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Grace Scrivens anchors chase with unbeaten 63 as Sunrisers start campaign with victory

ECB Reporters Network20-Apr-2024

Nicola Hancock enjoyed a successful Sunrisers debut•Getty Images

Jodi Grewcock and Nicola Hancock claimed three wickets apiece as Sunrisers launched their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaign with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Western Storm at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.Seamer Hancock took 3 for 15 in 5.4 overs and teenager Grewcock bowled unchanged for 10 overs to return impressive figures of 3 for 28 with her legbreaks as Storm were dismissed for a wholly inadequate 114 in 30.4 overs.Offspinner Mady Villiers weighed in with 2 for 36, while Esmae MacGregor took a wicket and contributed a run out as Sunrisers produced a disciplined performance in the field after winning the toss. Only Nat Wraith offered meaningful resistance with the bat, top-scoring with 42 as Storm opened this campaign as they finished the last, by suffering heavy defeat.Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens then led by example, compiling a composed innings of 63 and sharing in a reassuring partnership of 59 with Cordelia Griffith for the second wicket as the visitors comfortably overhauled their target with 16.2 overs to spare.Victorious in their final four matches of last season, Sunrisers have picked up where they left off and will go into their next match against Thunder at Sale in confident mood. For their part, Storm have now been beaten in their last five outings in the 50-over competition and will need to find improvement ahead of their trip to play Northern Diamonds at Headingley on Wednesday.Put into bat, Storm were unable to recover from the loss of early wickets and were shot out inside 31 overs, only three batters managing double-figures in an innings which the home side will no doubt want to forget in a hurry.Hancock produced a probing new-ball spell to remove Alex Griffiths for 2, but fellow opener Sophia Smale responded in positive fashion, helping herself to three leg-side boundaries to advance her score to 16. Calamity then struck, Smale clipping Villiers behind point and setting off for a quick single, only to collide with partner Sophie Luff halfway down the track and be run out by MacGregor while getting back to her feet.That unfortunate mishap sparked a dramatic collapse which saw five wickets fall in just 8.1 overs as Storm subsided to 64 for 6, their top and middle-order batting undermined by spin. Luff played and missed at a delivery from Grewcock that nipped back and was adjudged lbw for 7, while Dani Gibson was also undone by the England Under-19 legspinner, playing back to a ball that struck her on the pad and departing for 3.Plying her offbreaks at the other end, Villiers trapped Katie Jones in the crease and then struck a telling blow, inducing former England international Fran Wilson to drive straight to Jo Gardner at mid-on. Wilson had made 18 and with her went Storm’s best chance of posting a competitive total.Fearing she might run out of partners before she was able to do anything to remedy a parlous situation, Wraith adopted a forthright approach and dominated stands of 24 and 26 with Niamh Holland and Amanda-Jade Wellington for the seventh and eighth wickets respectively. But Holland eventually offered a return catch to MacGregor and Wellington miscued a drive to extra cover as Grewcock continued to deploy clever variation in flight to strike again in her final over.Attempting to take matters into her own hands, Wraith plundered half a dozen boundaries in carrying the fight to the Sunrisers bowlers, her luck finally running out when she hoisted a ball from the returning Hancock to deep midwicket. Her combative innings of 42 spanned 52 balls and at least enabled embattled Storm to realise three figures.Hancock required just four deliveries to wrap-up the innings, having Chloe Skelton caught at the wicket, the seventh Storm player to perish either in single figures or without scoring.Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Storm’s bowlers did their utmost to build pressure and new overseas recruit Wellington provided a silver lining when gaining an lbw decision to remove Ariana Dowse with the score on 21 in the eighth over. Making a good first impression on her debut, the Australian international spinner finished with 1 for 24 from nine overs and discomfited the top-order batters sufficiently to suggest she is going to make a positive impact in Storm colours this season.But the implacable Scrivens overcame all attempts to unseat her, playing a captain’s innings to ensure her team reached their target without enduring any undue dramas. She found the perfect partner in Griffith, who adopted the role of chief support in an innings of 28 that spanned 48 balls and included a quartet of fours before she holed out to Holland in the deep off the bowling of Skelton.Unperturbed by that setback, Scrivens went to 50 via 65 balls with her ninth four, a fluent cover drive plundered at the expense of Griffiths. Perhaps fittingly given her performance with the ball earlier, Grewcock hit the winning runs as she finished unbeaten on 15.

It may not be have been confirmed just yet, but Wolverhampton Wanderers can begin planning for life in the Premier League next season, having all but secured survival following Saturday’s win over Ipswich Town.

In truth, Vitor Pereira’s men had already looked rather comfortable heading into that trip to Portman Road, albeit with the visitors showing a few early signs of nerves after the in-form Liam Delap pounced to steer the Tractor Boys into the lead.

To their credit, however, the Old Gold did not wilt even despite falling behind, with Pablo Sarabia dragging his side level late on, before man of the moment Jorgen Strand Larsen completed the turnaround with his 11th league goal of the campaign.

With 12 points now separating the two sides, it would take a remarkable collapse for Wolves to cede ground now with just seven games left to play, with new boss Pereira having superbly steadied the ship after a rocky start to 2024/25 under Gary O’Neil.

The Portuguese coach will now need to be handed the appropriate tools to help build on this momentum next season, albeit with there no doubt fears that the Midlands side could be raided for many of their key individuals – just as they were with the likes of Matheus Nunes.

Why Matheus Nunes left Wolves

There was no doubt a great deal of excitement at Molineux following what was a then-club record deal to sign Nunes from Sporting CP in the summer of 2022, with the Portugal international having previously been described as “one of the best players in the world” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, amid his sparkling Champions League form.

It’s fair to say that the Old Gold didn’t exactly witness a player of that ilk during the midfielder’s solitary season at the club, as he scored just twice and registered only two assists in 41 games in all competitions.

There were notable highlights – including his stunning strike against Chelsea in May 2023 – yet such performances were few and far between, with Express and Star journalist Liam Keen stating that he had some real “had peaks and troughs in a Wolves shirt”.

Indeed, Keen also noted that he felt that Nunes viewed things as being “too easy for him”, with that attitude playing its part in his inability to really get going for the club, prior to being poached by Guardiola and Manchester City on a £53m deal in 2023.

That move to the Etihad had come amid Nunes’ refusal to train with Wolves, as he looked to push through a move, with sporting director Matt Hobbs certainly not mincing his words when discussing that turbulent exit:

While Nunes did apologise, before stating that the “opportunity” to join City was one he “couldn’t let… pass by”, it marked a sour end to a disappointing end to his brief Wolves association.

Hopefully a similar scenario doesn’t occur this summer.

Wolves could now have their next Matheus Nunes

With Nunes out the door – as well as the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho in recent times – there has since been a real rebuild in the midfield ranks at Molineux, with Pereira now relying on the Brazilian pairing of Joao Gomes and Andre.

The combative duo were praised as a “quality” partnership by pundit Danny Murphy last month, while they were also lauded by their manager following Saturday’s win over Kieran McKenna’s side, with the pair having been “very good again” after dominating the game in the centre of the park.

The hope will be that neither man departs at the end of the season, with Pereira having seemingly found a winning formula. One high-profile figure who could be in line for an exit, however, is Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Like Nunes before him, the long-serving wing-back is being touted for a marquee move away from the Midlands side, with a fee of around £50m having been mooted for the 23-year-old, amid interest from the likes of Manchester United.

Previously described as “one of the Premier League’s best players in 2024” by Sky Sports journalist Dougie Critchley, the Algerian sensation has enjoyed another solid season at Molineux, chalking up eight goals and assists in the top flight thus far.

Also dubbed an “incredible talent” by former boss O’Neil, the France-born defender is actually noted as a similar player to Nunes among their fellow full-backs in the league this season, as per FBref, with the City man having been transitioned into that role of late, amid Guardiola boldly outling that the 26-year-old is “not clever enough” to feature more centrally.

Nunes vs Ait-Nouri comparison – 24/25

Stat (per 90)

Nunes

Ait-Nouri

Non-penalty goals

0.00

0.11

Assists

0.29

0.18

Shot-creating actions

2.50

2.33

Pass completion

86.1%

84.4%

Progressive passes

4.04

3.35

Progressive carries

3.60

2.40

Successful take-ons

0.96

1.69

Touches in opposition box

3.68

2.54

Tackles

1.91

2.72

Interceptions

0.88

0.74

Stats via FBref

The pair are notably alike with regard to their willingness to get forward from the defensive berth on the flanks, as evidenced by their assist record and touches in the opposition box, with Ait-Nouri a particularly dazzling dribber, as shown by the fact that he ranks in the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90.

With the current Wolves man seemingly the superior figure defensively, showcasing his qualities and all-rounder, it is no surprise that has caught the attention of elite Premier League clubs, having proven a real bargain following his £9.5m switch from Angers.

Like Nunes, Ait-Nouri could represent another marquee sale for Fosun and the Old Gold, albeit with the fleet-footed wing-back able to look back upon a far more fruitful stint at Molinuex, in contrast to his former colleague.

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He could replace Cunha…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Apr 5, 2025

The last week or so has been nothing short of spectacular for Arsenal.

Yes, they may have dropped more points in the Premier League, but in the Champions League, they’ve beaten the holders Real Madrid 3-0 at home and then 2-1 away, becoming the first English team to win their first two matches against Los Blancos at the Bernabeu.

It’s been a miraculous turnaround in what’s been a surprisingly tough season for the Gunners, both due to poor form and a seemingly never-ending slew of injuries, which have, at points, left their frontline precariously thin on the ground.

Fortunately, the board seem intent on ensuring this problem doesn’t arise again next year, as recent reports have linked the club with one of the best attackers in Europe, someone compared to Alexander Isak and Kylian Mbappé.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other stars who have been heavily touted for moves to the Emirates in the summer, such as Nico Williams.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The Athletic Bilbao star reportedly has a £50m release clause in his current contract, and with an impressive tally of 11 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances this season, he’d be a fine addition to Arteta’s array of young wingers.

Down the middle, the name most heavily linked with a potential move to N5 in recent weeks has been Sporting CP superstar Viktor Gyokeres, who would reportedly cost around £60m.

While that is a lot of money, it could still prove to be a bargain, as in just 45 appearances this season, the Swedish tour de force has scored 44 goals and provided 11 assists, which comes out to an average of 1.22 goal involvements per game.

However, there is still an element of doubt over the Stockholm-born monster as he remains relatively untested when it comes to a top-five league, unlike Ousmane Dembélé.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of a few ‘clubs showing an interest in an ambitious potential summer transfer’ for the French international.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are all big admirers of the versatile forward, which could make an already complicated move even more so.

It would undoubtedly be a costly move as well, but given Dembélé’s immense ability, and the fact he’s been compared to Isak and Mbappé, it’s one worth fighting for.

How Dembélé compares to Isak and Mbappé

Okay, before getting into some of the other reasons why Arsenal should sign Dembélé, it’s worth examining these comparisons to Isak and Mbappé and where they come from.

Well, in this instance, they stem from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this instance, has concluded that the Real Madrid star is the third most similar forward to the Frenchman and the Swede is the sixth.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the trio rank closely, including, but not limited to, goals per shot, crosses into the penalty area, non-penalty expected goals per shot, tackles won, percentage of successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Dembélé & Isak & Mbappé

Statistics per 90

Dembélé

Isak

Mbappé

Goals per Shot

0.19

0.23

0.13

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.11

0.04

0.10

Non-Penalty Expected Goals per Shot

0.16

0.20

0.13

Tackles Won

0.29

0.19

0.28

Successful Take-On %

45.7%

49.4%

44.8%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.62

0.54

0.43

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

However, while sharing some similarities with two of the best forwards in the world is undoubtedly one argument for signing the French international, it’s not the only one.

Another is the fact that he’s been in simply sublime form this season, with former professional-turned-pundit Joe Cole labelling him “the most in-form player, let alone winger, in European football.”

It’s not hard to see where Cole’s coming from either, as in just 42 appearances, totalling 2815 minutes, the former Barcelona star has scored 32 goals and provided 11 assists.

That means he is currently averaging 1.02 goal involvements every game, or one every 65.46 minutes, which is a world-class level of output.

Ultimately, it could be an incredibly difficult transfer to get over the line, but if there is a chance Arsenal can sign Dembélé this summer, they have to take it, as he could be transformational.

Related Arsenal ask Real Madrid about signing £62m forward in William Saliba talks

The Gunners are fresh off the back of an historic Champions League tie with Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Posts 2 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 17, 2025

After Arsenal’s very underwhelming 1-1 draw with Brentford, it’s now all eyes on the Bernabéu for Gooners everywhere.

Last Tuesday, the north Londoners smashed Real Madrid 3-0 in North London, Declan Rice scoring two sublime free-kicks before Mikel Merino lashed home a third; this was their 515th match at the Emirates, and most would agree this was the stadium’s best night.

So now, Mikel Arteta’s team will travel to the Spanish capital seeking to avoid a vintage Real Madrid remontada, but would they stand a better chance if they didn’t have Jakub Kiwior in the backline?

Jakub Kiwior's record deputising for Gabriel

Back on 1 April, during a 2-1 home win over Fulham, Gabriel suffered a serious hamstring tear that required surgery and means he will not feature again this season.

This was a major blow because Gabriel is arguably deserving of Arsenal’s player of the season, having been immense in both boxes throughout the campaign.

So, in the Brazilian’s absence, Kiwior continues to deputise, which fans were concerned about because during the Polish defender’s previous Premier League start, coming at Craven Cottage all the way back on 8 December, his ‘lethargy or lack of awareness’ proved to be a costly error, allowing Raúl Jiménez to open the scoring.

Kiwior’s last 19 starts for Arsenal

Wins

13

Draws

6

Defeats

0

Goals conceded

13

Clean sheets

9

Nevertheless, Kiwior was actually pretty solid against Real Madrid, with Arteta hailing his performance as “phenomenal”.

That said, did the Gunners let a future upgrade leave in January?

Ex-Arsenal centre-back impressing at Premier League rivals

Back in January, Ayden Heaven departed Arsenal to join Manchester United, for a reported compensation fee of £1.5m.

Heaven joined Arsenal from West Ham as a 14-year-old, his senior debut coming against Preston North End in the EFL Cup, having played a prominent role during the pre-season tour of the United States.

However, frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities, Heaven decided not to sign a professional contract, instead moving to Manchester United earlier this year.

Well, in the short term, this move paid off, making four appearances before actually suffering a serious foot injury against Leicester, although Rúben Amorim confirmed the injury ‘is not as bad as initially feared’, adding ‘he will play again this season’.

So, let’s have a look at Heaven’s career in numbers so far.

Ayden Heaven’s career statistics

Team

Appearances

Arsenal

1

Arsenal U21s

26

Arsenal U19s

10

Arsenal U18s

11

Manchester United

4

Man United U21s

1

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

His early performances for Man United earned rave reviews.

Andy Mitten of United We Stand believes he was Man United’s “best player” at the King Power prior to his injury, proving he’s more than up to the task at Premier League level.

In the meantime, manager Amorim believes he has got “a very good player” on his hands, adding that he is “really comfortable with the ball” and impressively “aggressive” defensively.

James McNicholas and Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic reported that Arsenal did not want to lose the young defender, but were forced into a sale, so would the Gunners actually be better off in the immediate term had they held onto Heaven?

Well, it would certainly give them more defensive options. Kiwior and William Saliba were forced to start yet again on Saturday, and who knows, the teenager may have been poised to feature in the remaining weeks of the season had he stuck around.

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Posts ByMatt Dawson Apr 13, 2025

A former scout has claimed that a “really good” Premier League player would be “happy” to seal a move to Everton in the summer transfer window.

Moyes eyeing summer signings for Everton

David Moyes will know the importance of the Blues nailing their summer transfer business, with the manager reportedly personally pushing to complete the signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The 20-year-old has spent this season on loan at West Ham, having fallen out of favour with the Seagulls, but the Everton manager reportedly believes he can get the best out of the Republic of Ireland international.

In terms of other Blues-related transfer news, Monaco attacker Mika Biereth has been linked with a summer move to Merseyside, following an impressive season. The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals in just 13 appearances in Ligue 1, as well as netting twice in the Champions League for Sturm Graz, prior to his move away later in the campaign.

West Brom midfielder Tom Fellows has been backed to move to Everton numerous times, with a move almost happening in the January window, and the Premier League club are said to be confident of striking a deal this summer.

Liverpool player would be "happy" join Everton, says King

Speaking to Goodison News, former Everton scout Bryan King, who once told them to sign Alexander Isak during his time as their Scandinavian talent-spotter, said Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah would be “happy” to join the Blues this summer.

“This wouldn’t be the first time a Liverpool player has joined Everton. Therefore, I couldn’t see that being a problem, and I think Liverpool will sell to the club that makes them the best offer. In addition, I’d imagine Quansah would be quite happy to move across Stanley Park. He is probably already living in the Liverpool area. Therefore, a move to Everton wouldn’t cause him or his family too many problems.”

The £30,000-a-week Quansah would be a controversial signing by Everton, given the fact that he is a Liverpool player, but it is easy to see him being a good addition, should he not have a long-term future at Anfield.

The 22-year-old England international had a tough start to the season, being substituted at half-time away to Ipswich Town on the opening weekend, and he has only made two starts in the league in 2024/25. That said, Jurgen Klopp was a big admirer.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Apr 22, 2025

It remains to be seen if Liverpool want to sell Quansah this summer, but he has the physical prowess to thrive under Moyes, as well as technical ability – he has a 91.6% pass completion rate in the league this season – and he has even been compared to Virgil van Dijk in style, which is the ultimate praise.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer and look to be at the front of the queue for a proven goalscorer, per recent developments.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' forward line could be altered

Vitor Pereira is seen as a man of the people at Molineux and will likely be given the full support of both the club’s hierarchy and fans heading into the summer transfer window. However, Matheus Cunha’s uncertain future at Wolves is set to become one of the stories of the next few months amid rumours linking the Brazil forward with a high-profile move to Manchester United.

After a return of 17 goals and six assists in 33 appearances, the 25-year-old has become one of the most sought-after forwards in the Premier League.

From a Wolves perspective, Cunha’s decision to sign a new deal earlier this year may offer some encouragement. Nevertheless, Arsenal, Aston Villa and clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also attentive to his situation.

Jorgen Strand Larsen is back in contention for the Old Gold off the back of missing out in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend, which led to Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde operating as a central striker.

Related Wolves trying to sign "very impressive" defensive midfielder wanted in Milan

The Old Gold are in the mix…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford May 9, 2025

Clearly, rotational options are needed in the final third to handle the rough and tumble of juggling top-flight football with domestic cup competitions.

Hwang Hee-chan has struggled for rhythm this campaign, begging the question of whether one or two could move out of the forward line to make way for new blood.

While Wolves plot how they will scale up ahead of next season, they are now said to be ahead of the rest in the hunt for one of England’s most prolific forwards over recent years.

Wolves leading the race to sign Jamie Vardy

According to Football Insider, Wolves are in ‘pole position’ to sign Jamie Vardy once his Leicester City contract expires at the end of the season. The former Three Lions international, who has been labelled “incredible” by Gary Lineker, is seen as someone that could be a valuable option off the bench for Pereira moving into 2025/26.

Jamie Vardy’s career tally for club and country

Appearances

568

Goals

243

Assists

88

Leeds United and Wrexham are also in the hunt to sign the 38-year-old, though he would prefer to stay in the Premier League rather than dropping down to join the latter following the Foxes’ relegation under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Intriguingly, the Whites are said to have doubts over his longevity, paving the way for Wolves to steal a march on Daniel Farke’s side to push a deal over the line.

Deemed to be making the ‘biggest move’ to sign Vardy out of all his interested suitors, the Old Gold could now be on the verge of securing the signature of a clinical striker who wouldn’t cost a penny to bring in.

Admittedly, there may be doubters who question his value beyond the short-term, but experience can be a priceless commodity that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Nottingham Forest are still in the hunt for a European place and look to be showing the same ambition in the transfer market as they circle for a talented defender, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest hopeful of statement summer window

Form has dipped at the City Ground over the last few weeks, and some supporters could be forgiven for getting a little twitchy over the Tricky Trees’ chances of Champions League qualification.

However, Nuno Espirito Santo has remained stoic in the face of Premier League rivals’ momentum, and there is still belief that a special ending could be in store for the Nottingham Forest faithful.

Regardless of how the rest of the campaign goes, there is optimism that an exciting summer window could be on the cards to help bridge the gap further after a valiant effort this term.

Showing their ambition, Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is on Forest’s radar amid his £30 million relegation release clause, which has also attracted the eyes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

James McAtee could join his former Manchester City teammate after enduring a frustrating campaign at the Etihad Stadium that has resulted in limited minutes for the England Under-21 international.

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Marinakis could get his man…

Posts ByTom Cunningham May 7, 2025

While the market is becoming increasingly globalised, proven Premier League operators appear to be the type of profile Nottingham Forest want to attract to enrich their playing squad.

There is also the carrot of arrivals from their own division potentially being homegrown, which is a vital component when it comes to meeting UEFA registration rules.

With that in mind, Nottingham Forest have now spotted another opportunity to try to land a Premier League star who could be on the move this summer.

Nottingham Forest closely pursuing Liverpool's Jarell Quansah

According to TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are now closely pursuing Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, who is also on the radar of Newcastle United this summer.

The Reds are said to value the England international at £29.7 million and could look to cash in on his services should they add another body to their rearguard during the off-season.

Jarell Quansah’s key Premier League statistics in 2024/25

Pass accuracy

91.9%

Tackles won

8

Duels won

19

Aerial duels won

6

Recoveries

16

Interceptions

6

Labelled “absolutely brilliant” by journalist David Lynch, Quansah has made 24 appearances across all competitions this season, becoming a reliable contributor on Liverpool’s journey to claiming the Premier League title.

Nevertheless, he hasn’t been in the limelight as much as he would’ve hoped, which has left the door ajar for a potential exit to put himself in with a chance of regular minutes in 2025/26.

The 2026 World Cup isn’t too far in the distance, potentially amplifying urgency from his own perspective to make sure he is noticed by Thomas Tuchel in the lead-up to the finals.

Nottingham Forest are in a brilliant position to offer him that pathway. Now, it is about whether they can fend off competition from elsewhere for his signature.

In what would be a bargain deal, Aston Villa are now reportedly in the race to sign a midfield star who has already confirmed his next steps ahead of this summer.

Aston Villa's final UCL push

It all comes down to Sunday for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side travel to square off against a heartbroken Manchester United side who are fresh from their Europa League defeat and simply must compile the Red Devils’ misery. As things stand, they sit outside of the top five on goal difference and must desperately hope to see at least one of Manchester City, Chelsea or Newcastle United slip up.

There’s no denying just how important this weekend’s action is and Emery hasn’t tried to play things down in the build-up. The Spaniard told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “In our hands is only our result on Sunday, how we can respond and how we can perform against Manchester United.

“That’s the only issue I want to focus on with the players. I don’t want to know other results.

“I want only to play our match, only to focus on our match in 90 minutes and try to focus the dressing room on the first half on everything tactically and individually. We will not focus on other results. We must win, we must compete and we must get our result. We must respect Manchester United. That’s the only way I want to focus on Sunday.”

The impact that Champions League football would have on Villa’s summer business also cannot be overstated. It could instantly put them in a position to attract top talents for the second season on the bounce, which may yet include an England international for a bargain price.

Aston Villa chasing Angel Gomes deal

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Aston Villa are now battling to sign Angel Gomes, who has already confirmed that he will be leaving LOSC Lille at the end of his current contract next month.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington May 24, 2025

The England international said in a statement on Instagram: “After four unforgettable years at LOSC Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye.

“This club has been more than just a team – it’s been a family, a home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch. Like any journey, there were ups and downs, highs and lows, but I’m truly grateful to my teammates and the fans for sticking with me throughout.”

Gomes’ time at the French club will be looked back on as a pivotal turning point for his career. From a Manchester United reject, the midfielder transformed into a deep-lying midfielder who is now ready to step back into the Premier League.

Dubbed a “smart” passer by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gomes is set to become one of the best bargains of the summer transfer window wherever he ends it playing for Aston Villa or, indeed, another club.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is now personally keen on an “extraordinary” goalkeeper as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez this summer, according to a report.

Martinez linked with Aston Villa exit

After five memorable seasons in a Villa shirt, it appears as though Martinez’s time in the West Midlands could be coming to an end, with the goalkeeper left visibly upset while waving goodbye to the fans after the final game at Villa Park this season.

With the goalkeeper seemingly heading for the exit door, there have been recent suggestions he could remain in the Premier League, as Manchester United have made an offer, although a move to fellow potential suitors Barcelona could be a more attractive proposition.

Should he depart, it will be a difficult task to replace the 32-year-old, but Emery now believes he has found a goalkeeper capable of doing exactly that.

Related Aston Villa chiefs now identify £40m Liverpool star to replace Emi Martinez

Aston Villa are in the market for a new goalkeeper as Emi Martinez looks set to leave this summer.

Posts ByBrett Worthington May 19, 2025

According to a report from Spain, the Aston Villa manager thinks Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has the experience to take over from Martinez, presumably because he has spent a number of years with one of the world’s biggest clubs.

Lunin has made 61 appearances for Madrid, but there is a feeling his time with the La Liga club could be coming to an end, given a lack of game time this season, and a move to Villa Park could be appealing to the Ukrainian.

"Extraordinary" Lunin could be at the level to replace Martinez

Of course, Villa fans may well be hoping Martinez has a change of heart and opts to remain at Villa Park beyond the end of the campaign, but there are signs the Madrid shot-stopper could be a suitable replacement.

Much like the Argentine, the 26-year-old has experience at the top level, making eight appearances en-route to Real Madrid’s 2023-24 Champions League triumph, and starring in the quarter-final victory over Manchester City.

Remarkably, the Ukraine international achieved a 9.7 SofaScore match rating in the second leg against City after making a number of important contributions.

Lunin’s stats vs Man City 23/24

Number completed

Total saves

8

Saves from inside the box

6

High claims

2

Punches

4

The £73k-a-week Madrid ace also caught the eye earlier in the competition, being lauded as “extraordinary” by CBS Sports’ Nico Cantor courtesy of an impressive performance against RB Leipzig in the round of 16.

With Villa looking to return to the Champions League next season, it would be wise to bring in a goalkeeper who is proven at the highest level, and Lunin clearly fits the bill, given his performances for Madrid.

Is it set to be a busy summer at Celtic?

After missing out on the treble, beaten on penalties by Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final, the Hoops are expected to heavily reinforce their squad this summer.

Well, with a crucial Champions League play-off tie circled in red on the calendar, taking place at the end of August, Brendan Rodgers will want his summer business to be done early, so are the Premiership champions about to land a new recruit?

Celtic targeting a new midfielder

Defenders are certainly the order of the day for the Celts this summer with Kieran Tierney’s return to Parkhead one of Scottish football’s worst-kept secrets.

However, the full-back isn’t the only player who could be closing in on a move to Paradise according to reports.

As per Portuguese outlet A Bola, Celtic have ‘opened initial talks’ to sign midfielder Demir Ege Tıknaz.

They outline the fact that the 20-year-old spent this season on loan at Rio Ave from Beşiktaş, and the Portuguese club have an option to make this move permanent for €5m (around £4.2m).

However, given interest from Celtic, as well as Lille, Rio Ave are preparing to make a quick profit on Tıknaz, placing a €10m (around £8m) price-tag on his head.

So, would he be a good signing for the Scottish champions, and which former Celt is he reminiscent of?

Demir Ege Tıknaz: the next Nir Bitton?

Writer Ryan McGinlay believes that Tıknaz’s ‘resemblance in play-style to Nir Bitton is uncanny’ and, should he arrive, if the Turkey international had even half as successful a Celtic career, he’d be doing well.

Bitton signed from FC Ashdod in 2013 and would remain at Celtic for nine years, making 271 appearances and winning 18 major trophies.

Naturally a defensive midfielder, the Israeli international would frequently fill in at centre-back too, with Kieran Devlin of the Athletic praising Bitton’s ‘reading of the game’ and ‘composure in possession’, with Joe Sullivan labelling him ‘versatile and highly reliable’.

So, could Tıknaz be something similar?

Well, analyst Ben Mattinson believes the Turkiye U21 international ‘reads the game well’ allowing him to ‘step up and intercept​​​​​​​’, praising his ‘timing of tackles​​​​​​​’ and ability to ‘steal the ball’, adding that he possesses a ‘decent passing range’ too.

Meantime, in an interview with Sarah Shephard of the Athletic, Tıknaz​​​​​​​ himself says he has a similar playing style to that of Sergio Busquets, stating “I always want to have possession… I’m kind of a playmaker… I can play box-to-box too”.

Well, according to Aryan Suraj Chadha of Goal, the Turkish youngster is one of the most ‘sought-after talents across Europe’, so let’s assess his statistics in the Primeira Liga this season.

Tıknaz Primeira Liga statistics 2024/25

Statistics

Tıknaz

Primeira Liga rank

Minutes

1,976

107th

Completed passes

826

82nd

Pass completion %

85.1%

45th

Passes into the final third

99

34th

Progressive passes

96

62nd

Tackles

35

15th

Interceptions

47

3rd

Ball recoveries

132

21st

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

​​​​​​​

Worth stating first and foremost that, according to a study by Bernd Frick, Tommy Kweku Quansah and Markus Lang, the Primeira Liga is one of the ‘least balanced leagues’ in European football, so the fact that Tıknaz was playing for Rio Ave, who finished 11th, makes his statistics all the more impressive.

Demir Ege Tıknaz (Tiknaz)

The Turkish midfielder ranks highly for metrics both in and out of possession, sat third when it comes to interceptions, while also registering noteworthy numbers when it comes to his pass completion percentage as well as passes into the final third.

Thus, all available evidence suggests Tıknaz is a high-quality, high-potential player, one that Celtic should absolutely be looking to snap up.

​​​​​​​

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