17 days ago
The new era for Monomoy field hockey looks a lot like the previous one.
Monomoy (1-1) beat St. John Paul II (0-2), 6-0, on Monday under a new coaching staff.
It was the first Monomoy win for coaches Laura and Brynn Morris, who took over this season for Kyle Cappallo, who left this offseason.
On Monday's home opener win, Mia Zimmerman scored three goals. Sage Harrison scored one goal. Kate Huse had one goal and one ****** ist. Rebecca Brown scored her first varsity goal. Emery Cappallo had three ****** ists.
Goalie Maddy Swett had two saves for a shutout and is 40 saves away from 300.
#first
Monomoy (1-1) beat St. John Paul II (0-2), 6-0, on Monday under a new coaching staff.
It was the first Monomoy win for coaches Laura and Brynn Morris, who took over this season for Kyle Cappallo, who left this offseason.
On Monday's home opener win, Mia Zimmerman scored three goals. Sage Harrison scored one goal. Kate Huse had one goal and one ****** ist. Rebecca Brown scored her first varsity goal. Emery Cappallo had three ****** ists.
Goalie Maddy Swett had two saves for a shutout and is 40 saves away from 300.
#first
19 days ago
In a long interview with France Football just a few weeks before the Ballon d'Or, Kylian Mbappé opened up about the players who will shape football in the years to come.
Mbappé then revealed a short list and was full of praise for a certain Lamine Yamal.
"To determine the ten to fifteen best players in the world, I think everyone agrees. Among the youngsters? Lamine Yamal. He has everything [...] I really like Estevao, he has a certain creativity. Here, Arda Güler can go very far. Endrick has potential, he's a goalscorer. Warren (Zaïre-Emery), Désiré (Doué), they're going to have great careers, that's for sure," he explained.
It's a gesture that could prove costly for Memphis Depay.
During the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarter-final between Corinthians and Estudiantes, the Dutch forward lost his cool by making an obscene gesture toward the Argentine crowd after his club's equalizer in the second half.
#mbapp
Mbappé then revealed a short list and was full of praise for a certain Lamine Yamal.
"To determine the ten to fifteen best players in the world, I think everyone agrees. Among the youngsters? Lamine Yamal. He has everything [...] I really like Estevao, he has a certain creativity. Here, Arda Güler can go very far. Endrick has potential, he's a goalscorer. Warren (Zaïre-Emery), Désiré (Doué), they're going to have great careers, that's for sure," he explained.
It's a gesture that could prove costly for Memphis Depay.
During the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarter-final between Corinthians and Estudiantes, the Dutch forward lost his cool by making an obscene gesture toward the Argentine crowd after his club's equalizer in the second half.
#mbapp
20 days ago
Unai Emery will make late decisions on Matty Cash and Johan Manzambi ahead of Aston Villa's clash with Nottingham Forest.
Cash missed Villa's Champions League win over Club Brugge with what Emery described as a "small injury".
"It is difficult, but we will train now in the afternoon, and we will check him in case he is getting better," Emery said when asked about Cash.
"It is a small injury, and he needed a few days [resting], and today we will test him."
Manzambi, meanwhile, is closing in on his Villa debut after returning to training with the squad this week.
#cash #injury #matty
Cash missed Villa's Champions League win over Club Brugge with what Emery described as a "small injury".
"It is difficult, but we will train now in the afternoon, and we will check him in case he is getting better," Emery said when asked about Cash.
"It is a small injury, and he needed a few days [resting], and today we will test him."
Manzambi, meanwhile, is closing in on his Villa debut after returning to training with the squad this week.
#cash #injury #matty
21 days ago
Aston Villa will welcome Nottingham Forest at Villa Park this Saturday as they look to secure a win at home in the Premier League. The Villans managed to earn a hard-fought 3-2 win away at Club Brugge recently, which should keep them in good spirits going into this game.
Unai Emery will set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first team for this clash. Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings could both play from the start of this game.
Zion Suzuki will operate in between the sticks for the Villans after he conceded two goals in his last appearance. Tyrone Mings will continue to function alongside Victor Lindelof at the heart of the Aston Villa backline as they look to keep a good shape on the defensive end of the field.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will try to catch the eye as the right-back, while Ian Maatsen hopes to prove his worth on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will get the freedom to go forward and express themselves inside the opponent's half.
Pau Torres will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
#villa
Unai Emery will set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first team for this clash. Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings could both play from the start of this game.
Zion Suzuki will operate in between the sticks for the Villans after he conceded two goals in his last appearance. Tyrone Mings will continue to function alongside Victor Lindelof at the heart of the Aston Villa backline as they look to keep a good shape on the defensive end of the field.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will try to catch the eye as the right-back, while Ian Maatsen hopes to prove his worth on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will get the freedom to go forward and express themselves inside the opponent's half.
Pau Torres will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
#villa
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23 days ago
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League
The Ballon d'Or's official website has been confirming some of their nominees for the 2026 award ceremony throughout Tuesday, with **** nal receiving nominations in a number of categories.
The first nomination was for Men's Club of the Year, and **** nal are up against Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo, and Paris Saint-Germain for the award. The Gunners' Premier League trophy and two final appearances, including the Champions League final, are behind the nomination.
Next came the Men's Coach of the Year nominations, with Mikel Arteta joining Spain's Luis de la Fuente, Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany, and Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique on the shortlist.
Arsenal's successes are again the obvious motivating factor behind Arteta's nomination.
#league #arsenal #bayern
The Ballon d'Or's official website has been confirming some of their nominees for the 2026 award ceremony throughout Tuesday, with **** nal receiving nominations in a number of categories.
The first nomination was for Men's Club of the Year, and **** nal are up against Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo, and Paris Saint-Germain for the award. The Gunners' Premier League trophy and two final appearances, including the Champions League final, are behind the nomination.
Next came the Men's Coach of the Year nominations, with Mikel Arteta joining Spain's Luis de la Fuente, Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Bayern Munich's Vincent Kompany, and Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique on the shortlist.
Arsenal's successes are again the obvious motivating factor behind Arteta's nomination.
#league #arsenal #bayern
23 days ago
Aston Villa signed Leon Goretzka to add experience, physicality and pedigree to their midfield. So far, they have had none of it. The 31-year-old German, capped 73 times by his country, remains unavailable and will not return until after the international break.
Unai Emery wanted him involved from the start of the season, but that plan has already gone off course. Goretzka arrived without a pre-season, has been playing catch-up physically and has now suffered a setback. The result is simple, he missed the Premier League game against Hull City and will also sit out Villa's opening Champions League fixture against Club Brugge.
Photo IMAGO
This was always a calculated risk. Goretzka has quality, that part is not in dispute. The issue was whether his body and his recent workload would allow Villa to get value quickly enough. At 31, with injury concerns and limited recent football behind him, this was never a straightforward signing.
Now the concerns are louder. He has yet to make his debut and Villa are already moving through a critical stretch of the season without him. For a side trying to establish rhythm in both the Premier League and Champions League, that matters.
#season #champions #without #recent
Unai Emery wanted him involved from the start of the season, but that plan has already gone off course. Goretzka arrived without a pre-season, has been playing catch-up physically and has now suffered a setback. The result is simple, he missed the Premier League game against Hull City and will also sit out Villa's opening Champions League fixture against Club Brugge.
Photo IMAGO
This was always a calculated risk. Goretzka has quality, that part is not in dispute. The issue was whether his body and his recent workload would allow Villa to get value quickly enough. At 31, with injury concerns and limited recent football behind him, this was never a straightforward signing.
Now the concerns are louder. He has yet to make his debut and Villa are already moving through a critical stretch of the season without him. For a side trying to establish rhythm in both the Premier League and Champions League, that matters.
#season #champions #without #recent
23 days ago
It is a new era - but Aston Villa have been here before.
No goals in their first three Premier League games, with one shot on target, has followed a summer of change.
They open their second Champions League campaign under Unai Emery at Club Brugge on Tuesday aiming to ignite the season.
Villa took five games to score their first top-flight goal last season before ending the campaign triumphant, winning the Europa League in Istanbul.
Since then, six of the starting XI from that victory have departed Villa Park, leaving them rebuilding their forward line.
#league #premier
No goals in their first three Premier League games, with one shot on target, has followed a summer of change.
They open their second Champions League campaign under Unai Emery at Club Brugge on Tuesday aiming to ignite the season.
Villa took five games to score their first top-flight goal last season before ending the campaign triumphant, winning the Europa League in Istanbul.
Since then, six of the starting XI from that victory have departed Villa Park, leaving them rebuilding their forward line.
#league #premier
26 days ago
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to BBC's Match of the Day: "We planned this match the way we played. We were trying to dominate the match with our positioning, keeping possession of the ball as much as possible, and not conceding transitions, free-kicks or corners was our objective throughout the match.
"During the game, we tried to feel comfortable, create some good individual actions and be clinical. We created around five good chances to score. The next step for us is to continue building the team and try to correct a few things offensively. We are improving, but not enough.
"Overall, I can tell the fans and the players that I understand this is the way. In the last four years, with the success and performances we have had, we have had some days like today."
On new players taking time to gel: "The players who joined us need some adaption. Some our adapting quicker than others. In everything we are building, we must try and add the players who joined us in the direction we want."
Did you know?
#players #building #aston
"During the game, we tried to feel comfortable, create some good individual actions and be clinical. We created around five good chances to score. The next step for us is to continue building the team and try to correct a few things offensively. We are improving, but not enough.
"Overall, I can tell the fans and the players that I understand this is the way. In the last four years, with the success and performances we have had, we have had some days like today."
On new players taking time to gel: "The players who joined us need some adaption. Some our adapting quicker than others. In everything we are building, we must try and add the players who joined us in the direction we want."
Did you know?
#players #building #aston
28 days ago
Just 105 days separate the Aston Villa triumph in the Europa League final and the end of the transfer window in England. In that short ******* e of time, the villans have gone from euphoria to uncertainty in the blink of an eye.
That's because the squad led by Unai Emery has been through a genuine revolution: the backbone of the side that had been fighting for top spots in the Premier League in recent years has been almost completely dismantled. The fact is that the Birmingham club has been affected by UEFA's financial rules, so selling players was nothing new.
In 2024, Douglas Luiz's move to Juventus prevented a 10-point deduction for breaching financial fair play; later, Moussa Diaby headed to Saudi Arabia because of PSR/SCR rules, which limit clubs in European competitions to spending only 70 per cent of their operating revenue.
Then 2025 began with the record sale of Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr. Mid-year, it was Jacob Ramsey's turn to join Newcastle – it is worth noting that academy graduates tend to generate more profit, something that leaves fans deeply frustrated when they want to see local players thrive.
Now, in 2026, Aston Villa were still forced to 'sell to buy' and saw nine players leave permanently, in a process that generated £313.5 million - staggering figures that represent the second-highest revenue ever produced by a club in a single transfer window.
#villa #league #club
That's because the squad led by Unai Emery has been through a genuine revolution: the backbone of the side that had been fighting for top spots in the Premier League in recent years has been almost completely dismantled. The fact is that the Birmingham club has been affected by UEFA's financial rules, so selling players was nothing new.
In 2024, Douglas Luiz's move to Juventus prevented a 10-point deduction for breaching financial fair play; later, Moussa Diaby headed to Saudi Arabia because of PSR/SCR rules, which limit clubs in European competitions to spending only 70 per cent of their operating revenue.
Then 2025 began with the record sale of Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr. Mid-year, it was Jacob Ramsey's turn to join Newcastle – it is worth noting that academy graduates tend to generate more profit, something that leaves fans deeply frustrated when they want to see local players thrive.
Now, in 2026, Aston Villa were still forced to 'sell to buy' and saw nine players leave permanently, in a process that generated £313.5 million - staggering figures that represent the second-highest revenue ever produced by a club in a single transfer window.
#villa #league #club
29 days ago
Aston Villa are now close to seeing Leon Bailey leave for Olympiacos after the British transfer window shut on 1 September. The Daily Express reports that the winger has found an alternative route out of Villa Park after a proposed move to Hull City collapsed late in the window.
Bailey had been left training alone at Bodymoor Heath after that failed switch, showing how far he had slipped from Unai Emery's plans. Now Olympiacos have stepped in with a permanent deal, and the winger is heading to Athens for a medical before completing the move. Reports indicate he will sign a contract running until June 2029.
Villa can no longer replace him from the English market, yet the club can still clear a difficult situation. Bailey's departure closes a chapter that had lost momentum.
Bailey's best spell came in 2023/24, when he produced 10 Premier League goals and 10 ****** ists, but that output has fallen away sharply. Across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 league campaigns, he scored just one goal. Last season brought 13 league appearances, mostly from the bench, with zero goals and one ****** ist, while his spell at Roma produced seven Serie A appearances without a goal.
PORTO, PORTUGAL – JULY 25: Leon Bailey of Aston Villa during a pre-season friendly match between FC Porto and Aston Villa at Estadio do Dragao on July 25, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
#villa #Porto #league
Bailey had been left training alone at Bodymoor Heath after that failed switch, showing how far he had slipped from Unai Emery's plans. Now Olympiacos have stepped in with a permanent deal, and the winger is heading to Athens for a medical before completing the move. Reports indicate he will sign a contract running until June 2029.
Villa can no longer replace him from the English market, yet the club can still clear a difficult situation. Bailey's departure closes a chapter that had lost momentum.
Bailey's best spell came in 2023/24, when he produced 10 Premier League goals and 10 ****** ists, but that output has fallen away sharply. Across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 league campaigns, he scored just one goal. Last season brought 13 league appearances, mostly from the bench, with zero goals and one ****** ist, while his spell at Roma produced seven Serie A appearances without a goal.
PORTO, PORTUGAL – JULY 25: Leon Bailey of Aston Villa during a pre-season friendly match between FC Porto and Aston Villa at Estadio do Dragao on July 25, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
#villa #Porto #league
30 days ago
€1 billion in 18 months: Enzo Fernandez deal means Enzo Maresca has no excuses in first Man City season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No amount of transfer outlay can make Enzo Maresca's Manchester City task straightforward. Following greats is hard, even for very talented coaches.
Some of the pre-season conversation saw the likes of Unai Emery and David Moyes mentioned alongside Maresca. They succeeded ******* ne Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson at ******* nal and Manchester United respectively and never really had a chance. How on earth can Maresca hope to follow Pep Guardiola successfully?
Emery and Moyes will be mentioned again after any moments of turbulence at the Etihad Stadium this season. Their cautionary tales were cited after ******* nal swept past City 3-0 in the Community Shield. There was a gulf, an unbridgeable chasm.
Of course, part of that was overreaction after a glorified friendly. The narrative of ******* nal being a stable and ******* ured force while half of the Premier League is in flux also appeals to purists' instincts. Other teams are spending hundreds of millions of pounds and sacking managers, just to try to catch up with a team that charted a steady course, trusted the process and finally won the league.
#city #moyes
No amount of transfer outlay can make Enzo Maresca's Manchester City task straightforward. Following greats is hard, even for very talented coaches.
Some of the pre-season conversation saw the likes of Unai Emery and David Moyes mentioned alongside Maresca. They succeeded ******* ne Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson at ******* nal and Manchester United respectively and never really had a chance. How on earth can Maresca hope to follow Pep Guardiola successfully?
Emery and Moyes will be mentioned again after any moments of turbulence at the Etihad Stadium this season. Their cautionary tales were cited after ******* nal swept past City 3-0 in the Community Shield. There was a gulf, an unbridgeable chasm.
Of course, part of that was overreaction after a glorified friendly. The narrative of ******* nal being a stable and ******* ured force while half of the Premier League is in flux also appeals to purists' instincts. Other teams are spending hundreds of millions of pounds and sacking managers, just to try to catch up with a team that charted a steady course, trusted the process and finally won the league.
#city #moyes
1 month ago
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta saw his team squeak out a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday to keep an unblemished Premier League ******* le defense.
The Gunners took a second-half lead on Bukayo Saka's second goal of the Premier League season and rode that through stoppage time to all three points.
MORE — Aston Villa v ******* nal recap, highlights
Old boss Unai Emery flustered the Gunners for much of the game but the flip side was ******* nal showed very few openings to the Villans attack.
There was some bad news from the win, as Cristhian Mosquera had to exit with an apparently leg injury late in the contest.
#second
The Gunners took a second-half lead on Bukayo Saka's second goal of the Premier League season and rode that through stoppage time to all three points.
MORE — Aston Villa v ******* nal recap, highlights
Old boss Unai Emery flustered the Gunners for much of the game but the flip side was ******* nal showed very few openings to the Villans attack.
There was some bad news from the win, as Cristhian Mosquera had to exit with an apparently leg injury late in the contest.
#second
1 month ago
The big Premier League clash of the evening!
This Monday night, the defending champions travel to Aston Villa for Matchday 2 of the Premier League.
While the Gunners hope to close the gap on Manchester City, Chelsea and Hull City, Aston Villa will be looking to bounce back after their heavy opening defeat to Brighton (4-0).
New signing Nicolas Jackson has notably been selected to lead the attack by Unai Emery.
Check out the line-ups below.
#aston #gunners
This Monday night, the defending champions travel to Aston Villa for Matchday 2 of the Premier League.
While the Gunners hope to close the gap on Manchester City, Chelsea and Hull City, Aston Villa will be looking to bounce back after their heavy opening defeat to Brighton (4-0).
New signing Nicolas Jackson has notably been selected to lead the attack by Unai Emery.
Check out the line-ups below.
#aston #gunners
1 month ago
Unai Emery has insisted that there are no "good relations" between Chelsea and Aston Villa after a series of transfers between the clubs.
On Sunday Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joined Chelsea from Villa, completing the eighth deal between them in the past four years.
Martinez's move to Chelsea comes after Nicolas Jackson's transfer the other way last week.
No two Premier League clubs have exchanged more players, on permanent or loan deals, in the past four years.
But Villa boss Emery said the relationship between the two clubs is "only through the deals for money".
#deals #aston
On Sunday Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joined Chelsea from Villa, completing the eighth deal between them in the past four years.
Martinez's move to Chelsea comes after Nicolas Jackson's transfer the other way last week.
No two Premier League clubs have exchanged more players, on permanent or loan deals, in the past four years.
But Villa boss Emery said the relationship between the two clubs is "only through the deals for money".
#deals #aston
1 month ago
Aston Villa host **** nal at Villa Park on Monday looking to respond after a 4-0 opening-weekend defeat at Brighton, a result that left Unai Emery's side without a point or a shot on target.
The visit of the champions arrives amid significant summer turnover at Villa Park, with several new signings in line to feature for the first time.
Leon Bailey, Amadou Onana (knee), Johan Manzambi (knee) and Brian Madjo (ankle/foot) are all unavailable, and Joao Gomes is suspended. Tammy Abraham is a doubt with a groin/hip issue. Ollie Watkins departed the club this summer, adding to the selection questions facing Emery in attack.
Zion Suzuki, a £30 million signing from Parma, is expected to make his Villa debut in goal after Marco Bizot started the defeat at Brighton. Leon Goretzka, who joined the club on Thursday, is set to come straight into midfield in place of the suspended Gomes, partnering Boubacar Kamara. Nicolas Jackson is also in line for his first involvement, leading the line in Watkins' absence, with John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and George Hemmings providing support behind him.
Aston Villa possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Goretzka; McGinn, Buendía, Hemmings; Jackson
#villa #line #park #leon
The visit of the champions arrives amid significant summer turnover at Villa Park, with several new signings in line to feature for the first time.
Leon Bailey, Amadou Onana (knee), Johan Manzambi (knee) and Brian Madjo (ankle/foot) are all unavailable, and Joao Gomes is suspended. Tammy Abraham is a doubt with a groin/hip issue. Ollie Watkins departed the club this summer, adding to the selection questions facing Emery in attack.
Zion Suzuki, a £30 million signing from Parma, is expected to make his Villa debut in goal after Marco Bizot started the defeat at Brighton. Leon Goretzka, who joined the club on Thursday, is set to come straight into midfield in place of the suspended Gomes, partnering Boubacar Kamara. Nicolas Jackson is also in line for his first involvement, leading the line in Watkins' absence, with John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and George Hemmings providing support behind him.
Aston Villa possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Goretzka; McGinn, Buendía, Hemmings; Jackson
#villa #line #park #leon
1 month ago
Alonso sprang a surprise by naming Martinez in the starting line-up - less than four hours after his £7.5m move was confirmed by the club.
It is a lifeline for Martinez, who turns 34 next week and fell out of favour at Aston Villa following a failed move to Juventus and the arrival of **** an's Zion Suzuki as Unai Emery's first-choice keeper.
The World Cup winner's every catch was cheered on by the Stamford Bridge faithful during an **** ured display in goal, though he was unlucky to concede two of Brighton's three goals, his save landing on the feet of Yalcouye for the opener and then getting undone by Joao Pedro's own goal.
His best moment came just before Brighton's second when he made a sharp diving save from Diego Gomez and he also denied Olivier Boscagli and Brighton a third, which would have levelled the score.
Chelsea have spent heavily across the pitch under their new ownership, but for many, a reliable goalkeeper was the missing piece.
#move #villa
It is a lifeline for Martinez, who turns 34 next week and fell out of favour at Aston Villa following a failed move to Juventus and the arrival of **** an's Zion Suzuki as Unai Emery's first-choice keeper.
The World Cup winner's every catch was cheered on by the Stamford Bridge faithful during an **** ured display in goal, though he was unlucky to concede two of Brighton's three goals, his save landing on the feet of Yalcouye for the opener and then getting undone by Joao Pedro's own goal.
His best moment came just before Brighton's second when he made a sharp diving save from Diego Gomez and he also denied Olivier Boscagli and Brighton a third, which would have levelled the score.
Chelsea have spent heavily across the pitch under their new ownership, but for many, a reliable goalkeeper was the missing piece.
#move #villa
1 month ago
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Monday night when they travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa, with Mikel Arteta's side looking to maintain their perfect start to the new campaign.
The Gunners have had an unusual 10-day break since their last game, but plenty has happened during that time, including significant transfer activity involving both clubs.
Perhaps the most intriguing move of all ahead of Monday's meeting is Ezri Konsa swapping Villa Park for ****** nal, meaning the defender could make his Gunners debut against the club he has just left.
Arsenal head to the Midlands having started the season positively, while Aston Villa will be desperate to respond after suffering a heavy defeat in their Premier League opener.
Unai Emery's side lost 4-0 away to Brighton, with all four goals arriving before half-time.
#gunners #side
The Gunners have had an unusual 10-day break since their last game, but plenty has happened during that time, including significant transfer activity involving both clubs.
Perhaps the most intriguing move of all ahead of Monday's meeting is Ezri Konsa swapping Villa Park for ****** nal, meaning the defender could make his Gunners debut against the club he has just left.
Arsenal head to the Midlands having started the season positively, while Aston Villa will be desperate to respond after suffering a heavy defeat in their Premier League opener.
Unai Emery's side lost 4-0 away to Brighton, with all four goals arriving before half-time.
#gunners #side
1 month ago
PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye (18) has eventually agreed to join Aston Villa, after the two clubs had thrashed out a €55m deal for the transfer of the Senegal international, according to RMC Sport. The player is expected to fly out to Birmingham this Saturday to undergo a medical and complete final formalities to sign for Unai Emery's UEFA Europa League winners. Mbaye is set to sign a five-year deal with the Villans.
RMC Sport understands that Aston Villa were long-time admirers of Mbaye. The Premier League side gradually made their interest known, until an agreement was found this Friday with PSG. RB Leipzig, Chelsea and Liverpool were also interested in making a move for Mbaye. The Reds withdrew from the race after PSG's initial demands approached €70m. Eventually, Aston Villa's outlay for Mbaye rises to €55m.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
#aston #sport
RMC Sport understands that Aston Villa were long-time admirers of Mbaye. The Premier League side gradually made their interest known, until an agreement was found this Friday with PSG. RB Leipzig, Chelsea and Liverpool were also interested in making a move for Mbaye. The Reds withdrew from the race after PSG's initial demands approached €70m. Eventually, Aston Villa's outlay for Mbaye rises to €55m.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
#aston #sport
1 month ago
Manager Unai Emery said Ollie Watkins apologised for refusing to play for Aston Villa on Sunday as he paid an emotional tribute to departing striker.
Emery praised the England forward's behaviour during his Villa career and said he and the squad accepted Watkins' apology for making himself unavailable against Brighton.
The 30-year-old is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, with Villa poised to finalise the signing of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson for £65m as his replacement.
Watkins is Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, part an overall tally of 108 in all competitions since signing from Brentford for £28m in 2020.
"He told us after the Brighton match he was sorry and that he had made a mistake. He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well," said Emery.
#villa #brighton #signing
Emery praised the England forward's behaviour during his Villa career and said he and the squad accepted Watkins' apology for making himself unavailable against Brighton.
The 30-year-old is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, with Villa poised to finalise the signing of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson for £65m as his replacement.
Watkins is Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, part an overall tally of 108 in all competitions since signing from Brentford for £28m in 2020.
"He told us after the Brighton match he was sorry and that he had made a mistake. He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well," said Emery.
#villa #brighton #signing
1 month ago
Aug. 27—EMERY, S.D. — Once rivals and now consolidated school partners, the communities of Bridgewater and Emery each have longstanding traditions of athletic excellence.
With the introduction of a Bridgewater-Emery Athletics Hall of Fame, the past, present and future generations of greats will be preserved and promoted for the enjoyment of all.
The inaugural Bridgewater-Emery Hall of Fame induction banquet is set for Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Emery Auditorium. A social hour begins at 5 p.m. with the banquet at 6 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40, and the event will also serve as a fundraiser for Bridgewater-Emery athletics.
The inaugural class of inductees includes Brian Aamlid, Harold Koch and John Rinehart, all of Bridgewater, along with Lee Ibis, Terry Janssen and Steve Arend, all of Emery, plus Heather Wollman, the first inductee representing the Bridgewater-Emery teams. Two teams — Bridgewater 1961 boys basketball and Emery 1950 boys basketball — will also be honored. Individual bios for all inductees can be found at
beathleticshof.com.
#emery #fame #teams
With the introduction of a Bridgewater-Emery Athletics Hall of Fame, the past, present and future generations of greats will be preserved and promoted for the enjoyment of all.
The inaugural Bridgewater-Emery Hall of Fame induction banquet is set for Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Emery Auditorium. A social hour begins at 5 p.m. with the banquet at 6 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40, and the event will also serve as a fundraiser for Bridgewater-Emery athletics.
The inaugural class of inductees includes Brian Aamlid, Harold Koch and John Rinehart, all of Bridgewater, along with Lee Ibis, Terry Janssen and Steve Arend, all of Emery, plus Heather Wollman, the first inductee representing the Bridgewater-Emery teams. Two teams — Bridgewater 1961 boys basketball and Emery 1950 boys basketball — will also be honored. Individual bios for all inductees can be found at
beathleticshof.com.
#emery #fame #teams
1 month ago
The Champions League draw is another reminder that Aston Villa are back among the elite - but also how much change there has been.
Europa League winners Villa, returning to the competition after a season away, will host defending champions Paris St-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Trips to Barcelona and Galatasaray add an extra sparkle while Unai Emery's side also face Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Viking and Slavia Prague.
PSG's visit will naturally evoke the memories of the 2025 quarter-final when Villa so nearly upset the eventual winners with a memorable comeback.
Although it will be a very different Aston Villa side which will face the defending champions, with Emi Martinez's move to Chelsea and Ollie Watkins' switch to Al-Hilal due to go through before the deadline.
#villa #side
Europa League winners Villa, returning to the competition after a season away, will host defending champions Paris St-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Trips to Barcelona and Galatasaray add an extra sparkle while Unai Emery's side also face Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Viking and Slavia Prague.
PSG's visit will naturally evoke the memories of the 2025 quarter-final when Villa so nearly upset the eventual winners with a memorable comeback.
Although it will be a very different Aston Villa side which will face the defending champions, with Emi Martinez's move to Chelsea and Ollie Watkins' switch to Al-Hilal due to go through before the deadline.
#villa #side
1 month ago
Aston Villa are on the verge of signing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that personal terms between the player's camp and the club are nearly finalised. Aston Villa have now entered official club-to-club negotiations with Chelsea, with Unai Emery personally pushing the deal forward. The total package on the table exceeds £60 million. Jackson, 25, is not part of new Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso's plans after returning from a season-long loan at Bayern Munich.
This isn't panic buying. Jackson spent the 2025/26 season at Bayern, scoring 8 goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances and contributing 3 goals and 2 ***** ists across 10 Champions League matches. He also scored twice for Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. A regular in Senegal's 2026 World Cup campaign too. He has proven he can function at the highest level.
Chelsea want him gone. That changes the negotiation entirely.
At £60m, Villa are acquiring a Premier League-tested, Champions League-experienced centre-forward who is 25 years old. The market for that profile is brutal right now, so the fee isn't outrageous; it's the going rate.
MUNICH, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 17: Nicolas Jackson of Bayern Munich looks on from the bench during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between FC Bayern München and Chelsea FC at Football Arena Munich on September 17, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
#Chelsea #jackson #bayern #champions
This isn't panic buying. Jackson spent the 2025/26 season at Bayern, scoring 8 goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances and contributing 3 goals and 2 ***** ists across 10 Champions League matches. He also scored twice for Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. A regular in Senegal's 2026 World Cup campaign too. He has proven he can function at the highest level.
Chelsea want him gone. That changes the negotiation entirely.
At £60m, Villa are acquiring a Premier League-tested, Champions League-experienced centre-forward who is 25 years old. The market for that profile is brutal right now, so the fee isn't outrageous; it's the going rate.
MUNICH, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 17: Nicolas Jackson of Bayern Munich looks on from the bench during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between FC Bayern München and Chelsea FC at Football Arena Munich on September 17, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
#Chelsea #jackson #bayern #champions
1 month ago
Arsenal will face Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the league phase of the 2026/27 Champions League.
Mikel Arteta's side have been handed one of the toughest schedules of the five Premier League representatives, with Real Madrid visiting the Emirates Stadium and ****** nal travelling to Bayern Munich.
Arsenal will also host Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sabah, while travelling to Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.
Aston Villa face a similarly demanding campaign on their return to the Champions League, with Unai Emery's side travelling to Barcelona and hosting holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa will also take on Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Viking and Slavia Prague.
#arsenal #real #dortmund
Mikel Arteta's side have been handed one of the toughest schedules of the five Premier League representatives, with Real Madrid visiting the Emirates Stadium and ****** nal travelling to Bayern Munich.
Arsenal will also host Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sabah, while travelling to Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.
Aston Villa face a similarly demanding campaign on their return to the Champions League, with Unai Emery's side travelling to Barcelona and hosting holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa will also take on Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Viking and Slavia Prague.
#arsenal #real #dortmund
1 month ago
Xabi Alonso and Unai Emery are at Stamford Bridge and at Villa Park, respectively. Aston Villa have submitted a formal €70 million bid to Chelsea for striker Nicolas Jackson, with the Blues reportedly close to accepting the offer, according to transfer reporter Santi Aouna.
Villa have stepped up their search for a new centre-forward ahead of the transfer deadline, with current striker Ollie Watkins attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and potentially set to depart.
With a club-to-club agreement close, Villa's attention now turns to finalising personal terms with Jackson. The Senegal international has been linked with several clubs across Europe, including Napoli and Atletico Madrid, with the latter recently having a loan bid rejected.
Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has displayed pace, effective link-up play, and strong ball-carrying, though his finishing has been inconsistent. He spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances.
Chelsea are keen to part ways with Jackson this summer, preferring an outright sale or a loan with an obligation to buy.
#transfer
Villa have stepped up their search for a new centre-forward ahead of the transfer deadline, with current striker Ollie Watkins attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and potentially set to depart.
With a club-to-club agreement close, Villa's attention now turns to finalising personal terms with Jackson. The Senegal international has been linked with several clubs across Europe, including Napoli and Atletico Madrid, with the latter recently having a loan bid rejected.
Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has displayed pace, effective link-up play, and strong ball-carrying, though his finishing has been inconsistent. He spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances.
Chelsea are keen to part ways with Jackson this summer, preferring an outright sale or a loan with an obligation to buy.
#transfer
1 month ago
Where Unai Emery is concerned, the silent treatment has taken on a new meaning. The Aston Villa manager's pre-match interview at Brighton on Sunday was notable for a one-word answer. "Silence," he said, when asked about Ollie Watkins' whereabouts. The England striker was absent for the 4-0 defeat, Emery hinting he refused to play.
Watkins appears set on joining Al Hilal. A considerable boost to his bank balance would come with a dent to his reputation. For the nice guy, one of football's feel-good stories, it surely wasn't supposed to end like this. When Watkins was playing for Exeter at 21, the riches now offered in Saudi Arabia would have seemed unimaginable. But so, too, would have scoring the winner for England in the semi-final of a major tournament or winning a European trophy. This will be his last big contract – and presumably, much his biggest – but it again invites the question of how much money footballers need.
Ollie Watkins appears set to wave farewell to Aston Villa (Getty)
Six years at Villa Park should not have left him a pauper. Instead, he may leave Villa with Emi Buendia acting as a false nine at Brighton as they made a false start to their campaign.
A tarnished legacy would be a shame because Watkins and Villa have been very good for each other. He had never played in the top flight before he became their club record signing. He became the only player to reach double figures of Premier League goals in each of the last six seasons. His departure may be drawn out, but perhaps Watkins finished in a way with a match-winning brace against Manchester City, his last game at Villa Park, like his third, an evisceration of Liverpool. There were six goals in his last five games for Villa and, in the one where he did not find the net, they won the Europa League.
#villa #aston #ollie #league
Watkins appears set on joining Al Hilal. A considerable boost to his bank balance would come with a dent to his reputation. For the nice guy, one of football's feel-good stories, it surely wasn't supposed to end like this. When Watkins was playing for Exeter at 21, the riches now offered in Saudi Arabia would have seemed unimaginable. But so, too, would have scoring the winner for England in the semi-final of a major tournament or winning a European trophy. This will be his last big contract – and presumably, much his biggest – but it again invites the question of how much money footballers need.
Ollie Watkins appears set to wave farewell to Aston Villa (Getty)
Six years at Villa Park should not have left him a pauper. Instead, he may leave Villa with Emi Buendia acting as a false nine at Brighton as they made a false start to their campaign.
A tarnished legacy would be a shame because Watkins and Villa have been very good for each other. He had never played in the top flight before he became their club record signing. He became the only player to reach double figures of Premier League goals in each of the last six seasons. His departure may be drawn out, but perhaps Watkins finished in a way with a match-winning brace against Manchester City, his last game at Villa Park, like his third, an evisceration of Liverpool. There were six goals in his last five games for Villa and, in the one where he did not find the net, they won the Europa League.
#villa #aston #ollie #league
1 month ago
Where Unai Emery is concerned, the silent treatment has taken on a new meaning. The Aston Villa manager's pre-match interview at Brighton on Sunday was notable for a one-word answer. "Silence," he said, when asked about Ollie Watkins' whereabouts. The England striker was absent for the 4-0 defeat, Emery hinting he refused to play.
Watkins appears set on joining Al Hilal. A considerable boost to his bank balance would come with a dent to his reputation. For the nice guy, one of football's feel-good stories, it surely wasn't supposed to end like this. When Watkins was playing for Exeter at 21, the riches now offered in Saudi Arabia would have seemed unimaginable. But so, too, would have scoring the winner for England in the semi-final of a major tournament or winning a European trophy. This will be his last big contract – and presumably, much his biggest – but it again invites the question of how much money footballers need.
Ollie Watkins appears set to wave farewell to Aston Villa (Getty)
Six years at Villa Park should not have left him a pauper. Instead, he may leave Villa with Emi Buendia acting as a false nine at Brighton as they made a false start to their campaign.
A tarnished legacy would be a shame because Watkins and Villa have been very good for each other. He had never played in the top flight before he became their club record signing. He became the only player to reach double figures of Premier League goals in each of the last six seasons. His departure may be drawn out, but perhaps Watkins finished in a way with a match-winning brace against Manchester City, his last game at Villa Park, like his third, an evisceration of Liverpool. There were six goals in his last five games for Villa and, in the one where he did not find the net, they won the Europa League.
#villa #brighton #park
Watkins appears set on joining Al Hilal. A considerable boost to his bank balance would come with a dent to his reputation. For the nice guy, one of football's feel-good stories, it surely wasn't supposed to end like this. When Watkins was playing for Exeter at 21, the riches now offered in Saudi Arabia would have seemed unimaginable. But so, too, would have scoring the winner for England in the semi-final of a major tournament or winning a European trophy. This will be his last big contract – and presumably, much his biggest – but it again invites the question of how much money footballers need.
Ollie Watkins appears set to wave farewell to Aston Villa (Getty)
Six years at Villa Park should not have left him a pauper. Instead, he may leave Villa with Emi Buendia acting as a false nine at Brighton as they made a false start to their campaign.
A tarnished legacy would be a shame because Watkins and Villa have been very good for each other. He had never played in the top flight before he became their club record signing. He became the only player to reach double figures of Premier League goals in each of the last six seasons. His departure may be drawn out, but perhaps Watkins finished in a way with a match-winning brace against Manchester City, his last game at Villa Park, like his third, an evisceration of Liverpool. There were six goals in his last five games for Villa and, in the one where he did not find the net, they won the Europa League.
#villa #brighton #park
1 month ago
Match of the Day's Danny Murphy says Aston Villa "completely capitulated" after conceding the first goal to Brighton on Sunday.
The former Premier League midfielder credited the Seagulls for their dominating display, but said Unai Emery's side were too negative and invited the pressure on themselves.
"There was so much to like about Brighton, but Villa didn't half give them a helping hand," Murphy said. "It was woeful after the first goal.
"They completely capitulated.
"It's a day they're going to have to forget quickly and put to bed."
#capitulated
The former Premier League midfielder credited the Seagulls for their dominating display, but said Unai Emery's side were too negative and invited the pressure on themselves.
"There was so much to like about Brighton, but Villa didn't half give them a helping hand," Murphy said. "It was woeful after the first goal.
"They completely capitulated.
"It's a day they're going to have to forget quickly and put to bed."
#capitulated
1 month ago
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says forward Ollie Watkins' absence in the 4-0 thrashing at Brighton is a "question for him".
The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for Villa's Premier League opener after Emery confirmed earlier in the week there had been offers from Saudi club Al-Hilal for the striker.
Asked if it was his decision to leave Watkins out, Emery told Match of the Day: "This question is for him. You can call him and try to get his answer.
"The players here wanted to play and we had two strikers with a small injury. The question on Watkins is for him."
Watkins could become the latest of Villa's European heroes to exit this summer.
#brighton
The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for Villa's Premier League opener after Emery confirmed earlier in the week there had been offers from Saudi club Al-Hilal for the striker.
Asked if it was his decision to leave Watkins out, Emery told Match of the Day: "This question is for him. You can call him and try to get his answer.
"The players here wanted to play and we had two strikers with a small injury. The question on Watkins is for him."
Watkins could become the latest of Villa's European heroes to exit this summer.
#brighton
1 month ago
A summer of change off the pitch for Aston Villa was followed by one of the worst opening 45 minutes of a season in Premier League history as Unai Emery's side collapsed at Brighton.
Last season's Europa League winners went into the new campaign having lost four of the players that started their 3-0 win over Freiburg in May. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa's exits could also soon be followed by two more first-team stars in Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, who were both left out of Villa's matchday squad at Brighton.
A new-look Villa went behind inside eight minutes in calamitous fashion as Victor Lindelof bundled into his own net before Brighton's Maxim De Cuyper doubled their advantage. Jack Hinshelwood then scored twice in two minutes before Villa's Joao Gomes, a £38m signing from Wolves, was sent off on his first Premier League appearance for his new club.
Hinshelwood's first goal was followed by another straight from kick-off. Gomes was caught in possession on the edge of his own box before Hinshelwood finished into an empty net for his second - just 80 seconds after his first.
It then went from bad to worse for debutant Gomes, who was earlier booked for waving an imaginary yellow card towards Pascal Gross, as he received a straight red card for kicking out at Georginio Rutter.
#minutes #villa
Last season's Europa League winners went into the new campaign having lost four of the players that started their 3-0 win over Freiburg in May. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa's exits could also soon be followed by two more first-team stars in Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, who were both left out of Villa's matchday squad at Brighton.
A new-look Villa went behind inside eight minutes in calamitous fashion as Victor Lindelof bundled into his own net before Brighton's Maxim De Cuyper doubled their advantage. Jack Hinshelwood then scored twice in two minutes before Villa's Joao Gomes, a £38m signing from Wolves, was sent off on his first Premier League appearance for his new club.
Hinshelwood's first goal was followed by another straight from kick-off. Gomes was caught in possession on the edge of his own box before Hinshelwood finished into an empty net for his second - just 80 seconds after his first.
It then went from bad to worse for debutant Gomes, who was earlier booked for waving an imaginary yellow card towards Pascal Gross, as he received a straight red card for kicking out at Georginio Rutter.
#minutes #villa
1 month ago
What's going on on the island? After Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, two of the favorites, already took a fully deserved beating, the next underdog is frustrating the supposedly stronger team on paper.
And "frustrating" is really an understatement. Brighton & Hove Albion were already 4-0 up after just 30 minutes against the reigning Europa League winners and last season's fourth-placed side, Aston Villa.
Fabian Hürzeler's Seagulls were ruthless. After an early own goal by Lindelöf, De Cuyper added another in the 18th minute. Homegrown talent Hinshelwood then piled on two more with a quickfire brace after half an hour.
As if that wasn't already bitter enough, the team from Birmingham then reduced themselves to ten men. João Gomes was shown a red card for violent conduct.
After Unai Emery's side recently put in a good showing against PSG in the Super Cup, this is a massive blow to start the season. Perhaps the departures of three key starters — Youri Tielemans (move to Man United), Lucas Digne (move to PSG), and Morgan Rogers (move to Chelsea) — will be felt more than initially thought after all.
#already #move #frustrating #team
And "frustrating" is really an understatement. Brighton & Hove Albion were already 4-0 up after just 30 minutes against the reigning Europa League winners and last season's fourth-placed side, Aston Villa.
Fabian Hürzeler's Seagulls were ruthless. After an early own goal by Lindelöf, De Cuyper added another in the 18th minute. Homegrown talent Hinshelwood then piled on two more with a quickfire brace after half an hour.
As if that wasn't already bitter enough, the team from Birmingham then reduced themselves to ten men. João Gomes was shown a red card for violent conduct.
After Unai Emery's side recently put in a good showing against PSG in the Super Cup, this is a massive blow to start the season. Perhaps the departures of three key starters — Youri Tielemans (move to Man United), Lucas Digne (move to PSG), and Morgan Rogers (move to Chelsea) — will be felt more than initially thought after all.
#already #move #frustrating #team
