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Tag: Aston Villa

  • Man Utd level with Liverpool at top of EPL

    Man Utd level with Liverpool at top of EPL

    Manchester United moved level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool as a Bruno Fernandes penalty saw off stubborn Aston Villa.

    Fernandes drilled his 11th league goal this season – and his fifth from the spot – into the bottom corner to punish Douglas Luiz’s clip on Paul Pogba and hand United an eighth win in 10 games.

    Bertrand Traore’s calm finish underneath David de Gea had deservedly drawn Villa level, cancelling out Anthony Martial’s stooping first-half header for the hosts.

    But Fernandes’ penalty extended United’s hold over Villa – they have now won 32 and lost just one of the past 44 league meetings between the sides – and leaves Liverpool top only by virtue of goal difference.

    Villa might consider themselves unfortunate not to have left Old Trafford with at least a point from a thoroughly entertaining game but they also needed several fine saves from Emiliano Martinez to keep them in it.

    After Fernandes’ spot-kick put United back in front, Martinez superbly tipped a stinging 25-yarder from the Portuguese on to the crossbar as well as denying Martial a second.

    Martinez’s counterpart David de Gea was just as busy, with a late save from Matty Cash’s long-range strike preserving the points, not long after Tyrone Mings had headed wide a glorious chance to level.

    BBC

  • Lampard’s Chelsea, stung by Arsenal defeat, held 1-1 by Villa

    Chelsea, overhauled by coach Frank Lampard after a weekend loss to Arsenal, drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa on Monday.

    This was after Oliver Giroud’s first-half header was cancelled out shortly after the break by Anwar El Ghazi.

    Lampard made six changes to the team that began Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to their London neighbours and his gamble on Giroud paid off.

    This was when the France striker stooped to head in a cross by Ben Chilwell in the 34th minute.

    It was Giroud’s third goal in four league starts this season, a contrast to a poor run for Timo Werner who has failed to score in the league since Nov. 7.

    The German, signed from RB Leipzig in the summer, appeared only as a substitute on Monday.

    Villa drew level in the 50th minute when El Ghazi side footed a volley at the far post through the legs of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after a cross by Matty Cash.

    Chelsea protested in vain that their defender Andreas Christensen had been fouled in the build-up by Jack Grealish.

    The result means Villa and Chelsea sit in fifth and sixth place on the table respectively, ahead of Tuesday’s matches.

  • EPL: El Ghazi’s late penalty help Aston Villa sink Wolves

    Anwar El Ghazi’s last-gasp penalty fired 10-man Aston Villa to a dramatic 1-0 win against, while under-fire Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prepared for a crucial derby against Manchester City on Saturday.

    In the first of the day’s Premier League games, Dutch winger El Ghazi struck from the spot in stoppage-time to lift Villa into eighth place.

    Villa had Douglas Luiz sent off in the final minutes for two bookings after the Brazilian midfielder caught Daniel Podence with an elbow.

    But Nelson Semedo’s foul on John McGinn triggered El Ghazi’s penalty before Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho was dismissed for a second yellow card just moments from full-time in a fractious local derby.

    After two successive defeats, Villa will hope they are back on track with just their second win in six games.

    Villa have won four of their five away league matches this season, while mid-table Wolves have only one win in their last five games.

    With Raul Jimenez out after surgery on the fractured skull he suffered against Arsenal, Wolves handed a first Premier League start to 18-year-old striker Fabio Silva — a club record £35 million ($46 million) signing from Porto in the close-season.

    It was two weeks since Villa last played after the Newcastle match was postponed due to their opponents’ coronavirus outbreak and they took a while to get going as a result.

    Villa appealed for a penalty when the ball glanced off Romain Saiss’ shoulder as he stooped to head clear, but VAR ignored their protests.

  • Arsenal were not a team against Aston Villa – Arteta

    Arsenal were not a team against Aston Villa – Arteta

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he took full responsibility for his side’s 3-0 defeat at home by Aston Villa and expressed concern that his players did not perform “as a team”.

    An Ollie Watkins brace and a Bukayo Saka own goal gave Villa victory.

    Defeat was especially disappointing for Arsenal on the back of a good win at Manchester United in their last Premier League game.

    “We performed below our standards,” said Arteta.

    “I have to say it’s the first time I’ve seen us play where we weren’t a team.

    “We didn’t start well enough, we got away with VAR for an offside situation but we lost all the races, the duels and we were sloppy on the ball.

    “When we created chances we didn’t hit the target – it’s a really bad combination.

    “I take full responsibility. I am responsible to make the team perform on the pitch and today we were not a team and it is my job – it is why I am standing here.”

  • Bamford scores hat-trick as Leeds end Aston Villa’s winning start

    Bamford scores hat-trick as Leeds end Aston Villa’s winning start

    Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford scored a superb hat-trick for Aston Villa’s winning start to the season to an abrupt end with a 3-0 away victory in the English Premier League (EPL) on Friday.

    After an entertaining but goalless first half, Jack Grealish went close to a stunning opener for Aston Villa in the 52nd minute.

    This was when he ran from the halfway line and jinked into the penalty box before his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

    Three minutes later though Aston Villa found themselves behind, when a Rodrigo shot was pushed out by Emiliano Martinez and Bamford pounced to slot home the loose ball.

    Bamford then made it 2-0 with a fine shot from the edge of the area in the 67th minute.

    That was after a strong burst from midfield by Mateusz Klich had put Aston Villa’s defence on the back foot.

    The Leeds United striker then completed his hat-trick, his smart footwork creating just enough space for a precise, curling finish after 74 minutes for his first Premier League treble.

    The win moves Leeds United up to third on 10 points, albeit having played an extra game, two points behind Aston Villa.

    Leaders Everton, who have 13 points, are at Southampton on Sunday.

  • EPL: Klopp admits Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ against Villa

    EPL: Klopp admits Liverpool ‘lost the plot’ against Villa

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits his side ‘lost the plot’ in Sunday’s 7-2 loss to Aston Villa.

    The reigning Premier League champions were blown away at Villa Park, with Ollie Watkins bagging himself a hat-trick.

    And Klopp said there was no excuses after the shocking defeat.

    He said: “Yes [I can believe it] I saw it. So it is easy to believe because I was here. First of all you have to say that Villa did very well. They were very physical, very smart and very direct, we were not.

    “We had big chances which we did not use, but when you concede seven I’m not sure you can say it would have been 7-7. We made too many mistakes and massive ones obviously. It started with the first goal and around the goals we made massive mistakes.

    “We lost balls in the wrong area and did not protect properly. It looked like we lost the plot after it went to 1-0. It is not an excuse. Normally you can be 1-0 down and do the stuff you want to do. We created but did not protect ourselves properly so each ball we lost was a massive counter attack.

    “That is why we conceded and three goals were deflected. It’s unlucky but it is not a coincidence because it means it was not a proper block. There is nobody to blame apart from me and us.”

    Asked why his side lost the plot, Klopp continued: “It was unexpected but it happened tonight. For me it wasn’t a specific moment, we put all our rubbish things and mistakes in one game and hopefully we can start again.

    “Tonight wasn’t sloppy, it was just bad, I have to admit that but I can’t change it. I would love to have a training session tomorrow and Tuesday and to talk about it but the boys go back off to international duty. Hopefully they come back healthy and we use the two days to prepare for Everton.”

  • EPL: Aston Villa sign Chelsea midfielder Barkley

    EPL: Aston Villa sign Chelsea midfielder Barkley

    Aston Villa have signed Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley on a season-long loan.

    Barkley, who has 33 international caps, has been at Stamford Bridge since moving from Everton in January 2018.

    The 26-year-old has played three times for Chelsea this season, scoring once.

    “Capturing a player of Ross’s quality is a real coup for our club and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team,” said Villa manager Dean Smith.

    Barkley left boyhood club Everton following 179 appearances and 27 goals for the Toffees.

    The attacking midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea after the signings of forwards Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and winger Hakim Ziyech and is yet to start in the Premier League this season.

    He scored in Chelsea’s 6-0 third-round thrashing of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

    Barkley is the fifth major signing for Villa this summer following the arrivals of winger Bertrand Traore from Lyon, striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal and right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.

  • Arsenal goalkeeper completes £20m move to Aston Villa

    Arsenal goalkeeper completes £20m move to Aston Villa

    Emi Martinez has left Arsenal after his £20 million ($25m) transfer to Aston Villa was confirmed on Wednesday.

    The goalkeeper played regularly at the end of last season and started in the Gunners’ FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley in August.

    However manager Mikel Arteta has chosen Bernd Leno as his number one for the coming season, leading Martinez to end his long association with Arsenal and seek first-team action elsewhere.

    Villa confirmed that Martinez has joined on a four-year contract, and it is expected that the Argentina international will serve as their first-choice keeper this season as they look to avoid another relegation dogfight, having only stayed up on the final day in 2019-20.

    Manager Dean Smith said: “We are really pleased with the signing of our new goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. We know how highly Arsenal rated him and we watched his outstanding performances last season in a trophy-winning top side.

    “We moved for Emi when we saw the opportunity, as it is rare to be able to buy a top-class goalkeeper who hasn’t yet reached their peak age and who can therefore be a key player for our club for the long term.”

  • Apostle Suleman reacts to Arsenal 1-0 defeat to Villa

    Apostle Suleman reacts to Arsenal 1-0 defeat to Villa

    Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries has insisted that Arsenal need a proper investment for next season.

    The cleric said this while reacting to Arsenal’s Premier League 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday.

    Arsenal saw their quest to qualify for the UEFA Europa League via the Premier League all but end, following a shock loss against their relegation-threatened hosts.

    Trezeguet scored the only goal of the match in the first half, as Aston Villa boosted their chances of survival.

    Reacting to the development, Suleman, who is a strong fan of the Gunners, wrote on his Twitter handle on Wednesday morning: “These guys just give somebody headache..well, it’s my typical Arsenal..Days after elevation to such great heights..we need proper investment for next season..the season ain’t over though..#COYG.”

  • Jack Grealish on way to Man Utd – Sherwood

    Jack Grealish on way to Man Utd – Sherwood

    Former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood is convinced Jack Grealish is on his way to Manchester United.

    United head the race for Grealish who is expected to depart his boyhood club regardless of whether they retain their Premier League status.

    Sherwood believes a deal has already been struck with United for the 24-year-old to move at the end of the season.

    “I think Jack Grealish is a deal which is already done,” he told Premier League Productions. “He’s a player that they [Manchester United] need. I honestly believe there’s only one club for Jack Grealish.

    “I don’t think he can stay at Aston Villa, he needs to progress his career. I think he signs for Manchester United.”