela Greig, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Opener’s unbeaten 166 lays foundation for home side after Mason Crane defiance with bat

ECB Reporters Network20-Apr-2024

Ricardo Vasconcelos made his first hundred since 2022•Getty Images

Ricardo Vasconcelos hit a magnificent unbeaten 166, his ninth first-class century and his first in two years, as he indulged his liking for Glamorgan’s bowlers on day two of this Vitality County Championship match at Wantage Road.He shared a partnership of 191 in 52 overs with his captain Luke Procter and a stand of 103 with Karun Nair, who passed 7000 career first-class runs in the process as Northamptonshire closed on 314 for 2 in reply to Glamorgan’s 271, a lead of 43 runs.Playing his first game for the Steelbacks this season since recovering from injury, Vasconcelos put a lacklustre 2023 behind him to register his first century since scoring 156 at Warwickshire in May 2022. It was also his highest score since the 79 he made against Surrey in September that year, although he did make 106 against Glamorgan in the One Day Cup last season.He has previously posted two Championship scores in the 180s against Glamorgan in 2019 and 2021.If Vasconcelos looked rusty early on as a couple of false shots dropped short of fielders, he grew in fluency and confidence, timing the ball beautifully and taking the attack to Glamorgan with some crisp hitting which brought him 23 boundaries off 246 deliveries.Earlier Mason Crane hit 61, his maiden first-class half-century, to frustrate Northamptonshire’s bowlers and earn Glamorgan a precious batting bonus point. Crane carved out a spirited last-wicket partnership of 35 with Mir Hamza after a 19th career five-wicket haul from Ben Sanderson threatened to bring a swift conclusion to Glamorgan’s innings.Glamorgan had resumed their innings on 203 for 7. Colin Ingram, 69 overnight, moved onto 82 and was within sight of a second century of the season when he fell to a stunning one-handed diving catch by Nair at first slip. Sanderson then claimed his fifth wicket of the innings when he had Brad Wheal caught behind without scoring.Crane proved a thorn in Northamptonshire’s side as he eclipsed his previous highest score of 29. He was proactive, manufacturing shots, including a cheeky late dab down to third and an uppercut over the keeper. Strong on the pull, he struck one short ball from Chris Tremain for six before dispatching a Raphy Weatherall delivery over mid-on to reach 50 and take Glamorgan past 250. He finally departed after fending a short one from Procter to slip.For Northamptonshire, Emilio Gay looked fluent after scoring 261 against Middlesex last weekend, taking two fours off James Harris’ first over before the Welshman trapped him lbw.Even without as much assistance for the bowlers compared to the opening day, Hamza kept things tight, showing admirable control and conceded just 13 runs in his first nine overs either side of lunch. He got the ball to swing in the evening session and deserved some rewards for his efforts.Vasconcelos edged him just short of first slip on 10 and top edged an attempted hook against Wheal which landed between two advancing fielders on 13.But he started to find his groove, slapping Harris away through point to bring up Northamptonshire’s 50, before taking boundaries off the bowler’s next over. He drove fluently and played off his legs throughout his innings, while an early highlight was a perfectly controlled uppercut through point for four off Dan Douthwaite. He brought up Northamptonshire’s 100 and his own half-century off 95 balls by driving Zain-ul-Hassan down the ground and then played an elegant front foot punch off Hamza.Vasconcelos continued the offensive after tea. He twice clubbed Crane high over long-on to the boundary and dabbed Wheal down to third before running a single to bring up his century off 153 balls.Procter was happy to fly under the radar while Vasconcelos motored along at the other end. Strong off his legs, he clipped three balls away to the ropes early in his innings before pulling Wheal through midwicket after tea as he advanced to his half-century. His downfall came after 158 balls when he attempted to sweep Crane and picked out Billy Root at backward square who took a juggling catch.Nair played some graceful shots, driving and cutting sweetly and hitting five boundaries as Northamptonshire duly moved past 300 in the 81st over.

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a season to forget in 2024/25, with their dismal standing in the Premier League reflecting their failure to impress on the pitch.

Ange Postecoglou’s side currently sit in the bottom half of the table, but could still end the campaign with a trophy should they claim the Europa League title.

However, pressure is building on the Aussie in North London, with it unclear if he will even be in charge next season should they end the year trophyless once again.

Regardless, additions are hugely needed to prevent a repeat of this season, with the summer window rapidly approaching and work needing to be done behind the scenes.

One player has already emerged onto the Lilywhites’ shortlist ahead of the opening of the window, offering added quality in a department that has been struggling in recent months.

Spurs plot move for £60m defensive star

According to journalist Christian Falk, Spurs are one of numerous sides interested in making a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie this summer.

Fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on a move to land the 23-year-old, who’s valued at around £60m by Xabi Alonso’s men.

The Ecuadorian international has made 39 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, notching five combined goals and assists – having an impact at both ends of the pitch.

The report states that the Bundesliga outfit may have to offload players this summer, with Hincapie one big-money star who could depart the side ahead of 2025/26.

Whilst it would be another huge investment into the first-team squad, it is one that is desperately needed, offering an upgrade on one player currently plying their trade in North London.

Why Hincapie would be an upgrade on Van de Ven

Over the last few months, injuries have massively plagued the Spurs backline, resulting in countless players having to operate at the heart of the defence – albeit in an unnatural position.

Archie Gray is just one player who had to feature in such a role, doing an admirable job despite his tender age and inexperience in such a position throughout the early years of his professional career.

The youngster was forced to cover after regular centre-back Micky Van de Ven spent an extended period on the sidelines after a reoccurrence of his hamstring issue.

The Dutchman has been a key member of the side since his move in the summer of 2023, racking up 44 appearances throughout his two years in North London.

However, the injuries he’s suffered in recent times have halted his progress, subsequently being unable to replicate his high levels of performance which caught the eye in his debut year in England’s top flight.

When he has played, he’s been unable to better Hincapie, leading to the recent transfer news which could see the Leverkusen star take the Dutchman’s place in the side should he move this summer.

How Hincapie compares to Van de Ven in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Hincapie

Van de Ven

Games played

26

11

Goals & assists

4

2

Progressive carries

1.8

0.8

Progressive passes

5.3

4.6

Tackles won

1.4

0.6

Interceptions made

1.2

0.9

Aerials won

58%

52%

Stats via FBref

The Ecuadorian, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has managed to complete more progressive carries and more progressive passes per 90 – showcasing his ability to play out from the back in a possession-based system.

He’s also managed to win more tackles and come out on top in more aerial battles, offering that added defensive solidity that Spurs have hugely lacked throughout this season.

Whilst it may be harsh on Van de Ven, from the figures produced in recent times, it’s evident that Hincapie would be an upgrade on the talented youngster.

Unfortunately, football is a cutthroat industry, with success the main priority, something which the 23-year-old could play a huge part in should he complete any move during the upcoming window.

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Being a football manager is brutal, and at the top level, the level of scrutiny and pressure to perform is even greater.

Southampton’s record-breaking relegation from the Premier League recently highlighted this, with the Saints hierarchy overseeing two of the worst top-flight managerial tenures in history this season.

Ivan Juric’s departure brings an ill-fated stint at St Mary’s to an abrupt end, but how do his shortcomings stack up against the worst the Premier League has ever seen?

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Here are the worst Premier League managers based on points earned per game. Some of these managers proved or even redeemed themselves at other top-flight clubs, but there’s no escaping these horror appointments.

For this list, only permanent managers who were in charge for at least four games are included.

Worst Premier League managers based on points per game

Rank

Manager

Club

Matches

Points

PPG

1

Frank de Boer

Crystal Palace

4

0

0

2

Paul Jewell

Derby

24

5

0.21

3

Sam Allardyce

Leeds

4

1

0.25

4

Mick McCarthy

Sunderland

37

10

0.27

5

Ivan Juric

Southampton

14

4

0.29

6

Russell Martin

Southampton

16

5

0.31

7

Terry Connor

Wolves

13

4

0.31

8

Jan Siewert

Huddersfield

15

5

0.33

9

Nathan Jones

Southampton

8

3

0.38

10

Billy Davies

Derby

14

6

0.43

11

Alan Pardew

West Brom

18

8

0.44

12

Roy Hodgson

Watford

18

9

0.5

13

Daniel Farke

Norwich

49

26

0.53

13 Daniel Farke (Norwich City) 0.53 points per game

Daniel Farke has yet to excel in the Premier League, despite getting Norwich City promoted twice from the Championship.

Across his 49 top-flight games in charge – spanning three seasons as a result of relegation in 2019/20 – the German only oversaw six victories, which include a shock result against then-champions Manchester City in September 2019.

He left the club in November 2021, bizarrely not long after securing a first win of the campaign.

12 Roy Hodgson (Watford) 0.50 points per game

Roy Hodgson has had a glittering managerial career, but after making an unexpected comeback to football with Watford, his bid to save them from relegation couldn’t have gone much worse.

He only managed two wins in 18 games at Vicarage Road, and the Hornets were ironically relegated following a defeat to Hodgson’s former – and future – club, Crystal Palace.

It won’t diminish his stature as one of the managerial greats, but not many have done worse than the ex-England boss during this unforgiving spell.

11 Alan Pardew (West Brom) 0.44 points per game

Alan Pardew was a highly experienced Premier League manager, so coming into West Brom, he must have backed himself to turn the club’s ailing fortunes around.

In the end, one win and eight consecutive defeats in the Premier League was his undoing, with just eight points taken from a possible 54.

West Brom were eventually relegated without Pardew in the dugout, and the manager’s career has been low-key ever since.

10 Billy Davies (Derby) 0.43 points per game

Taking Derby County into the Premier League for the first time in five years via the play-offs will have made Billy Davies a hero at Pride Park, but the beginning to their fateful 2007/08 campaign was a disaster.

The Rams’ sole win on matchday 6 was the only highlight post-promotion, and failure to repeat the trick in the eight games that followed saw Derby and Davies part ways.

The Scot’s only solace is perhaps that even his successor – who features below – couldn’t get a tune out of the team, either.

9 Nathan Jones (Southampton) 0.38 points per game

After impressing at Luton Town, Nathan Jones got his big break when Southampton came calling following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl in November 2022.

But Jones and his unpredictable methods saw his tenure last just eight Premier League games, with the Saints only managing one win over Everton in that time.

With 0.38 points per game, he comfortably has one of the worst records in Premier League history.

8 Jan Siewert (Huddersfield) 0.33 points per game

When Jan Siewert was drafted in to save Huddersfield Town’s Premier League status, even he must have been daunted at the size of the mountain he will have had to climb.

Arriving with the Terriers 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table, it would have taken a miracle to salvage anything positive from the campaign.

Siewert earned one win and lost eight on the spin before being relegated, lasting just three (winless) Championship games before he was dismissed.

7 Terry Connor (Wolves) 0.31 points per game

Terry Connor was handed a somewhat poisoned chalice after Mick McCarthy’s spell at Molineux turned sour, and he was unable to get a tune out of Wolves as they battled relegation in 2011/12.

Promoted from assistant to head coach with the Old Gold staring down the barrel of demotion, Connor oversaw a hapless, winless run that consigned his side to Championship football.

Connor didn’t take another full-time managerial role until joining the Grenadian national team in 2023, and is now assistant manager at National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.

6 Russell Martin (Southampton) 0.31 points per game

Russell Martin set out his stall following Southampton’s promotion last season, vowing to play his way towards Premier League survival.

That turned out to be a horrendous call, with the Saints losing game after game, earning just five points before his eventual sacking in December 2024.

But if Southampton thought Martin’s average of 0.31 points per match was bad, they were in for a nasty surprise with his successor.

5 Ivan Juric (Southampton) 0.29 points per game

Ivan Juric had left Roma before joining Southampton to save their Premier League skin.

But after starting his tenure with six straight defeats, it was clear that Southampton were never going to turn the corner under the Croatian.

Losing by four goals or more on three occasions in his 14-match spell, the Southampton hierarchy have to take some of the blame, with their run of appointments in the top flight being almost completely useless.

4 Mick McCarthy (Sunderland) 0.27 points per game

Throughout his Sunderland tenure, Mick McCarthy recorded one relegation and two disastrous Premier League campaigns.

In 2002/03, McCarthy replaced Howard Wilkinson in the Sunderland hot seat, but endured nine straight defeats as the Wearsiders recorded what was a record low Premier League points total.

He did get the Black Cats up at the second time of asking, but McCarthy’s second attempt at top-flight success in the north-east ended having lost all but six of his games in charge.

Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta could now sign a forward for half price this summer, after reliable news that they’ve been in “ongoing” direct talks with his representatives.

Arsenal face PSG in Champions League semi-finals after Real Madrid triumph

After Wednesday night’s Champions League triumph, Mikel Arteta’s side became the first club in history to beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on their first two visits, and are the only side to ever achieve this feat both domestically and on the European stage.

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 17, 2025

Goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli sealed a 2-1 win at Real and booked Arsenal’s place in the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Ligue 1 champions PSG in a blockbuster two-legged tie after they knocked out Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

It was a statement quarter-final victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s which shocked the whole of Europe, beating the Spanish heavyweights 5-1 on aggregate, with club-record signing Declan Rice putting in two world-class performances over the two legs.

Supporters have been given real belief their side can go on and win the competition, and if they do, this season could be viewed as a major success from Arsenal’s perspective, despite missing out on the Premier League title to Liverpool.

“It’s been quite different before because it was impossible to be in any round because the club wasn’t in the Champions League for seven years,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s evolution since he took charge.

“So, that shows you the turnaround, and a lot of great decisions that the club has made and the contribution a lot of people have made to be where we are. It’s a team that you can feel today how hungry, how determined and ambitious that is to go. We’re going for more, for sure.

“The biggest pride is when I look at them and I talk to them, how convinced they feel and that’s been part of our job and of the coaches, and that’s why it’s a joy to work with them.”

Arsenal given 50 per cent discount for Bayern winger Kingsley Coman

Off the field, Berta is already preparing to back Arteta by signing star upgrades for the squad this summer.

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg and other sources, £280,000-per-week Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is emerging as a serious target.

Plettenberg reported recently that Arsenal are in “ongoing” and “direct” talks with Coman’s representatives over a summer move, with fellow reliable journalist Ben Jacobs now sharing an update of his own for TEAMtalk.

The reporter states Bayern could let Coman leave for a half-price fee of £30 million, with his initial value of £60 million dropping “significantly” since last summer. The France international’s contract expires in 2027, so Vincent Kompany’s side have precious little time to make any cash off his sale.

£30m would still come as a profit for Bayern, considering they only signed him for £18 million from Juventus in 2017, so this could be a win-win for both parties.

Called a “complete” forward by those who’ve worked with him, Coman would leave Bayern as a legend, having racked up 330 appearances for the club in total with 69 goals and 69 assists to show for his efforts.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is in the market for a potential new manager this summer, with Ange Postecoglou likely to leave after a disappointing season.

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News sources across the British media, including Mirror journalist John Cross and The Telegraph’s Matt Law, have heard from their sources that Spurs could part company with Postecoglou, even if they win the Europa League.

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Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 23, 2025

It would be quite a feat for the Australian to clinch Tottenham’s first piece of silverware in 17 years amid a campaign blighted by injuries, protests from supporters and potentially their worst ever Premier League season to date.

Tottenham’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

The Lilywhites face this year’s fairy-tale overachievers Bodo/Glimt in the Europa semi-finals, a side nobody expected to get this far, and Postecoglou’s men are the overwhelming favourites to reach this year’s final in Bilbao.

However, even in the event that Postecoglou keeps good on his promise by winning a major trophy during his second season in charge, something he confidently predicted right at the start of 2024/2025, Spurs’ torrid domestic form and lack of backing from fans could mean he still parts company.

Levy has the likes of Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Brentford’s Thomas Frank on Spurs’ managerial shortlist to replace Postecoglou, according to reports,

Further abroad, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has previously shared news of Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi attracting admirers from within Spurs, but it will be very hard for Levy to prise the Nerazzurri boss away from Italy.

The dissatisfaction around N17 right now after this tepid campaign has caused tensions in the stands to reach boiling point, so Levy and ENIC are under real pressure to get this next appointment right, make smart investments into the squad and turn Tottenham’s fortunes around.

Tottenham now eyeing Burnley manager Scott Parker

As per The Mail and journalist Mike Keegan, a new name is now on Tottenham’s growing list of linked head coaches – Burnley boss Scott Parker.

The former Lilywhites and England midfielder amassed 63 appearances for Spurs during his playing days, and has since gone on to enjoy some successful stints during his managerial career – guiding both Fulham and Burnley to Premier League promotion.

Bar a failed stint at Jupiler Pro League side Club Brugge, the 44-year-old has showcased some promise in his early career as a tactician, and it is believed Tottenham are fans of Parker as a manager.

He’s also attracted praise from his peers, with Man City boss Pep Guardiola branding him one of English football’s new “innovative” coaches back in 2021, while former Tottenham left-back Ryan Sessegnon called Parker a “top coach” when he was linked with the hot seat four years ago.

“He’s a top guy, top man and a top coach. He’s just an all-round great guy,” explained Sessegnon.

“He obviously has a philosophy of play and sticks to it and all the players are buying into that. Recently, it hasn’t been so good for them in terms of results, but I think the performances and effort is still there.”

Already thinking about the summer transfer window even as the race for Champions League football goes down to the wire, Aston Villa are now reportedly readying a formal move to sign a La Liga talent at the request of Unai Emery.

Aston Villa's Champions League hope

With three Premier League games to go, no one around Villa Park can complain that Emery’s side aren’t doing their bit in the race to secure Champions League qualification. The Villans have won four of their last five Premier League games in a run that includes a 2-1 victory over rivals Nottingham Forest.

Now, as the season begins to conclude, Aston Villa sit seventh and three points behind a Chelsea side that must slip up if those in the Midlands are to pull off a last-gasp push for top five. Given that the Blues face Newcastle United this weekend and then Manchester United before squaring off against Forest on the final day, however, Emery’s side should still hold plenty of hope that their fate could change.

Whilst Chelsea square off against Newcastle, United and then Forest, Villa have an easier run on paper in comparison. The Midlands club travel to Bournemouth this weekend before playing host to a Tottenham Hotspur side sat in the depths of the bottom half and then Amorim’s United side facing similar problems. Whether nine points from nine is enough to take them into the top five remains to be seen, however.

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That said, whether Villa secure Champions League football or miss out in the next three games, it looks as though sporting director Monchi is already planning for another busy summer transfer window.

Aston Villa readying formal Moleiro move

According to reports in Spain, Monchi is now readying a formal Aston Villa move to sign Alberto Moleiro from Las Palmas following a direct request from Emery. The midfielder has enjoyed another impressive campaign in Spain and could now be on his way to the Midlands.

No matter how much Emery believes that Moleiro is the perfect fit for his side, however, a deal is unlikely to come cheap this summer amid reports that the Spaniard has a release clause worth €60m (£51m) in his current contract.

The big question will be whether Aston Villa can afford that in the coming months and just how big a part missing out on Champions League football would play in pursuit of the midfielder. His ability to step into the Premier League, meanwhile, is something that should not be questioned.

At 21 years old, Moleiro has earned impressive praise from the likes of football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who praised the Las Palmas star for his “silky” touch in 2023.