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PGMOL chief Howard Webb is under pressure to block Premier League match officials from travelling to the Middle East for midweek fixtures.

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• Referees working in the Middle East
• Head back to England for top-flight games
• Mistakes making unfortunate headlines

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It has been revealed that Darren England and Dan Cook – who were in the VAR booth for Liverpool’s controversial clash with Tottenham on Saturday – formed part of an officiating team in the UAE on Thursday evening, giving them just 48 hours in which to complete a long-haul flight and recover in time to keep an eye across top-flight action in north London.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  They failed to spot that a Luis Diaz effort in the first half of Liverpool’s game with Spurs had been wrongly ruled out for offside, leading to PGMOL having to issue an apology for a “significant human error” impacting proceedings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has told of the midweek jaunts to the Middle East: “I understand that they officiated on Thursday evening, which means on Friday they will have had a minimum seven hours in the air. This impacts on their recovery and a loss of sharpness in their performance. In my time in office if they were in Europe on Thursday then they would not officiate until late Sunday or Monday at the earliest. This is yet another example of poor management of these professional sports persons and actual changes must be made to stop these mounting errors.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Concerns have been raised regarding a potential conflict of interest as match officials split their time between the Premier League and lucrative wages on offer in the Middle East, although there is no evidence of that being the case at present. Webb is, however, under pressure to bring an end to the trips – outside of those taken in as part of European competition – in a bid to remove any potential distractions and bring about an end to the regular debates regarding costly errors being made in the VAR department.

Jurgen Klopp has batted away the ongoing speculation suggesting that Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia.

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• Al-Ittihad linked with Egyptian superstar
• Reds insist he is not for sale
• Movement expected before window closes

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  There has been talk of the Egypt international becoming a top target for Al-Ittihad, as they prepare for FIFA Club World Cup competition later this year. A record-breaking contract offer is said to be on the table, with Salah in line to earn more in the Middle East than Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

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  WHAT THEY SAID

  Liverpool are, however, understandably reluctant to part with a prized asset and Klopp insists there is no bid on the table amid rumours of a €150 million (£128m/$163m) approach being readied. The Reds boss has said: “The position remains the same absolutely. That's how it is. Nothing else to say. No offer as far as I know.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While there are no plans to part with Salah as the summer transfer window draws to a close, there may be incomings at Anfield. A deal is said to be close for Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch – who is heading in from Bayern Munich – but Klopp is playing cards close to his chest there. He added: “We cannot talk about that because nothing has really happened yet. If something happens then we can talk about it on Sunday.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Liverpool will be back in Premier League action this weekend when playing host to Aston Villa – with the Reds having taken seven points from their three fixtures so far.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to quit Wolves last week came as a big shock.

He seemed happy and content with the direction in which the Old Gold were heading but, following a dialogue with Jeff Shi, he decided to hand in his resignation.

You can hardly blame him, either. The Portuguese was going to have small resources to work with this summer and they would have to sell their best players in order to spend big.

The Molineux outfit have consulted Jorge Mendes in their bid to find a new coach, with former Benfica manager Bruno Lage the frontrunner. Paulo Fonseca has also been in the frame but, according to Wolves legend Steve Bull, they should consider Julen Lopetegui.

When questioned by Football Transfer Tavern about whether he would be a good appointment, Bull commented: “I think so, I think so. There’ll be names bandied left, right and centre. If [Jose] Mourinho was free, you would have dropped him in the hat as well. But, you know, it’s just a lottery at the moment.”

Lopetegui has had an interesting couple of years in management. He was set to lead Spain at the 2018 World Cup but was relieved of his duties on the eve of the tournament after agreeing to become Real Madrid manager after the competition had finished.

Following a string of bad results, he was sacked in October of that year after just a matter of months at the helm.

He has enjoyed a fabulous renaissance with Sevilla, however, winning the Europa League with the Spanish outfit in 2020.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-news-guedes-toney-shaqiri-neves” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer news!”]

Lopetegui developed a system which involved wing-backs and turned the Andalucians into a defensive powerhouse. Considering how poor Wolves were at the back this term, he could prove beneficial in leading them back up the table.

The Old Gold kept just ten clean sheets from their 38 league games this term, letting in goals on a regular basis. In 14 league matches between October and January, they only maintained two shut-outs during a wretched run of form.

Lopetegui could ensure that this drastically improves. His Sevilla team kept an incredible haul of 25 clean sheets in 54 matches this season.

The 54-year-old dubbed Nuno a “great coach” when the two teams met last season in the Europa League and has enjoyed great success with a defensive duo of Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos. Those two defenders arrived during his first summer in charge, proving that Lopetegui knows what he’s looking for in the transfer market.

Basing his philosophy on a possession-based brand of football, that would suit a Wolves team with plenty of ball-playing midfielders and defenders in their team.

Lopetegui endured a turbulent year in 2018 but has since shown great dedication and focus at Sevilla. He should definitely be considered by Jeff Shi and Fosun.

AND in other news, Wolves eye swoop for “outstanding” 25 G/A beast, he could be their new Traore…

Nigel Adkins took over from Lee Bowyer when the former Blues midfielder took the job in January and former Charlton Athletic manager, Les Reed, admits he is delighted to see Adkins as the club’s manager.

Charlton just missed out on the play-offs this season despite beating champions, Hull City 1-0 on the final day of the season but they were helpless as Oxford United thrashed Burton Albion 4-0 to secure the final spot.

Adkins had been out of management since he decided not to renew his contract at Hull City back in 2019 and when he was announced as Charlton’s new manager, it certainly took former midfielder, Rob Lee, by surprise.

Charlton are slowly but surely getting the right culture and feeling back around the club, something Adkins has helped with, they are the thoughts of Reed, who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I’m a Charlton fan so I was delighted with that appointment because I’ve worked with Nigel in the past and he’s a perfect fit for the club.

“There is now a good environment and culture at Charlton, which is slowly coming back as it was lost under Roland Duchatelet, for various reasons.”

Before Adkins took charge at The Valley, Bowyer had overseen a promotion via the play-offs and then an immediate relegation the following season back into League One.

Charlton appear to be in more sensible hands with Thomas Sandgaard now owning the club and appearing to be willing to pump some money into the club, not least their women’s team who he recently also bought.

Erling Haaland was back among the goals with a double in an impressive comeback win from Manchester City against Yokohama F Marinos

Manchester City looked a little sleepy as they began their pre-season campaign, but soon burst into life and came from two goals down to blitz Yokohama F Marinos 5-3 in Tokyo with the help of a double from Erling Haaland.

In their first match since winning the Champions League final and completing the treble, City fell behind against the run of play when Anderson Lopes scored in the 27th minute. They soon found themselves another goal down when Ken Matsubara struck but Pep Guardiola's side took little time to respond.

John Stones pulled them back into contention and then Julian Alvarez equalised before half-time. Guardiola changed every outfield player during the break and Haaland needed just six minutes on the pitch to score and give City the lead.

Rodri netted a sumptuous goal to stretch the treble winners' lead but Kenta Inoue made it 4-3 by capitalising on a mix up between Rico Lewis and a rusty looking Stefan Ortega. Haaland, however, inevitably had the final word, netting a tap-in in stoppage time thanks to a wonderful cross from Joao Cancelo.

GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at Japan National Stadium.

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  New season, same Haaland

  Before the match Haaland posted on social media to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his first goal for City in last year's pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in the United States. He marked this campaign's curtain raiser by scoring twice, showing that even in pre-season he is determined to get as many goals as possible.

  Haaland took one touch to bring a pass under control and set himself up to smash the ball into the net to make it 3-2. The Norwegian also played his part in Rodri's goal, freeing up space for the Spaniard to run into after drawing two defenders away with a searching run in the other direction.

  Haaland also had a shot saved before signing off with another goal, drifting towards the back post and making sure Cancelo spotted his run, only needing the deftest of touches to see the ball into the net.

  Haaland had not netted since the 3-0 win at Everton on 14 May but he brought any suggestion of a drought to an emphatic end. It will be difficult for him to beat his astonishing tally of 51 goals in his debut campaign but on this showing you wouldn't want to rule it out.

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  Kovacic slots in

  City's only signing of the summer so far looked utterly at home in his new team in his 45 minutes on the pitch. The Croatian looked to release Alvarez with a through ball and although the move did not come off, it showed he is already in sync with his team-mates.

  He also looked to get in on goal himself by latching on to a ball from Akanji, demonstrating intent to get forward and add to a fairly meagre goal tally with Chelsea. With Ilkay Gundogan gone, he will need to contribute his share of goals.

  But most of all, Kovacic did not like a new signing at all. He performed as if he had been playing with City for years and looks like another astute signing, a snip at only £25 million ($32m).

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  An olive branch for Cancelo?

  Cancelo had not played in City colours since the Manchester derby on January 14. The Portuguese was one of the most important players in the previous two seasons but his days at the club appeared numbered after he struggled to accept being left out of the line-up by Guardiola after the World Cup and was sent on loan to Bayern.

  Reports of some particularly petulant behaviour, including wearing headphones during one of Guardiola's team talks, painted a picture of a player who did not fit into the team's ethos. So it was a surprise to see Cancelo going on the tour and being named on the substitutes' bench.

  It was an even bigger surprise to see him come on at the start of the second half. He showed he can still offer a lot. The Portuguese came close to scoring from outside the area and then set up Haaland's second goal with a wonderful low cross to the Norwegian's feet.

  Guardiola does not usually change his mind about players but after Bayern decided not to trigger the option to buy Cancelo permanently, there is a chance of him staying with City after all. The fact that the coach gave him 45 minutes and that Cancelo performed well suggested there might be a way back for the player. Just so long as he remembers to take his headphones off.

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  The perils of a high line

  City began the game playing with a very high defensive line, something they rarely did last season. And they were quickly reminded of the risks associated with that aggressive style as they were twice cut open by balls in behind the defence.

  First, Manuel Akanji was caught out by a ball into the path of Anderson Lopes and the Brazilian took full advantage by attacking the space before beating the Swiss defender and eventually scoring the opening goal.

  Then Walker was caught out of position after he had flown up the pitch to join City's attack. A superb curling pass from the left found Ken Matsubara, who hit a brilliant first-time effort past a stunned Stefan Ortega.

  City's success last season had a lot to do with them embracing old school defending, and after being burned twice in quick succession by reverting to their previous way of playing, they are unlikely to regularly play with such a high line again.

The death of the former Italian Prime Minister won't be mourned by many people, but it will come as a bitter blow to fans of Monza and Milan

The comedian Dylan Moran once joked that Silvio Berlusconi was "so thoroughly corrupt that every time he smiles, an angel gets gonorrhoea". The former Italian prime minister was certainly a dubious character, right until the end of a life that was as extraordinary as it was controversial.

Even while battling the health problems to which he eventually succumbed, he continued to generate headlines, in football and far beyond. Just a few months ago, he publicly criticised Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, which prompted one of Zelensky's aides, Mykhailo Podolyak, to label Berlusconi "a VIP agitator who is acting in the interests of Russian propaganda".

Just a couple of days later, he was cleared of paying witnesses to lie in an underage prostitution case that had dogged him for more than a decade. "Finally acquitted after more than 11 years of suffering, mud-slinging and incalculable political damage," he wrote on Twitter.

It is worth noting, though, that while Berlusconi was also acquitted in the original case, he had been found to have paid a teenager for sex. However, there had been no proof that Berlusconi knew the girl in question was a minor.

One with no previous knowledge of Berlusconi would be forgiven, then, for thinking that he might shy away from discussing – let alone joking about – delicate subjects such as prostitution. But this was a man with scan regard for social etiquette, meaning he was never afraid to make light of the most uncomfortable of topics.

• 'A bus full of whores'

  So, it didn't really come as much of a surprise when Berlusconi sparked uproar at Monza's Christmas dinner last December while initially paying tribute to the motivational skills of coach Raffaele Palladino.

  "He is good, smart, kind, and able to stimulate our lads," the club president said. "But I decided to add extra stimulation, so I told the lads, 'You will play Milan, Juventus, etc… so if you beat one of these big teams, I will have you greeted in the locker room by a bus full of whores!'"

  It was classic Berlusconi and his 'joke' was met by laughter in the room. However, when a video of the speech went viral, many Italians – who had long considered Berlusconi a national embarrassment – failed to see the funny side.

  Which was wholly unsurprising, of course. The media mogul remained a hugely divisive figure across the country. His political career was blighted by scandal and yet, last year, he managed to secure a senate, while his Forza Italia party became a key component in the new right-wing coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni.

  What is beyond dispute, though, is that Berlusconi made history in football, time and time again, first with AC Milan and then at Monza.

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  'The decision to buy Milan was obbligatory'

  Funnily enough, though, Berlusconi always felt his work went unappreciated, particularly at San Siro. Back in 2004, he complained, "They speak of the Milan of (Arrigo) Sacchi, (Alberto) Zaccheroni and (Carlo) Ancelotti and never talk of the Milan of Berlusconi. Yet it is I who for 18 years has been picking the team, stating the rules and buying the players… It seems as if I do not exist!"

  In truth, though, both Berlusconi and his contribution to Italian football were impossible to ignore. It was he who awakened Serie A's sleeping giant. The club was on the verge of collapse when Berlusconi took over in 1986, and he deserves immense credit for doing so, because Milan was not a particularly attractive proposition at the time.

  "Milan's [financial] situation would have discouraged anyone," he pointed out shortly after the acquisition. "Even now the gaps in the accounts have not been found and the amount of debt is not fully quantified, but it was impossible to behave differently.

  "On the one hand, there was a Milan that could be exposed to dramatic situations – bankruptcy, liquidation, courts etc. On the other, though, there was Berlusconi the fan, who did not feel like witnessing such a massacre. At that point, the heart intervened and the decision to buy Milan was obligatory."

• –
  

  'The most beautiful football in history'

  It was a gamble that paid off spectacularly, thanks to both Berlusconi and his right-hand man, Adriano Galliani. In just three years, the pair put together arguably the best team club football has ever seen.

  "According to [a FIFA vote], Arrigo Sacchi's Milan played the most beautiful football in history. It's actually difficult to say, but certainly the thrill of seeing that team play was incomparable," Berlusconi later told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm happy that my father, who had led me by the hand since I was a child to rejoice and suffer for Milan, was still alive to see it."

  Sacchi's side were certainly a joy to behold, one of the few teams in history that actually changed the game, thanks to their brilliant Italian backline and trio of Dutch superstars: Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit.

  The appointment of Sacchi had been key, though, another high-risk move that proved a masterstroke. He had one title to his name – the Serie C1 title – and his arrival at San Siro was greeted with a mix of scepticism and incredulity. Many influential figures in the media were aghast that the responsibility of reviving Milan had been entrusted to a coach that had never played at the highest level.

  Sacchi famously reacted to the questioning of his qualifications by quipping, "I never realised that in order to become a jockey, you have to have been a horse first."

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  An expert in all areas of the game…

  Milan won eight trophies during Sacchi's spell in charge, including back-to-back European Cups, and all while playing a brand of football that changed the game. It was, as Berlusconi put it, the most beautiful beginning to an "epic" empire that saw him become the most decorated president in club football.

  Hardly surprising, then, that he came to consider himself an expert in tactics. Throughout his three-decade tenure, there were reports and accusations of interfering in team selections. At one point, he even publicly declared that "any Milan coach will be obliged to play at least two strikers. It's not a request; it's an obligation."

  In that context, it's a minor miracle that Ancelotti managed to last eight seasons at San Siro. He didn't just have to put up with his president not only questioning his formation and selections, there were also little digs at his portly frame!

  By the end of Ancelotti's time at Milan, though, it was starting to become clear that Berlusconi was no longer in a position to continue pumping money into the club.

  In 2009, he even addressed talk of a potential sale but, in typically self-aggrandising fashion, Berlusconi claimed that he had yet to find a buyer "who would benefit the club more than me".

The west London outfit are in freefall at the moment, and it remains to be seen whether a club legend can inspire a rapid turnaround in fortunes

Frank Lampard's Stamford Bridge homecoming on Saturday ended up being a nightmare, as Brighton picked up a 2-1 victory over Chelsea that they were great value for after a dominant display.

During and after the Blues' 12th Premier League defeat of the season, fans were seen aiming their frustrations at much-maligned co-owner Todd Boehly, who appointed Lampard as interim manager after sacking Graham Potter at the start of the month.

The American remonstrated back at the supporters in question from the directors' box – which never saw anywhere near the same level of chaos during Roman Abramovich's trophy-laden 19-year-reign – in scenes that epitomised the sorry state of affairs at the club both on and off the pitch.

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The final result leaves Chelsea sitting down in 11th in the table, 17 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle having played a game more and a whopping 35 adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

Despite spending over £300 million on new players in January, the Blues are still on course for their worst-ever season in the top-flight, with star names such as Joao Felix, Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk all struggling to adapt to life in English football.

If Lampard cannot address their slide quickly, Chelsea could be in serious trouble, with a few unwanted records now in real danger of being broken…

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  Lowest points tally

  It seems like an eternity ago now, but Potter's Chelsea tenure actually got off to a promising start, as he oversaw a nine-game unbeaten run after replacing Thomas Tuchel at the helm in September.

  That streak included an impressive 2-0 win at Aston Villa on October 16, with a Mason Mount brace taking the Blues up to fourth in the Premier League standings.

  Of course, that turned out to be a false dawn. Chelsea have only won four more games since then, the worst record of any side in the division.

  Lampard's team have just 39 points to their name with seven matches left to play. Their minimum target must now be to get past the 50-point mark, or else they will enter the history books for all the wrong reasons.

  Chelsea have never finished with less than a half-century haul, but have hit that bang average total twice before – in 2015-16 after a Jose Mourinho implosion led to Guus Hiddink's return, and way back in 1995-96.

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  Least amount of goals

  Chelsea have been shaky at the back this season, but their main problem has been a lack of cutting-edge up front.

  Conor Gallagher's deflected strike to open the scoring against Brighton was the Blues' first goal in five games across all competitions, and it only came after a huge slice of good fortune.

  The hosts finished the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.75 from eight shots at goal, while the Seagulls managed 2.73 from 23 efforts.

  To paint an even clearer picture, Kai Havertz is currently Chelsea's top Premier League scorer for 2022-23 with seven goals – three more than his nearest team-mate, Raheem Sterling (4).

  Overall, Chelsea have managed just 30 goals in 31 games, two fewer than Erling Haaland has managed on his own for reigning champions Manchester City, and they are still well behind the previous worst final haul in the club's history.

  The Blues racked up 46 goals in 1995-96, and it seems unlikely that their latest crop of flops will avoid setting a new record, particularly without a natural No.9 in their ranks.

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  Lowest finish

  The 1995-96 season was certainly a low point for Chelsea, but their worst Premier League showing of all time came two years earlier.

  Optimism was initially high after the appointment of Glen Hoddle as player-manager ahead of 1993-94, but the Blues finished down in 14th and extended their long trophy drought to 24 years.

  The league was still comprised of 22 teams at this stage, and Chelsea finished with just 51 points from 42 games – which equates to their lowest-ever points per game (PPG) total at 1.214.

  At the moment, it is very possible that Lampard's squad will plunge to greater depths. They are only six points ahead of 14th-placed Bournemouth, who have won three of their last four games. London rivals West Ham are just two points further back and have a game in hand on Chelsea.

  Lampard is still looking for the first win of his second spell in charge, but it's difficult to see where it's going to come from, and they need to reach at least the 47-point mark to avoid falling to a new PPG low.

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  RELEGATION

  So that brings us to the big question – is it possible that Chelsea will be relegated from the Premier League for the first time ever? The answer is yes, mathematically anyway.

  Nottingham Forest are currently 12 points behind the Blues in 18th, two ahead of Leicester City and four ahead of rock-bottom Southampton – who now appear to be doomed.

  The Blues are statistically the fourth-worst team in the league over the last 20 games, having only picked up 18 points, with only Everton (17), Leicester (17) and Southampton (12) posting lower totals.

  That's relegation form from Lampard's men, but realistically, they should end up avoiding an unthinkable drop into the Championship.

  Even if Chelsea lose all of their remaining games, it would be a huge surprise if they finished in 18th or lower, given the fact that the last side to be relegated after reaching 39 points was Birmingham City back in 2010-11.

  You'd have to go almost a decade further back to find the next team to go down with a higher points total – with West Ham the victims of rotten luck under Glenn Roeder in 2002-03.

How to watch Everton vs Fulham in the Premier League on TV and online in the United States.

Everton take on Fulham in a Premier Leaguegame on Saturday at Goodison Park.

Everton are winless in their last three matches and will be desperate to get three points in the bag. They are one point above the relegation zone with eight rounds of fixtures left.

Fulham too have lost their last five matches and will hope to get back to winning ways. They are currently 10th in the league with 39 points from 29 matches.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Premier League fixture between Everton and Fulham, as well as team news, recent form and more.

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  Kick-off time

  Date:	April 15, 2023
  Kick-off time:	10am EDT
  Venue:	Goodison Park

  The game is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Goodison Park. It will kick off at 10am EDT in the US.

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  How to watch Everton vs Fulham Palace online – TV channels & live streams

  TV channels & streaming options

  Country	TV channel	Live stream
  U.S	N/A	Peacock Premium

  In the U.S., the match can be streamed on Peacock Premium.

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  Team news & squads

  Everton team news

  Everton will miss the services of Andros Townsend, who is out with an injury, and Abdoulaye Doucoure who is suspended for the clash.

  But the good news for the Toffees is star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is slowly regaining his fitness and could be included in the matchday squad against Fulham

  Everton predicted XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Tarkowski, Godfrey; Iwobi, Onana, Gueye, Garner, McNeil; Gray

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Pickford, Begovic, Lonergan
  Defenders:	Tarkowski, Mina, Godfrey, Coady, Holgate, Keane, Mykolenko, Vinagre, Patterson, Coleman
  Midfielders:	Onana, Garner, Davies, Gueye, Iwobi
  Forwards:	Maupay, Simms, Gray, McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin

  Fulham team news

  Layvin Kurzawa and Neeskens Kebano are for Fulham due to injuries while Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to serve an eight-match ban.

  In Mitrovic's absence, Carlos Vinicius is likely to start upfront.

  Fulham predicted XI: Leno; Tete, Ream, Diop, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha, Decordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Willian; Carlos Vinicius

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers:	Leno, Rodak
  Defenders:	Adarabioyo, Diop, Duffy, Ream, Robinson, Tete, Mbabu, Soares
  Midfielders:	Palhinha, Reed, Lukic, Cairney, Francois, Pereira, Solomon, Willian, Wilson, James
  Forwards:	Reid, Vinicius

  Head-to-head record

  Date	Result	Competition
  October 29, 2022	Fulham 0-0 Everton	Premier League
  February 15, 2021	Everton 0-2 Fulham	Premier League
  November 22, 2020	Fulham 2-3 Everton	Premier League
  April 13, 2019	Fulham 2-0 Everton	Premier League
  September 29, 2018	Everton 3-0 Fulham	Premier League

  Fulham and Everton have won two matches each in their last five meetings while one match ended in a draw.

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  Useful links

  • Everton team page

  • Fulham team page

  • Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Aston Villa look set to move on two longstanding scouts in a major reshuffle behind the scenes, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa’s major spending plans

Villa spent over £90m during the current campaign on five permanent transfers, and it looks as if another spending spree is on the way at Villa Park.

Owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris have pumped around £400m into the club since taking over in 2018, and according to Football Insider back in March, they will spend big this summer in a bid to keep hold of club captain Jack Grealish.

The Latest: Friday meeting planned

According to Football Insider, Mick Brown and Alan Wood are set to leave the club.

A Villa source revealed that both Brown and Wood have been told to attend a meeting at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training headquarters on Friday.

The report described the likely parting ways of Brown and Wood as a surprise, with the pair working on potential signings under sporting director Johan Lange.

The Verdict: A bold move

It’s safe to say that Villa’s spending during the 2020/21 campaign has been a lot better than their 2019/20 business.

The likes of Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash and Emiliano Martinez have been revelations under Dean Smith, although the loan signing of Ross Barkley hasn’t really worked out.

However, a number of the arrivals in the 19/20 season have either been injured for large parts of their stay or struggled on the pitch – Wesley Moraes, Tom Heaton, Mbwana Samatta, Bjorn Engels and Jota spring to mind.

It seems as if Villa have their heart set on an off-field revamp, though, which could have real significance to Lange going forward.

In other news: Villa keen on Premier League international, many fans are delighted, find out more here. 

The Croatian dominated the midfield while Vinicius Junior contributed in attack once again as Carlo Ancelotti's side triumphed 1-0 at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League by beating Liverpool 1-0 to complete a 6-2 aggregate win over the Reds.

Los Blancos were relatively comfortable in the first half, with Luka Modric's cool head settling things in central midfield.

They had their chances, too, forcing Alisson into a series of dramatic saves, including one point-blank block from Vinicius Junior.

The Madrid goal, when it came, was well deserved, though it was a tad fortuitous. Vinicius and Benzema combined inside the box after a couple of lucky bounces, and the Frenchman finished into an open net to put the last-16 tie to bed.

And so it ultimately proved relatively simple. Madrid ate early pressure, grabbed a goal of their own, and by the end could give some of their big names a breather with Barcelona to come in El Clasico on Sunday.

GOAL rates Madrid's players from the Santiago Bernabeu…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Thibaut Courtois (8/10):

  Denied Darwin Nunez at full stretch in the first half. Came up with a few other saves to ensure it was goalless at the break.

  Dani Carvajal (7/10):

  Had an interesting battle with Nunez down the right. Did well for spells, but was occasionally overmatched physically. Was perhaps relieved to see him substituted.

  Eder Militao (7/10):

  Dominant in the air, and made some terrific tackles. Job done.

  Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

  Exposed in behind early, but rebounded with a series of impressive blocks and interventions.

  Nacho (7/10):

  Dealt with Mo Salah well. Burned some clock when needed, and showed some attacking thrust, too.

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  Midfield

  Luka Modric (9/10):

  Composed as ever from the first minute. Entirely unfazed by Liverpool pressure. Standing ovation when he came off. Magnificent.

  Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

  Denied by Alisson from 25 yards out early, kept first Cody Gakpo then Roberto Firmino quiet in front of the back four. Will be encouraged to have started over Aurelien Tchouameni.

  Toni Kroos (7/10):

  As reliable as ever in his passing, put a nice shot on target. Eventually handed a breather before El Clasico.

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  Attack

  Federico Valverde (7/10):

  Made lots of unselfish runs, covering plenty of ground. Should have scored (twice).

  Karim Benzema (7/10):

  Seemed certain to score after running through on goal early on. Missed a couple of other chances before grabbing the game's only goal. Appeared to pick up a knock in doing so but says he'll be fine for El Clasico…

  Vinicius Jr (8/10):

  Had a go at Trent Alexander-Arnold early. Dribbling for fun within 20 minutes. Assisted Benzema, continuing his vendetta against the Reds.

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  Subs & Manager

  Dani Ceballos (6/10):

  A nice cameo for 10 minutes.

  Rodrygo (6/10):

  Thought he won a penalty. Probably has a point.

  Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

  Will be disappointed to have started on the bench.

  Marco Asensio (N/A):

  On the pitch for six minutes.

  Lucas Vasquez (N/A):
  Barely touched the ball.

  Carlo Ancelotti (9/10):

  Promised that his team would play to win, and Madrid certainly went for it. Got the best out of his midfield three, and kept Salah quiet enough. If anything, Ancelotti will be disappointed that his side didn't score more. Through to the next round with relative ease. Barcelona next. This was a promising warm-up.