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This weekend sees the return of Premier League action with Bruno Lage’s Wolves side set to take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.

Their previous league outing saw Wolves pick up all three points in a 2-1 victory against Newcastle United thanks to a brace of goals from Hwang Hee-chan.

On the chalkboard

One player that didn’t start against the Toon that we think should be in the starting XI to face Villa at the weekend is Adama Traore, someone described as a “top player” by Bruno Lage in the past.

Wolves signed Traore back in the 2018 summer transfer window from Championship side Middlesbrough for a fee of £18m.

Since then, the 25-year-old, who is currently valued at £27m according to Transfermarkt, has made a total of 140 appearances for the Old Gold across all competitions, scoring ten goals and providing 18 assists along the way.

So far this season, Traore, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £43k-per-week according to Spotrac, has made an appearance in every game Wolves have had across all competitions, starting their opening five league games of the season, whilst coming on as a substitute in their previous two league fixtures.

Despite not scoring a goal or providing an assist for the Midlands club so far this season, we feel that Traore should return to the starting XI for the match against Villa. After all, he is currently their highest-rated player according to WhoScored for his performances in the league with an overall rating of 7.47/10.

In addition to this, with Traore having racked up a total of seven dribbles per game so far this season in the league, higher than any other Wolves player by some distance, it demonstrates why he simply has to start.

He is a game-changer, amassing two shots and 1.7 key passes per game as well, something that shows how much of an attacking threat he can be and how much of a nuisance he is to opposition defenders.

If you consider how Trincao struggled in the game against Newcastle while playing on the right wing, it makes Traore starting a no-brainer. The former earned a disappointing overall match rating of 6.4/10, making him the lowest-rated Wolves player on the day according to SofaScore.

During the game, he missed a glorious opportunity to score and failed to provide a single key pass.

Consequently, it should make it an easy decision for Lage to put Traore back in the side this weekend.

In other news: Wolves may launch January move for “world-class” 68-cap maestro, he’d fix a big hole – opinion 

Many West Ham United supporters have been debating who they would like to see take the next penalty after Mark Noble’s dramatic miss.

On Sunday, the Hammers found themselves handed a lifeline to snatch a deserved point against Manchester United after Luke Shaw’s outstretched arm struck a Vladimir Coufal cross.

David Moyes threw Noble on to take the penalty, with the midfielder scoring 38 penalties and only missing four prior to Sunday.

As we now know, David De Gea denied the 34-year-old and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were victorious.

On Twitter, West Ham fans have been discussing who they think should have taken the penalty and who they want on the next one after a tweet from The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas – Noble’s missed penalty is West Ham’s fourth missed in their previous five.

Thomas, who admitted there isn’t an obvious penalty taker apart from Noble, said either Declan Rice or Thomas Soucek should have stepped up.

West Ham fans react to penalty decision

These West Ham supporters took to Twitter to debate who they believe should take West Ham’s next penalty.

“When we signed Soucek, we were all told that he’s different gravy at penalties, yet he’s still not taken one for West Ham. Absurd. Don’t understand that one bit. Needs to be sorted ASAP.”

Credit: @24hpork

“I just read Benny has 6 in 6 for Brentford. Soucek took them previously? We need this sorting ASAP as with our style of attacking I actually think we might do well for penalties this season with the trickery and pace of our forward line.”

Credit: @j22oph

“Need to buy Ivan Toney and get him to take our penalties, or Bowen from now on”

Credit: @ForeverWestHam1

“This is the real issue. Soucek.”

Credit: @jamiebaxter182

“Soucek has a decent record I’m told. Given Cresswell’s technique you’d think he would also be able to hit a penalty well”

Credit: @scottiej24

“No idea why people are saying Cresswell, only taken 1 penalty in his career and missed it. A free kick is very different to a penalty”

Credit: @JamesGunn23

In other news, West Ham supporters have been raving about this player’s performance in Manchester United defeat. Find out more here.

Speaking to AS, Villarreal defender Pau Torres has made a summer transfer admission involving Tottenham Hotspur – revealing why he swiftly rejected a move to N17.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Torres…

Near the end of the summer window, Tottenham became heavily interested in a move for the Spain international and some sources even suggested a €45 million (£38.5m) offer, plus an extra €5 million (£4.2m) in add-ons, was accepted by his club (Pedro Sepulveda).

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The Lilywhites were in the market for another defender even after putting pen to paper on a deal for Serie A MVP award-winner Cristian Romero, with the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu also linked at the time. 

Now, Torres has come out with an admission involving Spurs.

The Latest: Torres reveals Spurs rejection…

Speaking candidly to AS, the centre-back has revealed why he swiftly rejected a potential move to north London in the summer window.

The 24-year-old, who was described as ‘one of the stars of Spain’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020’, was apparently ‘informed’ of Tottenham’s summer interest but opted to stay at his current club – admitting it was a ‘quick decision’.

“I was informed of Tottenham’s interest, but I have always been clear that I wanted to stay at Villarreal,” he explained to AS, as translated by Sport Witness.

“My idea was to have an exciting season, I was very clear about what I wanted, and that was to stay at home and at Villarreal. That’s why it was a quick decision.

“All decisions are respectable; I wanted to stay. I’m happy with the decision I made, my idea was to stay at home and I’m happy about that.”

The Verdict: Missed out?

Time will tell whether Romero is enough to plug Tottenham’s gaping holes at the back, but the current form of both Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez has certainly helped in that regard.

Torres would have been a brilliant capture for Nuno Espirito Santo going by his age, performances at the Euros and physical presence (6 foot 3).

Called ‘sensational’ by Levante head coach Paco Lopez (The Athletic), we believe Spurs certainly missed out on a transformative defensive signing.

In other news: ‘Finished article’…Sky pundit in awe of Spurs starlet who’s an ‘improved version of Ndombele’, find out more here.

Nuno Santo has been dealt a massive blow ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Pacos de Ferreira in the UEFA Europa Conference League this evening…

What’s the latest?

Harry Kane, who has been linked with an exit throughout the summer, was left out of Spurs’ squad to face his potential suitors, Manchester City, on Sunday afternoon but he returned training with his teammates earlier this week.

The 28-year-old striker was named in Nuno’s 25-man squad for tonight’s encounter but it’s understood that he has not travelled to Portugal for the first of this two-legged tie.

According to the PA news agency (via the Independent), the England international has remained in London and will continue to work on his fitness ahead of potential involvement in Sunday’s match against Nuno’s former club, Wolves.

Meanwhile, speaking ahead of kick-off, the 47-year-old head coach told reporters (via the Guardian):

“What we must be sure of is that when we decide to put a player on the pitch, we have to consider all of the aspects. The fitness, the mental aspects. We are here to support all of the players equally.

“Harry, of course, has all of our support. His fitness is getting better each day. He worked today, he is going to work tomorrow and he is going to join the group on Friday. On Saturday we will make the decision on who is going to be involved in the next [league] game.”

Massive blow

To not have Kane involved later tonight should come as a huge setback to the Portuguese and the rest of the Spurs squad. Whilst Pacos are no great shakes, in comparison to a Premier League side, they will still pose a threat in a competition that the north Londoners could realistically win.

Spurs have been without silverware since 2008, so they should probably take this competition seriously, even if it’s a chance to rotate the starting XI. Nuno has plenty of strength in depth in all departments right now.

Their chances of success, however, are dented in the absence of their leading talisman, who contributed to 54.4% of all of Spurs’ goals scored in the Premier League last term, whilst he’s hit at least 19 goals in each of his last seven campaigns.

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He’s a crucial, crucial part of this Lilywhites squad.

Furthermore, it would’ve been a fantastic chance for Kane to get some minutes on the pitch as he steps up his training preparations. Whether he stays or goes before August 31st remains to be seen, but Spurs must continue on as if he’s sticking around and a game like this could’ve got him up to speed a lot quicker than a few fitness sessions at Hotspur Way.

In his absence on Sunday, they defeated the reigning champions but only by a solitary goal. In 90 minutes, they only registered three shots on target – fewer attempts than City – as per SofaScore.

Kane has averaged 3.6 shots per game throughout the course of his career, so he’d certainly help Nuno in that aspect too. Heung-min Son isn’t likely to start tonight, meaning Dane Scarlett, 17, is expected to start his first-ever game for the senior side. A huge gamble.

To make matters worse, Nuno is also without the services of young centre-back Joe Rodon, who too could’ve done with some minutes on the pitch.

Nuno should be worried heading into this encounter, failure to see off Pacos de Ferreira would be a disaster so early on in his Spurs managerial career.

AND in other news, Nuno dealt gutting Spurs transfer blow amid Fabrizio Romano claim, fans will be fuming…

Many Aston Villa fans have slammed the performance of Tyrone Mings in their Premier League game with Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

The 28-year-old started in Dean Smith’s defence alongside Kortney Hause and Ezri Konsa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was culpable of some poor defending for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s opening goal.

The England defender was easily pulled out of position in the build-up and later allowed the Denmark international space and time to slot the ball past Emiliano Martinez and put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ahead.

As per SofaScore, Mings lost seven of his 16 duels, relinquished possession 17 times, was dribbled past twice and recorded a meagre 67% passing accuracy.

His performance against Spurs comes as a surprise as the Villa captain was instrumental in the recent wins over Everton and Manchester United as they kept clean sheets in both, with the 28-year-old delivering a particularly excellent display against the Toffees.

Aston Villa fans slam Mings’ performance

These Villa fans slammed Mings on Twitter over his performance, with one going as far to claim that the defender had a “stinker” this afternoon.

“If Mings made half of the mistakes for any other club he would have been gone by now”

Credit: @MasonUTFV

“Mings and Ramsey having a shocker.”

Credit: @agentvilla

“Mings is having an absolute stinker so far”

Credit: @jacckkoo1

“Mings out, Botman in”

Credit: @AVFCEnthusiast

“Mings it’s time to go”

Credit: @AstakzR_V2

“If Mings played for any other club he’d be benched immediately”

Credit: @YoungArevalo

In other news, these Villa fans have reacted to red-list update involving their players. Find out more here

Everton have seen a bid for Joaquin Correa rejected by Lazio, according to Tutto Mercato Web. 

The lowdown

Correa, who can play as a forward, a number ten and a left-sided attacker, was directly involved in 11 Serie A goals last season, scoring eight and setting up another three (via WhoScored).

He also represented Lazio in the Champions League, scoring a consolation goal in a 4-1 round of 16 first leg defeat against Bayern Munich which all but eliminated the Italian outfit.

The Argentine joined from Sevilla ahead of the 2018/19 season for a fee of £13.77m, committing to a six-year contract on arrival (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

The report from Tutto Mercato Web states that Lazio president Claudio Lotito is holding firm in his valuation of €25m-€30m (£21.6m-£25.4m) for Correa. Both Everton and Arsenal have seen offers dismissed because they fall short of that bracket.

The duo face competition from Italy in the form of Inter Milan, but Aston Villa have also emerged as a domestic rival for his signature following Jack Grealish’s departure.

The sale of Correa is viewed by Lazio as a means of meeting Serie A’s financial requirements and registering their new signings. As it stands, the new arrivals can’t ‘play official matches’.

The verdict

Perhaps Everton should play the long game here. Lazio might grow increasingly desperate and may be willing to compromise on the price tag as the clock ticks closer to the transfer deadline. They won’t want to risk a fallout with Maurizio Sarri over their inability to register signings.

However, that would be a risky approach for the Blues as well, because it means the likes of Villa, for whom the fee may be less of a concern after a £105.75m influx from the sale of Grealish, could swoop in and agree a fee for the 26-year-old.

In other news, Everton are fielding offers for this player. 

Leeds United suffered a devastating 7-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night, as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot at the Etihad.

The Whites found themselves three goals down by the break, before City continued their onslaught in the second-half, and while a number of players weren’t up to scratch for Marcelo Bielsa, Junior Firpo in particular struggled more than most.

The Spaniard had the unenviable task of trying to stop the likes of Riyad Mahrez and co from wreaking havoc, and the summer signing just didn’t look at the races at all.

As per Sofascore, he won just one out of his four total duels on the night, while also making no tackles or interceptions and being dribbled past once too.

While the energy was there again, Firpo just couldn’t keep his composure at times, committing the most amount of fouls of any player on the pitch.

In possession, the former Real Betis man didn’t offer too much either, registering fewer touches even than goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and providing no crosses.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a four, saying: “Some clumsy challenges and predictably his fifth yellow card of the season, but was at the heart of some of the best, if few, attacking moves Leeds built.”

That sentiment was echoed by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who gave him a three and added: “Struggled to contain Mahrez, picked up a booking and had to walk a tightrope against world class attackers.”

With that yellow card, Firpo will now be missing from action against Arsenal at the weekend, and that has given Bielsa a major headache about how he will go about replacing him, particularly with Pascal Struijk out too.

It was just a nightmare display for both player and club.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are eyeing this Uruguayan star…

Aston Villa have made contact with Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma ahead of a possible summer move, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: January links

Steven Gerrard was busy during his first window as Villa boss, making four senior signings. It could have been five, however, as Brighton rejected an official offer from Villa for Bissouma.

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Labelled as a player with ‘bundles of ability’ by former teammate Dale Stephens, Bissouma will be entering the final 12 months of his contract with the Seagulls in the summer, and it looks as if Villa are already making a head start on a possible deal.

The Latest: Source drops update

Football Insider dropped an update on Villa and Bissouma on Thursday morning after being informed by a recruitment source.

They claim that Villa have made contact with the player’s representatives and have asked to be kept up to date with his situation. Brighton are braced for bids, with Villa willing to spend over £150m on new signings ahead of Gerrard’s first full season in charge.

The Verdict: Midfielders needed

Villa have just six midfielders on the books at this moment in time, two of which are youngsters Jacob Ramsey and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Morgan Sanson is also reportedly set to be let go, so Villa could be short of options if they don’t add to their midfield ranks.

Gerrard has found success in a 4-3-1-2 system in recent months, making central midfield reinforcements crucial, so going after Bissouma in a possible cut-price deal could be a strong starting point in what could be a busy summer.

In other news: ‘I understand…’ – Insider now drops Villa update as Lange makes enquiry to Europa League club. 

Everton’s forward line is one of their most talked-about areas of the team, with a number of talented attackers who represent their countries at international level too.

The injury crisis at Everton has had an adverse effect on the attacking prowess of the side, with both Dominic Calvert Lewin and Richarlison suffering with injuries during the last few months.

Richarlison has now become available for selection after returning from injury, although the Brazilian international was left out of his international squad, he should be available for selection and back to full fitness ahead of the clash with the Premier League Champions today.

One player that did play a big part in his international team during the break, was Anthony Gordon.

The 20-year-old made his debut for England U21s last week in an impressive performance, scoring two goals in 11 minutes for the side.

Rafa Benitez had given the £4.5m-rated gem a first-team start just before the break against Tottenham Hotspur, which will surely have given the young winger a boost in confidence for his international debut.

Gordon has been making waves for a while now, with David Unsworth holding him in particularly high esteem. He once told The Athletic: “His balance sprinting with the ball and his balance going past people is something you don’t see every day. He’s got unbelievable pace and he’s a Scouser too, so he’s tough.”

The Spanish manager has also spoken highly about the young forward, and has remarked on his development and involvement in the team this season;

“Obviously he needs more experience because he is still quite young, but the progress of any young player starts in the head.”

“If he has the right attitude and approach he can be a better player. If you have the talent and quality like he has – and the right approach like he has – you can be better and better.

Gordon can offer fantastic speed in build-up phases of play and these attributes could really work well if he establishes an attacking partnership with Andros Townsend, who currently rotates in the attacking third as either a ten or a winger.

Townsend offers experience and clinical play going forward, offering up five goals and three assists this term. He could really help with developing Gordon’s game in the long run with an opportunity for the Everton prodigy to nail down his positioning and discipline with an experienced attacking partner to work with this season.

Everton are away to Manchester City this afternoon and Gordon will be hoping to take part in causing an upset to steal the three points and climb back into the top half of the table. If he can link up with Townsend effectively, they should be well placed to cause the Citizens issues in defence.

In other news: Jordan Pickford must find England form for Everton…

Aston Villa have seen numerous players make their way through the youth system at the Midlands club and go on to have substantial careers in the Premier League and elsewhere.

In terms of Villa’s current squad, one player that has worked his way through the ranks to make it into the first team is midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

With 65 combined appearances for Villa’s U18 and U23 sides under his belt, the Englishman racked up 24 goals and 11 assists.

He also had a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers back in 2020 where he found the back of the net three times in seven appearances.

The Englishman made his senior debut for the club back in February 2019 in a Championship defeat against West Bromwich Albion under former Villa manager Dean Smith.

Overall, the 20-year-old has now played in 58 senior games for his club and is now a fully-fledged member of Steven Gerrard’s squad. With 29 league appearances made this season, the youngster has scored six goals and provided two assists for his teammates.

As well as this, no other player at the club has made more attempts to put an opponent under pressure (461) on the pitch than Ramsey.

This highlights not only what a useful player he can be for his team in terms of winning the ball back, but also the desire and work ethic he has in him, something that Gerrard surely wants to see from his players.

Additionally, only Tyrone Mings has racked up a higher distance in yards for a player to have moved the ball while controlling it with their feet in any direction.

Once again, this shows what a tricky player Ramsey can be when he’s on the ball, as well as being a hard opponent to play against when he’s not in possession. As well as providing goals, it’s evident just how much he offers in the finer parts of the game.

All of this has seen the player’s transfer value rise considerably. Back in December 2020, Transfermarkt rated the midfielder’s market value at £1.35m, whereas it now stands at a massive £19.8m after a seriously impressive year.

Presumably based on his efforts on the pitch for Villa,

Labelled as a player that “demands attention” by Joe Cole, this highlights just how far the £15k-per-week youth graduate has come in his career.

Ramsey has certainly been a massive positive for the club as a whole and provides a great example for other youth prospects aiming to break into first-team football.

In other news: Source: AVFC’s “difficult” dud could now leave Villa Park, it’s great news for Gerrard