DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Prince William resumes public duties after Kate’s cancer announcement
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Max Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —The Prince of Wales was back in action on Thursday, carrying out his first public engagements since his wife, Catherine, revealed her cancer diagnosis last month. William, 41, visited a surplus food charity in Surrey before he was expected to head to a youth center in west London. Kate’s cancer was found in tests following an abdominal surgery in January. William’s presence will be a welcome signal to royal-watchers that his wife is feeling well enough for him to resume public-facing duties. He made his most significant public appearance on Easter Sunday following the tradition family church outing.

Persons: Prince, Wales, Catherine, William, King Charles III, Prince William, Claire Hopkins, Alastair Grant, George, Charlotte, Louis, “, King Charles Organizations: London CNN, Surplus, Aston Villa, CNN’s Royal Locations: Surrey, London, Kensington, Sheffield, Birmingham

☆ Prince William and George cheer on Aston Villa in first outing since Kate’s cancer announcement
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Max Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Prince William and Prince George were spotted watching their soccer team Aston Villa together on Thursday evening - their first sighting since the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis. Royal-watchers were thrilled to see Prince William at the game on Thursday evening. Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty ImagesCatherine revealed in a powerful video message on March 22 that she had started treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, they are eyeing up the D-Day 80th anniversary ceremony in Normandy, France on June 6 or his birthday parade through central London a week later. One trip the King did manage to get sign-off from doctor’s on was an escape to Scotland for a very special occasion.

Persons: CNN — Prince William, Prince George, Princess, Wales, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Catherine Ivill, Catherine, King Charles III, he’ll, Duke, Duchess, Prince Edward, Sophie, Victoria Jones, Edward, Charles, Andrew Bailey, Sarah John, Yui Mok, King, Camilla Organizations: CNN’s Royal, CNN, Aston Villa, Lille, Europa Conference League, Kensington Palace, Entente, France's Gendarmerie Garde, Guard, Getty, London, Bank of England Locations: British, Villa, Birmingham, Windsor ., Kensington, Edinburgh, Buckingham, London, Paris, Normandy, France, doctor’s, Scotland, Birkhall, Balmoral

☆ A supercomputer is tracking one of most exciting soccer title races for years. It keeps coming up with different predictions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —A supercomputer is tracking one of the most exciting English Premier League title races in years and with three clubs involved, separated by a matter of points, it keeps spitting out different predictions as it analyzes thousands of simulations. Liverpool leads the title race on 70 points, with Arsenal second on 68 and City third on 67. Manchester City has the chance to win an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title. Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty ImagesTwists and turnsLiverpool’s result follows a successful night for Manchester City and Arsenal on Wednesday, with both teams easing to victories. The team now looks focused on winning a league title as the perfect way of saying thank you to Klopp after his years of service.

Persons: “, ”, Oli Scarff, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, –, Arsenal breezed, Mikel Arteta, Martin Ødegaard’s, they’ll, Guardiola, David Price, ” Guardiola, Arteta, Klopp, Sheffield United – Klopp, Darwin, Conor Bradley, Mo Salah, Molly Darlington, Nunez, Ivo Grbic’s, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, ” Klopp, – it’s Organizations: CNN, English, League, – Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City –, Premier League, Liverpool, ”, Sheffield United, Manchester City, Reds, Aston Villa, Champions League, Crystal, team’s Champions League, Real Madrid, City, Manchester United, Old, FA, Arsenal FC, Getty, Invincible, Gunners, Luton, Reuters, Chelsea Locations: Liverpool, AFP, City, Luton, Old Trafford, Arteta, London, Chelsea

Tottenham moved to fourth place, level on points with Aston Villa, which hosted Wolves later. Palmer's brace at Stamford Bridge could help Chelsea only draw 2-2 with 10-man Burnley. Chelsea was wasteful in the first half and had a goal ruled out after 20 minutes. The Blues took the lead from the spot when Palmer scored with a Panenka kick, chipping the ball down the middle. In a spectacular game that was goalless at the break, Sheffield United and Fulham drew 3-3 after the host blew a 3-1 lead.

Persons: Son Heung, Tahith Chong, Issa Kabore, Timo Werner, Kabore, PALMER’S PANENKA, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Vincent Kompany fuming, Kompany, Lorenz Assignon, Josh Cullen volleyed, Raheem Sterling’s backheel, Dara O’Shea, Djordje Petrovic, James ’, Harvey Barnes, Lukasz Fabianski, “, ” Barnes, “ It’s, I’ve, Alexander Isak, Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Crystal Organizations: Tottenham, Luton, English Premier League, Aston Villa, Spurs, South, Wolves, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, LETHARGIC SPURS Tottenham, PALMER’S PANENKA Chelsea, Premier League, Stamford, Chelsea, Burnley, Blues, Newcastle, West, Sheffield United, Fulham, Nottingham Forest Locations: South Korea, West Ham, St, London, Newcastle

A record win for Arsenal. After Arsenal hammered West Ham 6-0 for its biggest ever Premier League away victory, United beat Aston Villa 2-1 in a huge result in the race for Champions League qualification. Bukayo Saka scored twice and Declan Rice — a former West Ham favorite — added the sixth goal almost apologetically. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for United and has now netted in five straight league matches. Signed in July for 105 million pounds (then $138 million), it is looking like money well spent by Arsenal.

Persons: Mikel Arteta's, West Ham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice —, —, there's, Scott McTominay, Rasmus Hojlund, RICE'S, Rice, Rice's, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Saka's, didn’t, apologetically, Steve Douglas Organizations: Arsenal, Manchester United, West Ham, League, United, Aston Villa, Champions League, Liverpool, Bukayo, Manchester City, Villa, West Locations: West, Villa

The 76-year-old Hodgson may not have endeared himself more to fans after the game by taking the side of Palace's co-owner and chairman Steve Parish. “I think it is harsh, I think it is wrong," the Palace manager said of the protests, which started during a 5-0 drubbing to Arsenal two weeks ago. “We understand the fans are unhappy, we got beaten heavily at Arsenal and came here and our fans expected us to win the game and lost 4-1. It would be unrealistic to expect them to go home happy after that and unrealistic also to think the fans aren’t going to protest. Aston Villa had a chance to climb above Tottenham into fourth place when it played at last-place Sheffield United later.

Persons: — Roy Hodgson's, Michael Olise, Hodgson, Steve Parish, Brighton's, Jarrad Branthwaite, Richarlison, struggler, Olise, ” Hodgson Organizations: Brighton, Premier League, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham, Newcastle, Luton, struggler Burnley, Fulham, Aston Villa, Sheffield United Locations: Palace's, “

With one team scoring after just 18 seconds and another after 21 seconds, the Premier League made an explosive return Tuesday following the competition's short winter break. Arsenal left it much later for its goals in a win that kept the pressure on Liverpool at the top. Arsenal might be able to maintain a title push heading into the final months of the campaign, but can Aston Villa? Adebayo's first came after just 18 seconds and it was barely the quickest of the night, with Ben Brereton Diaz scoring after 21 seconds for Sheffield United in its 3-2 loss at Crystal Palace. Ollie Watkins grabbed a consolation for Villa, which will drop to fifth place if Tottenham beats Brentford on Wednesday.

Persons: Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo, Aston, Unai, Villa, Elijah Adebayo, Ben Brereton Diaz, JESUS, ARSENAL Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Matt Turner —, Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi, Villa hadn't, Fabian Schar, Alex Moreno’s, Ollie Watkins, ___ Steve Douglas Organizations: Premier League, Arsenal, Liverpool, Arsenal's, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Champions League, Luton, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Everton, ARSENAL, Forest, Chelsea, VILLA, Newcastle, Villa, Tottenham, Brentford, Wednesday Locations: Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton, Brazil, Oleksandr

In his first game back from an eight-month ban, Toney scored from a free kick to help Brentford beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Saturday and end a skid of five straight Premier League losses. I’m just buzzing to be back and scoring goals and playing for the team. Frank even gave Toney the captain's armband for this game, indicating how important his return is for the west London club. Toney led his team with 20 goals in 33 league games last season before being handed the ban in May. With the return of Toney, any thoughts of a relegation scrap for Brentford might soon be in the past.

Persons: — Ivan Toney, Toney, “, ” Toney, Thomas Frank, Dane, Frank, Nuno Espirito, Danilo, Ben Mee, Chris Wood, Callum Hudson, Forest's Orel Mangala, Mads Roerslev, Neal Maupay, volleying, Thomas Frank’s, “ I’m, I’ve, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, ” Martinelli, Gabriel, Dean Henderson, Leandro Trossard, Martinelli's, Mikel Arteta’s, Roy Hodgson’s, ___ Organizations: Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest, ” ARSENAL, Fulham —, Liverpool, Arsenal, Crystal, Emirates, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, League's Locations: London, Dubai, West Ham, Liverpool

United’s goals, scored by Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, were things of beauty at the start and end of the first half. Ratcliffe, the owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS, agreed last month to buy a minority stake in United and will take charge of United’s soccer operations. The deal requires Premier League approval, which Ratcliffe said Sunday he expects to come next month. “I have done a few exciting things," the British billionaire told media before kickoff, "but this caps it all. MISSED OPPORTUNITYAston Villa's players headed to Everton seeking a win to move level on points with league leader Liverpool, the team from just across Stanley Park.

Persons: Alex Ferguson, Jim Ratcliffe, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, —, Rodrigo Bentancur, Andre Onana, James Maddison, Son Heung, Yves Bissouma, Ratcliffe, “, ”, Ange Postecoglou, Timo Werner, Bentancur, Aston, Alex Moreno, Emiliano Martinez, Everton, ___ Steve Douglas Organizations: Manchester United, Tottenham, Premier League, United, England’s Champions, Spurs, Europe’s, ” Tottenham, Everton, Liverpool, Goodison, Villa, Manchester City Locations: Old Trafford, United, Germany, Stanley, Manchester, Villa

LONDON (AP) — It took Kevin De Bruyne less than five minutes to show why his return from injury could be so crucial for Manchester City in the second half of the Premier League season. De Bruyne had not made a league appearance since the opening round of the season in August, but it looked like he'd never been away. And in stoppage time, he lifted a perfectly weighted ball into the box for substitute Oscar Bobb to score his first Premier League goal and complete the comeback. Only two games were played Saturday with half of the Premier League teams having the weekend off for a short winter break. It was the 21-year-old Palmer’s ninth league goal of the season and fifth from the penalty spot after joining from Man City in the offseason.

Persons: Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, he'd, James ', Pep Guardiola's, Martin Dubravka, Oscar Bobb, I’m, Eddie Howe's, Erling Haaland, “, Kevin, Guardiola, Oscar, ”, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Isak, Walker, Stefan Ortega, Gordon, Ortega, Ederson, Sean Longstaff, Mauricio Pochettino, Cole Palmer, Palmer, ” Palmer, Marco Silva, Malo, ” Silva, Dai Yongge, Port, ___ Organizations: Manchester City, Premier League, City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League teams, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal, League, DERBY WIN, CHELSEA Chelsea, Blues, Stamford, Man, Middlesbrough, “, TNT, ” Fulham, Port Vale, Reading, English Football League, Cheltenham Locations: St, London, Man City, Middlesbrough, Bolton

☆ Loyal to Their Soccer Team, and to Their Burger Van
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Surveying his territory, Tony Aujla is pleased. His business, after all, is all about location, and he has a prime one. Like a general surveying a battlefield, he points to his right: a short walk that way is Aston train station. Over to the left is Villa Park, with its grand, brick-lined facade, home of the city’s Premier League soccer team, Aston Villa. Should any of them require sustenance to complete their (not especially arduous) trek, he is there, spatula in hand, to sell them a burger.

Persons: Tony Aujla, amble, Aujla, Burger Organizations: Aston, Villa Park, city’s Premier League soccer, Aston Villa Locations: Villa

☆ More than 40 charged after clashes between Polish and British fans at Villa Park
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The unrest occurred ahead of kickoff in a game between Aston Villa and Legia Warsaw. On Friday, Aston Villa said they had lodged a complaint with UEFA over the conduct of Legia Warsaw and the behaviour of the club's supporters. Legia Warsaw initially claimed that Villa had given them a lower allocation of tickets than they were entitled to under UEFA regulations. "Due to the inability to authenticate and distribute tickets effectively, Legia Warsaw returned the tickets to the host club," Legia Warsaw said in a statement on Saturday. Therefore, we strongly object to Legia Warsaw being blamed for Thursday's incidents in Birmingham."

Persons: Aston Villa, Villa, Farouq Suleiman, Aadi Nair, Toby Chopra, Pritha Organizations: British, Europa Conference League, Midland's Police, Aston Villa, Legia Warsaw, Villa, Police, UEFA, Polish, Thomson Locations: Poland, Birmingham

☆ 46 arrested following ‘large-scale disorder’ prior to Europa Conference League match
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Forty-six people are in custody and four police officers were injured following “disgusting and highly dangerous scenes” which took place ahead of Aston Villa’s 2-1 Europa Conference League win against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, West Midlands Police said. There can never be a place for such appalling behaviour, and this is something ourselves and the wider community should never have to experience.”Legia Warsaw fans clash with police outside Villa Park in Birmingham. “The lack of cooperation and prevarication from Legia Warsaw officials prior to the match was entirely unacceptable and deeply disappointing,” said Chris Heck, president of business operations at Aston Villa. Paul Childs/Action Images/ReutersPrior to the game, Legia Warsaw had published a statement claiming that Aston Villa “refuse[d] to allocate tickets for away supporters in line with UEFA regulations for the UEFA Europa Conference League Match. Thursday's match was played in front of an empty away end in Villa Park.

Persons: Tim Robinson, Carl Recine, ”, Aston Villa, Chris Heck, Paul Childs, Aston Villa “, Dariusz Mioduski, “, Villa, ” Villa, James Baylis Organizations: CNN, Europa Conference League, Legia Warsaw, West Midlands Police, Safety Advisory Group, Aston Villa, UEFA, ” Legia Warsaw, prevarication, Legia, ” Police, Villa Park, UEFA Europa Conference League, AZ Alkmaar, Villa, Getty Locations: Aston, Villa, Birmingham, UK, Polish, Netherlands, Villa Park

☆ Brazil vs. Argentina: Historic World Cup qualifier is overshadowed by violence and chaos at the Maracanã stadium
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Brazil suffered its first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat on Tuesday, as Argentina earned a 1-0 win on a night of violence and chaos at the iconic Maracanã stadium. However, the match was overshadowed by violence in the stands which delayed the start of the World Cup qualifier. The Inter Miami forward first led his teammates over to the stand where the fighting was taking place and pleaded with both the police and Argentina fans – some of who were seen throwing ripped out seats at the security officials – for calm. “The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Messi told reporters after the match, per Reuters. Wagner Meier/Getty ImagesThere are 18 rounds in South America’s World Cup qualifying system, with the top six teams progressing to the 2026 event while the seventh-placed country will go into the FIFA play-off tournament, which will involve six countries from other continents.

Persons: Nicolas Otamendi’s, Lionel Messi, –, Aston, Emi Martinez, Ricardo Moraes, Messi, “, ”, ” Messi, Lionel Scaloni, ” Scaolini, “ It’s, Fernando Diniz, Wagner Meier, CNN’s Duarte Mendonça Organizations: CNN, The Inter Miami, Aston Villa, Brazilian Football Confederation, FIFA –, CONMEBOL, CBF, RJ Military Police, Argentine, didn’t, Reuters, Argentina, Fluminense, Copa Libertadores, FIFA Locations: Argentina, Brazil

☆ Man City 84% likely to win Premier League, predict Opta
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with team mates after winning the Premier League Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City have one Premier League point less than they had after 12 games last season but according to data analysts Opta are overwhelming favourites to claim a fourth successive title. City, according to Opta Analyst, have an 84.6% probability of lifting the trophy again with Liverpool given only a 9.1% chance and last season's runners-up Arsenal on 5.6%. Back-to-back defeats for Tottenham Hotspur mean that, according to Opta, their title hopes are virtually non-existent at 0.3%, the same as Aston Villa. Manchester United, currently in sixth place, are predicted to finish seventh and only have a 5.9% chance of finishing in the top four, although that has risen slightly of late. Newcastle United have a 25% chance of a second-successive top-four finish while Chelsea are predicted to finish ninth.

Persons: Lee Smith, Pep, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, League, Burnley, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa . Manchester United, Newcastle United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, City

☆ Italy's Spalletti asked federation before including Zaniolo in Euro squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Spalletti told a press conference on Monday: "He (Zaniolo) had nothing to do with that situation (betting on football). "Before calling Zaniolo I spoke to the President (Gabriele Gravina) and the federation and there was nothing against this." Italy can book a place at next year's Euros if they beat visiting North Macedonia and avoid defeat away to Ukraine. Last month Zaniolo's Premier League club issued a statement saying: "Aston Villa can confirm Nicolo Zaniolo is assisting the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the relevant authorities' investigation into alleged illegal betting activity." Fagioli has made one appearance for Italy but was not in the squad for the previous round of international games.

Persons: Nicolo Zaniolo, Claudia Greco, Luciano Spalletti, Spalletti, Zaniolo, Gabriele Gravina, Sandro Tonali, Tonali, Nicolo Fagioli, Fagioli, LOCATELLI, Manuel Locatelli, Udogie, he's, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Italian Football Federation, Aston Villa, North, Malta, Premier League, Villa, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Spurs, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thomson Locations: Italy, Ukraine, San Siro, Milan, North Macedonia, England, Turin, Newcastle, Germany, Mexico City

☆ Man City held by Chelsea in eight-goal thriller, Liverpool go second
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Aston Villa beat Fulham 3-1 to match a 40-year-old club record of 13 straight home league wins. City opened the scored when Spanish defender Marc Cucurella pulled Haaland's shirt to concede a VAR-checked penalty which the Norwegian coolly converted in the 24th minute. Things were far more sedate at Anfield where Liverpool moved right into title contention thanks to another contribution from the talismanic Salah. "Crazy," Klopp said of the 31-year-old Salah, who has 10 goals in 12 league games this season. Victory lifted the Hammers to ninth in the table with 17 points from 12 games while Forest are 15th with 13 points.

Persons: Chelsea's Palmer, Salah, Chelsea slugged, Cole Palmer, Chelsea, Tottenham, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, West Ham, Tomas Soucek, Mauricio Pochettino's, Marc Cucurella, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, Manuel Akanji, Nicolas Jackson, City, Armando Broja, Ruben Dias, Palmer, City's Rodri, Klopp, John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Antonee Robinson, Unai Emery, Emery, Ham's Soucek, James Ward, Mahmoud Dahoud, Simon Adingra, Ben Osborn's, Adam Webster, Lori Ewing, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Liverpool, Brentford Villa, Fulham LIVERPOOL, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Stamford, City, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Arsenal, Burnley, Aston Villa, Fulham, West, Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove, Sheffield United, Tottenham, Anfield, Hammers, Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brighton, Thomson Locations: England, Brighton, City, Spanish

☆ Sterling misses out on England selection again
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling was again left out by England manager Gareth Southgate as he named his squad for the forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. Sterling, who has earned 82 caps for his country and was once a key part of Southgate's forward line, has now missed five successive England squads. Despite Southgate saying the door remains open, time is clearly running out for Sterling to force his way back into the reckoning for the Euro 2024 finals. Manchester City's John Stones misses out because of injury while Chelsea's Reece James is also not included despite recently returning from a lengthy injury lay-off. "I'm super excited about the tournament, we're really gearing towards the next tournament and I think everybody in international football is always living from tournament to tournament.

Persons: Raheem Sterling, Gareth Southgate, Sterling, Southgate, Raheem, we've, Eddie Nketiah, Callum Wilson, Aston, Ollie Watkins, Manchester City's John Stones, Chelsea's Reece James, Reece James, that's, Sam Allardyce's, Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Fikayo, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander, Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Chelsea, Malta, Italy, Newcastle United, Manchester, Wembley, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United, Milan, Manchester City, West Ham United, Bayern, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Thomson Locations: England, North Macedonia, France, Germany, Malta, Crystal, Everton, Chelsea, Manchester, Liverpool, Real Madrid, West, Bayern Munich

☆ Tottenham face test of top-four ambitions after midweek mayhem
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Before the mayhem of Monday's home defeat against Chelsea, Wolves away would have been viewed as another opportunity for Tottenham to underline their top-four credentials. But that 4-1 reverse, Postecoglou's first setback in the Premier League, could cost the north London club more than a return to top spot and the loss of three points. A tumultuous derby ended with Tottenham having only four of their starting line-up left on the pitch. A home game against City will perhaps say a lot more about whether or not Chelsea have turned a corner. Former midfielder Paul Scholes believes Ten Hag still has some credit left in the bank after last season when United finished third in the Premier League and won the League Cup.

Persons: Ange Postecoglou, Postecoglou's, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Udogie, James Maddison, Richarlison, Nicolas Jackson, Postecoglou, That's, Son Heung, Victory, Jackson, Mauricio Pochettino's, Chelsea, Manchester, Erik Ten Hag, Rasmus Hojlund's, Paul Scholes, He's, Scholes, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea, Wolves, Tottenham, Premier League, Aston Villa, Manchester, Manchester City, City, Stamford, Luton Town, Manchester United's, Fulham, FC Copenhagen, Champions League, Luton, United, League, Arsenal, Burnley, Saturday, Liverpool, Brentford, Thomson Locations: London, Manchester City, Saturday's, Manchester, Chelsea

Luis Diaz lifted his Liverpool jersey to reveal a T-shirt with the words “Libertad Para Papa” (“Freedom for Papa”) after scoring a late equalizer Sunday in his first appearance for the team since his parents were kidnapped in his native Colombia. Diaz returned to training on Thursday after missing two Liverpool games and said he was ready to play against Luton, with manager Jurgen Klopp selecting him on the bench. "That’s it, for us a super important goal and for him very important and emotional.”Klopp said before the game that “positive” negotiations were taking place about the release of Diaz's father. Tahith Chong looked like being the match-winner for Luton, converting a finish at the end of an 80th-minute counterattack that came after a Liverpool corner. “We pushed a top, top team all the way and we can take a lot of confidence from that.

Persons: Luis Diaz, Papa ”, Diaz, Jurgen Klopp, Harvey Elliott’s, ” Klopp, Klopp, Tahith Chong, ”, Rob Edwards, “, Emi Martinez, Aston Villa, Martinez, Orel Mangala’s, Ola Aina, Unai, Steve Douglas Organizations: Liverpool, Luton, Premier League, National Liberation Army, League's, Luton's, ” Luton, Nottingham Forest, Forest, Villa Locations: Papa, Colombia, Barrancas, Liverpool, Argentina

☆ Mainz terminate El Ghazi's contract over posts on Israel-Hamas conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 3 (Reuters) - Mainz 05 have terminated Anwar El Ghazi's contract following the forward's social media posts in connection with the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Bundesliga club said on Friday. "My position remains the same as it was when this started," El Ghazi wrote. The 28-year-old El Ghazi added that he had "no regrets or remorse" regarding his position and refused to distance himself from what he had previously said. In a statement, Mainz said the player's contract had been terminated as a result of his statements and posts on social media without specifying. Mainz said on social media on Wednesday that they had read El Ghazi's latest statement in relation to the club "which we noted with surprise and incomprehension.

Persons: Anwar El Ghazi's, El Ghazi, Mainz, El, Israel, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris Organizations: Bundesliga, Mainz, Aston Villa, Everton, Leizpig, Thomson Locations: Mainz, Israel, Gaza, Gdansk

☆ Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win men’s and women’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the annual soccer awards celebrating the best players in the men’s and women’s game. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony on October 30. “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time. Barcelona Femení won Women’s Club of the Year for its standout year, which included three titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League – and having a roster which included six Ballon d’Or Féminin nominees, including the winner, Bonmatí.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmatí, Féminin, Messi, Ballon, Erling Haaland, Germain, Kylian, “, I’ve, ”, David Beckham, Aitana, ” Messi, Odd Andersen, Diego Maradona, Diego, Maradona, ” Barça, Aitana Bonmati, Franck Fife, ” Bonmatí, Novak Djokovic, haven’t, ” Aitana Bonmatí, Javier Borrego, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr, Bonmatí’s, Salma Paralluelo, Jude Bellingham, Gerd Müller, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola’s, Barcelona Femení, d’Or Féminin, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, Argentina Ballon, Spain Gerd Müller, Striker, Emiliano Martínez, Socrates, Vinícius Jr Organizations: CNN, Argentina’s, Inter Miami star’s, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Inter Miami, Argentina –, Copa América, Getty, Argentina national, …, Copa, France Football, Barcelona, Liga, League, Wolfsburg, world’s, FC Barcelona, Europa Press, Chelsea, Roja, Bellingham, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, German, FA, Men’s Club, pipping Inter Milan, Women’s Club, Spanish, Women’s, League –, Norway Yashin, Aston Villa, Argentina Kopa, Real, Brazil Men’s Club, Year Manchester City Women’s Club Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Paris, Argentina, Qatar, Argentine, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Barça, Spanish, Bellingham, Los, Madrid, El Clásico, Manchester, Istanbul, Bonmatí, Manchester City, Norway, Real Madrid, Brazil

☆ Newcastle's Tonali banned for 10 months for betting offences
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from soccer for 10 months over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday. It will rule Tonali out for the remainder of the club season and next summer's Euro 2024 tournament should Italy qualify. Tonali, 23, is the highest profile player caught up in a betting scandal that is shaking Italian soccer. Legal and sporting authorities have been investigating the use of illegal betting platforms by soccer players in Italy. Aston Villa's Italy midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is also assisting authorities in their investigation into alleged illegal betting activity, the Premier League club said last week.

Persons: Sandro Tonali, Tonali, Gabriele Gravina, Nicolo Fagioli, FIGC's Gravina, Nicolo Zaniolo, Elvira Pollina, Keith Weir, Alvise Armellini Organizations: Newcastle United, Italian Football Federation, Newcastle, Milan, AC Milan, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Aston, Premier League, Thomson Locations: Italy, Italian, Newcastle, Turin

☆ Man Utd show signs of life, but City offer real test
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another not-too-convincing victory at bottom club Sheffield United last weekend was admirable in its own way following the news of club great Bobby Charlton's death before kickoff. City suffered consecutive league defeats before the international break but have answered any doubts with wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and then at Young Boys on Wednesday in the Champions League. Guardiola will need no reminding that City lost at Old Trafford last year, having crushed United 6-3 at home. City also won the FA Cup final against United on their way to matching the Reds' treble of 1999. Sixth-placed Newcastle United will have to shrug off the disappointment of their Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund as they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Persons: Erik Ten, Bobby Charlton's, Harry Maguire's, Andre Onana, Guardiola, Sergio Aguero, They've, they've, Rasmus Hojlund, Erling Haaland, Ange Postecoglou, Monday's, Postecoglou, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Manchester, Manchester City, Brentford, Sheffield United, FC Copenhagen, Champions League, Pep, City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Young Boys, Old, FA, United, Reds, Manchester Evening, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Tottenham, Fulham, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Saturday, Aston Villa, Luton Town, Thomson Locations: Old Trafford, City, Celtic, Liverpool

☆ Gakpo available for Liverpool's game with Toulouse, says Klopp
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - England - Premier League - Liverpool v Aston Villa - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - September 3, 2023 Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 25 (Reuters) - Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has recovered from injury and is available for Thursday's Europa League home game against Toulouse, manager Juergen Klopp said. "Cody is in full training now since Sunday, which means he's available for the squad," Klopp told reporters. Liverpool, fourth in the Premier League, take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but for now Klopp's focus is solely on Toulouse. "This year - a really young team, a really talented team ... they have a clear idea - but we have to see how they show up here." "We hope to go long, long, long in this competition, for that we have to make all the decisive steps - and tomorrow night is a very big one."

Persons: Cody Gakpo, Molly Darlington, Juergen Klopp, Cody, Klopp, Andy Robertson, It's, Trevor Stynes, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Soccer Football, England, Premier League, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Anfield, Thursday's Europa League, Toulouse, Europa League, Liverpool's, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Nottingham Forest, LASK, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, Britain, Scotland, Toulouse, Union

Search resuls for: "Aston Villa"

25 mentions found