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Tag: Aston Villa

  • EPL: Fernandez misses penalty as Aston Villa beat Man Utd

    EPL: Fernandez misses penalty as Aston Villa beat Man Utd

    Bruno Fernandes missed a 93rd-minute penalty as Aston Villa won at Old Trafford for the first time in 12 years in a pulsating match.

    Kortney Hause had put Villa ahead with a powerful header two minutes from the end of normal time before the defender handled inside the box to present Manchester United with a lifeline.

    However, Fernandes blazed high over the bar in front of the Stretford End as United’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an end.

    Having suffered an early Carabao Cup exit at home to West Ham, United have lost their past two games without scoring.

    Villa missed two big chances before a dramatic finale.

    After Matt Targett blazed over inside the six-yard area, Ollie Watkins could only fire at David de Gea after the United keeper had passed straight to the Villa forward following Harry Maguire’s backpass.

    In a thrilling game, Ezri Konsa also headed another chance over after beating Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the air, while Watkins was denied by De Gea at full stretch in the second half.

    At the other end, Emiliano Martinez kept out Maguire’s header and Paul Pogba nodded wide when the France midfielder should have scored.

  • EFL Cup: Chelsea defeat Aston Villa on penalties

    EFL Cup: Chelsea defeat Aston Villa on penalties

    Reece James scored the winning penalty in a shootout as Chelsea reached the last 16 of the Carabao Cup at Aston Villa’s expense.

    The full-back fired home the Blues’ final penalty to win the shootout 4-3.

    A goal from young Villa forward Cameron Archer had ensured a draw in normal time, levelling with a header after Timo Werner had put the Blues ahead.

    Chelsea will host Southampton in the last 16 of a competition they last won in 2014-15.

    Wednesday’s result extends the reigning European champions’ unbeaten start to the season, which has also seen them top the Premier League with 13 points from five matches.

    It looked as though they were going to win the game in normal time when Werner rose in space to meet James’ cross and head home his first club goal in 11 matches.

    The German should have added to his tally soon after but dragged a shot from close range wide of the target.

    But Villa, who had given as good as they got during the game, deservedly levelled when Archer showed brilliant technique to steer in a headed equaliser.

    It made it four goals in two EFL Cup games this season for the 19-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 win over Barrow in the second round.

    It was also the first goal from open play that Chelsea have conceded this season.

    In the shootout, Ashley Young struck the crossbar with Villa’s second penalty before Kepa Arrizabalaga saved their third from Marvelous Nakamba to hand the advantage to the home side.

    Ben Chilwell then struck the bar to take it to the final set of penalties, but James made no mistake to seal the Blues’ progress.

  • EPL: Tuchel highlights Saul mistakes against Aston Villa

    EPL: Tuchel highlights Saul mistakes against Aston Villa

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said Saul Niguez made “big mistakes” in his debut on Saturday against Aston Villa.

    The German tactician picked his line-up thinking the midfielder would be able to adapt right away to the pace of play before replacing the Spain international at half-time of a 3-0 win.

    Saul, on loan from Atletico Madrid, did not train in pre-season with the Blues as he arrived just before the transfer deadline.

    “I had the feeling that he struggled,” Tuchel told Sky Sports. “There were some big mistakes, passing mistakes, and he struggled with the intensity. You could see he isn’t fully adapted.

    “It’s completely my responsibility. I had the feeling he could jump in for us and play at that level. I [then] thought it was maybe better to change him, but it doesn’t change anything [about how I see him].”

    The head coach later added: “It’s very hard. You can either do it or not do it. I told him before it was my responsibility if it does not work out for the matter of your life. He struggled a bit, created some half-chances for Aston Villa.”

  • Lukaku scores first Stamford Bridge goals in Villa win

    Lukaku scores first Stamford Bridge goals in Villa win

    Romelu Lukaku scored his first ever goals at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea beat Aston Villa to maintain their unbeaten start.

    Lukaku kissed the club badge as he celebrated his opener in front of Blues fans after beating Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer on his 15th appearance at the stadium overall.

    The Belgian’s clinical finish through Steer’s legs came from a precise pass from Mateo Kovacic inside his own half.

    Dean Smith’s side created plenty of chances after conceding and managed four shots on target, but could not find a way past Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

    Villa were punished for their wasted chances when Kovacic doubled Chelsea’s lead early in the second half with a first-time finish into the bottom corner from Tyrone Mings’ weak back pass.

    Lukaku sealed the win for Chelsea in injury time with a powerful finish down from the edge of the box.

    The victory takes Thomas Tuchel’s side up to second – level on points and goal difference with leaders Manchester United – and sees the club reach a significant milestone as they become only the second team in Premier League history to reach 600 wins in the competition (Man Utd have 689).

  • We’re in good shape for Chelsea – Danny Ings

    We’re in good shape for Chelsea – Danny Ings

    Aston Villa striker Danny Ings says they’ll face Chelsea tonight in good shape.

    Ings feels Villa have a springboard to kick on.

    Speaking to VillaTV, he said: “I think we’ve done okay, I think there’s been a lot of situations that’s made it a little bit more difficult for us; players being out and things like that.

    “But overall, I think we would be pretty satisfied with our start.

    “Of course, it can always be better but we’ve got something to build on.

    “And I think that’s the most important thing going into the next games.”

  • I never wanted to leave Independiente for Arsenal – Martinez

    I never wanted to leave Independiente for Arsenal – Martinez

    Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez admits he didn’t want to leave Independiente for Arsenal in 2010.

    Martinez admitted he made the decision to join the North London club for £1.1million to provide for his family as they were struggling financially at the time.

    He told El Pais: “Arsenal came to look for me and Pepe Santoro [a coach at Independiente] told me that the train only passes once in a lifetime.

    “My family and my agents thought the same. So, the decision was more for them than anything else.

    “I didn’t want to go. I did not regret it, but I wanted to play in Independiente. For a while, I thought: ‘If I stayed, in two years I will make my debut. [My family] lacked a little financially. I did it more for that than sports.”

  • I felt the same as Messi after leaving Aston Villa – Grealish

    I felt the same as Messi after leaving Aston Villa – Grealish

    Manchester City signing Jack Grealish says he can sympathise with Lionel Messi after his exit from Barcelona.

    Messi bid a teary farewell to Barca this week after La Liga blocked him from signing a new contract.

    Grealish left boyhood club Aston Villa for City in an £100m deal last week and can understand why Messi was so emotional.

    “It was so tough. I think everyone knows I reported back for pre-season as I was meant to, I went back for a few days,” Grealish said at his introductory press conference at Manchester City.

    “It was difficult. In the back of my head I knew I might be going. I did a bit on my own… everyone saw how Messi was yesterday – that’s exactly the way I felt. Before I left at the hotel I spoke to the team and the staff and the players and I teared up a little bit myself.

    “I felt like it was time for me to move on. I’ve always said how much I want to play Champions League football. They have a football club here that has got so much potential. They’re the most successful English side in the last 10 years. It felt the right time.

    “I’ve been a Villa fan since I was four, my whole family has, I went to the club when I was six. There will always be links there, especially with the big family I have, everyone is Villa fans.

    “At the end of the day I’m a City player now and will concentrate on being so successful here. I’ve come here to win silverware.”

  • Jack Grealish completes £100m Man City medical

    Jack Grealish completes £100m Man City medical

    Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has completed his medical with Manchester City.

    The Mirror says Grealish has been spotted leaving the Etihad training campus ahead of his record breaking transfer to Manchester City.

    The England international underwent a medical in Manchester on Thursday morning ahead of his £100m mega move from Aston Villa.

    Grealish is on the cusp of leaving his boyhood club to join Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions after months of speculation.

    The 25-year-old was spotted training with Villa on Wednesday after returning from his post Euro 2020 holiday.

  • Aston Villa announce John Terry departure

    Aston Villa announce John Terry departure

    Aston Villa have announced the departure of assistant manager John Terry.

    Villa have confirmed that John Terry has left the club.

    Terry joined on a one-year contract as club captain in 2017, playing 32 games in the season. He then returned to the club a year later, becoming assistant head coach of Dean Smith’s coaching team.

    Terry told the club’s website: “It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to have spent these last three years at Aston Villa, but I feel now is the right time to make the extremely difficult decision to move on.

    “I want to be as respectful to the manager and everyone at Aston Villa as I can and, having given my future serious consideration over the summer, I genuinely don’t feel it is fair to move into a new season without being certain of seeing that through.

    “My immediate plan is to spend some quality time with my family and, thereafter, hopefully take up some invitations to visit clubs and managers around Europe to develop my aim and objective of becoming a manager.

    “It has always been my ambition to move into football management and, providing the right opportunity presents itself, I feel ready to take up such a challenge.

    “I would like to thank Christian Purslow and our owners, Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.

    “And I will forever be indebted to the Gaffer for giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career at such a wonderful club. I have loved every minute of it and learnt so much.

    “I can’t thank Dean enough for the support and guidance he has provided me with and I’m sure he will continue to lead the club from strength to strength.

    “Finally, I would also like to thank all the players and staff and wish them all the very best for the season ahead and say a huge thank you to the wonderful Aston Villa fans for their support.”

    Manager Dean Smith said: “I’m disappointed to lose John as part of my coaching staff but fully understand and respect his decision.

    “John has played a huge role in the success the club has enjoyed over the last few years and has been very supportive of myself throughout that period. I have no doubts he will go on to be a first-class manager in his own right and wish him well for the future.”

  • Transfer: Jack Grealish accepts Man City contract offer

    Transfer: Jack Grealish accepts Man City contract offer

    Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has reportedly accepted a contract offer from Manchester City.

    Football Insider says City have offered Grealish a ‘huge’ deal, which the Aston Villa captain has accepted.

    Although the agreeing of terms is a ‘significant hurdle’ to overcome, the £90m bid that the Citizens are set to send to Villa Park will be the real sticking point of the situation.

    Dean Smith’s acquisition of Emiliano Buendia would help fill the creative void if their talisman departs, while they are also reportedly interested in signing Bayern Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.

    Grealish is currently enjoying his holidays after the Euro 2020 tournament.