Browsing: Villa

Haaland is currently running away with the Premier League’s Golden Boot with 11 goals and such has been City’s reliance on him that the side’s next highest top scorer does not even play for them.

Unlucky Frenchman Maxime Esteve’s two goals at Etihad Stadium for Burnley puts him next on the list, with Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes and Rayan Cherki contributing one apiece.

Boss Guardiola had asked for his wingers and midfielders to step but they failed to do so and it proved costly with, what could be, a damaging defeat come May.

Haaland did have opportunities against Villa but failed to take them, missing a gilt-edged chance immediately after his side went behind, running through and having a low shot smothered by Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentine goalkeeper plucked out another Haaland header from the air in the second half and when he was beaten just before the end, the offside flag came to his rescue.

Haaland collided heavily with the post in the aftermath, slumping down the tunnel with his head bowed at full-time and Guardiola said he had not spoken to his player, but “hopefully he is fine”.

With 15 goals scored so far and netting 34 in an injury-hit campaign last term, City cannot begin to bear the thought of being without their main man at any point this season.

Villa boss Emery said: “We tried tactically and in individual performance to get duels with him, intelligently, with the power we showed.

“Then we had some help from defensive cover and also the goalkeeper. We needed everything to stop him.”

City’s injury crisis meant Guardiola dipped into the transfer market in January by signing four players, and he brought in another six during the summer, but only keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Reijnders started at Villa.

Attackers Omar Marmoush and Cherki were introduced from the substitutes’ bench in the second half after recovering from injuries and the two now need to step up to ease the burden on Haaland’s shoulders.

City’s next league game comes at home to high-flying Bournemouth next Sunday and Guardiola has a decision to make whether he throws both of them in for that important encounter.

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HALF-TIME – Premier League

Itâ€s half-time across the grounds. Here are the current scores:

• Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City

• Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest

• Wolves 2-2 Burnley

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GOAL! Wolves 2-2 Burnley (Marshall Munetsi, 45+4)

Munetsi equalises for Wolves on the brink of half-time! Bellegarde does well to break into the box with a winding run before crossing to Krejcí, who heads it back and into the path of Munetsi. The midfielder is then able to fire his effort home to level things up!

Martin Dubravka of Burnley looks dejected after failing to make a save as Marshall Munetsi of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates. Photograph: Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 11.01 EDT

Weâ€re into added time in each of the four Premier League games.

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GOAL! Wolves 1-2 Burnley (Jorgen Strand Larsen, 41)

Strand Larsen gets one back for Wolves from the penalty spot, calmly placing his attempt into the bottom-right corner.

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GOAL! Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Eli Junior Kroupi, 40)

Kroupi makes it two for Bournemouth with a brilliant strike into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards out!

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GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace (Eberechi Eze, 39)

It just had to be him! Eze fires Arsenal ahead against his former club!

Rice sends a free kick into the box, which is headed back into the middle by Gabriel. Eze is there to fire the ball into the bottom-right corner on the half-volley!

Eberechi Eze of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal. Photograph: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 10.51 EDT

Current scores:

• Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City

• Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest

• Wolves 0-2 Burnley

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Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace: Arsenal get their first shot away through Trossard, which is saved by Henderson at the post.

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GOAL! Wolves 0-2 Burnley (Zian Flemming, 30)

Flemming gets his second of the game! A deep cross is looped over to the back post to Hartman and played back inside first time to the midfielder, who gets in front of his marker for a tap-in!

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GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Marcus Tavernier, 25)

Tavernier scores straight from a corner! Terrible from the Forest defence and Matz Sels, brilliant from the Bournemouth winger!

Marcus Tavernier of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team’s first goal. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 10.34 EDT

Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace: Mateta sends Muñoz through on goal, who gets his shot away before being flagged offside around 20 seconds too late.

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Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace: Zubimendi loses the ball in midfield once again, this time to Sarr, who runs into the box before his cross is blocked by Gabriel.

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GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City (Matty Cash, 19)

The hosts take the lead against City! A corner is sent along the floor and straight to Cash on the edge of the box, who takes a touch inside before firing his effort into the bottom-right corner!

Aston Villa’s Matty Cash scores their first goal. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/ReutersShare

Updated at 10.24 EDT

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Burnley (Zian Flemming, 14)

What. A. Goal.

Hartman plays a brilliant switch ball over to Flemming just outside the Wolves box. The midfielder takes it perfectly, slotting his first-time shot into the bottom-left corner with ease.

I think even Wolves fans will applaud that one.

Zian Flemming of Burnley scores his team’s first goal whilst under pressure from Ladislav Krejci of Wolves. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 10.28 EDT

Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace: Saliba finds Gyokeres with a fantastic through ball. The striker brings it down with his chest, but his touch takes him too far wide and he is forced to play back.

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Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace: The visitors have a corner and the ball is sent straight into the box. Arsenal scramble to get it away before Rice eventually makes the clearance.

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Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester City: Reijnders goes close for the visitors as he unleashes a strike from just outside the box, but his effort flies over the bar.

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KICK-OFF – Premier League

Weâ€re under way in the four early Premier League games!

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Hearts beat Celtic to go eight points clear

Itâ€s all over at Tynecastle Park! Hearts extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to EIGHT points thanks to a 3-1 win over Celtic! Strikes from Alexandros Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland, along with an own-goal from Dane Murray, was enough to take the victory in Edinburgh.

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Scottish Premiership: Four minutes have been added on as Hearts lead Celtic 3-1 in Edinburgh.

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After a very brief injury scare, Gabriel Magalhães starts for Arsenal. There had been some concern regarding a knock picked up against Atlético Madrid midweek, but the centre-back retains his place in the Gunners†line-up today.

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Mary Waltz has messaged in from the US to say:

“Greetings from California. I consider myself a rational human so I ignore the recent spate of end of the world predictions. But with Hearts running Celtic off the pitch, Sunderland second in the table, who knows…..?â€

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John Brewin

Sean Dyche is in the building. Now, can he last longer than 39 days at Nottingham Forest? Soon, the Vitality Stadiumâ€s rafters will be rocked by his baritone. He has made one change from the Porto game, and heâ€s already won one more game than Ange Postecoglou. A quick turnaround, though those acquainted with his spells at Burnley and Everton will know he is never one for rotation. He comes up against a Bournemouth team still in the top five, who have made one change from last week, Veljko Milosavljevic, just 18, at centre-back Eli Junior Kroupi, 19, will be their centre-forward after his two goals against Crystal Palace last week. The last time Dyche was here, in January with Everton, was his last game in charge of that club. Bournemouth won 1-0, the goal scored by David Brooks, on the bench here.

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Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest team news

Bournemouth starting line-up: Petrovic, Jimenez, Milosavljevic, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Kroupi

Substitutes: Dennis, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Christie, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Adli, Unal

Nottingham Forest starting line-up: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Savona, Douglas Luiz, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus

Substitutes: Victor, Morato, Sangare, Awoniyi, Kalimuendo, Dominguez, Hutchinson, Yates, Cunha

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Wolves v Burnley team news

Wolves starting line-up: Johnstone, Hoever, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Andre, Bellegarde, Munetsi, Arias, R Gomes, Strand Larsen

Substitutes: Wolfe, Tchatchoua, Agbadou, Toti, J Gomes, Lopez, Hwang, Arokodare, Sa

Burnley starting line-up: Dubravka, Walker, Hartman, Esteve, Tuanzebe, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Flemming, Cullen, Larsen, Anthony

Substitutes: Ekdal, Pires, Laurent, Edwards, Broja, Foster, Tchaouna, Mejbri, Weiss

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Aston Villa v Manchester City team news

Aston Villa starting line-up: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Kamara, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins

Substitutes:Bizot, Lindelöf, Maatsen, Mings, Bogarde, Barkley, Guessand, Malen, Sancho

Manchester City starting line-up: Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Savinho, Bobb, Haaland

Substitutes: Trafford, Ake, Marmoush, KovaÄić, Cherki, Doku, Nico, Oâ€Reilly, Lewis

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Scottish Premiership: Shankland converts the penalty, slotting the ball past Schmeichel and into the bottom-left corner! Itâ€s 3-1 to Hearts!

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Scottish Premiership: Hearts have regained the lead against Celtic through Kyziridis…

And now they have a penalty! The hosts could go 3-1 up here.

Alexandros Kyziridis celebrates after putting Hearts back in front. Photograph: Steve Welsh/PAShare

Updated at 09.20 EDT

Arsenal v Crystal Palace team news

Arsenal starting line-up: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres

Substitutes: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Hincapié, Martinelli, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly

Crystal Palace starting line-up: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Pino, Mateta

Substitutes: Benitez, Lerma, Nketiah, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Canvot, Sosa, Devenny

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Scottish Premiership: Hearts took an early lead against Celtic following an own-goal from Dane Murray in the eighth minute. However, it didnâ€t take long for Callum McGregor to level things up.

The second half has just kicked off, with the score locked at 1-1 at Tynecastle Park.

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Preamble

Hello, good afternoon and welcome to another Clockwatch! Weâ€ve got five Premier League fixtures to look forward to this afternoon as leaders Arsenal host Crystal Palace, Manchester City travel to Aston Villa, Wolves take on Burnley and Bournemouth face Nottingham Forest.

Premier League 2pm (GMT) games:
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest
Wolves v Burnley

Finally, a bit later on, Everton host Tottenham at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Also on the agenda is the small matter of El Clásico as Barcelona travel to face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But before we get to all that, let me bring you the latest from Hearts v Celtic in the Scottish Premiership…

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Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv say they will not accept any ticket allocation from Aston Villa should the decision to ban their supporters from next month’s Europa League match be overturned.

Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) – the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches – last week informed Villa no travelling fans would be permitted at the match in the city.

The decision was widely condemned, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy pledging that the government will “find the resources” to allow Maccabi fans to attend earlier on Monday.

But Maccabi Tel Aviv now say supporters will not travel for safety reasons – that “a toxic atmosphere has been created which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt”.

A club statement said, external: “The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount, and from hard lessons learned we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans and our decision should be understood in that context.

“We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.”

“We are deeply saddened Maccabi Tel Aviv have turned down their away fan allocation but we respect their right to do so,” a government spokesperson said.

They added it was “completely unacceptable” that the match has been “weaponised to stoke violence and fear by those who seek to divide us”.

“The government has been working around the clock to defend a basic principle – that football fans should be able to enjoy a game without fear of intimidation or violence.”

On Thursday, West Midlands Police said it had classified the fixture as “high risk” based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including “violent clashes and hate crime offences” between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a match in Amsterdam, in November 2024.

Nandy said ministers were working together to fund any necessary policing operation to allow away fans to attend, and the SAG would review the decision if West Midlands Police changed its risk assessment.

Nandy said the matter was wider than matchday security, adding it came “against the backdrop of rising antisemitism here and across the world, and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two innocent men were killed”.

On Sunday, the Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off, after what police described as “public disorder and violent riots”.

Maccabi say the decision to call that game off was not down to their supporters and thanked the UK government for its efforts.

They said: “We believe that football should be about bringing people together not driving them apart.

“Our fans regularly travel all over Europe without incident and to suggest that the reason our fans cannot be allowed to travel is due to their behaviour is an attempt to distort reality.

“We acknowledge the efforts of the UK government and police to ensure both sets of fans can attend the match safely, and are grateful for the messages of support from across the footballing community.”

Aston Villa previously told their matchday stewards they did not have to work at the Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture, saying they understood some “may have concerns”.

Following Thursday’s announcement by the club about the impending fixture, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move “wrong” and said: “We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.”

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Maccabi Tel Aviv will decline any tickets offered to their fans for the Europa League match at Villa Park, the Israeli club have said.

The local safety advisory group opted last week to block visiting fans from attending the tie against Aston Villa on 6 November after a risk assessment by West Midlands police, a decision that drew criticism from politicians including the prime minister, Keir Starmer.

There have been calls for the decision to be reversed, but a statement on the Maccabi website on Monday evening read: “The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount and, from hard lessons learned, we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans, and our decision should be understood in that context.

“We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.â€

The statement questioned the motives of those seeking to justify the ban.

“We acknowledge the efforts of the UK government and police to ensure both sets of fans can attend the match safely, and are grateful for the messages of support from across the footballing community and society at large,†said the club. “Our first-team squad consists of Muslims, Christian and Jewish players and our fanbase also crosses the ethnic and religious divide. We have also been working tirelessly to stamp out racism within the more extreme elements of our fanbase.

UK government answers urgent questions on Tel Aviv football derby – video

“It is clear that various entrenched groups seek to malign the Maccabi Tel Aviv fanbase, most of whom have no truck with racism or hooliganism of any kind, and are exploiting isolated incidents for their own social and political ends.

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“As a result of the hate-filled falsehoods, a toxic atmosphere has been created, which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt.â€

Earlier on Monday, the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said the decision to bar supporters “chooses exclusion†of Jewish people.

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Half-time reading:

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Half-time: Tottenham 1-1 Aston Villa

Spurs have shaded the half, but a sensational strike from Rogers means the two sides are all square at the break.

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45+3 min: After a wonderful take on the run from Porro, the Spurs right back appeals for a penalty after booting a ball towards his compatriot Torres. Replays show it hit the Villa centre back on the backside. Porro is a very good player, but he does have an irritable temperament.

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45 min: Five minutes added on.

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44 min: Spurs are pushing for a second. Villa seem content to hold onto the 1-1 score until half-time, at least.

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41 min: Tel misses a glorious chance for Tottenham! From a free-kick, Spurs work the ball out to Kudus on the right, who delivers an outrageous ball across the six-yard box with his weaker right foot. Van de Ven canâ€t quite strain to reach the cross, but Tel is there at the back post … he just has to volley a finish into the empty net … but completely miscues the connection!

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38 min: In these rainy conditions, it was a slip from Simons that allowed Rogers to create some space. But the England international expertly took his chance – I would not be surprised to see that on the Goal of the Month shortlist.

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GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Aston Villa (Rogers 37)

As if baited by my previous post, Rogers lets fly from 25 yards, and finds the top corner! It was a scrappy passage of play, but Rogers found a pocket on the edge of Spurs†area and pings an unstoppable shot past Vicario, dipping over the Italian goalkeeper and just underneath the crossbar. Rogers†first goal in 20 games for Villa!

Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa scores his team’s first goal. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 09.49 EDT

34 min: We are over a third of the way through this match, and Villa are yet to trouble Vicario in the Spurs goal.

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32 min: Onana is OK, after some attention from the Villa physios.

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31 min: Onana is left crumpled on the turf after another robust tackle from Paulinha in midfield. This is the Belgianâ€s first Villa starts since August. He wonâ€t want another spell on the sidelines.

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29 min: I have mentioned Spurs†physicality and Malen is really struggling to make his mark against the Tottenham centre-back duo of Danso and Van de Ven. Ollie Watkins, huddled under a puffer jacket on the Villa bench, will be eager to get some minutes later.

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27 min: A raking diagonal pass from Bencancur finds Odobert in plenty of space on the left, and the winger drives inside on his right foot, lashing a bouncing awkward shot at goal, which Villaâ€s Martínez gathers at the second attempt. That was strong, direct play from the home side.

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25 min: Villa are normally a good pressing side, but look very pedestrian in defence today. Spurs are able to advance with the ball up the pitch quite easily, as Porro wins another corner for the home side. The delivery from Kudus is deep towards Odobert at the back post, and even though the Frenchman beats Rogers to the ball, he is unable to control it.

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23 min: Odobert goes down in a heap on the edge of Villaâ€s box, claiming a foul. There is contact from Onana, but nowhere near enough to send somebody tumbling over, and the referee waves play on. Good decision.

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21 min: Yellow card for Van de Ven, who catches Rogers in midfield shortly after being nutmegged. No complaints.

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18 min: Villa are playing a very high line, which is a dangerous thing against the pace of Odobert, Tel and Kudus. Tel is constantly threatening to get in behind, but hasnâ€t quiet timed his run correctly. Yet.

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15 min: Tottenham give the ball away cheaply just outside their own box, and Cash finds a pocket of space, shooting just wide from 20 yards out. That should be a bit of a wake-up call for Spurs.

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14 min: Perhaps this is not a surprising development, given Thomas Frank is the manager, but Iâ€m impressed by how physical Spurs are. The arrival of Paulinha has massively bolstered Tottenhamâ€s midfield, which also includes Bentancur, Sarr and Bergvall. They are all big lads, can run for days.

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12 min: Villa begin to edge into the game with some possession, and force a couple of corners, well defended by Spurs. McGinnâ€s delivery for the latter was particularly poor.

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FOUL THROW ALERT!

10 min: I repeat, FOUL THROW ALERT! Cash creeps up the touchline a little too much for the refereeâ€s liking and Simon Hooper overturns the throw-in from Villa to Spurs! Lots of cheers go up with the home crowd. A rare treat, that.

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GOAL DISALLOWED! Spurs denied a second!

7 min: Van de Ven pumps a ball long from the back, Tel and Kudus combine with the latter firing a shot through the hands of Martínez and into the net! The Villa keeper has his blushes spared by the offside flag, with both Tel and Kudus correctly ruled offside from Van de Venâ€s initial ball.

Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur scores but it is later disallowed. Photograph: Alex Morton/Tottenham Hotspur FC/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 09.23 EDT

GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Aston Villa (Bencancur 5)

Villa clear the initial corner, but Spurs recycle the ball and Kudus, from the left, swings a brilliant ball to Paulinha a the back post. The Portuguese nods the ball back across goal and Bencancur is there to sweep in an easy finish from the penalty spot!

Rodrigo Bentacur of Tottenham Hotspur scores the opening goal. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 09.08 EDT

4 min: Sloppy play from Onana allows Tel to win the ball back inside Villaâ€s penalty box, and the Frenchman wins a corner for Spurs.

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3 min: A brief delay, with the earpiece of referee Simon Hooper coming loose.

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2 min: Sky Sports had suggested that Guessand would be playing as part of a front-two with Malen, but the Ivory Coast international is looks like he is playing on the right, with Malen as a lone striker, supported by Rogers in the No 10 role.

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Peeeeeeeeep!

Weâ€re underway in London!

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The teams are out! Itâ€s raining on north London, so weâ€ll have a slick surface.

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Some breaking news, before Manchester Unitedâ€s trip to Anfield later.

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Villa manager Unai Emery is asked by a Sky Sports reporter if the decision to leave Ollie Watkins on the bench was a tactical one or a fitness one.

I wonâ€t respond to the question, itâ€s something private. But Watkins is getting better.

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Cristian Romero injured in the warm up!

A big blow for Spurs, with their captain Cristian Romero injured in the warm-up. Kevin Danso will replace the Argentinian, and Micky van de Ven will take the armband.

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Thomas Frank, Tottenham manager, is speaking to the cameras:

On Destiny Udogie being left out the squad today:

He came back from international duty with minor irritation in the knee.

Randal Kolo Muani making the bench:

Heâ€s nowhere near ready to start. Iâ€d like him to be ready of course.

On Mo Kudus:

Heâ€s been exceptional since the first day of the season. Heâ€s such a threat, one versus one. His work rate is very good. You need to get goals, and Iâ€m so happy he got one.

On the stat that Frank has never beaten Unai Emery:

Itâ€s about time to change it. Hopefully we do it today. Unai I respect massively. He has worked wonders with Villa. Itâ€s going to be a super tight game. It will be a small goal that decides the game. I hope we can get that moment.

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We wrote extensively on the police ban this week.

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Aston Villa stadium must not be a no-go area for Jews, says Ed Miliband

Some breaking news, as the UKâ€s energy secretary has called for the lifting of a police ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters at the upcoming Europa League fixture.

Birminghamâ€s safety advisory group is meeting next week and is expected to produce proposals about the extra resources West Midlands police would need to allow the match to go ahead safely with away fans.

The force last week barred Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the match because of concerns that officers would not be able to police it safely. They cited “violent clashes and hate crime offences†at a Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam in 2024.

Asked on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News whether Villa Park was a no-go area for Jews, Miliband replied: “No, and it canâ€t be, and Iâ€m very, very clear about that.

“We cannot have a situation where any area is a no-go area for people of a particular religion or from a particular country, and weâ€ve got to stamp out all forms of prejudice, antisemitism, Islamophobia, wherever we find them.â€

Asked about a petition calling for a boycott of Israeli teams in the UK, Miliband said: “I profoundly disagree with that approach, with what is being said in that petition.â€

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Letâ€s unpack those teams a little.

For Spurs, interesting that Odobert is the preferred option on the left wing. Tel gets the nods ahead of Richarlison, with Solanke still out with an injury. Randal Kolo Muani could make his Premier League debut following his loan move from PSG in the summer – the Frenchman has also been sidelined for the past six or seven weeks.

For Villa, Watkins is only fit enough for the bench, but Donyell Malen excelled against Burnley a couple of weeks ago, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win, and the Dutchman leads the line again today. Guessand also gets a start, but otherwise Villa are unchanged and as expected. A penny for the thoughts of Harvey Elliott, he canâ€t get a kick at the moment.

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Team news!

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, Kudus, Simons, Odobert, Tel.
Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Johnson, Sarr, Muani, Byfield.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Kamara, Guessand, Rogers, McGinn, Malen.
Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Barkley, Elliott, Buendia, Watkins, Sancho, Maatsen, Bogarde.

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)

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Preamble

Welcome everyone to the match that absolutely nobody knows as the Alan Hutton Derby!

For all the talk of a poor home record, Tottenham have had a fine start to the season. Yes, he had a full pre-season to bed in his ideas, but Thomas Frank should be given a lot of praise for improving this Spurs team from the get-go. By the end of today, Tottenham could well be second in the table (even if they are still trailing Arsenal).

After a disappointing start to the season, in which Villa failed to win any of their opening six matches (in which they scored just twice), Unai Emeryâ€s side have now won their last four matches in all competitions, and looking much more like their old selves. Fluidity is still something of an issue and there are questions marks over the form and fitness of Ollie Watkins (although Emery did confirm he was fit to feature today), but the return of Tyrone Mings following a two-game absence is a bonus for the Birmingham side, who will be looking to avoid defeat here before the next two league matches against Manchester City (home) and Liverpool (away).

Here is where the teams start today in the Premier League table.

Kick-off: 2pm BST.

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Aston Villa told matchday stewards they would not have to work during the clubâ€s Europa League fixture against the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv, citing possible “concerns†over safety, it has been reported.

West Midlands police decided to ban Maccabi fans from the forthcoming match, after saying the force would not be able to police the fixture safely owing to “violent clashes and hate crime offences†at a previous match in Amsterdam in 2024.

The Home Office has offered extra support to West Midlands police in an effort to reverse its ban. A meeting with Birminghamâ€s safety advisory group (SAG) has been set up for next week.

The BBC reported that Villa had informed stewards they had permission to skip their duties on the day of the fixture, Thursday 6 November, before the decision to ban fans was made by police.

In an email apparently sent on 3 October, stewards were told that “regarding the upcoming fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv … we appreciate that some of you may have concerns about attending workâ€, the broadcaster reported.

Those who were meant to work on the day were told they would “be able to submit a one-off absence requestâ€, and this “will allow you to register your absence for this specific fixtureâ€.

Aston Villa had also made clear that “this type of absence will not affect your contractual minimum attendance of 80%â€.

This email was reportedly sent after a number of stewards allegedly raised concerns over safety on the day, and it is unclear how many stewards will not work on the day of the fixture. A request to not work would have to be submitted four days prior to the matchâ€s scheduled date.

West Midlands police had said on Thursday they had classified Villaâ€s home fixture against Maccabi as “high risk†based on intelligence. The police force also highlighted violence that occurred during a 2024 Uefa Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi in Amsterdam, where more than 60 people were arrested over the violence that was called a “toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger†by authorities.

Four local people were given short jail terms for the violence against Maccabi fans. A report by Dutch police into the disorder during the 2024 Amsterdam match found Maccabi fans had torn a Palestinian flag down from a local building and burned it, shouted: “Fuck you, Palestineâ€, and vandalised a taxi. Maccabi fans were also taped chanting “Olé, olé. Let the IDF win, fuck the Arabs.â€

The ban imposed by West Midlands police came after pressure from the local independent MP, Ayoub Khan. Khan told BBC Twoâ€s Newsnight on Thursday: “We cannot conflate [this issue with] antisemitism when we look at what some of these fans did in Amsterdam in 2024 … Weâ€re talking about violent fans and I think the prime minister should stay out of operational matters.â€

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said on Friday it was notifying Birmingham city council and West Midlands police of its intention to bring a judicial review against the ban of Maccabi fans, which it said was “pernicious†and had “angered the whole countryâ€.

Keir Starmer called the police forceâ€s decision “wrongâ€, saying “we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streetsâ€. Uefa, the governing body of European football, has urged local authorities in Birmingham to allow Maccabi fans to travel to the match.

In a statement on their website, Aston Villa said: “The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision.â€

Aston Villa have been approached for comment.

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The government has said it is “doing everything in our power” to overturn a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a football match in Birmingham and is exploring what additional resources could be required.

On Thursday, Aston Villa said the city’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) decided that fans of the Israeli club should not be permitted to attend the Europa League fixture on 6 November over safety concerns.

Facing mounting pressure to resolve the situation, the government said it was working with police and exploring what additional resources are required.

A meeting of the SAG to discuss the match is expected next week, the Home Office said.

“No one should be stopped from watching a football game simply because of who they are,” a government spokesperson said.

They added the government was working with police and other bodies to ensure the game could “safely go ahead with all fans present”.

After it was announced on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer called the move to block fans attending “wrong”, adding “we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets”. There has also been criticism from other party leaders.

The SAG, which advises the council on whether to issue safety certificates, will review the decision if West Midlands Police changes its risk assessment for the match, Birmingham City Council said.

On Thursday, West Midlands Police said it had classified the fixture as “high risk” based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including “violent clashes and hate crime offences” between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a match in Amsterdam in November 2024.

More than 60 people were arrested over the violence, which city officials described as a “toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger” over the war in Gaza, Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.

The Home Office was briefed that restrictions on visiting fans might be imposed last week, but the BBC understands officials were not informed about the final decision until Thursday.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the revelation left the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, with “serious questions to answer” about why her department did “nothing” to avert the ban.

She said: “This is a weak government that fails to act when required.”

A source close to Mahmood told the BBC that “this is categorically untrue”.

“The first time the home secretary knew that the fans were being banned was last night,” they added.

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Maccabi Tel Aviv fans gathered ahead of last year’s match with Ajax in Amsterdam

The decision has also been criticised by the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, as well as Israeli government officials.

But the Green Party backed the decision, saying it was “irresponsible” for Starmer to question a local authority’s safety decision.

Ayoub Khan, an independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform in last year’s general election, said the decision to ban fans was a “moral question” and not just about public safety.

Speaking on BBC’s Politics Midlands, Khan said the rules applied to “Russian football teams which have been banned from European competitions because of their atrocities in Ukraine” should also “apply with Israeli football teams”.

Khan, who has also raised concerns about safety and public order, said that even if additional resources were provided to West Midlands Police, the fans should not be allowed to attend, citing last year’s violence in Amsterdam.

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli citizen who was held hostage in Gaza and released in January, said she was “shocked to my core with this outrageous decision”.

Ms Damari, who described herself as a “die-hard fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv”, said: “Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite.”

Several sporting events have seen protests over the war in Gaza, including in recent World Cup qualifiers.

Earlier this month, 22 people were arrested near the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo when Israel’s national team played Norway. Reports said tear gas was used after several demonstrators broke through police barriers.

A few days later, Israel’s national team played its next qualifier against Italy in the northern city of Udine, where around 5,000 protesters took part in a march ahead of the game. Clashes with police broke out, with a number of people arrested.

In Spain on Wednesday, a protest over Euroleague’s basketball game between Valencia and Hapoel Tel Aviv saw several people arrested.

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Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv will not be allowed to attend the Europa League match at Aston Villa on 6 November owing to safety concerns.

West Midlands police said it had classified the fixture as “high risk†based on “current intelligence and previous incidents, ­including ­violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 Uefa Europa League match between Ajax and ­Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdamâ€.

The police said it believed the measure would “help mitigate risks to public safety†and that it remained “steadfast in our support of all affected communities, and reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance on hate crime in all its formsâ€.

The move was condemned by the prime minister, Keir Starmer, who said: “This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.

“The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.â€

The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said the decision was a “national disgrace†and urged Starmer to reverse it.

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Villa said the local safety advisory group had instructed the club that “no away fans will be permittedâ€.

“The club are in continuous ­dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision,†Villa said.

There was significant unrest when Maccabi played Ajax on 7 ­November. A report by Dutch police into the ­disorder, which lasted two days, found that Maccabi fans had torn a Palestinian flag down from the facade of a local building and burned it, shouted “Fuck you, Palestine†and vandalised a taxi, among a series of incidents before the fixture. After the match, what were described by Amsterdamâ€s mayor as a series of “hit-and-run†assaults on Maccabi fans, led to five people being taken to hospital and a further 20 to 30 being slightly injured. Sixty-two people were arrested, mainly for ­public order offences.

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saâ€ar, posted on X: “Shameful decision! I call on the UK ­authorities to reverse this coward decision!†The Palestine Solidarity Campaign said the match should be cancelled, writing on X: “Israeli football teams shouldnâ€t play in international tournaments whilst it commits genocide and apartheid.â€

The Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, Ayoub Khan, said: “I welcome the Safety Advisory Groupâ€s decision. With so much hostility and ­uncertainty around the match, it was only right to take drastic measures.â€

Ajax were prevented last month from having fans at a Champions League match in Marseille after the French interior ministry banned “anyone claiming to be an Ajax Amsterdam supporter†from ­travelling between the French border and the southern city. Ajax said they had been informed the decision had been taken “on grounds of public safety and securityâ€.

The same week, the prefecture of Naples prevented the selling of tickets to Eintracht Frankfurt fans hoping to travel to their Champions League match against Napoli.

Uefa said: “In all cases, the competent local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches taking place on their territory, such decisions being determined on the basis of thorough risk assessments, which vary from match to match and take into consideration previous circumstances.â€

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When England line up against Latvia on Tuesday, Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers will expect to be in the starting line-up.

Rogers has been on a hugely impressive upwards tear. After four years at Manchester City, for whom he signed from West Bromwich Albion, the 23-year-old took a while to make his mark.

Man City loaned out the Halesowen-born attacking midfielder to Lincoln City, AFC Bournemouth and Blackpool between 2021 and 2023. Two years ago he was sold to Championship club Middlesbrough without playing a Premier League game.

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Rogers’ progress at Villa lifted expectations

Morgan Rogers on the ball for England (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rogers joined Villa in January 2024 after fewer than 30 Championship appearances for Boro. Unlike many other new Villa signings, the former West Brom youngster was essentially thrown straight into the side.

He hadn’t looked back until August, when question marks over his form – question marks whose origins emerged last season – became one of the dominant features of Villa’s dreadful start to 2025-26.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rogers, who has represented England at every age level within the last decade, barely put a foot right before the September international break.

Adored though he is at Villa Park, a string of substandard displays resulted in heavy criticism. Even in the context of Villa’s awful form, Rogers’ shortcomings stood out.

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By the time he was ironically cheered for completing a pass against Bologna in the Europa League and subsequently cheered through an improved display in the Premier League against Fulham, another narrative was taking hold.

Long before Rogers started to look a little like his old self in a Villa shirt, he’d won plaudits for his contributions for England in September. Some took it as a positive sign, others as a sort of twisted confirmation that he was committed to one more than the other.

Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers flying high last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

After scoring his first senior international goal against Wales on Thursday, it’s fair to say that Rogers’ best two performances of the new season have indeed been for England.

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Modest improvements match after match for Villa have begun to show glimpses of a terrific talent returning but Villa’s approach has been consistent amid the noise.

Manager Unai Emery has started Rogers as a matter of course despite frequent suggestions that he shouldn’t, showing faith in a player whose quality is beyond dispute and attempting to play him into form.

Behind the scenes, it’s understood that Villa are eager to sign the England international to a new deal despite his agreeing an extension within 11 months of joining the club and being committed until the summer of 2030.

Why Villa want to extend Rogers’ contract

Fundamentally, Villa’s admiration for Rogers is rooted in a belief that his recent form, though not without precedent in 2025, is a blip.

He has dominated Champions League matches and made an impact for England, and Villa’s football department aren’t prone to short-term thinking.

Rogers is still seen as one of Villa’s key players – in terms of a combination of on-field ability to financial potential, he is arguably the most important player at the club.

Those financial factors can’t just be shrugged off.

Rogers was linked with possible transfers to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window and the potential fees mentioned would have put Villa on their most stable regulatory footing for years.

He might very well be sold within a year. Villa’s transfer strategy necessarily includes otherwise unwanted player sales and Rogers is where the big bucks can be unlocked in a squad that has a lot of quality but also a ton of miles on the clock.

A new deal before the January transfer window would protect his transfer value from Villa’s perspective, putting the club in a position of strength whether they choose to keep him, sell him willingly or sell him reluctantly next summer.

A pay increase and a release clause could go a long way towards persuading the player to sign the paperwork.

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Emi Buendía and John McGinn struck second-half goals as Aston Villa beat Feyenoord 2-0 in Rotterdam to make it back-to-back Europa League wins.

Villa, who beat Bologna 1-0 in their opening game last week, held their nerve at De Kuip after coming under heavy first-half pressure, with Buendía and then McGinn scoring for Unai Emeryâ€s side.

Back at the venue where they sealed the clubâ€s greatest triumph by beating Bayern Munich to lift the European Cup in 1982, Villa notched their third win in a week to put their dismal start to the season behind them.

Villa were forced into a late change before kick-off, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez withdrawn through a calf injury and replaced by the summer signing Marco Bizot.

Feyenoord, who beat both Bayern and Inter Milan in the Champions League at the intimidating De Kuip last season, created a string of first-half chances.

Bizot denied Anis Hadj-Moussa and Ayase Ueda, who also headed narrowly wide, before Leo Sauerâ€s shot from outside the box then tested the Villa keeper.

The visitors breathed a sigh of relief in the 35th minute – and the Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie was left furious – when Ueda headed the home side into the lead from a corner, but the goal was dubiously ruled out for an apparent foul on Matty Cash.

Emeryâ€s side weathered the storm and Buendía struck the opening goal in the 61st minute, curling home into the bottom corner after being teed up by Boubacar Kamara on the edge of the area.

Villa dictated the tempo thereafter and put the game to bed when McGinn steered home his third goal in as many matches, picking his spot when the ball broke to him in the area following substitute Donyell Malenâ€s storming run.

Bizot was on hand again with crucial saves to deny Ueda and Cyle Larin in the closing stages, preventing the Dutch from mounting a grandstand finish.

Rangers showed fighting spirit against Sturm Graz, but first-half defensive lapses resulted in a second Europa League defeat in eight days to keep under-fire manager Russell Martin on the back foot.

The Light Blues lost 1-0 to the Belgian side Genk in their opening league phase game at Ibrox last Thursday night and went down 2-1 at the Merkur Arena.

The Slovenia striker Tomi Horvat scored after just seven minutes and, after the Rangers forward Youssef Chermiti hit the woodwork, the Georgia midfielder Otar Kiteishvili drove in a second in the 35th minute.

However, winger Djeidi Gassama made it 2-1 four minutes after the break with a terrific strike and offered hope for Rangers, but the comeback could not be completed and, after just five wins in 16 games, the pressure remains firmly on Martin.

Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal controversially disallowed in Celticâ€s defeat by Braga. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Kelechi Iheanacho was on the wrong end of a hugely controversial handball decision before Braga wrapped up a 2-0 Europa League win at Celtic.

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Iheanacho appeared to have brought the hosts level in the 51st minute after Kasper Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with Ricardo Hortaâ€s long-range strike in the first half. But the German referee, Tobias Stieler, disallowed the goal and the video assistant Christian Dingert stuck with the decision, despite no handball being evident on television replays.

Iheanacho capitalised on a loose pass from a free-kick to charge down a scrambled clearance from the former Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke before slotting home. The ball appeared to hit the strikerâ€s face but Dingert stuck with the decision after more than two minutes of studying the footage.

Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti were denied by good goalkeeping as Celtic chased an equaliser in an open second half. Brendan Rodgersâ€s side were left with one point from their opening two matches after Gabri Martínez netted on the rebound five minutes from time.

There were clear signs Schmeichel was having an off night as the goalkeeper conceded possession several times before being beaten from 35 yards in the 20th minute.

Horta was not closed down quickly enough by Paulo Bernardo and his shot swerved and dipped. But it was not particularly powerful or in the corner and Schmeichel appeared to be caught off guard before clawing the ball into the roof of the net.

Celtic were soon back under pressure and Martínez netted from close range after Schmeichel and Scales had blocked efforts.

The Lille goalkeeper, Berke Özer, saved three penalties, included two retaken, in the win against Roma. Photograph: Andrew Medichini/AP

The Lille keeper Berke Özer saved three consecutive penalties late on as they battled to a 1-0 victory at Roma in the Europa League thanks to Hákon Arnar Haraldssonâ€s early strike.

In the first competitive meeting between the sides, Arnar Haraldsson capitalised on an early Roma error to fire the visitors ahead after six minutes. Roma were handed a golden chance to equalise in the last few minutes after a handball from Aïssa Mandi, but Artem Dovbykâ€s penalty was saved by Özer.

Drama followed as the Lille keeper was adjudged to have moved off his line, only for Dovbykâ€s second attempt to be stopped as well, but with Özer again stepping forward too early. A third effort was then entrusted to Matías Soulé, yet incredibly, Özer denied him as well and this time the save stood, sealing Lilleâ€s win.

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