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Many Aston Villa fans have been angered after the club’s Twitter account posted about the Euro 2020 fixture between England and Germany, following news that Jack Grealish will commence the clash as a substitute [The Athletic].

Enjoying a superb 2020/21 campaign, the boyhood Villa fan notched 19 goal contributions in 27 outings as he helped his side to an 11th-placed finish last time out thanks to seven goals and 12 assists [Transfermarkt].

Now starring with his country at the European Championship, he played an integral part in his first major tournament start, providing an assist for Raheem Sterling in a 1-0 win for the Three Lions against the Czech Republic last week [BBC].

Despite this contribution, he looks set to miss out on featuring from the beginning against Germany this evening [The Athletic]. Duly prompted by the club’s tweet, loads of Aston Villa fans took to Twitter to vent their frustration over Grealish’s likely omission from the starting line-up.

Aston Villa fans react:

Replying to the club’s official Twitter account after it asked followers for their score prediction for the England game, here is how some Villa fans summarised their opinions:

“Jack’s not playing so 3-0 loss I’m afraid.”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

“If he plays the team he’s rumoured to be, I predict total boredom and regret by the final whistle.”

Credit: @G27086526

“Grealish and Mings won’t start and it will be 90 mins of incredibly boring Southgate ball”

Credit: @avfc_jf

“Here’s my prediction, Jack won’t start and most likely won’t get on the pitch”

Credit: @BorisBirkin

“Grealish on the bench, frustration and ultimately, defeat. (to note I would love all of the above to be wrong)”

Credit: @djdylhen

“6-0 with Jack, 1-0 loss without”

Credit: @ajbyrne_avfc

In other news, Aston Villa are interested in this Premier League defender.

Paul Robinson has made an Everton transfer claim involving goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

The Lowdown: Romero leaves Manchester United

The 34-year-old is now a free agent after letting his contract run down at Manchester United.

As reported by Football Insider last month, the Goodison Park outfit have offered the Argentina international a lucrative deal in order to try to win the race for his signature.

The Latest: Romero claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson – who is now a pundit after playing for the likes of Tottenham, Leeds and Blackburn – has claimed that Romero will not want to move to the Toffees if he is to be a backup for Jordan Pickford, and would not be able to force himself into becoming first choice under Rafa Benitez.

The 41-year-old commented:

“I cannot see anyone taking the gloves off Jordan Pickford at the moment. He has been exceptional at the Euros.

“I don’t think Romero wants to be in a situation when he is number two again. He has wasted enough time on the bench and I think he will want to go and play now.

“It would be very frustrating for him if he went to a club like Everton and did not play.

“He has done his time as an understudy. His next move has to be to a club where he is the number one.

“He is a good keeper who has brilliant distribution. He has been unfortunate at United.”

The Verdict: Competition does not hurt

Even though Pickford may well be the established number one at Goodison Park, it would not hurt for the England international to have some healthy competition in between the posts.

Romero would be perfect for that, given that he is already highly experienced in English football and would perhaps offer a calmer head than the 21-year-old Joao Virginia.

The 34-year-old has also won a fair share of accolades in his long footballing career, and he could be a good character to have off the pitch as well as on it.

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Given that Romero would not cost a penny in transfer fees either, it would be a deal which the Toffees would be silly not to at least try to make.

In other news, find out what recent news has left these Everton fans fuming

Former Glasgow Rangers chairman Dave King is unhappy with the behaviour of certain Gers fans towards supporters group Club 1872.

The Lowdown: Allegations directed

Club 1872 has been given the chance to purchase King’s shares, and they have three years to do so (Sky Sports). The supporters group wants to give 20,000 fans the chance to buy a share.

However, the group is now facing a vote of no confidence, and they have been accused of a lack of corporate governance.

The Latest: King unhappy

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, King has shared his frustration with those supporters who have spoken out against Club 1872. He said:

“The supporters need to be able to talk with one voice at times when the club needs to be challenged. 

“Club 1872 has done this effectively for many years and I am concerned that the club’s recent success has created short memories. 

“I am starting to see the emergence of the type of back-biting by supporters against each other that was so typical and so damaging to the club during the David Murray era.

“I truly hope that the supporter unity that was essential to regime change – and hence our recent success – does not get degraded merely because a few embittered supporters resort to social media as a megaphone to trumpet unfair allegations. 

“That is a disservice to all the loyal supporters that supported me at regime change and thereafter.

“Individual share ownership has never been an effective source of supporter influence. 

“Club 1872 is the only viable option to achieve that.”

The Verdict: Trying to do the right thing

The Gers supporters have been given a fantastic opportunity to have a say and a voice in their club – this is something of which many fans at clubs around the world can only dream. Why some supporters now seem angry with Club 1872 is perplexing – surely they should be happy with what the group has managed to achieve.

Raising the £13.3m needed to purchase King’s shares will be a hard task, but the only way they will achieve it is if the supporters stick together. As King himself says, infighting between Gers fans will not do anyone any good.

In other news, Rangers have this worrying funding gap to fill.

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle’s interest in Valentino Lazaro.

What’s the talk?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as transcribed by Sport Witness, Newcastle are weighing up a permanent swoop for Valentino Lazaro. The report claims that the midfielder, who was signed by Inter for £20.16m in 2019, is in talks over a return to Tyneside.

Lazaro spent time on loan at Newcastle in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign as Steve Bruce’s side finished 13th in the Premier League.

Facing error

Mike Ashley risks making a heinous error over Lazaro and must opt against bringing the 25-year-old back to the club ahead of next season. The Inter flop was dismal during his time on loan at St James’ Park and has not done enough since that spell to suggest that he would be able to make an impact this time around. Therefore, Ashley must pull out of any negotiations and look elsewhere in the market to bolster Steve Bruce’s squad.

Lazaro averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.21 in 13 Premier League appearances in 2020, averaging only 1.2 tackles and interceptions and 0.2 aerial battles won per game despite playing in defence and in midfield. This suggests that he was not physically able to compete in England and that he was unable to truly demonstrate any qualities he might have on the ball.

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson berated Lazaro during his time in England, criticising a  “horror showing” from the Austrian against Arsenal in February 2020.

The pundit told Sky Sports, via Chronicle Live: “His body shape was all wrong when you are defending in there.

“[After watching Bukayo Saka nutmeg Lazaro] Do I feel sorry for players like that?

“He is giving him the opportunity because he is so square on. He doesn’t jockey him or show him the line, he literally gave him the opportunity to do that for him.

“It was a horror showing.”

Has anything changed in the subsequent 12 months? Lazaro spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany and there was a slight improvement. He averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.52 in the Bundesliga across 22 appearances, which is still disappointing despite being an increase on what he managed in England.

Lazaro could easily flop at Newcastle again if the club decide to bring him back for round two this summer. They must avoid signing him from Inter and should scour the globe to find targets who may have a greater chance of succeeding in black and white in the Premier League, as Lazaro has already shown that he is not up to the requisite standard.

AND in other news, Get it done: NUFC could land bargain £4m deal for “powerhouse”, Bruce would love it…

Michael Ball has urged Manchester City to sign Danny Ings if it becomes clear Tottenham Hotspur are unwilling to let Harry Kane leave.

England captain Kane has been City boss Pep Guardiola’s number one striker target this summer and the club reportedly made a bid of £100million last month.

However, Kane remains on Spurs’ books despite publicly stating he wants to leave the club to challenge for trophies.

Ball believes Southampton’s Ings would be an ideal back-up option if the Kane switch fails to materialise.

Ings, who counts Liverpool among his former clubs and has drawn interest from Spurs, scored 13 goals in 33 appearances last season.

With his £75,000-per-week contract expiring next summer and the frontman rejecting a new deal, Saints may look to cash in on Ings before the transfer window slams shut.

Ball feels, following Sergio Aguero’s departure to Barcelona, Ings would bag plenty of goals as City look to secure back-to-back Premier League titles.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former City left-back Ball said: “Unfortunately, he broke down at Liverpool and I think he is desperate to go back to a big club and prove he has the talent to be part of a big team.

“It doesn’t look like the Tottenham move is happening because their relationship with Southampton has soured, so that could leave the door open for Manchester City to snatch the player.

“I think he’d be a perfect fit for the way Manchester City play. He’d be a great replacement for Aguero.”

Talk about making an impression on your Aston Villa debut. Emi Buendia made his first appearance in a Villa shirt against Walsall on Wednesday night, and immediately showed why Dean Smith’s side were willing to shell big money for him.

Villa beat fellow Premier League side Arsenal to the signing of the Argentine earlier in the summer and got their first taste of what the little play-maker can do when he took to the field against Walsall.

And boy did he raise the excitement levels.

The 24-year-old was superb in his time on the pitch, playing in between the lines to good effect and showing the kind of eye for a pass that saw him finish as the Championship’s top assist man with 16 last season.

On Twitter, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece was left raving about his performance, saying: “Emi Buendia had Villa fans drooling here at Walsall; the two balls in for Watkins were a delight.”

And, writing in his post-match player ratings, he added: “Two assists for Villa’s record signing and what a delight they both were. The Argentinian picks up some clever positions inside and, in doing so, he carved Walsall open on both occasions to feed Watkins who scored twice.

“Buendia can pick a pass all right and the prospect of the little magician linking up with Watkins and Jack Grealish this season is a frightening one. Buendia was brilliant and he’s already left fans wanting to see more.”

Of course, it was only Walsall, a team that finished 19th in League Two last season, so it’s important to not get too carried away.

But, given it was his debut, and he had to get used to his new teammates, Buendia offered the kind of performance that will raise excitement about how he could team up with the likes of Watkins and Jack Grealish in the Premier League.

If Grealish does stay at Villa Park, then Smith must look to unleash both him and Buendia in behind Watkins and give the Villa striker the kind of ammunition that he could feed off week-in and week-out to good effect.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has revealed a new Aston Villa transfer target…

Some Liverpool supporters have been reacting negatively to a rumour claiming the Reds could sign West Ham winger Jarrod Bown this summer.

The Reds may be on the lookout for another attacking addition in the coming weeks, as Jurgen Klopp aims to add depth to his squad.

Another wide player could come in and provide competition for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, with both Salah and Mane expected to miss around a month of action when AFCON kicks off in early 2022.

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One player who has been tipped to head to Anfield in a surprise move is Bowen, and another fresh update has now been provided on the Englishman.

According to Futbol de Inglaterra [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool are preparing a £32million bid for the West Ham man.

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The Verdict: Liverpool fans bemoan Bowen rumour

These Reds fans took to Twitter to react negatively to the news, clearly not seeing Bowen as a good option to sign.

“This team will kill me”

Credit: @Fante_man

“I feel sick”

Credit: @wxseem7

“Is he even good enough for the bench?”

Credit: @Bennnnlfc

“I can’t believe this”

Credit: @Smartooski

“God no. Please no”

Credit: @I_Am_Artanis

“NO NO NO”

Credit: @Gabriel_Onas

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted negatively to an update regarding one Reds player. Find out who it is here.

The Express and Star’s Luke Hatfield has dropped an update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Manchester United star Jesse Lingard this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months had suggested that Villa were ready to rival fellow Premier League side West Ham in a move for the England international.

And now, Hatfield has delivered his verdict on a potential move, and what he believes Dean Smith’s side’s current stance is.

He said: “I think in terms of his experience and stuff, he’d be the type of player they’d be interested in. I just think his age probably goes against it.

“And the issue that West Ham have had is the fee United want for him. I think Villa would probably agree with that for a player of his age because you’re not going to get much resale on him. If the money’s not right for them, then it wouldn’t shock me if it’s not right for Villa either.”

Lingard would be an exciting signing

After joining West Ham back in the January transfer window on a short-term loan, Lingard racked up an incredible nine goals and four assists in just his first ten Premier League games for the club – it was no surprise then that he was lauded as being “absolutely phenomenal”.

The England international’s ability to break the lines with his movement and constant running is something which added a different dimension to West Ham’s game, and could do so for Villa too, and is a trait that Michael Carrick was quick to praise back at Old Trafford.

The United coach said of Lingard: “He senses where the space is and how to use it. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a dribbler with skills and tricks but he’s dynamic. How he plays, he is unique in some ways. You don’t see so much of that now as everyone wants to get on the ball. Off the ball, he’s very effective.”

His performances with the Hammers showcased the kind of impact the £75k-a-week earning star can have when he’s on song and the confidence is flowing through his veins.

Giving him an opportunity to shine at Villa, where the spotlight is understandably less than somewhere like United, could offer him the kind of freedom that sees him become a really consistent performer and break back into the England side under Gareth Southgate.

Villa could strike gold with the United star this summer.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has made a major Aston Villa transfer claim…

Manchester City have been credited with an interest in Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo recently and if he were to sign for Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, he could be a huge upgrade on Benjamin Mendy.

What’s the word?

According to Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida, City have opened talks with the Liga NOS side over a potential move for the Spanish full-back, with Benfica expected to demand around €30m (£25.6m) for his signature.

Whilst transfer stories regarding Harry Kane and Jack Grealish’s potential moves to the Etihad are always likely to dominate the news, Grimaldo could prove to be a very shrewd acquisition by the Citizens this summer.

Although they are arguably well-stocked at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo both impressing there last season, with Nathan Ake and Mendy providing back-up, only the Frenchman is a natural in that position and Grimaldo would be a big upgrade on the former AS Monaco man.

Would Grimaldo be an upgrade on Mendy?

Last season saw Mendy manage just 13 appearances in the Premier League, in which he earned a disappointing 6.62 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which ranked him as the third-worst performer in Guardiola’s side of those who made at least 10 top-flight appearances.

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Grimaldo meanwhile, would contribute an impressive two goals and nine assists in 31 Liga NOS appearances, averaging an impressive 7.18 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Therefore, when you also consider Mendy’s horrific injury record during his time at Man City, it seems clear that signing a more consistent, less injury-prone left-back as his replacement would be good business for Guardiola’s side this summer.

The former Barcelona man is highly rated in Portugal, with Benfica’s sporting director Tiago Pinto singing his praises in 2020, saying:

“For me, Grimaldo is one of the best five left-backs in Europe. Many Benfica players are ready to, someday, play in a world-class team. Grimaldo is good enough to play for any side right now.”

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Therefore, Txiki Begiristain should definitely be looking to bring in the Spanish full-back, as he could definitely prove to be a success at the Etihad.

And, in other news… Imagine him and Foden: Txiki can secure City’s long-term future with “very strong” 19 y/o

Leeds United and Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Dundee United defender Kerr Smith, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Palace win Gallagher race

It’s not the first time both the Whites and the Eagles have been linked with the same player.

Leeds wanted to bring Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to Elland Road on loan, and a deal appeared to be getting closer.

However, Palace managed to tempt the 21-year-old to stay in London at the last minute and have since confirmed a season-long loan deal.

It appears as if Marcelo Bielsa and Patrick Vieira’s sides could do battle in the market again, this time for Kerr, who was described as ‘fantastic’ by Tangerines defender Mark Conolly earlier this year.

The Latest: Kerr interest

The Daily Record claim that Leeds and Palace, along with Southampton, all remain keen on the centre-back.

The 16-year-old trained with Manchester United earlier this year and appears to be a man in demand, with Aston Villa also linked with a move back in May.

Kerr has made seven senior appearances for Dundee United, two of which have come this season and has two years remaining on his Tannadice Park deal.

The Verdict: Another academy addition?

Leeds have been fairly busy this summer when it comes to bolstering their academy ranks, and you’d expect Kerr would link up with the club’s Under-23’s, should a move materialise.

Lewis Bate has arrived from Chelsea, Amari Miller from Birmingham City and Sean McGurk from Wigan Athletic, so Kerr could be the fourth youth addition.

The Whites will need to get one back on Palace, though, as well as Southampton, if they are to win the race for the Scot.

In other news: Phil Hay addresses Lewis O’Brien links, find out more here.