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After falling to defeat to last time out in the Premier League, Aston Villa will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Everton on Thursday night.

Dean Smith’s side took the lead against Manchester United last weekend thanks to a superb strike from Bertrand Traore, but a contentious penalty call swung things in the away side’s favour, eventually resulting in a 3-1 loss.

The Villa boss has some major decisions to make in terms of his team selection, with the likes of Jack Grealish returning, and Ollie Watkins missing out through suspension.

And, with the top-flight season almost over, these last couple of games might present the perfect opportunity for him to hand some of the club’s academy stars a chance in the first-team.

So, with that all in mind, below is a look at how Villa might line up when Everton come to town.

In goal, Emi Martinez will be hoping to keep his 15th clean sheet of the Premier League season, and close the Golden Gloves gap to second-placed Edouard Mendy to just one in the process.

The back-four should also once again remain unchanged, with Smith likely to make changes further forward in midfield.

One of those could be a debut for 17-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka, who has surely been knocking on the door for a chance in the first-team given his performances at youth-team level – he even bagged a hat-trick against Newcastle in the last round of the FA Youth Cup.

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The teenager could be joined by another one of the club’s young prospects in Jacob Ramsey, who has been one of the breakout stars of Villa’s season thus far.

The big news for Villa fans will no doubt be the return of Grealish, with The Athletic even claiming that “the attacker will be available to Villa for the first time since February and there is a good chance he will start the clash”.

The trio would all represent exciting changes from the starting line-up against United last week, and given their homegrown status, will have Villa fans excited too.

And up front, Keinan Davis is the man who is likely to replace the suspended Watkins, who received his marching orders late on at Villa Park.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Chukwuemeka; Traore, Ramsey, Grealish; Davis.

Meanwhile, Villa must axe this “stupid” ace tonight vs Everton…

Manchester United are not planning to make any ‘significant’ signings during the January transfer window.

That’s according to talkSPORT sources, which, as to be expected, has had a number of United fans talking on social media.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick suffered his first home defeat against Wolves on Monday evening, with United suffering a blow in their bid to finish in the top four.

Rangnick has admitted previously that the club are not considering additions, believing the current squad is‘ big enough’. And, according to talkSPORT, United are indeed not expecting to be busy when it comes to players arriving this month.

The club’s focus is on the summer window, with a central midfielder thought to be a priority.

The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Amadou Haidara and Boubacar Kamara have all been linked with moves to Old Trafford, whereas rumours regarding a move for Wolves’ Ruben Neves have recently surfaced.

However, they could perhaps do with one of those additions now – none of Fred, Scott McTominay or Nemanja Matic have really stood up and proven themselves as top dog in midfield this season, with none of the trio averaging a match rating above 7/10 (Whoscored).

United fans react

Well-known page @utdreport relayed talkSPORT’s transfer claim on Twitter to their almost 800,000 followers. This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with many not exactly thrilled.

“Top 4 chase over”

Credit: @Gerardmcc01

“Lol a joke”

Credit: @solo_levelling_

“Wow……  Haven’t heard a joke so good in a long time”

Credit: @PredictHeroes

“United make me sick”

Credit: @S_Enanda

“I knew it… The board was content with CR7 shirt sales but not spending in Jan on reinforcements. At this rate I don’t think we’ll even make Europa!!”

Credit: @Daddy_B_Lee

“So we’re not fighting for top 4? Settling pretty much then get to the summer and not buy any players because we lost out on the Champions League money. Is this a business or a football club?”

Credit: @W1LS0N98

In other news: ‘Can’t be true’ – Many MUFC fans erupt as Ralf now begins ‘awful’ transfer talks.  

Everton’s honeymoon period under new manager Rafa Benitez has come well and truly crashing down, with a run of just one victory in the last nine fixtures in all competitions.

And things could be about to get even worse for the Toffees. An extensive injury list, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina and Abdoulaye Dourcoure grew over the weekend when Demarai Gray had to be substituted with an abductor problem.

Coupled with the fact that both Mason Holgate and Richarlison will be forced to watch on from the sidelines due to suspensions, Sunday’s trip to the Brentford Community Stadium could be one to forget.

After providing five goal contributions in his opening 12 outings for Everton, summer signing Gray has quickly established himself as a key player for Benitez’s side.

Therefore, his enforced absence over the weekend will be a big blow to the Blues’ chances of success, and his regular understudy Alex Iwobi is once again having a season to forget.

Following his arrival as a 17th-minute substitute against Manchester City, the Nigeria international had just 37 touches of the ball – seven fewer than Jordan Pickford – and failed to produce a single shot or key pass, as per SofaScore.

Since arriving on Merseyside for a whopping £34m back in 2019, Iwobi has found the back of the net on just six occasions in his 76 outings, illustrating how it may be time for Benitez to take a risk and try something new.

And with Lewis Dobbin at his disposal, he has the ideal opportunity to do just that. The 18-year-old gem has been a standout performer in Everton’s youth academy for many years now, impressing with David Unsworth’s U23s over the last six months.

“He’s going to be a top player, there’s absolutely no doubt about that,” Unsworth revealed in a recent interview with the Liverpool ECHO (as relayed by The Athletic).

Dobbin bagged his second goal of the campaign last time out against Brighton and Hove Albion in what was his best performance of 2021/22 so far, and he could be ready for his next challenge over the coming weeks; Benitez just needs to be brave enough to unleash him.

And, in other news…Brands could be on the verge of repeating Everton’s awful Thierry Small disaster 

Aston Villa face the unenviable task of hosting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Steven Gerrard has enjoyed a superb start to life in the Midlands with back-to-back top-flight wins under his belt against Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Surprise Pep

The ex-Rangers boss could spring a surprise on Pep Guardiola and City and pick up a result with a key selection change for this clash – starting Emiliano Buendia ahead of Leon Bailey.

Villa beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in their last outing, but the Jamaican winger struggled to make a positive impact playing out on the right. Per SofaScore, he lost seven of his nine duels and failed with all of his attempted dribbles whilst only completing 18 passes.

Therefore, it could be time for him to be axed from the team and for Buendia to be given another chance to show what he can do. The creative midfielder has a history of performing well against Manchester City – producing a sublime display in a 3-2 win for Norwich in 2019.

He recorded two assists and a WhoScored rating of 8.9 in the stunning win for the Canaries. Buendia ended the match with five completed dribbles and four tackles to go along with his assists, showing his quality defensively, in transition and in the final third.

Former Norwich boss Daniel Farke once hailed the Argentine international as a ‘joy to work with’ prior to his move to Villa Park. The German said:

“He has been unbelievably important for us during the past season and as long as we have him it is a joy to work with him, to have him in the team and for our supporters.

“You have to love his creativity and skills. Hopefully, he can also shine in the future for us.”

The £75k-per-week gem has struggled to find his best form for Villa but has still managed to average 1.9 tackles and interceptions per game alongside 1.4 key passes. This, along with his previous display against the Citizens, suggests that he could provide added protection for Matty Cash at right-back by dealing with overloads and tracking back to win the ball off the Premier League champions.

Therefore, Gerrard could shock Pep and pick up a positive result against City with the decision to unleash Buendia back in the starting line-up. If he is able to show the kind of form he did for Norwich against the Spaniard’s outfit then it could a joyous night for the Villans.

AND in other news, Huge blow: Villa dealt fresh injury “setback” ahead of City, Gerrard will be gutted…

Many Everton fans have been left to bemoan an injury that Jordan Pickford has sustained which will mean that he will miss their next game.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the former Sunderland ace has sustained an injury to his oblique abdominal muscle after he was forced off in the first half in their 2-1 home loss to Burnley in the Premier League last time out.

As a consequence, he has been ruled out of the Merseyside club’s next game, which is at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

If that match was not already going to be tough enough, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will now have to somehow find a way into the next round of the competition without their number one goalkeeper, just as he had been finding his best form of the season.

Everton fan reaction to Pickford injury

These Toffees supporters bemoaned the injury to Pickford on Twitter, with one Blues fan even going as far to say that the England international will be a ‘huge loss’:

“Dear god Virginia in goal for City let the hammering commence”

Credit: @johnocallagha11

“This is probably one of our worst injury misses. A big problem but good luck to Virginia”

Credit: @ctayts

“Team’s falling to bits. Can’t remember the last time we fielded our strongest 11. Pickford and Doucoure out will be a huge loss for us now.”

Credit: @_JakeClark_

“Hate to say it, but I can see us losing by a cricket score on Saturday.”

Credit: @PaulCarrott3

“Another injury blow, in a season that seems full of them for us”

Credit: @blue_nose_amy

“Love an injury us”

Credit: @jackph21

In other news, find out whose display against Burnley was blasted here!

Newcastle United will strive to get back to winning ways in a crucial relegation six-pointer with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night, but Steve Bruce is set to remain without Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Toon have failed to win any of the five matches played since Wilson sustained a hamstring injury against Southampton last month to now sit only two points clear of the drop zone, having once held a nine-point gap to the relegation places.

Newcastle can move five points clear and still hold a game in hand over 18th-placed Fulham with a win at the Amex Stadium, where Miguel Almiron could make his return from the knee injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Wolves which also saw Saint-Maximin sidelined with a groin issue.

Almiron is unlikely to be the only change Bruce makes from the line-up which drew with Aston Villa last time out. With that in mind, here’s a potential United XI that Brighton could face…

Joelinton and Dwight Gayle led the line at St James’ Park as Newcastle drew 1-1 with Aston Villa last Friday, but neither could end their droughts in front of the net to remain on a single goal each in the Premier League this season.

A change to a more centralised position for the second half also failed to help Gayle find a foothold in proceedings, as he cut an invisible bystander for much of the game and will likely make way for Almiron to return if the latter is passed fit.

Joelinton is expected to remain as one of Bruce’s two split strikers on Saturday, as the Toon boss was pleased with his efforts against the Villans despite failing to find the back of the net.

“I thought Joelinton, arguably, had his best game in a Newcastle shirt,” Bruce said, via quotes shared by the Shields Gazette. “I thought he was terrific on the night. But, of course, a striker has to top it off by scoring a goal. He understands that, but his overall performance was very, very good. I thought he led the line very, very well.”

Ryan Fraser, who initially occupied a false nine role against Aston Villa before a move to the wing to accommodate Gayle, will also be expected to drop to the bench at Brighton after being slammed for underperforming in the 1-1 draw.

Bruce opting to axe Fraser may see Jacob Murphy awarded first Premier League start in nine games, having impressed the United boss from the bench last week while setting up Jamaal Lascelles’ stoppage-time equaliser.

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“I thought he was very, very bright when he came on [against Villa],” Bruce said of Murphy. “We like Jacob, he trains well every day and gives us a different option with his pace and directness. He had an impact last week, which is what we’re looking for.”

Bruce will be expected to name a mostly unchanged defensive and midfield line at Brighton, with Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Joe Willock once again protecting Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Lascelles and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

However, the right-back spot could feature a new name after Emil Krafth struggled with closing down opposing players against Aston Villa before the £58k-per-week defender was replaced by the returning Javier Manquillo.

Manquillo had played no role in his side’s previous four games due to an ankle injury sustained against Southampton, but returned to fitness quicker than expected and may now be given his 10th start of the Premier League season.

AND in other news, Newcastle’s hopes of signing a “standout performer” have taken a major blow…

Everton have been hit with a double injury blow ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Sunday afternoon.

What’s the word?

Frank Lampard has taken to his pre-match press conference (via Liverpool World) to deliver an update on two fresh injury issues at Finch Farm, with Donny van de Beek and Andre Gomes now both ruled out of the derby, alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Lampard told the press: “We’ve got a couple of small injuries. Donny van de Beek won’t be fit, he’s got a small injury, in his groin/ pelvic area. Andre Gomes the same. That keeps him out of the weekend.”

Lampard will be gutted

There is no doubt that the Toffees boss will be gutted to lose two players to injury at this stage of this season, especially considering the position they have found themselves in – battling against relegation from the Premier League.

With seven games to go, Everton are only above the relegation zone by one point following Burnley’s victory over Southampton on Thursday, and it will certainly cause a headache for Lampard to lose players at such a delicate time – with both midfielders’ injuries weakening his squad depth in midfield yet again.

Van de Beek had only just returned to fitness a little over a week ago after sustaining a thigh injury, but has not featured since the Wolves defeat in March – with the Man United loanee only making six appearances in total since he joined the club in January.

Meanwhile, Gomes has only played three times since Lampard joined the club, so, although he will be a miss in terms of depth on the bench, it shouldn’t make a huge impact on the starting side unless there are further injuries to the midfield.

Finally, Calvert-Lewin has only made 14 appearances this season and hasn’t scored a single goal since August last year.

Indeed, despite returning from a long term quad injury in January the star striker has failed to refind his goal-scoring form, and could now potentially be sidelined again until the end of the season.

With that being said, all three have made minimal impact on the side as of late so Lampard should have enough quality to continue to pick up points in the league, with the 43-year-old manager undoubtedly be hoping his side can get a much-needed result at Anfield.

AND in other news: Frank can finally axe “out of control” EFC flop by signing “outstanding” £18k-p/w star

We are now 20 days into the transfer window and Jeff Shi is yet to bring any new faces to Wolves.

With the Molineux outfit failing to win eight of their last ten games, it doesn’t bode particularly well that they’ve not tried to strengthen.

What’s the word?

One way Wolves have looked at improving their ranks is by recalling Patrick Cutrone and Morgan Gibbs-White from their respective loan spells at Fiorentina and Swansea.

Cutrone, however, could exit the club again after just a matter of weeks of returning to the fray.

That’s according to journalist Gianluigi Longari on Twitter who claims that Parma have approached the Premier League side in a bid to bring him back to Italy.

They have other targets in mind but if all else fails they will supposedly pursue Cutrone.

Get rid

It was wise of Wolves to bring the striker back to England this month. After all, he wasn’t getting sufficient game time in Florence and Nuno Santo needed another forward with Raul Jimenez injured.

Cutrone hasn’t scored all season but added depth was vitally important for a side in such a big rut. That being said, it was unfathomable that he’d be the only arrival at Molineux this month. Such is their plight that they need to heavily invest in forward areas.

That, however, could be tough for Nuno after he was told to forget about spending a large sum of cash in January.

That being said, if a suitable offer for the Italy international does arrives this month, they must wield the axe on him and get rid once and for all. This might be ruthless given he’s only just returned but it could provide Wolves with the extra cash they need to bring in someone more qualified to play second fiddle to Jimenez.

Cutrone has scored just three goals in 27 appearances for Wolves, a tally that doesn’t even come close to replicating the exploits of Jimenez in recent years.

Since being signed by Fosun, the attacker has bled the owner dry for a sum of £62.9k-per-week. With just a trio of goals to his name in the Old Gold shirt, he hasn’t even come close to being worth the £16m they paid for him in the summer of 2019.

To brutally sum things up, the 23-year-old has cost the club £5.3m for every goal he’s scored during his time in the Midlands.

That simply isn’t good enough and with players like Olivier Giroud and Diego Costa being linked to the club – proven Premier League goalscorers – they need to sacrifice both Cutrone’s talents and his wage.

Providing a bid is received, Wolves need to forget about handing out a second chance and dismiss him from their plans.

AND in other news, Wolves can finally replace Jota by swooping for “ruthless” gem with “explosive pace”…

In the seemingly never-ending saga that is Newcastle United’s potential takeover, Rob Lee, who played during the Entertainers era on Tyneside, has exclusively told Football FanCast that there is too much noise around the deal for his liking.

In the latest twist of events, details of the Premier League requesting an extension to prepare their evidence for both legal cases that Mike Ashley has launched against them emerged, with just one being accepted and that is the one surrounding anti-competition.

Ashley thought he had struck gold when Amanda Staveley’s consortium, backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, agreed to take the club off his hands, only for them to pull the plug at the last minute.

Takeovers happen all the time in football and they are usually passed through quietly without many people knowing, which is the opposite of this potential deal, something Lee doesn’t like as he exclusively told FFC:

“I genuinely don’t know where this is all going but it looks like Ashley is just trying to get the fans to dislike somebody else rather than himself. He’s blaming the Premier League and seemingly everybody else apart from himself and as I’ve said before, there is way too much noise going on.

“These deals usually get done very quietly but we’re still hanging onto the fact that hopefully, something might happen.”

A deal was agreed for PCP Capital Partners to buy Newcastle over 12 months ago but as Steve Bruce heads into what will be his fifth transfer window as manager, Ashley still holds the keys to the club.

Recently, documents suggested that the arbitration case is set to begin in July, which could determine whether or not Ashley can sell the club to PCP Capital Partners or not.

If anything summed up Wolves’ topsy-turvy season, it was their 2-1 win over Brighton last weekend.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were battered by the Seagulls in the first half and had to withstand a relentless barrage of corners. However, after Lewis Dunk was shown a red card and handed his marching orders, Wolves crept back into the game.

Possessing the third-youngest starting XI in the Premier League this season, the Molineux outfit showed plenty of resolve to eventually win 2-1. Adama Traore popped up with the equaliser before Morgan Gibbs-White netted his first-ever top-flight goal.

That said, their assignment against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon could be a lot tougher. As such, will Nuno stick or twist with his youthful XI?

Here’s what we’re predicting…

We are tipping Wolves to show three changes to the team which defeated Brighton a week ago.

The first of those sees Traore come back into the team ahead of Daniel Podence. The speedster appeared from the bench last week but, once he came on, the game completely changed. In completing three dribbles, he quickly became central to Wolves’ victory as he scored and was unfortunate not to claim an assist when Gibbs-White missed from a matter of yards out.

The second change is at right-back, where the more experienced Nelson Semedo starts ahead of Ki-Jana Hoever. Against the might of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, the youngster could struggle.

The final switch comes at centre-back, where £14,000-per-week Max Kilman drops out with Willy Boly returning.

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The 30-year-old been suffering from the after-effects of illness and therefore missed their win over Brighton. However, the Frenchman has been back in training this week and may immediately come back into the XI as a result.

Marcal has fully recovered from his injuries but we anticipate this match to come too soon for the Brazilian.

With that in mind, Rayan Ait-Nouri gets the opportunity to continue his wonderful form. The teenager was a menace at Molineux last weekend, completing three key passes and three dribbles against the Seagulls.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Neto: Wolves must sign “spectacular” £32m beast, has shades of Ronaldo…