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After sweeping aside Southampton 3-0 last time out, Leeds United welcome fellow Premier League surprise packages Aston Villa on late Saturday afternoon.

Both clubs have really turned on the style this season, with Villa still very much in the hunt for a shock European place for next year. Dean Smith’s side find themselves just nine points behind fourth-placed West Ham, but with two games in hand on the Hammers.

Leeds could be set for a pre-match boost with Jack Grealish potentially missing from action again after picking up an injury last week, but while Villa’s talisman may be ruled out, Marcelo Bielsa must instead beware Ollie Watkins.

The summer signing from Brentford has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, scoring ten goals and providing a further two assists in 23 top-flight games.

And, speaking after he scored the winning goal against Arsenal earlier this year, his manager Smith said: “‘I think every week we’re speaking very well of his performance, and that’s what he brings to the team.

“He’s selfless in terms of what his work-rate is. He’s such a good footballer but a good team-mate as well. It’s no surprise to me he has got into double figures already in the Premier League.”

Watkins isn’t just a prolific goal-scorer who does his best work inside the box. The £27m-rated star runs hard into the channels, dragging opposition centre-backs this way and that, and isn’t someone who Leeds’ defenders will find easy to hold off – he wins a mammoth 7.4 duels per game, which for context, is more than double that of Patrick Bamford (3.1).

Brentford’s programme editor, Chris Deacon, told The Athletic: “Ollie transformed himself into a physical specimen. We’d call him a machine because it looked like he would set himself into third gear and then cruise along at the front while everyone else was blowing.”

The pace and power that Wakins has is a major threat to Bielsa and Leeds, who always look to press high and can leave gaps in behind. The Villa front-man’s movement and work-rate as Smith talked up could prove to be a thorn for the Whites’ back-line, especially if they’re intent on trying to play out from the back – you only have to look at Illan Meslier being caught out by Bukayo Saka against Arsenal just recently to see that.

So while Grealish being out may be a massive relief for Leeds, Watkins is the man that Bielsa must beware.

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O atacante Thiago Ribeiro é o novo reforço do Bahia. Nesta quarta-feira, o Esquadrão de Aço anunciou a contratação do jogador de 30 anos, que tem vínculo com o Santos até o fim de 2017 e chega por empréstimo até o fim da da atual temporada.

Sem espaço no Atlético-MG de Diego Aguirre, Thiago Ribeiro teve seu contrato rescindido com o clube mineiro nesta quarta-feira. De acordo com o Bahia, o atacante chegará a Salvador na próxima segunda-feira para ser apresentado.
Revelado pelo Rio Branco de Americana-SP, em 2004, Thiago Ribeiro acumula passagens e títulos em grandes clubes brasileiros.

No São Paulo, conquistou o Mundial de Clubes em 2005 e o Campeonato Brasileiro de 2006. Já noCruzeiro, clube que defendeu entre 2008 e 2011, foi bicampeão mineiro.

Manchester City will be looking to continue their winning run when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

As a result of travel restrictions, the first leg will take place in Hungary rather than Germany, with the second leg set to take place at the Etihad next month.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now won 18 games in a row in all competitions, so will be in a confident mood ahead of the game against Marco Rose’s side, who are currently eighth in the Bundesliga.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the Spanish manager to line his side up on Wednesday evening, with four changes from the side that started against Arsenal…

Ederson keeps his place in goal despite Zack Steffen appearing earlier in the competition, as the Brazilian is obviously first-choice under Guardiola.

There are two changes in defence, as Kyle Walker comes in at right-back, which allows Joao Cancelo to move back to left-back as we saw earlier in the season, as we feel that Guardiola should go with his two best full-backs for this fixture.

Aymeric Laporte also comes in for John Stones at the back, as we feel that the Spanish manager is likely to rotate between his three quality centre-back options throughout the season.

Rodri is also likely to return in place of Fernandinho, despite the Brazilian’s impressive display last time out, as the 35-year-old is perhaps no longer able to feature in two games in such quick succession.

Finally, Phil Foden returns to the side in place of Bernardo Silva, and he makes up a front three which also includes Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, with City having arguably looked at their best in a strikerless formation in recent months.

And, in other news… Txiki must hand new deal to £150k-p/w beast Pep dubbed “the best”; even if he rarely plays

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Único jogador do São Paulo a falar na zona mista do Pacaembu após a derrota por 1 a 0 para o The Strongest, nesta quarta-feira, pela primeira rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores da América, Diego Lugano admitiu que o resultado atrapalha a vida do clube paulista na competição. O zagueiro, que não estava relacionado para a partida, confessou que ninguém no Tricolor esperava o resultado.

– A gente sabe que Libertadores todo jogo é difícil, complicado. Mas realmente ninguém esperava perder hoje. Acho que o time teve muito volume de jogo, criou muitas situações, teve muita bola parada a favor, mas não concretizou, e na Libertadores você paga caro – disse Lugano.

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– Foi uma derrota dura, porque o The Strongest, jogando em La Paz, é muito difícil de ser batido. Então, acho que essa derrota complica, complica muito a história do São Paulo na Libertadores. O time tem que melhorar e sobretudo ter resultado, porque acho que o volume de jogo do time foi bom, dominou o jogo, criou situações de gol – completou.

Lugano, que disse depender da comissão técnica para reestrear pelo clube no fim de semana, admitiu que o resultado pode ter complicado as chances de classificação para as oitavas de final.

– Acho que, se você começa uma fase de grupos perdendo em casa para um rival direto, obviamente que fica complicado. Agora tem cinco jogos e termos que ganhar quase todos. Então, essa é a realidade. Essa é a realidade, mas também não é impossível. O time tem que continuar crescendo e sobretudo ter os resultados – opinou.

يرى بول ميرسون أسطورة آرسنال، أن كريستيانو رونالدو هو السبب في إقالة أوليه جونار سولشاير من تدريب مانشستر يونايتد.

رونالدو عاد إلى يونايتد في الصيف الماضي بعدما رحل عن الفريق في 2009، ولكن لم يكمل الكثير مع سولشاير الذي تمت إقالته منذ أيام قليلة بسبب سوء النتائج.

طالع أيضًا: ميسي يرشح 5 فرق للتتويج بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا.. ويتذكر منافسته مع رونالدو

ميرسون قال في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “أنا آسف لـ سولشاير، الأمر كان واضحًا من البداية، بعدما كان لديهم خطة محددة للفريق منذ نهاية الموسم الماضي، واحتلوا المركز الثاني، حصلوا على سانشو ولديهم راشفورد وجرينوود”.

وأضاف: “في اليوم الأخير من سوق الانتقالات تبعثرت كل الأوراق بوصول كريستيانو رونالدو، دمر كل شيء بعدما انضم إلى مانشستر يونايتد، ولم يعد بإمكان سولشاير اللعب على المرتدات، وكلما لمس لاعب الكرة ذهب لـ رونالدو وبحث عنه”.

واختتم: “رونالدو لاعب كبير وأسطوري ولا يمكن التقليل منه، لكن وصوله إلى مانشستر يونايتد دمر كل شيء، لأن طريقة اللعب كانت تدور حوله، وهذا لم يكن أسلوب النادي في السنوات الماضية”.

Some observers were surprised when Emiliano Martinez made the move from Arsenal to Aston Villa. However, with Dean Smith’s side thrashing the Gunners 3-0 and having a good start to the season, it looks like the goalkeeper has made a wise choice.

His latest comments on the move have seen many fans of the club fall in love with him even more.

Speaking to the Mirror, Martinez said: “They were all saying it was a step down in my career, but I always said it was a step up. I decided to come to Villa because I trusted the manager & the ambitions, & I knew how big Villa are. Some people do not realise how big Aston Villa are.”

The Argentinian has had a great start for his new club, featuring seven times in the Premier League, keeping four clean sheets, and making 22 saves. This has even led to one fan calling him a ‘hero’.

The club have won five of their seven games, and having a confident goalkeeper with a lot more quality has seemed to make a ‘huge difference’ as one fan pointed out.

Villa currently sit in sixth place in the table, and even though it is only early in the season, it is a big change from last season which saw them only stay up on the final day.

Here is what Villa fans have said about Martinez following his latest comments:

What a brilliant attitude this man has. Such a huge difference he’s made to us!

— Kieran Woodruff (@k1eranw) November 10, 2020

In other Villa-related news, one player has been highly praised by a Premier League manager. Find out who it is here!

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O Botafogo já tem Damián Lízio, da Bolívia, Joel Carli e Gervasio Nuñez, da Argentina. Serão pelo três estrangeiros no elenco que começará a temporada do Botafogo. Por esta razão, Nuñez, o Jacaré, acredita que a comunicação entre eles vai propiciar uma rápida adaptação.

– Para mim é muito importante, principalmente pela comunicação. É difícil trocar de país. Sei que nos primeiros dias será difícil. Mas vamos nos adaptar rapidamente – analisa.

O equatoriano Pedro Larrea também pode ser contratado, mas a situação dele é complexa. O Botafogo rejeitou a documentação enviada pela Federação Equatoriana, e pode desistir da contratação do volante alvinegro.

De todo modo, o olhar para fora do país foi uma opção da diretoria alvinegra para a contratação de reforços. É possível que outros estrangeiros cheguem.

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Aston Villa appear to have been handed a clear shot at signing one of their mooted summer transfer targets after fresh reports emerged this week…

What’s the word?

The Midlands outfit have been linked with a move to sign former Dean Smith sensation Said Benrahma on more than one occasion this window but they’ve faced competition from some of their Premier League rivals.

One of which is Crystal Palace, who have seemingly ruled themselves out of signing the 25-year-old. Speaking to Football.London, manager Roy Hodgson claimed his focus was on adding another striker to his squad and claimed “a lot has to happen” before he moves for Benrahma.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mail claimed Villa were keen on signing the Bees frontman but it would cost around £25m to secure him.

Worthwhile boost?

Now that the door has seemingly opened for Smith, it would be a massive mistake on Johan Lange’s part if he were to not try to sign the impressive Algerian wizard.

During Brentford’s agonising playoff campaign, Benrahma provided 17 goals and nine assists, which is far greater than what any Villa player managed last term.

He’s so good that Sam Saunders, B team coach, claims the winger could “nutmeg a mermaid” whilst Bees boss Thomas Frank has previously lauded him as “magnificent.”

Benrahma also averaged a whopping 3.8 shots, three dribbles and 2.1 key passes per game, via WhoScored, so he’s more than just a goal threat on the wings.

The biggest benefit from this signing would undoubtedly be the familiarity that Smith already has with him having been the man to originally bring him to the Bees.

In the past, the Villa boss has lauded him as an “energetic” player who “has everything” whilst journalist Neil Dunsworth claims that “Smith obviously likes him,” so it would only make sense to secure him this summer.

For just £25m, this should absolutely be done.

AND in other news, Villa must steer clear of “unprofessional” £5m man…

The founder of football data consultants MRKT have questioned the future of Will Grigg at Sunderland, claiming that he does not fit Phil Parkinson’s system.

After moving to the Stadium of Light in January 2019, the striker has had the spotlight firmly on him, seeing his move from Wigan Athletic much documented via Netflix series Sunderland Til I Die.

Featuring regularly for the Black Cats through the 2019/2020 season, the 29-year-old has failed to find consistent form, with just one goal and one assist to his name last term.

Reports claimed earlier this summer that Sunderland were willing to listen to offers for Grigg, who is valued at £1.08m by Transfermarkt.

With Sunderland now preparing for the 2020/21 season, Ram Srinivas, who is the co-founder of MRKT Insights, spoke to Roker Report about Grigg’s future at the club.

“It’s difficult for me to say how exactly to get the best out of Will Grigg, given he doesn’t particularly suit Parkinson’s system. Ideally he’d be loaned somewhere for six months to recoup value and/or confidence when he scores goals, because he will, somewhere.

“Gooch, O’Nien, Hume, Maguire and Wright is a good enough core to build the squad around with the likes of Embleton, Kimpioka (if he re-signs) and Diamond looking to prove themselves – hopefully they will have the opportunities to.”

Sunderland’s League One rivals Shrewsbury Town are said to have pulled out with their reported interest in Grigg over the last few days.

Grigg is best off leaving Sunderland now and it is best for the club to end the relationship. A lack of goals and minimal impact makes his involvement next season seem rather unlikely.

Selling him could prove difficult, however, especially with the salary cap being introduced in the English Football League, which may preclude many clubs at that level from being able to afford his wages.

Do you think Will Grigg can improve next season, Sunderland fans? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Aston Villa’s recruitment has been nothing short of woeful since they were promoted to the Premier League.

Over £100m was spent last summer, but the calibre of player they brought in simply wasn’t good enough, with the Villans only avoiding relegation on the final day.

The Midlands outfit will want to be more comfortable this season, and they’re on their way to building a squad capable of picking up a lot of points with both Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins joining already this summer.

Cash and Watkins seem like great signings, the former Nottingham Forest man was the 18th best player in the Championship last year according to WhoScored, while Watkins netted 26 goals.

However, despite that good work, Villa may have just made a big blunder that has cost them £20m.

Of course, we’re talking about the arrival of Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal.

Now, nobody can argue that Villa didn’t need a goalkeeper due to Tom Heaton’s ongoing injury problems, but it’s hard to put together a real argument for Martinez being the answer.

Yes, the Argentine was exceptional towards the end of last season, helping Arsenal win the FA Cup and earning a lot of plaudits along the way, but the fact of the matter is he’s a 28-year-old with only 70 league appearances to his name.

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Confidence and form is so key for a goalkeeper, and we don’t know how Martinez will recover from a setback or a blunder, and for some goalkeepers, one error is enough to derail an entire career.

Paul Robinson has admitted he was never the same after his error vs Croatia in 2007, while the trials and tribulations of the 2018 World Cup has seen a massive downturn in form from David de Gea.

Coughing up £20m for Martinez on the back of a handful of good games for Arsenal is irresponsible. The sample size simply isn’t big enough to be certain that he’s a goalie capable of keeping Villa in the Premier League, and you can’t help but feel that there were plenty of other more proven glovesmen available at that price