All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa are in line to bring Ashley Young back to the club, 10 years on after leaving for Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.

And, as to be expected, several Villa fans were quick to give their immediate thoughts to the news online.

The Daily Mail claim that Young will be allowed to leave Inter Milan this summer, with the Serie A giants looking to balance their financial books.

Young helped Inter Milan win Serie A last season, making 34 appearances in all competitions.

The 35-year-old played at left-back, right-back and as a left midfielder during the 2020/21 campaign, with Young also attracting interest from Watford and Burnley.

His experience of the British game appears to be a reason why Villa are looking to bring him back to the Midlands, with Yong making 369 appearances in the Premier League.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the Daily Mail’s claim regarding Young on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

These Villa supporters were quick to share their delight, with one describing a possible deal as ‘class’.

“Wait, what?”Credit: @LukeKing_”My word, if this happens”Credit: @reidjones25″Great signing as a back up to Targett”Credit: @GW_94″would actually be class as a back up left back why is everyone mad”Credit: @avfcben___”I beg”Credit: @LewBlud”Get him. Make it happen. On my desk by the morning. I want it. Yep. Do it. Make it so. Please.”Credit: @StevieGreenXI

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to what Man City are plotting, find out more here. 

BAT’s prospects of pulling further clear in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League championship race have been hit by the weather

Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo)04-Aug-2002BAT’s prospects of pulling further clear in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League championship race have been hit by the weather.They looked set for a comfortable victory over Portsmouth when a heavy rain caused the match to be abandoned in late afternoon.Havant’s visit to nearby Calmore Sports was also a victim of the weather.Dan Goldstraw wreaked havoc once again, tajing 6-54 as Portsmouth were dismissed for 105 at Southern Gardens.The tally left-arm paceman now has 38 wickets this season – and, with four 50-over matches to go, is in sight of breaking the all-time record for the most number of wickets in a Southern League season.Ironically, Kirk Stewart (3-33) struck three of the initial four blows before Goldstraw removed the Portsmouth middle-order and tail.Portsmouth sank to 67-8 and were in danger of being bowled out before lunch before Richard Walker (22) gave their 105 all out a little respectability.But BAT’s victory bid was ended by the rain – the defending champions having made 9-0 when the game was abandoned.Havant had made 124-3 through Steve Snell (48 not out) and Richard Hindley (43) when their match at Calmore was called off.Bashley (Rydal) were in the driving seat against Bournemouth when the elements intervened. With Kevin Nash taking 5-69 and veteran John Whiting returning 4-37, they bowled Bournemouth out for 131 (Tom Webley 27)."It was extremely difficult batting,"admitted Bashley skipper Neil Taylor. "Four balls an over either cut, swung or bounced awkwardly. It was ideal conditions for bowling."But Bashley’s victory bid was thwarted at 6.30pm with their reply at 37-1.Burridge’s prospects of avoiding relegation from the have taken another knock. While their visit to Andover was abandoned, rivals in distress Liphook & Ripsley picked up 15 valuable points from a winning draw at South Wilts.In the only Premier 1 match to be completed, Liphook totalled 238-8 off 66 overs, with Alistair Gray (61), Chris Wright (46) and Michael Smyth (46 not out) top scoring.Shaun Adam (4-80) and Paul Draper (3-103) did a lion’s share of the bowling for South Wilts, who closed at 186-7 after a century third-wicket partnership between Jamie Glasson (78) and Jon Nash (48).Wright (3-39) and Gray (3-27) took the bowling credits for Liphook.Paul Hawkins held Burridge together with a splendid 75 at Andover, where former BAT all-rounder Richard Taylor (4-24) made early inroads.Matt Hooper took 3-42 and also snapped up three catches as Burridge slipped to 185 all out. Andover were 16 without loss when the rains came.The Hampshire Academy’s thrilling one-wicket win at Easton & Martyr Worthy was the only Division 2 match to be completed.Alton’s promotion prospects in Premir 3 were finally extinguished with a two-wicket defeat by Hook & Newnham BasicsThey appeared fairly comfortable after Paddy Heffernan (44), Julian Ballinger (35) and Mark Heffernan (33 not out) had steered them to 197-7.Hook were in deep trouble at 120-7, but an undefeated half-century by Kevin Poulter turned the match on its head and gave Hook a two-wicket win.In the only other completed match, Portsmouth II chased an abridged total to beat Bashley (Rydal) II by eight wickets at St Helen’s, Southsea.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Sparta Prague striker Adam Hlozek as the summer transfer window starts to take shape.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Reds are “intensifying their interest” in the 18-year-old sensation, with fellow Premier League side West Ham United and Italian giants AC Milan also credited with an interest.

The report also states that it will cost Jurgen Klopp’s charges between £15m to £20m to prize Hlozek away from his boyhood club over the coming months.

Edwards must swoop

Despite missing a large section of last season through a broken metatarsal, the teenage prodigy still bagged a remarkable 15 goals in just 23 appearances, laying on a further nine assists for his teammates.

Hlozek has already won a handful of caps for the Czech Republic, earning his fourth as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 victory over Scotland in their opening game of Euro 2020.

It’s no wonder then that a host of top teams from across the continent are clamouring for the youngster’s signature.

Liverpool are believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer after scoring 15 fewer goals than eventual Premier League champions Manchester City.

The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi have failed to produce consistently impressive performances for the last two campaigns, and Klopp knows he must add strength in depth to compete at the top level once again.

However, with the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continuing to severely impact football’s finances, the Anfield outfit are likely to be working with a limited budget this summer.

Therefore, director of football Michael Edwards must swoop for Hlozek as he oversees an overhaul of the first-team squad.

Klopp has an enviable reputation of developing young talent and has given the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones their senior debuts during his tenure at Liverpool.

The Czech wonderkid has already been regarded as an “incredible talent” and a “phenomenal player” in his short career to date.

The German tactician would surely love the opportunity to work with one of Europe’s most desired teenage talents over the next season, and he could form a formidable duo with Hlozek for many years to come.

And, in other news…Liverpool must swoop for “sensational” Firmino heir after huge update emerges 

Vasbert Drakes has described it as one of the hardest decisions of his life

PHILIP SPOONER05-Sep-2002Vasbert Drakes has described it as one of the hardest decisions of his life.Choosing to join the West Indies team for next week’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy in Sri Lanka, and turning away from his lucrative contract with South African provincial side Border, was not easy, but as Drakes said: "It was something I had to do."Border has been loyal to me for many years, but at the end of the day, which little boy growing up in the Caribbean wouldn’t want to play for West Indies," the tall 33-year-old allrounder told NATIONSPORT yesterday.Drakes was a last-minute replacement for injured Vincentian pacer Cameron Cuffy, who has recovered from damaged knees but was unable to undertake the prescribed rehabilitation programme.Drakes leaves Barbados today to join the other members of the squad in London en route to Sri Lanka."The way I feel about West Indies cricket, and given this golden opportunity, I couldn’t turn it down. I notified the club (Border) of my involvement with the West Indies team and they were happy for me, but saddened at the same time that I could not be part of their programme," said Drakes, as he relaxed with Pickwick clubmates at Kensington Oval.He was named Best Bowler in the Red Stripe Bowl Final Four series as Barbados beat Jamaica by 33 runs on Sunday to clinch the championship.There was some discussion surrounding his fitness as well. He required a runner in Sunday’s final and bowled his ten overs before leaving the field, but Drakes said he was fit and ready to take his place in the team."It was a sore groin from the game before and I went off the field as a precaution. I’m a professional sportsman and I can’t take any niggles lightly."The selectors were watching the game and they made their decision. I was trying to get as much ice and treatment as possible in the last few days and I feel in good shape. All it needs is a bit of rest in the next few days, which I will get and I will be raring to go."Drakes will have no problems with contractual wranglings when he takes his place in the West Indies team. Under international cricket agreements, clubs are duty-bound to release players who have been selected for international duty.If Drakes is required for just the One-Day series and not the Test tours of India and Bangladesh, he is expected to resume duties with Border, the side he has successfully represented for the past five seasons. The West Indies team for the Tests in India and Bangladesh later this year is expected to be named today.However, Border could choose to find a replacement overseas player ahead of the September 20 start of the season, and this could put Drakes out of a job if he is not selected for future West Indies duty.Drakes said he had discussions with chairman of selectors Sir Viv Richards yesterday and informed him of his availability for the upcoming tournament."He assured me he was looking to have me involved in West Indies cricket, but it’s really up to me to perform. I was in a situation where I had to make a decision but whether it’s playing for Border, West Indies or any county team, it’s all about how you perform that keeps you employed."Drakes has benefited from a change to the West Indies Cricket Board’s selection eligibility rule. It will be the first time since he played five limited-overs internationals against Australia and toured England seven years ago that he will be a member of the regional side.Over the last five years, he has gained considerable experience playing professional cricket in Britain for Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and Sussex, as well as in South Africa for Border.Squad to Sri Lanka: Carl Hooper (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Brian Lara, Runako Morton, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Nottingham Forest will require an eight-figure fee in order to let Joe Worrall leave The City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that a fee of £10m would be enough for Chris Hughton’s side to consider the sale of the 24-year-old centre-back this summer.

It has been reported that the likes of Norwich City, Burnley and West Ham United are keeping a close eye on the defender ahead of a potential move in the summer market, although just how receptive Forest will be to offer for Worrall remains unclear at present.

Fans should be worried

While £10m is undoubtedly a sizeable amount of money for a Championship club to receive, particularly for a player who is home-grown, is it questionable whether this figure truly represents Worrall’s importance to the Nottingham Forest side.

Despite the club having something of a campaign to forget last season, with the Reds finishing in a lowly 17th place in the second tier, it could have been a whole lot worse without the presence of the £3.6m-rated man in the heart of the Forest defence.

Indeed, over his 31 league appearances for Hughton’s side last season, the defender helped his side keep 12 clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 0.8 tackles, 4.2 clearances and winning 3.5 duels per game.

The £10k-per-week 24-year-old also helped his side out in an attacking capacity, bagging one goal, registering one assist and making an average of 0.3 key passes per fixture.

These returns saw the player Steven Gerrard dubbed an “outstanding” talent earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.94, ranking him as the Garibaldi’s fifth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

As such, while Forest ultimately avoided a relegation fight last season, without Worrall in the side, things certainly would have been a lot tenser during the final weeks of the season at The City Ground, leading us to question whether selling the defender for a figure of £10m is actually worth the risk for Hughton and his team, as the 24-year-old will undoubtedly go on to star for Forest once again next season – if he remains at the club.

So, with interest in the Nottingham-born centre-back not appearing to be going away, fans of the club should certainly be worried about their side’s future without Worrall.

In other news: Taylor drops Forest update over potential summer incoming, Hughton will be buzzing

Nashua WP cricket selectors have named a strong team to play Easterns in the Supersport Series final at Willowmore Park starting on Friday

WPCA Staff28-Oct-2002Nashua WP cricket selectors have named a strong team to play Easterns in the Supersport Series final at Willowmore Park starting on Friday.

MEDIA RELEASE:Competition:SUPERSPORT SERIES FINALNASHUA WESTERN PROVINCE VS EASTERNSWillowmoore Park Cricket Stadium, 1-5 November 2002Western Province Team:1) Gary Kirsten2) Herschelle Gibbs3) Graeme Smith4) Jacques Kallis5) Ashwell Prince6) Neil Johnson ( C )7) Thami Tsolekile8) Claude Henderson9) Alan Dawson10) Quinton Friend11) Charl Willoughby12TH man) J.P. DuminyCricket Manager:  Peter KirstenARTHUR TURNERCEO – WPC

											

ADELAIDE, Oct 25 AAP – New South Wales batsmen Matthew Phelps, Corey Richards and Michael Bevan all fell cheaply to leave their side at 3-85 at lunch on the opening day of its Pura Cup match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

AAP25-Oct-2002ADELAIDE, Oct 25 AAP – New South Wales batsmen Matthew Phelps, Corey Richards and Michael Bevan all fell cheaply to leave their side at 3-85 at lunch on the opening day of its Pura Cup match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.Hard-hitting youngster Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 18 and Simon Katich was on 13.After being sent into bat, Phelps was the first batsman out, caught behind pushing forward to a Paul Rofe delivery for 22, after an opening stand of 33 with Richards.Richards, who had looked shaky in his innings, was then caught at gully for 16, attempting to drive Michael Miller, who picked up the wicket in his second over.Then Bevan was dismissed for 15, caught behind off a short, sharp delivery from left arm paceman Mark Harrity.Bevan initially set himself for a backfoot defensive stroke, but attempted to pull his bat away at the last moment, getting a fine edge to SA wicketkeeper Shane Deitz.

Manchester City fans are delighted after the club revealed Fernandinho has signed a new one-year contract at the club.

After a season that saw City win the Premier League title and the League Cup but also lose the Champions League final to Chelsea in Porto, it appeared Brazil international Fernandinho could be on his way out of the club as his contract came to an end. The 36-year-old is a club legend, having made 350 appearances for them since making the move to The Etihad Stadium (Transfermarkt).

However, it appears his Man City journey is not over just yet. Early on Tuesday morning, the Citizens confirmed the former Shakhtar Donetsk man has put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him in Manchester until next summer (mancity.com).

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Fernandinho news below

“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES I’m over the moon!!!!!”

Credit: @DavidHartley21

“WHAT A DAY”

Credit: @James_Waine

“Best midfielder in the league staying another year!! Absolutely made up!”

Credit: @MCFC_Matt_1989

“Yesssss”

Credit: @MFCFHag

“LET’S GOOOOOO”

Credit: @KDBallondor

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @Mcfc_LM10

“Best deal we could’ve made this summer”

Credit: @JbagJoao

In other news, Man City fans want to sign this Euro 2020 star.

Sparkling centuries by Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat as PCB Greens beat Blues by 50 runs in the the Super League Ramazan Cup at Gaddafi Stadium Friday

Sports Correspondent16-Nov-2002Sparkling centuries by Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat as PCB Greens beat Blues by 50 runs in the the Super League Ramazan Cup at Gaddafi Stadium Friday.Batting first, PCB Greens scored 309 for four in the allotted 50 overs with skipper Shoaib leading the way with a spanking 127 off 102 deliveries.Imran Farhat, the left-hander, did not lag behind in notching up a blazing century, smashing 125 off 124 balls. But despite his heroics, PCB Blues were restricted to 259 for eight.Imran hit 11 fours and four sixes to win cash prize of Rs 2,000 for hitting most boundaries.Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan tried his level best to lift the tempo of PCB Blues’ innings. He returned unbeaten with 58 off 64 balls, which included two sixes and three fours.Leg-spinner Azhar Ali bowled best for PCB Greens with figures of four for 53 while lanky pacer Shabbir Ahmed took two for 24in 10 overs.Earlier, Shoaib made up for a slow start by PCB Greens’ openers Zeeshan Mohsin (52 off 102 balls) and Shahbaz Bashir (30 off 84 balls) who together spent nearly 29 overs in the middle during their partnership of 99.Shoaib caned seven sixes and nine fours while facing just76 balls. Asim Kamal, the left-hander, hit exactly 50 off 42 balls with seven hits to the fence. Shoaib and Asim were involved in a rollicking third wicket stand that yielded 133 runs in 72 minutes. Shoaib was richer by Rs 7,000 at the end o the match. He got Rs 5,000 for being declared Man-of-the-Match as well as Rs 2,000 for striking most number of sixes.Zulqarnain Haider, Greens’ wicket-keeper, received Rs 2,000 for taking three catches.ScoreboardPCB GREENS:Zeeshan Mohsin c Atiq b Imran 52Shahbaz Bashir run out 30Shoaib Malik c Naveed b Imran 127Asim Kamal lbw b Naveed 50Bazid Khan not out 13EXTRAS (LB-2, W-17, NB-18) 37TOTAL (for four wkts, 50 overs) 309FALL OF WKTS: 1-99, 2-106, 3-239, 4-309.DID NOT BAT: Khaqan Arsal, Kamran Younis, Zulqarnain Hyder,Azhar Ali, Shabbir Ahmed, Kashif Raza.BOWLING: Abdur Rauf 10-1-61-0; Sajid Shah 9-2-57-0;Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan 10-0-51-1;Abdul Rehman 10-1-48-0;Babar Naeem4-0-18-0; Imran Farhat 7-0-72-2.PCB BLUES:Usman Tariq c Zulqarnain b Shabbir 0Imran Farhat st Zulqarnain b Azhar 125Babar Naeem c Zulqarnain b Shabbir 8Ijaz Ahmed Jr c Zulqarnain b Shoaib 1Bilal Asad c Kashif b Azhar 10Asim Munir c and b Azhar 0Atiq-uz-Zaman c Shabbir b Kashif 13Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan not out 58Abdur Rauf c Asim b Azhar 1Abdul Rehman not out 16EXTRAS (LB-6, W-14, NB-7) 27TOTAL (for eight wkts, 50 overs) 259FALL OF WKTS: 1-3, 2-39, 3-73, 4-93, 5-93, 6-147, 7-194, 8-200.BOWLING: Shabbir Ahmed 10-1-24-2; Kashif Raza 10-0-63-1;Shoaib Malik 10-1-45-1; Shahbaz Bashir 1-0-16-0;Azhar Ali 10-1-53-4; Kamran Younis 8-0-45-0; Bazid Khan 1-0-4-0.

West Ham United are the latest Premier League outfit to be linked with a move for Takehiro Tomiyasu but they’ll need to act fast to secure him…

What’s the word?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Hammers have joined arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to secure the versatile Bologna defender.

It’s thought that just €20m (£18m) would be enough to prise him away from the Serie A side but reports elsewhere suggest that the north Londoners are closing in on his signature.

Therefore, GSB and David Moyes will need to get a move on if they truly hold an interest.

Two birds, one stone

Tomiyasu could help fix two emerging problems for Moyes thanks to his versatile nature.

The Japan international is capable of playing as a centre-back, as well as on the right-hand side of defence, meaning he can provide competition and cover right across the backline.

It’s believed that Moyes is seeking a top-quality central option as one of his top priorities this window, whilst the lack of depth behind Vladimir Coufal is worrying.

Ryan Fredericks does not seem up to the standard of the Premier League anymore, whilst Ben Johnson is still a young prospect finding the ropes.

In the 22-year-old Bologna man, the Hammers could get themselves a real star of the future, one who has been lauded as a “true Japanese warrior” by teammate Mitchell Dijks.

Tomiyasu performed to a high standard wherever he played last season, averaging 2.9 aerial battles won, 1.7 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and an 82.1% passing accuracy, as per WhoScored.

At 6 foot 2, it’s no surprise to see him do well in the air but he appears to be equally adept with the ball at his feet, which further bolsters his claims in being an option at full-back.

If Moyes wants to kill two birds with one stone, then a swoop for the £18m-rated Bologna ace makes a ton of sense, so he should look to get one ahead of Spurs before it’s too late.

That price tag seems like a bargain for a dual-threat defender.

AND in other news, “Got some information”: Journo drops huge transfer update that’ll worry West Ham fans…