Aston Villa have reportedly set their sights on Real Madrid’s goalkeeper as they prepare for a summer window that could bring significant change between the posts at Villa Park
The links come amid growing uncertainty over the future of first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez
who could become one of the club’s most high-profile sales this summer
As covered on Football365 recently, Villa are braced for interest from Saudi Arabia in the World Cup-winning Argentine
and are expected to consider sales of key players in order to ease Financial Fair Play concerns ahead of next season
Martinez has been a standout performer for Unai Emery’s side since his arrival from Arsenal in 2020
but with the Saudi Pro League preparing another aggressive summer recruitment drive
the 32-year-old’s profile and accolades — including a FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper award — make him a prime target
A key consideration behind Villa’s decision to sell Martinez could be his age. Although his value is somewhat preserved by a contract that runs until 2029, Argentina’s number one will turn 33 at the start of next season and has experienced a dip in performances this campaign
Villa’s plans for the summer are already starting to take shape, and according to Birmingham Live, the club are now being credited with interest in a Real Madrid shot-stopper who played a pivotal role in Los Blancos’ run to yet another La Liga title last season
While Real Madrid is blessed with the towering presence of Thibaut Courtois, who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, injury troubles throughout the 2023/24 campaign thrust his understudy, Andriy Lunin, into the spotlight.
Despite his breakthrough performances, the Ukrainian has made just 12 appearances this term, down from 31 last season.
The 26-year-old signed a long-term deal last autumn that keeps him at the Bernabeu until 2030, though reports in Spain suggest he may be open to a move in search of regular first-team football.
Valued at around £20 million by Transfermarkt, he could represent a shrewd long-term investment for Villa should they need to replace Martinez, particularly with veteran back-up Robin Olsen also expected to depart when his contract expires this summer.
Villa are not alone in admiring the Madrid man, but the allure of first-team football in the Premier League, not to mention the prospect of playing more Champions League football at Villa Park next term, could help tip the balance.
With seven games left to play in La Liga, it remains to be seen whether Madrid will greenlight a move.
If the Villans can prize big money from the Saudis and sign a suitably priced replacement like Lunin, it should go a long way to easing their FFP fears while unlocking funds for summer recruitments.
© Planet Sport Limited 2025 • All Rights Reserved
#UpTheVilla!
McParland scored twice in the 1957 FA Cup final to help Aston Villa beat Manchester United
Northern Ireland and Aston Villa legend Peter McParland has died at the age of 91
holds the record for most goals scored for his country in World Cup finals
with five at the 1958 tournament as they reached the quarter-finals
where he scored 121 goals in 341 appearances
He scored twice in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United in the 1957 FA Cup final - the last time the club lifted the trophy
"Aston Villa Football Club is profoundly saddened to learn that Peter McParland
the last surviving member of the club's 1957 FA Cup-winning team
has passed away," said the club in a statement
"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."
McParland began his career with Dundalk before he was signed by Villa in 1952
McParland helped Villa to the Second Division title in 1959-60
he scored the extra-time winner which secured a 3-2 aggregate victory over Rotherham United in the inaugural League Cup final
Plymouth Argyle and Worcester City in England
as well as Toronto Inter-Roma in Canada and US side Atlanta Chiefs
He finished his career with Northern Irish side Glentoran
spending three years as player-manager and winning the league in 1969-70 before retiring in 1971
McParland netted twice on his Northern Ireland debut against Wales and went on to score eight more goals during an eight-year international career
"Our thoughts and best wishes are with the family and friends of Peter McParland who has passed away
"Peter represented Northern Ireland with distinction
in particular at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden
The last of our heroes from that famous era," said a statement from Northern Ireland
McParland was the last surviving member of Aston Villa's 1957 FA Cup-winning team
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He also scored in the 1961 League Cup final as Villa beat Rotherham 3-2 over two legs and helped the club win the Second Division title in the 1959-60 season.
Free daily newsletterKick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football
Read moreCapped 34 times by Northern Ireland, McParland scored five goals at the 1958 World Cup and holds the national record for most goals in World Cup finals. He scored eight goals in all for his country.
“Aston Villa Football Club is profoundly saddened to learn that Peter McParland, the last surviving member of the club’s 1957 FA Cup-winning team, has passed away,” the club said in a statement. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”
In a social media post, the Irish FA said: “Our thoughts and best wishes are with the family and friends of Peter McParland who has passed away. Peter represented Northern Ireland with distinction, in particular at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. The last of our heroes from that famous era.”
The Newry-born player began his career with Dundalk before joining Villa in 1952. After almost a decade with the club, he went on to play for Wolves, Plymouth, Worcester City, Toronto Inter-Roma and Atlanta Chiefs.
Five teams are fighting for three places as they enter the final four matches of the Premier League season
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With just a few matches remaining of the Premier League season for each side, only four points separate third and seventh in the race for Champions League qualification
Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa will battle to secure the final two spots in Europe’s premier cup competition
with Arsenal and Liverpool having all but secured their places
And with Reds having sealed their 20th top-flight title at a canter and all the three relegation spots already confirmed
the race for the top five is all that’s left to provide drama before the final weekend
But with several of the sides in third to seventh still set to play each other as well as the champions-elect and relegated sides
which teams are best placed to finish in the top five come the end of May
Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves in unfamiliar territory with four games left to go, but the Spaniard has already emphasised the potential importance of qualifying for Europe’s top-tier competition
they have arguably the kindest set of fixtures out of the five sides
which came thanks to Matheus Nunes’ 94th minute winner
was followed by a win over Wolves with struggling Southampton to come next
City need to navigate matches against Bournemouth and Fulham
with the difficulty of those likely to depend on whether each side is still hunting their own place in European competition
Eddie Howe’s side were flying high after their Carabao Cup triumph and dominant wins over Manchester United and Palace
but they were quickly brought down to Earth with that 4-1 drubbing against Aston Villa
but the Magpies will have to navigate a fairly difficult set of fixtures if they are to return to the Champions League for the second time in three seasons
as they face Arsenal and Chelsea on consecutive weekends before finishing the season at home to Everton
It remains to be seen if Alexander Isak’s late penalty in the 1-1 draw at Brighton was a point gained or two dropped
Though Chelsea are still well-positioned to make the top five, some of their fans will be wondering how it’s this close after being second in December. However, they were the big winners of Forest’s home defeat against Brentford on Thursday night, as their hopes are in their hands.
A poor run of form has led to some discontent at the Bridge, but the dramatic comeback win over Fulham and victories over Everton and newly crowned champions Liverpool has restored some belief ahead of arguably the toughest run of fixtures out of the these five clubs.
There is certainly no ‘easy’ game remaining for the Blues, with difficult away trips to fellow top-five chasers Newcastle and Forest as well as a home fixture against Manchester United. It’s going to come down to those last three fixtures for Enzo Maresca and his young side.
Chelsea’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
Are the wheels coming off Forest’s incredible season after a fourth defeat in five games? Brentford added to their recent slump with a 2-0 win at the City Ground on Thursday night, which came after the dispiriting FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
However, their fixture list is looking the kindest of the contenders, as they face two of the most out-of-form sides in the league in Leicester and West Ham, as well as a Palace side who may well be looking ahead to an FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month.
“We have to find in ourselves. But I don’t see (pressure), I see belief, desire and commitment,” Nuno Espirito Santo said. “But the reality is we are struggling in some aspects of our game – focus and determination to be practical and solve the situations that are simple to solve.”
Forest’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
Villa’s brilliant recent form was hit by back-to-back defeats, to Manchester City late on at the Etihad and to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals, but Unai Emery’s side got back on track with a 1-0 win over Fulham.
Bournemouth, chasing a European place themselves, are up next. Villa will be hopeful of victory in their last two matches against Spurs and United - who have all but written off their Premier League campaigns as they look to prepare for a Europa League final.
Villa’s remaining fixtures are as follows:
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FT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth - Rice opens scoring; Huijsen levels before Evanilson puts visitors in front
FT: Tielemans scores winner as Villa beat Fulham 1-0
FT: Everton 2-2 Ipswich - Beto nods opener & McNeil doubles lead before Enciso scores screamer & Hirst levels
FT: Leicester 2-0 Southampton - Vardy scores 199th Foxes goal; Ayew adds second
via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only
That's us done and dusted for the today
the final 3pm Saturday game at Goodison Park and a historic win for Bournemouth at Arsenal
We'll see you at 12:30 BST to find out
306Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingMore coming tomorrowpublished at 20:27 British Summer Time 3 May20:27 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Liverpool are in action for the first time since being crowned champions of England
417Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWhat's happened today?published at 20:25 British Summer Time 3 May20:25 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Here are the results from the four Premier League games
365Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingAs it standspublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 3 May20:23 BST 3 MayArsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Here's how the Premier League table stands ahead of tomorrow's games
485Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Anger
frustration and disappointment'published at 20:21 British Summer Time 3 May20:21 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Premier League Productions: "We had so many big spaces and big opportunities to score but we didn't
When you concede goals from set pieces it's very difficult to earn the three points."
On why Bournemouth won: "Because we don't finish the actions and you give so many simple balls away
They (Bournemouth) run and in transition they are really good
On conceding from set pieces: "We lost points against Crystal Palace and Fulham (because of set pieces)
On whether the side have lost momentum before facing PSG: "It didn't create the right momentum
On whether Timber will miss Wednesday's game: "Yeah there's a chance."
3044Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 20:20 British Summer Time 3 May20:20 BST 3 May#bbcfootball
WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only
City and Newcastle to overtake Arsenal is a big possibility now
23841Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 20:20 British Summer Time 3 May20:20 BST 3 May#bbcfootball
They went ahead and acted like the job had been done and could focus on Wednesday
13316Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We needed this'published at 20:19 British Summer Time 3 May20:19 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to Sky Sports: "I like the game overall
The key was the set plays in the second half
In the end in these close games to make the difference with the set plays was the key to take the three points
On staying patient: "I think we have been at half time talking about a good first half
They (Arsenal) are going to have chances but we were playing well
Antoine (Semenyo) coming from the bench was a good spark at that moment when both teams were tired
On Semenyo's long throws: "Yes we hardly score any
We have a couple of players who can put in dangerous throws
Today (the throw) was longer than I expected
but it's a nice moment to score this type of goal."
On goalscorer Dean Huijsen: "I think he is playing very well
Even in this scenario being on the ball he was confident
I think it's the third goal he's scored on set plays
he's our biggest threat there and he's helping us a lot."
On getting three points:"I think we needed this one because we know the schedule we have
you have to get points where you don't expect
We missed a few chances recently and we needed it this time to go to our side."
695Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 3 May20:16 BST 3 May#bbcfootball
Arsenal playing a full strength team and looking tired
19824Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Playing for Leicester has meant everything to me'published at 20:15 British Summer Time 3 May20:15 BST 3 MayFT: Leicester 2-0 Southampton
Leicester City
speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The main thing is breaking a cycle
Not scoring at home for a while and we know we needed to get that done especially with the situation we are in and hopefully we can improve and take that momentum into next season
It's not like we have not given our all
The gap being promoted to the Prem now is probably the biggest it has ever been so it's even more difficult."
On playing for Leicester for 13 years: "It's been everything
It's been mine and my family's life for 13 years
We've been taken in for by the fans and the whole city and it has meant every single thing to me personally
"When it's been your life for that long and you see the comradery with the fans and my team-mates for the last 13 years
On being thought of as Leicester's best player: "There have been a lot of unbelievable players for this club so to be mentioned like that is a really nice feeling
There's still a few more games where hopefully there can be a few more numbers added."
On blowing the referee's whistle: "I saw Southampton breaking down the left and with the ref down I thought I'll blow his whistle to stop the game."
On his future: "I couldn't tell you at this moment in time
I am enjoying my football and I need a nice break to mentally
and physically fully refresh and then we'll see where that goes."
426Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We should have killed the game'published at 20:12 British Summer Time 3 May20:12 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
speaking to BBC MOTD: "We started the game and a lot of the things we wanted happened
"We should have killed the game and we didn't
On top of that if you defend your box in two set-pieces in the way we have done you're in big
nowhere near the standards that we are used to
"We wanted to generate the momentum and a really positive vibe today - we haven't
rage and anger - make sure we use that on Wednesday."
3097Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Vardy wants to close Leicester career in best way possible'published at 20:09 British Summer Time 3 May20:09 BST 3 MayFT: Leicester 2-0 Southampton
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It feels great to win and be back to winning ways
We wanted to end this cycle and end the season with some positivity
If there was one player to break this cycle
Very important for him and the team to get us in front
We know with this home cycle without a win
it has been difficult especially with a striker like him in the team
We knew we were creating and now the two [goals] went in and that gave us a big lift
"Everything comes to an end and for him it is clear he wants to move on
He wants to close this in the best way possible and that's what we have to respect
The most important thing is to look back at his career here
The crowd start realising it is the farewell tour of Jamie
With Forest and Ipswich to come for him to hopefully score his 200th goal."
On young talent in squad: "It's shaping the future what we're working on
Homegrown players who take responsibility for this club
On checking if the referee is OK: "If you hit Jordan Ayew
279Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 20:08 British Summer Time 3 May20:08 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Chris SuttonFormer Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
20637Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'The second half is not acceptable'published at 20:06 British Summer Time 3 May20:06 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
speaking to Sky Sports: "Massive disappointment
"I think we started the game pretty well - we got the goal and felt like we controlled pretty much everything
but they score and we lose control of the game
"We have to move on as we have a massive game coming up
We have to get ready for that and analyse this game as well
"This is what we want - we want to compete in every competition
We wanted to come here and do a good game and win
but we have to use today to be ready and beat PSG on Wednesday."
2784Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'The crowd was fantastic'published at 20:02 British Summer Time 3 May20:02 BST 3 MayFT: Everton 2-2 Ipswich
Everton
1716Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'There was only one man to do it'published at 19:59 British Summer Time 3 May19:59 BST 3 MayFT: Leicester 2-0 Southampton
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy speaking to Premier League Productions: "It feels good to win again
To break the cycle of the home games without scoring
We said before the game we want to give some positivity to the fans
On Vardy opening the scoring: "There's only one man to do it best
that's Jamie with a great finish with his left
On fans appreciating Vardy: "It's clear you can hear in the crowd
they realise that the best player in the history of the football club with the most titles
You can feel the crowd is realising he's leaving and that there's one home game left
On teenager Jeremy Monga: "It's clear when you're 15 and it's your fourth Premier League appearance
He showed today he can go past people and it looks like they're not there
I've not seen that many times in my life
327Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'We want to get the best we can'published at 19:58 British Summer Time 3 May19:58 BST 3 MayFT: Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham
Aston Villa
speaking to TNT Sports: "We are close to being in Europe after winning today
Our ambition is to try and get Champions League and the win today means we have chances in the next matches
very important to win and at home to feel comfortable and strong
Today was fantastic because we defended well
We were pushing to try and score more goals
We want to try and get the best award we can achieve
It will be difficult in the last few matches
We achieved it last year and we want the same this year
"To play Champions League is 'wow'."
2910Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 19:57 British Summer Time 3 May19:57 BST 3 May#bbcfootball
Sorry Arsenal fans but it is hilarious to even consider you lot not finishing in the Top 5
32673Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 19:56 British Summer Time 3 May19:56 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
16019Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Take Rice out and Arsenal have no confidence'published at 19:54 British Summer Time 3 May19:54 BST 3 MayFT: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Rob GreenFormer England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
looking at that you just cannot see it [Arsenal beating PSG]
You take Declan Rice out of the equation of this team and you've got a group of players bereft of confidence and ideas on how to score goals and have an incisive edge
There's work to do and so little time to do it
The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made
substituted for Mikel Merino at 74 minutesNumber 5
Soler Match OfficialsReferee: Jarred GillettVideo Assistant Referee: Michael SalisburyAssistant Referee 1: Richard WestAssistant Referee 2: Steven MeredithFourth Official: Tom NieldAssistant VAR Official: Derek EatonMatch StatsKey
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2:00:00Everton v Ipswich Town
2:00:005 Live build-up
3:00:00Sports Report
30:00Head to HeadSeason so farPremier League
Scroll LeftScroll RightArsenal have won all eight of their home games against Bournemouth in all competitions
Bournemouth have kept just one clean sheet in their 15 Premier League meetings with Arsenal
though it was a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture this season
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 35 Premier League games on the weekend immediately following a midweek European match (W24 D10)
going down 2-0 at home to Aston Villa in April last year
Arsenal have failed to win nine Premier League games in which they led so far this season (D9)
more than they had in the previous two campaigns combined (4 in 2022-23
They’ve never failed to win 10 games from ahead in a single season before
Bournemouth have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (D4 L4)
It’s a run that has seen the Cherries drop from 5th to 10th in the league table
Only Liverpool (1) and Arsenal (2) have lost fewer Premier League away games than Bournemouth (4) this season
the Cherries are winless in their last 11 league games in London (D6 L5)
with each of their last five visits ending level
Each of Arsenal’s three Premier League defeats this season have come against teams starting the day in the bottom half of the table
with the Gunners unbeaten in their last 18 against sides in the top 10 (W10 D8)
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games
Three of these four strikes have put Arsenal ahead in the match
Only Mohamed Salah (120) has had more shots than Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (118) in the Premier League this season
Semenyo has the fifth lowest conversion rate of anyone with 50+ shots this term (7.6%)
Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert has been involved in 13 goals in his last 10 Premier League away games (10 goals
while only Mohamed Salah (16) has scored on the road than the Dutchman this term (10)
#UpTheVilla
By TOM COLLOMOSSE
With the finishing line coming ever closer, Aston Villa need a sprinter like Donyell Malen to help them cross it ahead of their rivals
The Dutchman has had a curious few months. He was bought by Aston Villa for £20million in January, enticed by the chance to continue playing in the Champions League after leaving Borussia Dortmund
With his feet barely under the table, Malen saw fellow attackers Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio also move to Villa Park in the winter
Both players have a higher profile and quickly overshadowed the Malen deal
And when Unai Emery also brought in defender Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea
Malen found himself out of the Champions League picture
the victim of UEFA rules that allow clubs to add no more than three winter signings to their squads for Europe
To say Malen was disappointed would be an understatement. Even in the Premier League and the FA Cup
he struggled to find a place in the team and the 26-year-old has still made only two starts in the league for Villa
Aston Villa need a sprinter like Donyell Malen to help them cross the finish line before rivals
He was bought for £20m but has struggled to find a place in the Premier League and FA Cup
Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford arrived and he was excluded from the European squad
Morgan Rogers has been Villa's best forward this season but with 4,214 minutes under his belt this term
it is no surprise he is starting to look tired
has clocked up only 1,144 for Dortmund and Villa combined
he has still managed three goals for Villa
Malen was lively as a late substitute and hit the underside of the bar in stoppage time
There is still a rawness to Malen's football that is unusual in a player with eight years in senior football and 42 caps for the Netherlands
It sometimes feels as though his feet move a touch quicker than his brain
The head might stay down when he needs to look up
This sometimes means wild efforts blasted into the crowd or crosses fired across the face of goal when a simple pass
Rashford's speed brings an extra dimension to Villa's attack
With the on-loan Manchester United man still sidelined with a hamstring injury
Villa have looked a little one-paced going forward
Malen can change that – as long as Emery can take the rough with the smooth
One of the Basque coach's favourite words is 'structure' and new signings take time to understand his detailed tactical requirements
there will inevitably be teething problems
There is a rawness to Malen's game but this unpredictability is no bad thing for Villa
Villa have looked a little one-paced going forward without Rashford and Malen can change that
there will inevitably be teething problems in Unai Emery's structure
Youri Tielemans has been Villa's player of the year but struggled to make an impact in his first season
Only now is Ian Maatsen starting to challenge Lucas Digne for the left back spot despite arriving last summer
Whether Villa qualify for the Champions League
Malen will be confident he can play a significant role next term
But with Villa probably needing 10 points from their remaining four matches to secure a top-five finish
Malen can make the difference here and now
Malen is the sort of player defenders hate
He rattles off shots aplenty – 3.69 per match on average across the last 12 months
putting him in the top three per cent of wide forwards across Europe's strongest five leagues
Malen loves a physical duel and will buffet markers who are much taller than he is
Emery prizes versatility among his forwards and Malen can play on either flank as well as through the middle
Malen's attitude since joining Villa suggests he is made of the right stuff
Many players would down tools if they were signed for £20m and then told they could not play in the Champions League
Yet Mail Sport understands Malen has trained ferociously since day one at Bodymoor Heath
Though Emery spends a great deal of time meeting players individually
these talks are usually to discuss their particular jobs in a forthcoming game
He does not spend a great deal of time explaining why he has picked some players and left out others
It takes a strong mentality to handle this and
Asensio has struggled to handle the pace of the game at times and Malen could be the answer
Malen will feel he has done more than enough to merit his chance over the rest of the season
With Asensio struggling to handle the pace of the game when he is in the starting line-up
Malen could be the answer – especially on Saturday at Bournemouth
who will present a serious test of endurance
Unlike many clubs at this stage of the campaign
It is now a question of making the right choices and Malen will feel he has done more than enough to merit his chance
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Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures.1 / 7AdvertisementSPEC HIGHLIGHTSSPECAston Martin DB12
Proportion. It’s something Aston is famously good at. Look at all that bonnet, the suggestion of power and presence, how the cabin is set back, the roofline dropping to the rear. As a design it communicates exactly what the DB12 is all about and presents it in a great-looking, beautifully proportioned package.
But don’t you think it’s also a bit… imbalanced? I’ll tell you where I’m going with this – look at the size difference between the bonnet and the bootlid. What it says to me is that this is all about the engine, and what happens at the back is very much an afterthought. An afterthought that, when you try to use it, is alarmingly easy to smack your head on. ‘You’ll only do that once,’ I hear you saying. Not so, I’m currently on three strikes and very nearly out.
You can’t load the boot. You either bend down miles or sort of put your chin over the bootlid and load without looking. It’s like putting something under your bed – you rest your chin on top and sort of rummage around. It’s awkward. And the 262-litre area is tiny. And oddly shaped.
This, I remind you, is Aston’s grand tourer. The one that should whisk you across Europe and allow you to elegantly unload outside some French chateau. Instead you’ll be explaining to the worried bellhop how you got that bruise on your brow and why your bags are pre-unpacked with the contents thrust blindly in.
The broad-shouldered Vantage is a bruiser of a sports car, but it gets a proper hatch at the back. Big old 346-litre area back there. Probably swallows a set of golfing irons. And does so without putting a crick in your back. That’s the one you’d imagine has been designed as the grand tourer.
Because no-one’s putting anyone in the back seats of one of these. Sure there are a pair of seats back there, or at least seat-shaped spaces, but climbing in is like posting yourself into a kitchen cupboard – you’d only do it to see if you actually fitted. And even then only after several wines. Imagine the knuckle-gnawing indignity of clambering out at the chateau.
Oh, so you’re going to transport kids are you? Yeah, right. You show me the DB12 owner with a family who doesn’t also own a dirty great SUV. Look, amongst grand tourers, there’s only one it’s acceptable to be seen climbing out of the back of, and that’s the Conti GT.
There’s no point in the DB12 having back seats. They’re there to distinguish GT from sports car, that’s it. And the same applies to the bootlid. With the added point that a full tailgate does also look a bit plebian. The DB12 ought to function as a daily driving supercar, and when it comes to practicality, it misses the mark.
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The sixth round of the 2025 Formula One World Championship got underway at Miami International Autodrome
Fernando and our team from across the weekend
A weekend of mixed outcomes and mixed conditions in the Sunshine State
Further rain hit Miami International Autodrome ahead of the Grand Prix
The circuit dried up enough for our drivers to begin on dry tyres
but patches of water remained and the threat of further rain loomed
with Lance up to P15 by the end of the first lap
Lance's pitstop came at the end of Lap 20
Fernando switched his Hards for Mediums under a Virtual Safety Car
Fernando and Lance concluded the race in P15 and P16 respectively
"Difficult race for us today and very tricky conditions
We just simply lack pace – we've been slow all season so far and today wasn't any exception
With an uneventful race and no opportunities
it just shows how we're not competitive and need to look at improving the car in all areas."
We didn't have the pace the whole weekend
We faced similar challenges today that we've had all season and couldn't capitalise on any chaos ahead of us
We need to get better and hopefully in Imola take a step forward."
"Today's results in the Miami Grand Prix are a reminder that we are simply lacking car performance
There were very few opportunities to progress from our starting positions and the race turned out to be a comfortable one-stop race for the entire field
"It was important that we scored four points with Lance yesterday in the Sprint
but under normal dry conditions we don't have a car capable of competing for points right now
We need to continue to analyse where we can improve and work hard to be more competitive in Imola."
We'll be making our way to Emilia-Romagna for the beginning of another triple-header
with Free Practice getting started on 16 May
Rain hit the track ahead of the Sprint and created tricky conditions that resulted in a suspended starting procedure and subsequent Red Flag
our drivers both had strong starts on the Intermediates
Fernando had climbed to eighth and Lance to P11 by the end of the first racing lap
allowing Lance to pit for dry tyres at the end of Lap 11
but his Sprint came to an unfortunate end after contact from behind
resulting in a Safety Car with Lance running in P7
Lance secured a top-five finish and claimed four points
Fernando and Lance finished P17 and P19 respectively
#18 | Lance Stroll | Sprint & Qualifying
"We know we don't have the pace currently and finished Qualifying as we expected
We made some positive set-up changes following the Sprint and the car felt the best it has been all weekend
So it felt really good to get a decent result in the Sprint earlier today
"It's the little wins at the moment
and it felt like everything fell into place
with lots of opportunities and some good decisions
But we're not where we want to be right now and need to find more pace."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Sprint & Qualifying
we just didn't have the pace to proceed to Q2
so it will be a challenge to score points tomorrow
We need to better understand the issues and find some pace
I was having a perfect race and felt competitive
but we were still going to score points when Lawson made contact with me
"Thank you to the team on the ground who helped repair the car before Qualifying: the mechanics always perform at the top level so thanks to them."
"An eventful day in Miami with a wet Sprint and a dry Qualifying session keeping us busy and the fans entertained
Lance scored four points in the Sprint with an excellent race and well-judged strategy
as he ran in the points until Liam [Lawson] pushed him into wall in the closing laps
"Getting Fernando's car fixed and out in time for Qualifying required a massive team effort – drawing on the component preparation work done back at base – and both sides of the garage helping with repairs
"The Qualifying results are reflective of our pace combined with such a tight grid
Let's see what we can do to progress up the field tomorrow
We will be ready to maximise any opportunities in the race."
After setting a single lap on all slick tyre compounds
Lance and Fernando spent the majority of the weekend's sole Free Practice collecting information on the Medium compound
They then switched to Softs for the final 15 minutes
Practice came to an early end following a Red Flag
After spending the session getting up to speed with the circuit
Sprint Qualifying got underway in the 305
where he secured a P10 start for tomorrow's Sprint
#18 | Lance Stroll | Free Practice & Sprint Qualifying
"Sprint Qualifying didn't play out well for me today: I had a lot of traffic on my final push lap and was a bit unlucky with where I came across [Max] Verstappen on the final straight
All of that cost me a few tenths and I just missed the chance to get through to SQ2
"Let's see what tomorrow brings for the Sprint race
Hopefully some opportunities come our way and there is a chance to make up some positions."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Free Practice & Sprint Qualifying
"It's a bit of a surprise to qualify where we did because the car is still struggling with balance and it's not always consistent - but all in all
"This is the first time I have made it through to SQ3 this season so hopefully we can keep up that momentum
Only the top eight cars will score points tomorrow
Shop our 2025 Miami collection on the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team store
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Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is bringing new energy to F1 in its quest for world titles
the team's talented driver squad includes double World Champion Fernando Alonso and Canada's Lance Stroll
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Villa’s youngsters come from behind to beat Man City in showpiece final
Sport | Football
Aston Villa have won the FA Youth Cup for the fifth time in their history after a 3-1 victory over Manchester City at Villa Park
Jimmy Shan’s U18's came from behind to secure a memorable victory and ensure Villa lifted the trophy for the second time in the space of four years
En route to the FA Youth Cup final, Shan's side overcame Accrington Stanley, Newcastle United, Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle before beating Manchester United on penalties to set up a meeting with Man City.
And by the time the final whistle blew, the Villa players had etched their names into the club’s history by lifting the prestigious trophy to a scene of jubilant home fans.
It took just two minutes for the first goal to arrive. Matty Warhurst struck to put the visitors ahead as he slid the ball under Sam Proctor after Villa has lost possession fairly cheaply in their own half.
However, Villa's response was instant as Leon Carroll headed home Cole Brannigan's corner two minutes later to bring the hosts level.
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The score remained deadlocked until just after the half-hour mark as the provider for the equaliser in Brannigan turned goalscorer by netting a wonderstrike to give Villa an half-time advantage.
And when Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba got on the scoresheet just after the hour mark, that goal proved to be the difference as Villa sealed a fifth FA Youth Cup crown.
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#UpTheVilla!
Youri Tielemans' first-half header was his third Premier League goal of the season
Aston Villa recovered from their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Crystal Palace as they overcame Fulham in the Premier League to boost hopes of a top-five finish
Unai Emery's side were beaten 3-0 at Wembley last time out but put that disappointment behind them with a hard-fought victory
It moves them level on points with Chelsea
who occupy the fifth and final Champions League spot
Villa took the lead after 12 minutes when the influential Youri Tielemans directed a firm header past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from John McGinn's inswinging corner
Ollie Watkins should have made it 2-0 early in the second half but failed to get a decisive touch on Matty Cash's low cross
Fulham were denied an equaliser not long afterwards when Ryan Sessegnon had a low left-footed drive disallowed for handball
Leno then denied Watkins with his legs after Morgan Rogers picked out the striker with an exquisite pass
and Donyell Malen rattled the crossbar with a fierce strike late on
but Fulham were unable to trouble Emiliano Martinez at the other end
Marco Silva's Fulham slip to ninth after Bournemouth's win at Arsenal in Saturday's late game
and the Cottagers could end the weekend in the bottom half of the table if other results go against them
Have your say on Aston Villa’s performance
Premier League: Villa beat Fulham - and updates from all Saturday's games
Emery motivated to keep Champions league ‘dream’ alive
Saturday's win was Villa's seventh in nine Premier League games – a run that has taken them from mid-table obscurity to the brink of the Champions League places with three matches remaining
Tielemans was the driving force against Fulham
pulling the strings in Villa's midfield after giving them an early lead with his fifth goal of the season
The Belgium international nearly fashioned a second before half-time with a perfectly weighted pass into Watkins
but Leno was off his line quickly to prevent the forward from doubling Villa's advantage
Leno then did well to get the faintest of touches to a ferocious Tielemans drive on the stroke of half-time – but referee Robert Jones failed to spot the German's intervention and awarded a Fulham goal-kick
The hosts were relieved to see Sessegnon's effort chalked off following a video assistant referee (VAR) review
and Harry Wilson failed to steer a magnificent Alex Iwobi pass beyond Martinez as Fulham started the second half with greater intent
the hosts should have won by a more comfortable margin
Watkins will be frustrated not to have got the goal which would have made him Villa's outright Premier League leading scorer
and Malen was denied a fourth goal in six league games by the woodwork
But the three points were what mattered for Emery's team
who remain seventh but now are firmly in the Champions League picture
commitmment and attitude despite loss - Silva
Eighth place could yet be enough to secure European football this season
but Silva's side have a battle on their hands after Bournemouth's win at Emirates Stadium and Brighton and Brentford still breathing down their necks
Fulham created some promising attacks in the opening 10 minutes
but Villa's opener was a soft one to concede as Tielemans escaped the attentions of midfielder Sasa Lukic before beating Leno
After registering only one effort on target before the break - a curling Iwobi shot which was easily held by Martinez - the visitors carried more of a threat early in the second period
Sessegnon's goal was ruled out because the ball struck the 24-year-old's left hand as he set himself up for the shot
and Wilson very nearly got on the end of Iwobi's pass not long afterwards as Martinez came racing off his line
who have now lost six of their past 10 games in the league – as many as in their first 25 games of the campaign
After the opportunity to rate players has closed
the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users
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substituted for Willian at 76 minutesNumber 8
substituted for Adama Traoré at 67 minutesNumber 30
Yellow Card at 90 minutes plus 9Match OfficialsReferee: Robert JonesVideo Assistant Referee: Chris KavanaghAssistant Referee 1: Daniel CookAssistant Referee 2: Neil DaviesFourth Official: Gavin WardAssistant VAR Official: Darren CannMatch StatsKey
Scroll LeftScroll RightAston Villa have won six of their last seven Premier League games against Fulham (including the last four in a row)
with the exception being a 3-0 away defeat in October 2022
Fulham have won just one of their last 20 away league games against Aston Villa (D7 L12)
losing the last five in a row since a 2-1 win in April 2014
Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Man City last time out ended a five-game winning run in the Premier League
They’ve only lost consecutive league games once in the last two seasons
doing so in November against Liverpool and Spurs
None of Fulham’s last 14 Premier League games have been drawn (W7 L7)
while their last two victories have come against the league leaders (3-2 v Liverpool) and the bottom side (2-1 v Southampton)
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League home games (W9 D7)
since losing to Arsenal in their opening game at Villa Park this term
It’s their second longest run in the competition
with both coming under manager Unai Emery (also 17 between March and December 2023)
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has won all six of his Premier League games against Fulham
There are just four examples of a manager having more games with a 100% win rate against an opponent – Pep Guardiola vs Watford (10/10)
José Mourinho vs Portsmouth (7/7) and Roberto Mancini vs Wigan (7/7)
John McGinn could make his 200th Premier League appearance in this match
He would be the 10th player to reach this milestone for Aston Villa
and the 16th Scotsman to do so in the competition
Though Andreas Pereira has created more chances from set play than any other player in the Premier League this season (37)
no team have scored fewer set piece goals (excluding penalties) than Fulham this season (5)
Of all players to play at least 400 minutes in the Premier League this season
only Mohamed Salah (one every 66 minutes) is averaging a goal or assist more frequently than Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon (69 – 4 goals and 2 assists in 414 minutes)
13 of Ollie Watkins’ 15 Premier League goals this season have either put Aston Villa ahead (7) or drawn them level (6) in the match
the highest percentage of any player to score more than 10 this term (87%)
Adama Traoré (Fulham) is shown the yellow card
Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half
Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half
Dangerous play by Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham)
Donyell Malen (Aston Villa) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the box
Delay in match because of an injury Amadou Onana (Aston Villa)
Fourth official has announced 8 minutes of added time
Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left
Adama Traoré (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high
Donyell Malen (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right
Assisted by Morgan Rogers following a fast break
Harrison Reed went off injured after Fulham had used all subs
Delay in match because of an injury Harrison Reed (Fulham)
Donyell Malen (Aston Villa) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom right corner
Aston Villa have won their past four league matches
Aston Villa extended their winning streak to four matches after coming from behind to beat West Ham 3-2 in the Women's Super League
The two sides exchanged four goals in an action-packed first half before Chasity Grant scored what would prove to be the winner in the 54th minute
Aston Villa remain ninth in the table but now sit just two points behind fifth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion
Ebony Salmon opened the scoring for Natalia Arroyo's side inside five minutes
coolly sliding the ball across the goal and into the bottom corner after being picked out by Rachel Daly on the right side of the box
Shekiera Martinez drew the home side level with a glancing header from Verena Hanshaw's cross - her 10th league goal of the season - before Riko Ueki put them ahead
flicking the ball over the head of goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo and tapping in from close range
with Daly latching on to captain Katrina Gorry's misplaced backpass and slotting the ball beyond stranded goalkeeper Kinga Szemik
Aston Villa took the lead shortly after the break
Grant chasing a pass over the top from Lucy Parker and drilling the ball into the bottom corner
Although West Ham pressed for an equaliser
This defeat ended West Ham's five-match unbeaten streak but Rehanne Skinner's side remain seventh in the table
Rachel Daly was involved in two of Aston Villa's three goals
Dagenham has been something of a fortress for West Ham this season
18 of their 21 points had come on home soil and they were unbeaten in five home matches
Champions Chelsea and second-placed Arsenal were the only sides to capture three points at the ground
West Ham had also only lost once when Martinez was on the scoresheet
so when the German forward headed home in the 18th minute
these records meant nothing to Aston Villa
who hadn't lost any of their previous WSL trips to West Ham (two wins and two draws)
and for the second time in as many meetings in the south they came out on top with a 3-2 win
The result means Aston Villa have now won four matches in a row for the first time since March 2023
Their three goals on Sunday came from three different players
Nine players have been involved in goals in their past four matches
And while they conceded two goals for the third match in a row
for manager Arroyo -who lost her first six matches in charge - this latest win represents another step in the right direction
Head here to get involved
Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page
Yellow Card at 44 minutesSubstituteshome team
Yellow Card at 44 minutesSubstitutesNumber 35
Turner Match OfficialsReferee: Stacey PearsonMatch StatsKey
Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women) header from the centre of the box is close
Assisted by Shelina Zadorsky following a set piece situation
Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked
Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time
Chasity Grant (Aston Villa Women) is shown the yellow card
Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half
Noëlle Maritz (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half
Foul by Manuela Paví (West Ham United Women)
Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half
Foul by Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women)
Seraina Piubel (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half
Seraina Piubel (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from outside the box is too high
Watch Aston Villa v Fulham highlights as a Youri Tielemans header saw Unai Emery's side boost their Champions League hopes with a narrow Premier League win over Fulham
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Updated Opta Power Rankings release further illustrates Aston Villa progress | OneFootballFanSided World Football
Using their system, the website aims to compile the data and evaluate all of the moves in the sport and determine which club is the best. This isn't meant to be an open-and-shut case, but it is somewhat telling that a self-professed neutral algorithm-based system currently has Villa as the 10th-best club in the world.
The freshly crowned Premier League champions sit at the top
Newcastle United find themselves just above AVFC in the ninth position in the site's rankings
What's nice to see is that Villa are just above Chelsea here
and Crystal Palace is at 16th despite the head-to-head loss during the FA Cup semi-final match
league play is weighed more heavily than other competitions
is held in higher regard than the other leagues
whether going by the Opta rankings or evaluating for oneself
clubs like PSG can't be excluded or ignored
the Ligue 1 champions have looked thoroughly impressive against Villa
the best league in the world is still on British soil
The grind and test of the EPL present a months-long challenge unlike any of the other competitions. With everything being considered, even through the disappointment
it has been a largely successful year for Villa
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Arsenal get major injury boost for Champions League showdown with PSG
Nottingham Forest have won just one of their past five Premier League matches
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has said the race to secure a Champions League place will go "all the way" this season
After their top-five hopes suffered a blow in a defeat by Brentford on Thursday
Forest dropped more points on Monday in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace
Forest failed to move level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea - in fourth and fifth respectively - but Nuno is confident his side can catch up
It's for sure [going to go] all the way," Nuno told Sky Sports
A top-five finish remains in Forest's hands with favourable fixtures against relegated Leicester and 17th-placed West Ham before a potentially decisive meeting with Chelsea at the City Ground on 25 May
"This last few games are going to be like this
everybody is fighting for something," Nuno added on BBC Match of the Day
"It's up to us to react and read the moments of the game better
and make better decisions playing with all this noise around us so the boys can settle down again and play."
Opta are less positive on Forest's prospects
with the stats experts predicting Newcastle and Chelsea will finish above Nuno's team
while Arsenal and Manchester City are expected to occupy second and third
Just four points separate Manchester City in third place from Aston Villa in seventh
with the Premier League's top five guaranteed a spot in the Champions League next season
There will be at least eight Premier league teams competing in Europe next season - up from the usual seven - but things could change in the final weeks of the campaign
Twelfth-placed Crystal Palace, who beat Villa in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend
could still end up qualifying for Europe by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final this month
BBC Sport looks at how many teams could qualify for each of the continental competitions: the Champions League
Forest still in top-five race after draw at Palace
Liverpool: Arsenal (H); Brighton (A); Crystal Palace (H)
Arsenal: Liverpool (A); Newcastle (H); Southampton (A)
Newcastle: Chelsea (H); Arsenal (A); Everton (H)
Nottingham Forest: Leicester (H); West Ham (A); Chelsea (H)
Manchester City: Southampton (A); Bournemouth (H); Fulham (A)
Chelsea: Newcastle (A); Manchester United (H); Nottingham Forest (A)
Aston Villa: Bournemouth (A); Tottenham (H); Manchester United (A)
Bournemouth: Aston Villa (H); Manchester City (A); Leicester (H)
Brentford: Ipswich (A); Fulham (H); Wolves (A)
Brighton: Wolves (A); Liverpool (H); Tottenham (A)
Fulham: Everton (H); Brentford (A); Manchester City (H)
What information do we collect from this quiz?Follow your Premier League club and get news
Depending on how things pan out this season
there will be between eight and 11 teams from the Premier League taking part in Europe next season
At least five of those will be in the Champions League because of England's improved performance in Uefa's coefficient rankings
That number could rise to six should Arsenal win the Champions League and finish outside the top five - an unlikely prospect - or even seven if that happens and Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League
Man Utd and Spurs both stole a march on their opponents in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final ties
beating Athletic Club 3-0 and Bodo/Glimt 3-1 respectively
How many teams could qualify for the Europa League?The maximum of three Premier League teams could be competing in the Europa League next season
Two places will likely go to the team who finish sixth and the FA Cup winners
if the cup winners have already secured a European place
it will then go to the next highest placed side who have not qualified for Europe
A third place could be awarded if Chelsea win the Conference League and fail to qualify for the Champions League
The Blues' hopes of lifting that trophy were boosted on Thursday thanks to a 4-1 win at Djurgarden in the first-leg of their semi-final
What about the Conference League?There will be one Conference League place awarded to a Premier League team
As things stand that will go to Carabao Cup winners Newcastle
but that could change if Eddie Howe's side qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League
As Newcastle currently sit inside the top four
Even a ninth or 10th-place finish could realistically be enough to secure a spot in next season's Conference League
It would require Arsenal to win the Champions League
Manchester United or Tottenham to win the Europa League and Chelsea to lift the Conference League trophy
and all three winners to finish outside the top six
Arsenal are second in the Premier League and unlikely to finish outside the top five
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Top storiesLive
Youri Tielemans scored to boost Aston Villa’s European hopes and damage Fulham’s
3d ago15.54 CESTJohn McGinn also spoke to TNT: “A massive three points. It keeps us in the hunt for the Champions League spots. As you get older you start to appreciate it a bit more. You want to achieve as much as possible. Last week was a huge setback, but we keep going.”
3d ago15.42 CESTYouri Tielemans
we know we have to win them to have a chance to be in the Champions League next season
“This afternoon was a good win. A tough opponent, Fulham are a very good team. We could have finished the game earlier, but credit to the guys. Good fight and good win.”
“I’ve tried to take care of my body and just play the games and enjoy my football. It is the biggest European competition club wise. We have had a taste this season and ,we want to do it again.”
3d ago15.29 CESTFull-time: Aston Villa 1-0 FulhamVilla are firmly in the hunt for the Champions League
Fulham’s European chances in the balance now
3d ago15.25 CEST90+7 min: Traore’s cross is cleared – just – by Konsa. Fulham pushing on and on.
3d ago15.24 CEST90+6 min: Traore sets off on a rumbling run, and Digne tackles him to cheers and jeers.
3d ago15.23 CEST90+5 min: Malen is sent through but…hits the bar. Oh no. Emery doesn’t know what to do. He’s at first angry and then encouraging. But always manic.
3d ago15.22 CEST90+3 min: This is nervous at the Villa. They have failed to kill off a still-dangerous opponent.
3d ago15.20 CEST90+2 min: Fulham fans fancy this one, despite their 10 men. Their team is dominating possession. Anderson’s ball fails to find Castagne.
3d ago15.19 CEST90 min: There will be eight minutes of time added on. The Villa fans groan but there have been loads of stoppages. The referee gets abused for…doing his job.
3d ago15.18 CEST89 min: Rogers and Cash double team on Traore, and the ball is behind for a goal-kick.
3d ago15.14 CEST85 min: Malen and Bassey collide, and the defender goes to ground. Malen goes on and on – he’s such a lively player – but maybe not the best finisher. His shot goes somewhere near Solihull. Marco Silva is booked for complaining that play was allowed to go on.
3d ago15.12 CEST83 min: Poor Harrison Reed has to limp down the tunnel, head in hands. That’s a sad sight.
3d ago15.08 CEST80 min: Jeers as Traore – former Wolves player – chases the ball and runs it out of play.
3d ago15.08 CEST78 min: Cash will be OK to continue but sore in the morning
almost gets on the end as Rogers attacks the space down the right
zings the ball in and Leno makes a point-blank block that forces Malen to miss
3d ago15.04 CEST74 min: More changes: Harrison Reed and Willian on, Iwobi and Berge off. Iwobi looked like he had plenty more to offer. Reed comes on to take the latest terrible free-kick.
3d ago15.02 CEST72 min: Villa have such a talented squad, so well constructed, with more to come, if an expensive wage bill. Emery is a manager prepared to rotate squads and sell to buy.
3d ago15.00 CEST70 min: More Villa changes: Donyell Malen for Watkins
The latter change surely made with Traore in mind
3d ago14.56 CEST67 min: Two Fulham changes: Tete and Wilson off, Castagne and Traore on. That should add some spice down the wings.
3d ago14.55 CEST66 min: Berge is booked for a foul on Tielemans. The Norwegian hasn’t enjoyed himself at all.
3d ago14.53 CEST64 min: A chance to Harry Wilson, and one he could have done rather better with.
3d ago14.53 CEST63 min: Justin Kavanagh: “Wow! Unai Emery was so enraged by Konsa’s dithering that he probably threw more punches at the air than Ryan Garcia did in Times Square last night. If I was Konsa, I’d ask Marco Silva if he could use the visitor’s dressing room after the game.”
Will Oliver: “John, can you translate Unai’s tantrum into English? That looked like angry Cricket or baseball.”
3d ago14.51 CEST61 min: Maatsen, who’s been lively, pings in a shot. Though was it a cross? It’s end of season stuff though with plenty to play for.
3d ago14.48 CEST59 min: It’s Ramsey and Onana on, McGinn and Asensio off. McGinn hands the armband to Emi Martinez.
3d ago14.46 CEST56 min: It’s full-pelt stuff, and Alex Iwobi is coming more to the fore. Looks like Emery has seen enough and wants to make changes.
3d ago14.42 CEST54 min: Fulham break at speed. Emery is furious as Wilson goes early with his effort. That’s a meme-able reaction. He went absolutely radio rental.
3d ago14.41 CEST53 min: Can Villa ride out the storm? They have a free-kick, which is again wasted by being smashed at Harry Wilson’s shins. Not another McPhee classic.
3d ago14.40 CEST51 min: Nicholas von Maltzahn gets in touch: “Gary Naylor’s poetic sense of the occasion at Anfield (35 min) was shared by your colleague Barney Ronay, who had this in his write-up last Sunday:
“Even the trains north had carried a gathering excitement, like a Whitsun wedding weekend, whoops and skirls down the platform at each stopping point, the feeling of Liverpool spread out in the sun up ahead.”
Barney – like me – is a big fan of Hull’s most famous librarian.
3d ago14.39 CEST50 min: Fulham have the ball in the net
Rob Jones the ref bided his time…good process
3d ago14.34 CEST46 min: We are back underway and Villa almost score straight away, as Watkins has a golden chance to score but loses the run of himself. That’s a bad miss, Ollie.
3d ago14.19 CESTHalf-time: Aston Villa 1-0 FulhamIt closes out with Iwobi going close: he smashes wide. Villa have been the better team, but have failed to build on Tielemans’ goal. Much to play for in the second half, and with plenty at stake.
3d ago14.17 CEST45 min: Ooof, Tielemans smashes the ball after being laid up by McGinn. A screamer, and what a save from Leno. No corner given, but then the Villa screens show the German got a touch…boooooo! Just a minute added on. It’s been breathless, all-action.
3d ago14.16 CEST44 min: Kenny Tete penalised. That’s a second foul from him. He looks annoyed with the ref.
3d ago14.15 CEST43 min: Fulham just can’t get into it. Villa are all over their midfield and yet don’t look too dangerous…..oh here’s a chance for Jimenez, who finds no support so has a dig from distance.
3d ago14.13 CEST42 min: Bad free-kick time: a waste of a promising position as Sasa Lukic thrashes the ball into the wall.
3d ago14.11 CEST40 min: Cash is sent away by Asensio but there Villa hit heavy traffic. Fulham are defending deep.
3d ago14.10 CEST39 min: Leno slides out to hack away a ball aimed at Watkins. Villa seeking a second before half-time.
3d ago14.10 CEST38 min: Rogers – at last – shows off his skill, bobbing and weaving but his ball to Watkins is intercepted.
3d ago14.08 CEST37 min: Villa with most of the ball but not looking too sharp in attack
They’re rather grinding through the gears here
The good news for Hull City fan Phil is that his team are out of danger. For now.
3d ago14.06 CEST34 min: Fulham free-kick, aimed at Jimenez, with calls for a Matty Cash pull. There was zero contact so we play on.
3d ago14.05 CEST33 min: A push on Watkins? No says referee Rob Jones. The Fulham Jolly Boys make themselves heard for the first time. Their team has not been too good so far. Not that Villa are flying.
3d ago14.03 CESTPeter Lansley31 min: From Villa Park. This was a strange moment:
“Strange little irritation for Villa after their goal. Morgan Rogers, having contributed the pre-assist before the assist, his pass releasing Asensio to shoot to win the corner, is asked to stay off the pitch for 30 seconds after he went to change his shirt on the touchline in the downtime between goal and kick-off. He was well grumpy about that.”
3d ago14.02 CEST30 min: Yellow card for Sessegnon for hauling back Maatsen. A cheap yellow, too.
McParland scored five goals for Northern Ireland at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden
Peter McParland was one of the all-time greats of Northern Ireland football
who also made his mark in English League football with Aston Villa
The County Down native, who died on Sunday aged 91
is his country's record goalscorer at World Cup finals
He was the last surviving member of that Northern Ireland 1958 World Cup squad
McParland won both FA Cup and League Cup winners' medals with Villa
He holds a unique place in English football history as the first player in the game to score in and win both English major domestic knockout finals
McParland was spotted playing for Dundalk in the League of Ireland by Aston Villa manager George Martin
who signed him for a fee in the region of £3,500
The outside left spent the majority of his career at the Midlands club
while his international career spanned nine years from 1954-62
he is regarded as one of the greatest players to represent both Aston Villa and Northern Ireland
Aston Villa's McParland famously collided with Manchester United goalkeeper Ray Wood during the 1957 FA Cup final
He scored twice in the FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1957 but also became involved in a controversial incident in which he shoulder-charged (at the time a legitimate form of challenge) the United keeper Ray Wood after only six minutes
leaving him unconscious with a broken cheekbone
McParland's goals were remembered as examples of his all-round abilities as a player
showcasing his diving header and volleying techniques
He scored 22 league goals to help Villa win the Second Division title in 1960 and then won a League Cup winners' medal in 1961
The Northern Irishman was on the scoresheet for the second leg of the 1961 League Cup final
when Villa overturned a 2-0 deficit against Rotherham United to win the second encounter between the sides 3-0 at Villa Park and become the winners of the first Football League Cup
McParland's extra-time winner proving decisive
He subsequently joined Wolverhampton Wanderers for £35,000 in January 1962
scoring 10 goals in 21 games during his one season with the club
His final English League club was Plymouth Argyle
followed by a spell with non-league Worcester City
but in 1965 he was recruited to play for Inter-Roma FC of the Eastern Canadian Professional Soccer League and then turned out for Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League in 1967 and 1968
McParland won the NPSL Championship with the Chiefs in 1967
He ended his career as player-manager of Irish League club Glentoran
including a league championship success in 1970
McParland scored 10 goals in 34 appearances
including those five goals at Sweden '58 to help propel his team into the quarter-finals
where a team by then decimated by injuries lost 4-0 to France
His impressive haul at the finals included one goal in a 3-1 win over Argentina
two in a 2-2 draw with West Germany and another couple in a 2-1 success against Czechoslovakia
His Northern Ireland career had begun in style as the then 19-year-old bagged a double on his debut in a World Cup qualifying win over Wales in Wrexham in the 1953-54 season
Following Billy Bingham's death in 2022
he became the last surviving member of the Northern Ireland squad from that memorable 1958 campaign
McParland was the youngest member of manager Peter Doherty's squad
which also included the likes of former Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg
midfielders Danny Blanchflower and Bertie Peacock and forwards Jimmy McIlroy and Derek Dougan
they have gone out of the Champions League and FA Cup
and losing their last Premier League game has left them playing catch-up in the top-five race
I don't think Unai Emery's side will crumble from here
even if Marcus Rashford's season-ending injury is a big blow
and they also need a big performance from Ollie Watkins
If he starts banging the goals in again then that would be a huge boost for their run-in
and they are certainly capable of getting something here
I don't think Villa can keep a clean sheet - which probably means they will stop Fulham scoring - but I have a feeling things will click for them in front of goal
their fans can help to get them over the line
Read the full predictions and have your say here
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By Matt Bird / Monday
Those of you with good memories and long memberships might remember that we’ve been here before. Back in 2017 it was the naturally aspirated V8 under threat; the writing was on the wall
with turbos better incorporated than ever before and regulations less than favourable for big-cube
it proved correct: the Maserati GranTurismo went from 4.7-litre V8 to 3.0-litre turbo V6; the Aston Vantage gave up its identically sized and configured engine for a 4.0-litre turbo
Lexus stuck it out for as long as possible
even its 5.0-litre unit eventually succumbed
it was a surprise to find that it was ever actually offered for sale in the UK
you’re doing well to get eight cylinders without a chunk of electric assistance
So while this comparison emulates the 2017 test in bringing together a disparate collection of cars
the truth is that they are very much in the minority when it comes to the way they are powered
Think of it this way: if ever there was a time to celebrate that you can buy a luxury SUV that thinks it's a rally raid car
a front-engined grand tourer that thinks it's a sports car and 5.0 litres of American muscle that thinks..
that thinks it's 5.0 litres of American muscle - it's right now
The Mustang is the only survivor from the previous feature
It isn't hard to imagine a scenario where Ford's most famous car might have gone electric
Or else been left to wither on the vine as a curio. But this is the still-almost-new (for the UK
at any rate) S650 ‘Stang - it was S550 previously - and in Dark Horse spec as well
If anything’s going to show off the glory of the V8 to its full effect in 2025
In the US
the fourth generation of Coyote V8 is treated to friskier cams plus the forged conrods from the 5.2-litre
And the folk who name engines at Ford get a raise
the flagship mustering just the extra 7hp from a GT’s 446hp
and only really used otherwise in a few F-150s
There was also something called the Miami variant
a supercharged derivative engineered in Australia for the Ford Falcon FPV Holy Grail
But let’s save that tangent for another day.
AMG's V8 is fundamental to the appeal of modern-day Aston Martin.
there’s 635hp here courtesy of the S68 4.4
a (very) mild-hybrid version of the old S63
as well as a host of other recent M GmbH heavyweights
The 48-volt system provides 12hp/150lb ft boost
VANOS is now electrically operated rather than hydraulic
From the ain’t-no-replacement approach to the very latest in forced induction - via a hot-vee hot rod - the three neatly encapsulate the evolution of the V8
There’s little more than a thousand cubic centimetres between all three
Let's start with the DB12 because from the very second you switch it on
it demonstrates why Aston was so adamant about clinging to the configuration
It’s hard to forget that this is a near-700hp missile
so adept is the big GT at harnessing all that power
Aston V8s have always been more than capable of such potency (remember when they used to be twin-supercharged)
Now that’s all changed; indeed such is the ability for turning mechanical fury into meaningful progress that all too often you’re travelling a bit too fast for the situation (if not the car) in a DB12
goading you on at every opportunity with the way it stops
rides and steers to plunder the depths of its talents.
The engine may seem buttoned-down compared to the bellowing brutes of yesteryear
It’s that little bit older than some of the latest hot-vee turbo V8s
therefore just needs working with a little
There’s some hesitancy as blowers take in great gobfuls of air
the Aston only really hitting its stride beyond 3,000rpm
it charges with the sort of abandon no naturally aspirated Aston short of a One-77 could dream of
and the chassis relishes the challenge of marshalling such a monster powertrain
the car we always hoped Aston might make but which never quite materialised in DB11
The normal drive mode with the sports exhaust on brings a good amount of V8 pantomime to the party
the more senior settings tend to overdo throttle response and sound
With the window down it’s easy to hear the huffing and puffing of the turbos desperately trying to generate all that power
but there’s some real musicality there as well
more subdued than in a Vantage if still just the right amount of rude
it cannot compete with the raw theatre of a naturally aspirated V8
but trust us when we say it doesn’t limit your enjoyment of this Aston Martin
mostly because in the way it flows along a road and endlessly flatters its driver
it lives up to our sky-high expectations of the brand
Probably the Vanquish has earned bragging rights as the burliest and best cruiser
but the DB12 - thanks in no small part to its engine - remains just the right kind of special.
those concerns ebb away pretty quickly once you’ve clambered aboard SS OCTA
That same dynamic cohesiveness that characterises virtually all Land Rover products - not least its capacity for fostering a genuine connection between car and road surface - is present in abundance
Even with the knobbly tyres and more than twice the power of a straight-six diesel
It steers very positively on its quicker rack
and controls its mass with all the authority of a modern prop forward
though nor does it ever seem overawed by two-and-a-half tonnes either.
While the modified chassis can claim some credit for that impression
balanced and accurate in a way it has no real right to be
the hard-charging 4.4-litre V8 most certainly aids the impression as well
it’s a great demonstration of what a modest amount of MHEV tech can do for a big car
hauling from absolutely zip like it were unencumbered by the complexity of twin turbochargers
This effect should not be understated: most new Defenders
tend to heave themselves into motion with a stately
Look at the peak torque for a numerical display of what that feels like: 553lb ft is sustained for more than 4,000rpm
not with the momentum already accrued by that point
but it becomes hard not to indulge given its zeal and appetite for more engine speed
Chalk that up as one of the Land Rover’s surprising attributes: the OCTA
this is what the new V8 is there to do.
nor compared to its supercharged predecessor
There’s no mistaking it for anything other than a V8
and what your ears hear in the cabin is a tad plain in truth - even when cranked to Dynamic
Which is a shame; you want it to romp along like a barely silenced Dakar racer
a disappointment only partly assuaged by the fact that the OCTA does a very good impression of a Dakar racer otherwise
You just have to live with it sounding like an X5M.
the good news is you can have one for less than half the OCTA costs
It’s hard not to assume that Ford is working to a completely different set of regulations to every other manufacturer
raw combustion sounds that emanate from this car
roars out of those quad exhaust tips and cackles like a pantomime baddie
highest revving engine here makes a memorable impression before you even snatch second
taking the Dark Horse all the way to 50mph.
The rest are better stacked for fun, and the Dark Horse utilises a Tremec six-speed rather than the GT’s Getrag
tough yet accurate and endlessly satisfying
fostering an even tighter bond with a great engine
32-valve Coyote feels a little torpid at low revs; even with the weight advantage
and the naturally aspirated V8 comes alive in a way the other two can’t
its burble and gurgle morphing into a holler as the revs pile on
From 5,000rpm or so the Mustang races for its 7,500rpm cutout like it’s a fizzy little four-cylinder
Anyone who says exciting engines aren’t available to the (above) average Joe anymore needs a run through second gear in a Dark Horse
a fast and furious V8 would have been enough for Ford to send the Mustang on its merry way
Not any longer; there’s a limit to how precise and wieldy a 1,800kg car can be without active anti-roll and four-wheel steer
but the limit here is much higher than would be expected
Plus it’s predictable and entertaining at all commitment levels
even if Mustang steering still leaves something to be desired
Good job wily Coyote is there to help with cornering attitude as required
giving you a much longer leash than previous versions to unlock all that V8 goodness.
It's hard to say - but we can be certain that it would be wholly different
All three cars assembled in a small corner of Wales for 24 hours are dependent on eight cylinders for an inimitable part of their charm; that much is as self-evident as the warmth of the rising sun
It is for this reason that Land Rover and Aston have ensured a steady supply
and that an EV called Mustang has nothing whatsoever to do with the world's most famous muscle car
the V8 has evolved just enough to keep up with the times
but the appeal is much as it ever was: they rumble and grumble and make everything seem alright with the world.
Each is wonderful in its own consummate way
And though eventually history will repeat itself and the V8 will go from increasingly uncommon to vanishingly rare
even if availability comes at significant cost
just know this: the irrepressible energy of its BMW engine and beefed-up platform makes the OCTA a Defender unlike any other
and a Mercedes V8 endows the DB12 with just enough swagger for it to seem raucous whenever it needs to
do not turn down the chance to be in the presence of 5,038cc
rear-wheel drivePower (hp): 453@7,250rpmTorque (lb ft): 398@5,100rpm0-62mph: 5.2secTop speed: 168mphWeight: 1,836kg (Ford kerbweight)MPG: 22.8CO2: 282g/kmPrice: £70,740 (price as standard; price as tested £75,540 comprising Carbonised Grey paint for £800, Recaro Indigo Vinyl / Cloth - Dark Horse for £2,000, Dark Horse Recaro seats for £2,000)
all-wheel drivePower (hp): 635@5,855-7,000rpmTorque (lb ft): 553@1,800-5,855rpm0-62mph: 4.0 secondsTop speed: 155mph (all-terrain tyres limited to 100mph)Weight: 2,510kg (DIN)MPG: 21.0 (WLTP)CO2: 304g/km (WLTP)Price: from £160,800
twin-turbo V8Transmission: 8-speed automatic
rear-wheel drivePower (hp): 680@6,000rpmTorque (lb ft): 590@2,750-6,000rpm0-62mph: 3.6secsTop speed: 202mphWeight: 1,685kg (dry)MPG: 23.2CO2: 276g/kmPrice: from £188,500
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Fellow carmakers Stellantis and Mercedes withdraw financial guidance for year over impact of trade war
The British sportscar maker Aston Martin is limiting exports to the US in the face of Donald Trump’s tariffs, while its counterparts Stellantis and Mercedes withdrew their financial guidance for the year
blaming the uncertainty around changing US policy on import levies
known for producing the cars driven by James Bond in the spy films
said it was “currently limiting imports to the US while leveraging the stock held by our US dealers”
The US is the key market for the lossmaking carmaker, which generated about a third of its £1.6bn revenue for 2024 in the country. It said on Wednesday it was “carefully monitoring the evolving US tariff situation” and would “respond to changes in the operating environment as they materialise”.
Read moreAston Martin, Mercedes and the Fiat owner, Stellantis
are among the automakers affected by Trump’s sweeping levies
which threaten to upend car markets and disrupt global supply chains
The US administration introduced a 25% tariff on all car imports on 3 April
and in a move designed to bring auto production back to the US
However, Trump announced on Tuesday plans to water down the sweeping tariffs
by scaling back some of the duties on foreign cars and parts to give a reprieve to US carmakers
after the domestic industry warned his strategy would increase costs for American manufacturers by tens of billions of dollars
Carmakers subject to a 25% tariff on imports will not be subject to other levies Trump has imposed
while US carmakers will be allowed to apply for temporary tariff relief on a proportion of the costs imposed for imported parts
said on Wednesday it was suspending its 2025 financial guidance for a moderate recovery in its business
as a result of uncertainties around US tariff policies
reported a 9% fall in car shipments in the first quarter to 1.22m units
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The German carmaker Mercedes-Benz Group also withdrew its financial outlook for the current year on Wednesday
as a result of uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs
The company – which produces some vehicles in the US but also ships European-made cars to North America – said there was “considerable uncertainty for the world economy” as a result of the US’s tariff policy and countermeasures from other governments
making it difficult for the company to issue forward-looking statements
Volatility around tariffs is “too high to reliably assess” business development this year
cashflow and margins could all be affected if US tariffs remained in place
Proud coach Jimmy Shan saluted Villa’s “special” team after they beat Manchester City to win the FA Youth Cup
A stunning goal from Cole Brannigan was highlight of a superb performance
which saw Villa end their opponents’ 27-match winning run in front of 25,073 fans at Villa Park
took the lead inside two minutes through Matty Warhurst but the hosts immediately hit back through TJ Carroll
Brannigan then put them in front with the sweetest of strikes from outside the box
before Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba also scored from distance to ensure Villa lifted the Youth Cup for the fifth time in club history
four years after they last triumphed in 2021
said: “With this group in the FA Youth Cup
“A lot of the boys spend time with the Under-21s
but the core group of the U18s and when these boys come in too
they have got something special about them
there’s a togetherness and they want to work hard
They find a way and they’ve done that on the biggest stage in their young careers.”
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations
with the team then parading the cup in front of a packed Holte End
But with the under-18s back in action on Thursday when they face Leicester
Shan warned they could not afford to get too carried away
Villa need just two points from their remaining two matches to win the league and Shan said: “They are still partying
jumping around and playing music that isn’t my cup of tea
“The way our fixtures have gone in the under-18s
we have a cool down and the lads who haven’t played many minutes will be on the grass and then we will be out on Thursday
“They can’t probably enjoy it as much as if it was the last game of the season
“Even some of the lads in there now are showing maturity because some of their conversations with their peers are
So they are readying themselves for Thursday now.”
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AN ASTON Villa legend has died - as tributes pour in for the last surviving member of club's 1957 FA Cup-winning team
had recently celebrated his 91st birthday before his death
The Northern Irishman scored both goals in the historic 2-1 win against Manchester United at Wembley - the last time the club lifted the trophy
He is also remembered for a dramatic extra-time winner against Rotherham United in 1961 - securing his team the League Cup title
This made him the first footballer to score in both major domestic knockout cup finals
Over a ten-year stint for Aston Villa
McParland scored 121 goals in 341 appearances
He remains the record-holder for the highest scoring Northern Irishman in World Cup history.
In a statement, the club said it was "profoundly saddened" by the news of his death.
It added: "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."
in April 1934 - and began his career with Dundalk FC
He was later signed by Villa manager George Martin - making his debut at home to Wolves in September 1952
The plucky young player was still a teenager when he won the first of his 34 international caps - scoring twice against Wales in 1954
As well as the League Cup and FA Cup titles
McParland also helped Villa to the Second Division title in 1959-60
the club wrote: "Equally at home at centre-forward as on the left wing
McParland boasted a powerful header of the ball as well as possessing a talented left foot."
And in the latter years of his career, he also had spells with Plymouth Argyle and Worcester City - as well as Toronto Inter-Roma in Canada and Atalanta Chiefs in the US
In 2015, Aston Villa hosted McParland as a guest at the 2015 cup final against Arsenal
And in January this year, he attended a special exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to mark the club’s 150th anniversary
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More questions are being asked of Emi Martinez’s future at Aston Villa
with a raid on Real Madrid for a new goalkeeper being speculated on