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Aston Villa are preparing to offer striker Ollie Watkins a new contract to fend off interest from Arsenal, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: New deals

Steven Gerard appears to be making preparations ahead of his first full season in charge at Villa Park, with a number of key men penning fresh terms in the Midlands.

Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash and Kortney Hause have all signed new contracts at Villa in 2022, with reports recently suggesting Gerrard could move on eight players this summer.

It looks as if Watkins could follow Martinez, Cash and Hause in extending his Villa Park stay after missing just one game since Gerrard took over in November.

The Latest: Source shares update

Football Insider shared an update regarding Watkins on Tuesday morning after being informed by a recruitment source.

They claimed that Arsenal are interested in the England international, and, as a result, Villa are preparing a new bumper deal which would see Watkins become one of the club’s top earners.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Watkins has been the club’s best-performing attacker this season, as per WhoScored, and is the top scorer with eight goals.

He is also Villa’s joint-highest valued player according to Transfermarkt at £31.5m, so a new contract appears to be a smart call from Villa chiefs.

Gerrard hailed Watkins back in December, describing him as a player who has ‘got the lot’, so he could be key under the Villa boss next season, providing he remains at the club beyond the summer.

In other news: Source: Villa now open to selling 2022 star this summer despite Gerrard being a big fan. 

BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has tipped Tottenham Hotspur to prioritise signing a new creative midfielder this summer after a recruitment source revealed links to Christian Eriksen.

The Lowdown: Eriksen links

Antonio Conte looks set for an overhaul during the upcoming transfer window, with the Italian boss reportedly wanting two new midfielders as part of a mass signing spree.

One of the players that the Lilywhites are said to be keeping tabs on is former Spurs star Eriksen, who despite currently being on a short-term loan at Brentford, is understood to be keen on a return to north London, according to a transfer source at Football Insider.

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Now, former Spurs defender Hutton has been reacting to those links, insisting that he thinks a new playmaker like the Dane is a ‘huge’ requirement so that captain Harry Kane can focus on his role as a striker.

The Latest: New addition required

When asked what position he thinks the Premier League giants need to strengthen the most, Hutton, who now works for BBC, told Football Insider: “I think a creative midfielder. They’ve really struggled in that department for a while, if I’m totally honest.

“I would like to see them with someone within that midfield that’s exciting. Someone that can get on the ball, make things happen and leave Kane up the pitch.

“It gives the centre-halves something to think about. He’s not dropping deep. If I’m playing centre-half and Harry Kane drops to the halfway line, brilliant. Let him go down there, away from the goal.

“You know they want to get the width from the wing-backs too. Are they the answer? They’ve still got to prove themselves.

“Doherty’s come on, Sessegnon, we know is capable, Reguilon’s still got question marks above him. These are the areas when you play that system who are your biggest outlets.

“If they’re not firing on all cylinders, you’re looking for your front two, and Kulusevski, to go and make things happen.

“There are question marks above a few heads. Creative midfield and wing-back positions are huge.”

The Verdict: Reunion on the cards?

Following a magnificent recovery after suffering from a cardiac arrest in the Euro 2020 tournament last summer, Eriksen has made a sensational return to the pitch and has reignited his career with the Bees, delivering an impressive run of displays since joining in January.

The Danish international could be classed as nothing short of a Spurs legend, where he made an outstanding 159 goal contributions in just 305 appearances during his seven years at the club, as per Transfermarkt.

The 30-year-old will become a free agent when his contract at Brentford expires at the end of the season, and so a reunion with his former manager Conte could well be on the cards.

In other news… one big name at Tottenham is now facing an uncertain future! 

It was a day for burning up the record books at the Gabba as Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott produced a herculean unbroken stand of 329 to secure a comfortable draw for England

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan29-Nov-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAlastair Cook continued his commanding display as he moved to a maiden double hundred•Getty ImagesIt was a day for burning up the record books at the Gabba as Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott produced a herculean unbroken stand of 329 to secure a comfortable draw for England. Cook scored his maiden double-century and Trott hit his second hundred against Australia, making it the first time England’s top three had scored Ashes tons, before Andrew Strauss declared at a mind-boggling 1 for 517, which left Australia to face 41 overs.There was never a realistic chance of a result with England 296 in front, but they wanted to try to secure further psychological points ahead of Adelaide. Stuart Broad, wicketless in the first innings, made an early breakthrough when Simon Katich edged to slip, however, Ricky Ponting put two days of fielding frustration behind him to notch a brisk half-century as he and Shane Watson batted out the remainder of the match and lifted Australia’s spirits a little. It had been a sobering time in the field, as they claimed a single wicket in 26 overs.While Cook and Trott extended a stand that was already worth 121 overnight, it was difficult to keep up with each new landmark. On a personal level, Cook’s 200 came from 306 balls while Trott’s elegant, composed hundred took 213 and his was an innings studded with wonderful driving. In 2005, Cook cracked a double-hundred against the touring Australians but that wasn’t a first-class match and this innings left his previous Test-best of 173, made against Bangladesh at Chittagong, well behind.In a mark of what Cook achieved, he also broke a record held by Don Bradman for the highest individual score at the Gabba, while his match aggregate bettered that of Matthew Hayden in the 2002-03 Ashes encounter. Trott, meanwhile, continued the prolific start to his Test career and made it two second-innings hundreds in two Tests against Australia following his debut ton at The Oval.The partnership rattled through the records. It became the highest for England in Australia and banished the Michael Hussey-Brad Haddin alliance to second place for any stand at Brisbane less than two days after it was set. They finished with the highest-scoring innings for the loss of a single wicket. For the England fans, who far outnumbered the locals on the final day, it will have been the performance of Ashes dreams.England began the day knowing they weren’t out of danger despite yesterday’s heroics and there were more than a few mentions of what happened in Adelaide four years ago. However, this time there was no Shane Warne to spin the batsmen into submission. Instead, Cook and Trott continued as they had done the previous evening by scoring at a rapid pace against unthreatening bowling and by lunch it was just a question of how many overs England wanted at demoralised opponents.Ponting set fairly defensive fields and a number of edges flew through gaps in the slips, but Australia couldn’t even take the one chance that came their when Michael Clarke dropped a sitter at slip when Trott, on 75, tried to guide Watson to third man. Ponting just continued to chew his gum and the home side were deflated.Mitchell Johnson, meanwhile, went through a horrid spell to give his confidence another pounding. He tried over and round the wicket to both batsmen, but his match was summed up when he sprayed a terrible bouncer miles down the leg side against Trott which flew for five wides. Johnson ended wicketless in a Test for the first time and faced a nervous wait to see what his immediate future held.England teams have been through years of pain in Australia, and especially at the Gabba, and the two batsmen were in no mood to let up. Both batsmen start to open their shoulders; Cook used his feet against the spinners while Trott continued to show his sweet straight driving. Even when Doherty found turn from the footmarks, two deliveries beat Brad Haddin for four byes.Australia thought they’d finally broken through at 1 for 457 when Cook chipped Doherty to short midwicket, where Ponting dived forward for the catch, but the celebration was so low-key that Cook stood his ground and it went to the TV umpire. As so often, the cameras added doubt although it appeared Ponting had got his fingers under the ball and he was angered when the decision was ruled not out.Just to add to Ponting’s pain, he then spilled a tough late chance at slip and when England passed 500 courtesy of four more byes all he could offer was a gentle clap and strained smile. Ponting, though, has determination in bucket-loads and was desperate not to hand England his wicket during the final session.The quick bowlers tried to pepper him with short balls, and Finn struck his helmet, but the pitch was too docile to cause major concerns. James Anderson, meanwhile, had plenty to say to both batsmen and had to be spoken to by Aleem Dar. Graeme Swann was denied a confidence-boosting scalp when Paul Collingwood spilled Watson at slip in what proved to be the last significant chance they created. Ponting sped to a 40-ball half-century to ease his tension a little.At the start of the final hour Strauss approached his opposite number and the two captains shook on a draw but, once again, the final outcome doesn’t reflect the drama of the five days. Battle will be resumed in Adelaide, on Friday, where it’s unlikely to be any easier for the bowlers.

Australia women beat New Zealand women by four wickets in the second Twenty20 of the Rose Bowl series at the Saxton Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Dec-2010Australia women beat New Zealand women by four wickets in the second Twenty20 of the Rose Bowl series at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. New Zealand elected to bat and started rapidly with openers Aimee Watkins and Sarah Tsukigawa adding 21 runs inside the first three overs before Tsukigawa was dismissed. A third-wicket partnership of 29 between Watkins and Sara McGlashan took New Zealand to 62 before Watkins was dismissed. That triggered a collapse as New Zealand lost seven wickets for 60 runs. Debutant Sarah Coyte picked up two middle-order wickets and was involved in two run-outs as New Zealand managed to reach a below-par 122 for 9.Australia got off to a solid start, reaching 38 for 1 in just under six overs. Shelley Nitschke was run out on the same score and Australia lost momentum after that. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and at 79 for 6, it looked like New Zealand would defend their total. However, an unbeaten 44-run partnership for the seventh wicket between wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy (28) and Coyte (14) carried Australia home. Australia now lead the eight-match Rose Bowl series, that comprises five Twenty20 and three ODIs, 1-0. The first Twenty20 in Hamilton was abandoned due to rain. The third T20 will be played on February 18 in Invercargill.

Celtic are not interested in signing Caen attacker Alexandre Mendy in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Anthony Joseph.

The Lowdown: Striker on Celtic’s radar

Ange Postecoglou is enjoying a superb first season as Hoops manager, building an impressive squad as they sit on the cusp of regaining the Premiership title.

Summer reinforcements are expected, though, and a recent claim suggests that the club could be in the market for a new striker at the end of the season.

One such player with whom they have been linked is Mendy, who has scored 16 goals in 31 appearances in French Ligue 2 for Caen in the current campaign and has been dubbed a “very strong” player in the past by his former coach Jocelyn Gourvennec.

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The Latest: Celtic not in contact with Mendy

However, taking to Twitter on Saturday with a fresh update on the matter, Joseph claimed that it is a move which won’t come to fruition, as Celtic have not been in touch over the 28-year-old:

“Understand there’s been no contact from Celtic for Caen striker Alexandre Mendy.”

The Verdict: Big summer ahead at Celtic

It will be interesting to see if a new striker does come in at Parkhead this summer, with Postecoglou sure to be weighing up whether or not his current options are strong enough.

Either way, it is imperative that Celtic’s squad is strengthened all over the pitch, especially with Premiership glory also set to bring automatic Champions League qualification with it.

It has been a long time since the Hoops made any kind of impact in Europe’s biggest club competition, and they will need a better squad if that is to change next season. Therefore, they should at least give stronger consideration to signing Mendy, particularly given his impressive scoring return in recent months.

In other news, Celtic have reportedly been handed a transfer blow. Read more here.

England allrounder Tim Bresnan has vowed to be fit for England’s first match of the World Cup, insisting that regular physiotherapy will have him “raring to go” when the tournament starts

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2011England allrounder Tim Bresnan has vowed to be fit for England’s first match of the World Cup, insisting that regular physiotherapy will have him “raring to go” when the tournament starts. Bresnan picked up a calf injury during the second ODI against Australia at Hobart, ruling him out of the remainder of the seven-match series.The World Cup gets underway in the subcontinent on February 20, with England beginning their campaign against Netherlands two days later. With England currently 3-1 down against Australia, weaknesses in the batting and bowling departments have been exposed and Andy Flower will be keen to have the likes of Bresnan and Stuart Broad back in contention for their first World Cup outing in Nagpur.”The injury is coming on well,” Bresnan, who is back in the UK for treatment on his injury, told . “I’m quite confident of being fit for the first game of the World Cup. I’ve been told some good news in the last couple of days and I’m having some physio every day up until we leave, so I’m putting my full trust in them [the medical team] that they’ll get me ready to go.”Bresnan added that he thought Graeme Swann, who has also flown home with back and knee problems, would be available for selection for England’s opener, and is expecting everyone to feel refreshed when they tackle their next challenge. “Hopefully everyone’s going to be raring to go for that first game. Hopefully everyone’s rested as well so that we are ready to go.”After helping England win the Ashes with a 3-1 series triumph, Bresnan admits the team are targeting the world No. 1 spot. “For that we need consistency,” he said. “If you look at the way the ranking system works it’s all about consistency, it’s not about having a couple of good series here and there. It’s about consistently winning games of cricket. With the strength and depth we’ve got in the ranks, the next target is definitely being the No. 1 in the world.”

Steven Gerrard’s time at Aston Villa has been a puzzling period so far.

The England great arrived in the Midlands with a healthy reputation following his career in Scotland and after the first few weeks, you could see why there was such a buzz about his management skills.

However, sadly the Villans have slipped by the wayside and to coin an old phrase, they’ve been on the beach in the final few months of the season.

Villa may well find it difficult now to finish in the Premier League’s top 10 after a run of form that’s been rather topsy-turvy, but back to back wins prior to their defeat at Liverpool showed there is still quality in the squad.

Philippe Coutinho looks set to sign for the club permanently but it wasn’t the former Red that Klopp waxed lyrical over at full time.

As the Merseysiders came away with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park, Klopp sunk his teeth into the display of the host’s forward line.

He said in his post-match press conference: “There were one or two moments where we had to defend with the centre-halves in the six-yard box because of the quality of Villa. Ingsy unbelievable, Watkins and these kind of things that’s tricky, but we did it.”

It’s hardly a surprise that Klopp was so effusive in his praise of Ings considering the pair worked together when he played at Anfield but it’s a promising sign for the Villa Park faithful.

There may only be two games of the campaign left but if the former Southampton man really is looking “unbelievable” now, it should delight the supporters at Villa.

After all, this is a player who Dean Smith paid £25m for last summer following the sale of Jack Grealish.

To suggest he’s been good business so far would be lying. The 29-year-old has been rather inconsistent since signing, scoring just seven goals for Villa.

That means that at the moment he’s cost the club a whopping £3.5m per goal.

If Villa are to make this move a worthwhile investment then they’ll need Ings at the top of his game heading into next term – a position Klopp clearly believes he’s getting to again.

The German is no stranger to praising opposition players, with the Anfield chief hailing the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Adama Traore and Gabriel Martinelli relentlessly in the past.

Klopp knows an exciting talent when he sees one, so those at Villa should be extremely excited about what the future holds for the forward under Gerrard’s tutelage beyond the current campaign.

A summer of rest and recuperation should do the England international the world of good, and then hopefully we’ll see the very best from the “unbelievable” Ings next season.

AND in other news, AVFC can save millions by unleashing “outstanding” 18 y/o who’s a “young Michael Owen”…

New Zealand’s physiotherapist Dayle Shackel and trainer Bryan Stronach have had to rush home to Christchurch after the earthquake there affected their homes and families

Nagraj Gollapudi in Nagpur23-Feb-2011An embattled New Zealand will go into the needle clash against world champions Australia on Friday sans two crucial members of their support staff. Dayle Shackel (physiotherapist) and Bryan Stronach (trainer) rushed back home to attend their affected families in Christchurch, which was ripped apart by a devastating earthquake in the early hours of Tuesday.A frazzled looking New Zealand squad arrived in Nagpur late Wednesday afternoon after having spent hours in front of the television to get fresh updates, with many players tweeting their sentiments frequently. But one such tweet by a senior player, Scott Styris, earlier today, created an unnecessary flutter when he remarked that the BCCI had refused to entertain New Zealand’s request to borrow Paul Close, the physio at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. Both John Wright and Dave Currie, New Zealand’s coach and manager respectively, denied any such development, saying the BCCI did respond to their request to use Close, but could not release him as he had prior obligations.”Does anyone know of a physio here in India? Unfortunately the bcci won’t let us borrow their kiwi born academy physio whilst ours heads Back to chch to take care of his demolished house? Would only be for a week or so till he comes back,” read one of the Styris’ posts in the morning. His next tweet indicated that the Australians were happy to lend a helping hand instead. “still hopeful we’ll get him, but the aussies will help us out tomo and management have a plan B if nece.so we’re all good help is on the way,” Styris posted.Currie said that both Wright and he had been busy all day trying to work out a Plan B to make sure the team had the right support staff in place before both Shackel and Stronach returned in the first days of March. “We think we are fine. If there is a need they [Australia] would provide the support,” Currie said. Currie also explained the reasons were serious and compelling for the pair to dash back. “Our physio Dayle had to get back as his property was probably damaged and his family was upset so he went to back to provide some support. Similarly, Bryan’s wife is four months pregnant and his house has half come down, so he has gone back to take care of his wife.” He made it clear that both are expected back with Shackel likely to return on March 2, two days before New Zealand’s third match of the tournament, against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad.Immediately after their departure was announced, Wright called BCCI top brass and checked if New Zealand could borrow the services of Paul Close, who comes from Auckland. According to Wright the BCCI did check up on his request but explained that it would be virtually impossible to release Close from his duties at the NCA especially because the Indian squad is parked in Bangalore over the next two weeks where they are lined up to play England on February 27 and Ireland on March 6.”Paul Close was not available because he is still doing some work for the BCCI at the academy,” Currie said. “It would’ve been nice; he is a New Zealander, he would’ve been fantastic. But he has some responsibilities. We chatted with them [BCCI] about whether that would be possible and they came back saying they would’ve liked to help but he had obligations and can’t be in two places at once. It is not a rejection. Not at all. We understand that.”Wright, instead of drawing up gameplans for Friday’s match, had been making desperate calls to get cover for the missing support cast. It is understood that New Zealand have a Plan B with assurance from the Australians to pitch in if need be. In the interim, Wright has already had a word with John Gloster, who was the physio when he was the India coach. Gloster, who is now with the Rajasthan Royals, informed Wright that his plate was full but he would help out with a couple of suggestions of physios in India. Vaibhav Daga, who has toured with many India A teams, is one of the candidates.

Durham’s Ben Stokes came close to earning a place in the record books in the County Championship Division One match against Hampshire on Sunday

10-Apr-2011Stumps
Scorecard
Ben Stokes added a century in Durham’s second innings to go with his six wickets against Hampshire•PA PhotosDurham’s Ben Stokes came close to earning a place in the record books in the County Championship Division One match against Hampshire on Sunday. Stokes hit the first five balls of an over from Hampshire’s Liam Dawson for six – but could only manage a single off the last delivery.The 19-year-old came close to recording career-best batting and bowling performances on the same day at the Rose Bowl. Stokes took six wickets for 68 runs, comfortably his best bowling, to wrap up the Hampshire first innings. He then hit an unbeaten 135, just 26 short of his best batting as Durham took merciless command.Left-arm spinner Dawson had no answer to Stokes’ belligerence, but escaped the humiliation of conceding six consecutive sixes when the batsman could only edge his final ball to fine leg. Durham captain Phil Mustard declared soon afterwards, with Stokes having hit 13 fours and six sixes in his remarkable 145-ball innings. At that stage, with first-innings centurion Dale Benkenstein 55 not out, Durham were able to set Hampshire an improbable 490 to win in three sessions and 20 overs.Hampshire resumed the third day at 280 for 6 in response to Durham’s 473 – and Stokes was in the middle of the action straight away. He hustled out Dominic Cork, Danny Briggs and Simon Jones in a five-ball spell with his medium pace to put Durham firmly in control. In the previous over, Callum Thorp had sent back Nic Pothas for 56, but with the healthy first-innings lead of 179, Mustard declined the opportunity to enforce the follow-on.Hampshire were hampered immediately by injuries to former England bowlers Jones and Cork. Injury-troubled Jones managed only nine balls before limping off with a groin strain, and Cork’s contribution was only 14 balls before he too was forced out of the attack with the same problem.Durham made the most of their absence. Michael Di Venuto and Scott Borthwick put on 45 for the first wicket before two big partnerships took the match away from the hosts. Stokes and Gordon Muchall put on 88 for the third wicket, then Stokes and Benkenstein hammered home their advantage on a gentle-paced wicket with a stand of 140 for the fourth.When Mustard declared, Durham were a formidable 310 for 3, but Hampshire openers Jimmy Adams and Dawson found batting just as easy as their opponents had done. Even with another former England bowler, Steve Harmison, available after recovering from a hand injury sustained earlier in the match, Durham were soon on the defensive.At the close, still 403 behind, Hampshire had recovered to 87 without loss. Adams was 47 not out, and Dawson, having got over his mauling at the hands of Stokes, was unbeaten with 35.

Rajshahi Division need another 246 runs on Day 5, with 10 wickets in hand, to take the National Cricket League title

ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-2011
ScorecardAnamul Haque helped Dhaka to a lead of 297 with his knock of 118•BCBRajshahi Division need another 246 runs on Day 5, with 10 wickets in hand, to take the National Cricket League title. Set 297 for victory by Dhaka Division, Rajshahi went to stumps 51 for no loss, scoring at a healthy 4.78 in the 10.4 overs they got to bat on the penultimate day in Mirpur.Dhaka’s total was built on solid centuries by Anamul Haque and Mehrab Hossain Jr. Resuming on 97 for 3, just 63 ahead, overnight batsmen Mehrab and Mahmudullah added 28 runs before offspinner Farhad Hossain got Mahmudullah to hole out. At that, Anamul, who had retired hurt on Day 3, returned to the crease and built a patient fifth-wicket stand with Mehrab. When left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib had Anamul stumped for 118, the pair had added 166 runs.Thereafter, a bulk of the scoring was done by Mehrab, while his team lost wickets in quick time at the other end. Mehrab departed for 116 and Dhaka lost their last four wickets for 12 runs. Saqlain, who had picked up two wickets late on Day 3, snagged three more, to finish with 5 for 109 off a marathon 46 overs.With a little over a day’s play left, the target of 297 put the game in the balance. Dhaka will hope for the Day 5 pitch to deteriorate considerably, while Rajshahi will want Junaid Siddique to continue where he left off on Friday – he launched the chase with five boundaries, going to stumps 31 not out off just 35 balls.