Sports

Aston Villa beat West Ham to close on Premier League top four

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2023

Unai Emery urged Aston Villa to chase their dreams this season after thrashing West Ham 4-1 on Sunday to close within two points of the top of the Premier League.

Douglas Luiz scored twice, while Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were also on target as Villa recorded an 11th consecutive home Premier League win.

Villa have been transformed in just over a year since Emery took charge, with only Manchester City and Arsenal having won more Premier League points in 2023.

Victory takes Villa up to fifth in the table, but within striking distance of leaders City.

Captain John McGinn has spoken of harbouring ambitions to qualify for the Champions League and Emery is focused on at least securing European football for a second consecutive season.

“One of our dreams is to be with the top seven teams and to do something in Europe,” said Emery, whose side are in the Europa Conference League this season.

“To get European football is very important and that is the work we need to try to do. We need to be consistent in what we are doing.”

Luiz is just one of a number of players that are performing at a different level under the Spaniard and continued his scoring streak at Villa Park.

The Brazilian became the first Villa player to score in six consecutive home Premier League games when his strike from the edge of the box had too much power for Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal on 30 minutes.

Luiz then took the chance to double his side’s advantage from the penalty spot early in the second period after Edson Alvarez tripped Ezri Konsa.

Jarrod Bowen reduced West Ham’s arrears just five minutes later when his shot spun off Pau Torres into the far corner for his 100th career goal.

However, any hope of a Hammers’ fightback was snuffed out by the in-form Watkins on an afternoon that proved a reality check for David Moyes’ men.

“I see the players every day and know the levels. We need to play really well to keep it up with the top six teams,” said Moyes.

“The players are good players but as you can see, if this is the level we need to reach, then we need to improve greatly.”

Fresh from scoring the winner against Australia for England in a rare run out at international level as Harry Kane’s understudy, Watkins blasted in his eighth goal of the season from a narrow angle.

Bailey then exemplified the impressive attacking arsenal that Villa have amassed in recent transfer windows.

The Jamaican was left on the bench as Nicolo Zaniolo started despite being the subject of an investigation from Italian prosecutors over a betting scandal.

But Bailey made the most of his 15 minutes on the field as he cut inside Nayef Aguerd with a stepover and fired into the top corner.

AFP

Sports

UEFA adds two Arsenal, Barcelona players to Champions League team [Full list]

Published

1 week ago

March 7, 2025

Seyi Babalola

UEFA on Thursday revealed the Champions League Team of the Week following the conclusion of the Round of 16 first-leg fixtures on Wednesday.

In a post via their official website on Thursday, UEFA included the likes of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber, and Inter Milan’s Benjamin Pavard, among others, in the team.

All the aforementioned players were impressive for their respective clubs in the first-leg ties of the last 16 in midweek.

Meanwhile, the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg fixtures will take place next week.

Here is the list of players in the Team of the Week after the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg ties:

Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

Jurriën Timber (Arsenal)

Benjamin Pavard (Inter)

Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund)

Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge)

Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

Pedri (Barcelona)

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rodrygo (Real Madrid)

Harry Kane (Bayern München)

Raphinha (Barcelona)

Following the Round of 16 second-leg matches next week, only eight teams will advance to the Champions League quarter-final stage.

Sports

Ratcliffe invited me to his house – Mourinho on relationship with Man Utd owner, Amorim

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2025

Seyi Babalola

Fenerbahçe manager, José Mourinho, has spoken about his relationship with Manchester United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and their manager, Rúben Amorim.

Mourinho, who won three trophies while at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, revealed he has a “good relationship” with Ratcliffe.

In 2018, Amorim visited United for a week-long internship under Mourinho.

Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in November and has won just 11 of his 24 matches with the Red Devils.

“He’s a good kid,” Mourinho told Sky Sports about Amorim.

“Always very respectful to me. We had a good relationship for a few years. He knows I wish him well.”

Mourinho also spoke about Ratcliffe, who is overseeing a cost-cutting exercise that has led to 250 job losses, including some long-serving members of staff.

United recently revealed that up to 200 more jobs are at risk in a fresh round of cuts.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about what’s happening,” Mourinho said.

“I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I’m not saying we are big friends, but we have a good relationship.

“I know him well. He invited me to his house a couple of times. I see him as a good person and a great businessman. Of course, I feel for some of the people that I know [losing their jobs], but hopefully, it goes in the right direction.”

Sports

Great loss – FG reacts to death of striker, Lawal in Uganda

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow on Tuesday over the tragic death of Abubakar Lawal, a Nigerian professional footballer in Uganda.

Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the sudden passing of Lawal in a statement in Abuja.

Tuggar, in the statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, described the former Nigerian Under-20 international footballer’s death as a ‘great loss’ to Nigeria.

“In this moment of grief, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Nigerian football community during this difficult time,” Tuggar said.

Lawal was playing for Vipers Football Club in Uganda and was also a final-year Business Administration student at Cavendish University at the time of his death.

“The ministry has been in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, Uganda, which is collaborating with local authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

“We are committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation, including an autopsy to verify the cause of death.

“The ministry has also directed the High Commission in Kampala to provide all necessary consular support to the family and ensure that justice is served,” Tuggar stated.

Tuggar urged Nigerians to remain calm while investigation was ongoing and to refrain from speculation that could hinder the process.

“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely, while we remain resolute in protecting the welfare and rights of all Nigerian citizens abroad.

“May the soul of Abubakar Lawal rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.