Villa must build on Europa League win over Bologna, says Emery
Aston Villa must use their 1-0 home win over Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday as a springboard, manager Unai Emery said after his side picked up their first win of the season.
Aston Villa Sport News
Pakistan down Bangladesh to set up Asia Cup final with India
DUBAI: Pakistan will face India in the Asia Cup final for the first time after their bowlers made amends for poor batting to upstage Bangladesh in an 11-run victory on Thursday. Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed grabbed 3-28 as Pakistan batters were sloppy on a sticky Dubai stadium pitch in their last Super Four match, managing a modest 135-8 in 20 overs. Pakistan staged a fight back through pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-17) and Haris Rauf (3-33) to keep Bangladesh down to 124-9 in 20 overs and book a place in Sunday’s showpiece against India. Shamim Hossain top-scored for Bangladesh with a 25-ball 30 and Saif Hassan scored 18. Pakistan’s second win in the Super Four stage set them up for a third encounter against archrivals India. They have lost both previous meetings with their neighbors so far in the tournament, with the two matches marred by controversy. India players refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the first game and the two sides also did not shake hands after the second. Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said he looks forward to meeting India again. “We are very excited,” said Agha.
Former Barcelona midfielder Busquets to retire at end of MLS season
MIAMI: Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets will retire from football at the end of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, his club Inter Miami said on Thursday. Busquets came up through the Barcelona youth ranks and spent 18 years overall at the club, making his senior debut in 2008, before joining Miami in 2023 where he was reunited with former teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. He played 143 times for the national team and was part of the side that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the European Championship two years later in Poland and Ukraine. “I feel like the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional footballer. It’s been almost 20 years of enjoying this incredible story I always dreamed of,” Busquets said in a video posted on Instagram. “I’m retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled, and above all, grateful...
Hernandez stunner as Al-Hilal strike back to beat Al-Okhdood
RIYADH: Al-Hilal recovered from an early concession to beat Al-Okhdood 3-1 at Kingdom Arena on Matchday 4 of the Saudi Pro League season.
Aston Villa must build on Europa League win over Bologna, says Emery
Aston Villa must use their 1-0 home win over Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday as a springboard, manager Unai Emery said after his side picked up their first win of the season. John McGinn scored Villa’s first home goal of the season to earn the win and provide Emery with a measure of relief after their dismal start to the season left them 17th in the Premier League and out of the League Cup. Villa have three draws and two defeats from their five league games so far and Emery urged his side to build on the momentum from their win over the Italians when they host Fulham on Sunday. “We have to try to keep consistent, we had not been consistent until today,” Emery told reporters. “Today we won and it is important we have to try and keep consistent on Sunday. Different match, different rival, but a lot of things tactically we have to keep on building.
Unai Emery says Monchi exit ‘changes nothing’ at Aston Villa
Unai Emery insists the departure of Monchi as Aston Villa’s president of football operations “changes nothing” at the Premier League club.
Manchester United make double transfer decision as talks held after £65m deal
Manchester United have reportedly prioritised signing a new goalkeeper next year, despite bringing in Senne Lammens during the transfer window.
Torres double helps Barcelona cruise to 3-0 victory over Getafe
BARCELONA: Ferran Torres scored twice as Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday, with Dani Olmo adding the third goal and an assist in another impressive display by Hansi Flick’s side at their makeshift home venue. The win keeps the unbeaten Catalans second in the standings with 13 points, trailing leaders Real Madrid by two points after Los Blancos maintained their flawless record with five wins from five matches by beating Espanyol on Saturday. Playing in front of 6,000 rain-soaked fans at their Sant Joan Despi training ground, Barcelona controlled proceedings from the outset, showcasing their depth and resilience despite missing Lamine Yamal for the third consecutive game due to injury. Torres, who got another chance to start in place of Robert Lewandowski in Flick’s rotation policy, opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a brilliant team move, firing past David Soria after Olmo’s clever back-heel set him up perfectly. The Spanish forward doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, beating the offside trap from Raphinha’s through ball before delivering a tidy finish just inside the left post. The 25-year-old Spanish international nearly completed his hat-trick before halftime but ended up striking the crossbar with the goal at his mercy after rounding the keeper. The double takes him to four goals in five games this season, placing him second in the LaLiga scoring charts, just one goal behind Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. “I know I can be a starter at Barcelona and I need to take advantage of every opportunity I get.