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Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, met on Monday and decided against a circuit breaker over the festive period.

Villa shared the Premier League’s statement on their official Twitter channel, with a number of supporters reacting to the update.

Villa have been hit with a rapid rise of virus cases and had to cancel their match against Burnley on Saturday. The club had requested for the game to be called off at 10:30am on Saturday morning, but the fixture wasn’t officially postponed until 12:40pm, with little more than two hours to the scheduled kick-off time.

It was the sixth and final top-flight match to be postponed over the weekend (and the 10th in the space of a week) due to the pandemic, but the Premier League confirmed that it is ‘collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible’.

That means Villa’s Boxing Day meeting with Chelsea is still on at this moment in time despite the outbreak at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many not happy regarding the statement, which one supporter described as a “joke” in the increasingly worrying circumstances.

“Looks like I’ll be ready to go and then end up in the pub again lol, feel sorry for people that travel a far distance for them to call it off last minute, the Premier league are a joke”

Credit: @SamBrogan3

“’The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority…’ Complete lies”

Credit: @Sayers8

“Gonna spread like wildfire. But money must come first”

Credit: @ajsfounded71

“So half a squad for Boxing Day’s game… Isolation is 10 days”

Credit: @VillaCannock

“If that’s case we probs have to field half the team with youth players, guarantee if it was other way around with Chelsea the game would’ve already been postponed”

Credit: @Hellyer7

“Looking after the so called big six again!”

Credit: @austinw1957

In other news: ‘On my knees’ – Many Aston Villa fans erupt as Lange makes ‘bold’ January transfer bid

It’s been quite the bumpy ride for Leeds United in 2021 as they battle out their second successive season in the big time.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side find themselves on the cusp of the relegation zone and with a mounting injury crisis at Elland Road, things could get a lot worse before they get better.

The Whites head to Anfield to face Liverpool on Boxing Day sat in 16th place, with the teams below them holding valuable games in hand.

There have been some real lows, such as the 7-0 thrashing by Man City but some highs, too.

Ahead of the January transfer window and the New Year, we’ve put together a festive quiz to test the most loyal of Leeds supporters.

Can you remember everything that has happened in what has been a whirlwind 2021? Here are 15 questions that only the die-hard fans will be able to answer. Think you can get more than ten right?

We bet you can’t…

Despite a stunning 185-run knock by Michael Bevan, the Rest of the World XI conceded a one-run defeat to mighty Asia XI in a thrilling limited-over match at the flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium Saturday.Southpaw batsman Bevan, who is famed for his top class finishing ability in one-dayer, lifted the match to an exciting position making a 119-run partnership in the eight-wicket stand with Andrew Caddick.The match was dragged to a nerve breaking moment when Rest of the Eleven needed six runs from the last delivery of the innings but they completed their fifty overs making 319 runs for eight wickets in chasing the 320 runs scored by Asia.In the last over of their innings, Rest of the Eleven needed 20 runs which was made almost possible when Bevan hit three consecutive boundaries off Pakistani pacer Abdur Razzaq.Bevan hammered an undefeated 185 runs facing only 132 deliveries that featured 19 boundaries and five huge sixes while Caddick added 23 runs off 32 balls before falling victim of a run out.Bevan was adjudged best batsman of the match and most valuable player and also man of the match.Earlier, Rest of the World Eleven lost their wickets at regular intervals.Zimbabwean hard-hitting batsman Neil Johnson was the first victim scoring only 2 runs off 12 balls at 28 runs while Rest of the Eleven lost another wicket in quick succession when captain Mark Waugh returned to the pavilion making run a ball 28.South African all rounder Jacques Kallis added 27 runs off 31 balls with four hits to the fence before being trapped leg before wicket.Abdur Razzaq and Muralitharan claimed two wickets each while Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas and Anil Kumble took one wicket each.Asia Eleven clinched the trophy winning the clash, first its kind in the 200-year cricket history.Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) arranged the match to round off the ICC Cricket Week being celebrated for the first time to give a further boost to cricketing, already the country’s most favourite game.Indian master batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly guided Asia Eleven to make the challenging total against the Rest of the World Eleven in the day-night battle.Asia Eleven scored a towering 320 for nine wickets in 50 overs riding on a 114-run second wicket partnership between the two Indian maestros after its captain Pakistani ace cricketer Wasim Akram decided to bat first at the jam-packed stadium.Sachin Tendular made a blazing 80 runs off 77 balls belting eleven boundaries while Indian skipper Ganguly, who replaced Saeed Anwar in the squad, scored 67 runs off 66 balls in an innings that featured six fours and three big sixes.Both the batsmen returned to the pavilion offering catches to Franklyn Rose at long-on off English left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell, who was the most expensive bowler in the innings giving away 68 runs in 9 overs.Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar opened the Asian Eleven innings but their association lived for a short time as Sri Lankan captain returned to the pavilion making only 12 runs with the scoreboard reading 49 runs in 7.3 overs.South African speed star Nantie Hayward made the first breakthrough for the Rest of the World Eleven as left-handed dashing batsman Jayasuriya was caught at square-leg by Michael Bevan.Former Indian captain Tendulkar opened his account hitting a boundary against Andrew Caddick in the second ball of the innings in the cover area and the best batsman of the world entertained the huge crowd dominating the opposition fast bowlers.The right-handed opener, who is the top ton-maker in the history of one-day cricket, reached his fifty facing 48 deliveries that included nine hits across the rope.Sachin was dropped at 70 runs when Tufnell failed to grip the return catch and in the very next ball Tufnell also dropped Saurav Ganguly when he was on 41 runs.Saurav gave another chance when he was on 11 runs. Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist failed to hold the ball in his gloves off a Rose delivery.The innings’ three sixes came from Saurav’s willow and on all the occasions Tufnell was the victim. Maharaja hit his first six with style over the mid-wicket and second one over the long-on and last one over the long-off.Pakistani captain Moin Khan, who batted at number seven, played another vital knock of 34 runs off 31 balls that featured six boundaries and he added valuable 23 runs with Anil Kumble, who made an unbeaten 14 runs off 8 balls.

Manchester United will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start under new interim manager Ralf Rangnick when they travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City in the Premier League this evening.

The Red Devils secured an encouraging 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the 63-year-old’s first game in charge before a second-string side held Young Boys to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League in midweek.

Rangnick is expected to make multiple changes once again for the trip to Norfolk, but he could be without a couple of first team players due to injury and illness.

In Friday’s press conference, the German revealed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka picked up a couple of knocks on Wednesday night, while experienced midfielder Nemanja Matic is suffering from a cold.

It remains to be seen if the duo are able to play any part against Norwich, and they could join long-term absentees Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Edinson Cavani on the sidelines.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects United to line up for the intriguing clash with the Canaries…

David de Gea is set to keep his place between the sticks after enjoying a stellar campaign, but Dean Henderson’s promising showing against Young Boys will have piled the pressure back on the 31-year-old.

Ahead of the Spain international is set to be a back four made up on Alex Telles, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Diogo Dalot.

Luke Shaw made a successful return from concussion in midweek, but he is likely to be eased back into action, especially after Telles’ eye-catching performance against Palace last weekend.

The usually dependable duo of Fred and Scott McTominay will once again form the base of the midfield for Rangnick, providing a solid foundation from which the forward players can attack.

The boss will have a big call to make over the composition of his forward line, though. The £76.5m-rated Marcus Rashford is currently enduring a seven-game goal drought and may be dropped to the bench as a result.

In his place, Mason Greenwood may get the opportunity to impress after a wonderful strike in midweek, with Cristiano Ronaldo partnering him up front and Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes lining up out wide.

In other news… Big blow: Man Utd suffer late selection setback ahead of Norwich clash, Rangnick will be gutted

David Warner has been left out of New South Wales’ squad for their opening Sheffield Shield game of the season after Phil Jaques and Usman Khawaja were preferred to face Western Australia from Tuesday. Warner, Australia’s Twenty20 opener, made his first-class debut in the final game of last summer, but appears to have a lengthy wait for a second outing considering the Blues’ batting strength.Jaques returns from a back injury, Brad Haddin is also available following finger surgery and Khawaja is wanting to build on a campaign of 554 runs at 42.61 last season. It is expected the queue for Warner will grow longer when Shane Watson returns from India and slots into the middle order for his new state. The wrist spinner Beau Casson is in line to partner the leggie Steve Smith in the four-day game while Stuart Clark will lead the bowling attack at the SCG.On Sunday New South Wales will welcome back Haddin and Jaques when they take on the Warriors in the FR Cup at North Sydney. Haddin has been out of action since the end of the Ashes series and didn’t feel ready to replace Tim Paine when he broke a finger in India on Wednesday. Jaques is one of four potential openers in the 12-man squad, along with Phillip Hughes, Warner and Simon Katich.Western Australia have recalled the batsman Liam Davis for both the FR Cup game and the Sheffield Shield match. The Warriors have won and lost in the FR Cup and gave up first-innings points to Queensland in their opening Sheffield Shield encounter. On Thursday they named a 13-man squad for the four-day fixture with the legspinner Josh Mangan added to the outfit.New South Wales FR Cup squad Phillip Hughes, Phil Jaques, David Warner, Simon Katich (capt), Dominic Thornely, Brad Haddin (wk), Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Steve O’Keefe, Stuart Clark, Mitch Starc, Burt Cockley.Western Australia FR Cup squad Wes Robinson, Luke Towers, Marcus North (capt), David Bandy, Liam Davis, Theo Doropoulos, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ashley Noffke, Jake Fawcett, Brett Dorey, Michael Hogan, Brad Knowles.New South Wales Shield squad Phillip Hughes, Phil Jaques, Simon Katich (capt), Dominic Thornely, Brad Haddin (wk), Ben Rohrer, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Beau Casson, Stuart Clark, Mitch Starc, Burt Cockley.Western Australia Shield squad Wes Robinson, Luke Towers, Marcus North (capt), David Bandy, Liam Davis, Theo Doropoulos, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ashley Noffke, Steve Magoffin, Josh Mangan, Brett Dorey, Brad Knowles, Michael Hogan.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com clima de descontração, o Botafogo se reapresentou na manhã desta sexta-feira, no Nilton Santos, após a eliminação na Libertadores para o Grêmio. A atividade contou com a participação parcial dos titulares no revés, que logo em seguida foram para a academia.

As ausências foram Rodrigo Lindoso e Rodrigo Pimpão. O volante e o atacante foram preservados. Com desgaste muscular, eles ficaram na academia. o técnico Jair Ventura abriu toda atividade à imprensa e aperfeiçoou a troca de passes.

O Botafogo volta a treinar na manhã deste sábado, mas a atividade, como é o habitual, será fechada à imprensa. Logo em seguida, o Glorioso viaja para Curitiba, onde encara o Coritiba, no próximo domingo, às 16h, pela 25° rodada do Brasileirão. O time está em 7°, com 37 pontos, e empatado com o Cruzeiro.

RelacionadasBotafogoCarli descarta erro de Matheus Fernandes em gol do GrêmioBotafogo22/09/2017BotafogoAlém do G6: Bota quer retorno à Liberta com vaga na fase de gruposBotafogo21/09/2017BotafogoSete razões para a torcida do Botafogo ter orgulho da campanha do time na Copa LibertadoresBotafogo21/09/2017

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos deverá ter time reserva para encarar o Botafogo, no sábado, pelo Brasileirão, no Estádio Nilton Santos. Após o empate com o Barcelona de Guayaquil, o técnico Levir Culpi apontou dois motivos para tal.

O primeiro é a viagem desgastante do Equador para o Rio de Janeiro. A delegação santista deixa Guayaquil na apenas quinta-feira à noite e fará o treino regenerativo no hotel que está hospedado desde segunda-feira. O segundo é a busca pela força máxima diante do Barcelona na próxima quarta-feira, quando decide o duelo pela vaga na semifinal da Libertadores, na Vila Belmiro.

-Apostamos tudo na recuperação física. O elenco do Santos é grande e temos 35 jogadores. Alguns jogadores podem aparecer na foto de campeão porque podem aparecer só no último jogo talvez. Possivelmente teremos modificações contra o Botafogo para ter forças para quarta-feira.Não temos a certeza do Copete (se volta ao time). Para jogar contra o Botafogo é cedo. Com certeza teremos modificações contra o Botafogo. Teremos treinamentos ainda aqui (no Equador). Teremos tempo suficiente para armar um time para jogar de igual para igual contra o Botafogo – explicou o treinador.

Deixaram o Estádio Momumental Isidro Romero Carbo com dores: Lucas Lima, Bruno Henrique, Renato e Victor Ferraz. Os dois primeiros são dúvidas para o jogo da volta.

Dos que enfrentaram o Barcelona, Victor Ferraz, Lucas Veríssimo e Lucas Lima retornam direto para Santos, pois estão suspensos no Brasileirão. Dos que estiveram no Equador, apenas 15 atletas devem ir para o Rio de Janeiro. Outros oito que não foram ao Equador vão da Baixada Santista para a capital carioca.

Estes podem ser: Orinho, Luiz Felipe, Matheus Ribeiro, Léo Cittadini, Vecchio, Yuri e Arthur Gomes.

O provável Santos para jogar no Engenhão tem João Paulo; Daniel Guedes, Luiz Felipe, Noguera e Orinho; Leandro Donizete, Yuri e Jean Mota; Vladimir Hernández; Arthur Gomes e Kayke;

RelacionadasSantosJogadores reclamam de logística do Santos para viajar ao EquadorSantos14/09/2017Libertadores AmstelLucas Lima preocupa Santos para o jogo de volta, mas aguarda examesLibertadores Amstel14/09/2017Libertadores AmstelLevir vê ‘vantagem boa’ e projeta superioridade do Santos na VilaLibertadores Amstel14/09/2017

Everton have suffered a fresh injury blow ahead of their Premier League encounter with Watford at Goodison Park this afternoon after it was revealed that Yerry Mina will be unavailable for selection.

What’s the word?

The Colombia international has been in fine form during the opening weeks of the new season, but Rafa Benitez confirmed that he won’t play any part in today’s encounter after picking up a hamstring problem.

“Always I say that I don’t like to lie, Yerry Mina was playing three games with the national team, coming back he felt his hamstring in training the other day, so he won’t be available,” said the 61-year-old in Friday’s press conference.

Mina is set to join the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on an extensive injury list for the Toffees, and Benitez also provided an update on his star striker’s recent recovery setback, saying: “We have some issues. Dominic has a re-injury. How long he will be out? We need to see. We will not see him for four or five weeks, maybe. I don’t like to put a timeframe on it.”

However, the former Real Madrid boss provided some positive news for Everton supporters, revealing that he’ll be able to call upon the services of Richarlison after a lengthy layoff due to a knee problem.

“Obviously, the match fitness is an issue, but he is happy and available for the visit of Watford,” Benitez confirmed. Benitez will be gutted over Mina

Despite the boost over Richarlison, the news that Mina will be unavailable for the visit of the Hornets will likely leave Benitez feeling gutted. The towering centre-back has started five league games this season and had put in some eye-catching performances prior to the international break.

As per WhoScored, the 27-year-old has averaged a whopping four clearances, 2.8 headers won, 1.5 interceptions and one tackle per league game, highlighting his influence over proceedings. Only two team-mates have made more clearances while just three have a better aerial duels record, illustrating the Colombian’s importance at the back for Everton.

While the likes of Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey are more than capable of filling in while Mina gets back to full fitness, having another key player on the treatment table will be a big concern for Benitez.

In other news… Report drops worrying Everton update over £40.5m-rated gem, fans will be concerned 

While Jeff Shi and Fosun have secured a number of impressive signings for Wolverhampton Wanderers in recent seasons, including the likes of Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore, Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota, the Wolves board have also been wide of the mark with a few additions to the first-team squad.

And, while criticism may come across as slightly harsh considering he is still yet to celebrate his 20th birthday, the fact that Fabio Silva cost the club a whopping £36m last summer, coupled with the 19-year-old’s poor returns so far in a Wolves shirt, means that the deal to sign the centre-forward must be put down as something of a nightmare for Fosun.

£13.5m out of pocket

Firstly, we will look at Silva’s returns on the pitch, as, regardless of the fee paid to secure his signing, the teenager’s performances at Molineux have simply not cut the mustard thus far.

Indeed, over his 32 Premier League appearances during his debut season for Wolves last term, the £37k-per-week striker found the back of the net on just four occasions, registered three assists and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as hitting the target with an average of 0.5 shots and completing a mere 0.3 key passes per game.

These returns saw the Portugal U21 international earn a disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.67, ranking him as the club’s eighth-worst performer in the top flight last time out.

Things have not got much better for Silva in the current campaign, with the player Gary Neville claimed has “no real energy” having failed to score or provide an assist, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of just 6.57 over his four league appearances – although, admittedly, the youngster has not started any of these fixtures.

Perhaps these returns would be slightly more palatable if Silva was a graduate of the Wolves academy, as it is only natural for a younger player – particularly one who has left his motherland – to take time to adjust to what is arguably the most challenging league in world football.

However, unfortunately for Silva, Wolves did shell out a significant amount of money for his services – money which, at present, looks to have been a rather poor investment, especially when considering the striker’s Transfermarkt value is currently sitting at £22.5m – a figure £13.5m less than his initial transfer fee.

As such, while there is still plenty of time for Silva to come good at Molineux, as things currently stand, his signing looks to have been something of a nightmare deal for Fosun.

In other news: Trincao 2.0: Lage could save Wolves millions by unleashing “creative” 18 y/o prodigy

A round-up from the first day in the third round County Championship matches

Cricinfo staff06-May-2009Division OneMark Ramprakash reaches yet another hundred for Surrey at The Oval … and keeps his average against his old side, Middlesex, in three figures•PA Photos

Dale Benkenstein continued his impressive form as he cracked 136 to help Durham fight back from 104 for 5 to close on 318 for 7 against Sussex at Hove. Sussex’s bowlers made the best of testing conditions early on, and 84 for 3 at lunch soon became something more serious for the champions as two wickets fell straight after the resumption. But Liam Plunkett (65*) and Benkenstein, who scored 181 last week against Somerset, added 148 for the seventh wicket, before Benkenstein fell in the closing overs.Worcestershire’s batting woes continued as they were bundled out for 167 by Lancashire at New Road. Glen Chapple took 6 for 34 and Sajid Mahmood claimed 4 for 65 as the home side folded in less than two sessions. The pace pair reduced Worcestershire 36 for 4 with the new ball as Chapple removed both openers – Stephen Moore caught at short leg first ball and Daryl Mitchell lbw – and Mahmood had Vikram Solanki caught down the leg side. Moeen Ali and Steven Davies began a recover as they added 88 for the fifth wicket, but when Ali was caught behind off Chapple the innings folded and the last six wickets fell for 43. Lancashire didn’t find batting much easier as Chris Whelan claimed the top three, but Mark Chilton and Steven Croft steadied the innings with a positive stand of 68 before Croft was trapped lbw by Matt Mason. Chilton reached the close unbeaten on 51 as the visitors moved into a five-run advantage.For a full report of Warwickshire against Yorkshire at Edgbaston click here.For a full report from Nottinghamshire against Somerset at Trent Bridge click here.Division TwoWhile events at Lord’s dominated the headlines, a few miles to the south the lowest of low-key London derbies was taking place, and a Mark Ramprakash hundred gave Surrey the edge against Middlesex as they closed on 290 for 5 at The Oval. Ramprakash rarely fails to perform well against the county he left under a cloud – he averages a tad over 100 against them – and his unbeaten 126 held together Surrey, whose batting so far this summer has been as suspect as Ricky Hatton’s chin. With Usman Afzaal (82) he posted 143 for the third wicket, but late wickets from Tim Murtagh and Alan Richardson ensured Middlesex ended the day on a high.Kent’s finances might be a more parlous state than Ireland’s, but their members briefly forgot their county’s woes as two 19-year-olds bailed their side out against Glamorgan at Canterbury. But for 87 from Sam Northeast and 90 from Wayne Parnell, Kent would have got nowhere near their final total of 282. Northeast, who was only called up when Joe Denly fell ill with a migraine, held together the top of the innings after Kent crashed from 63 for 0 to 84 for 5, and made the most of being dropped off the third ball of the day. One of those to fall in the collapse, Darren Stevens, was later found to have fractured a finger on his left hand after being struck by a lifter from Garnet Kruger and will be out for a month. When Northeast went caught behind, James Tredwell (59) and Parnell added 151 before Parnell’s dismissal – to sharp return catch by Robert Croft, heralded the loss of the last four wickets for no runs in nine deliveries. However, Parnell wasn’t quite finished as he had Gareth Rees caught in the slips, Glamorgan closing on 27 for 1.Wickets tumbled at Bristol where Leicestershire were bowled out for 133 and Gloucestershire limped to 75 for 4 by the close. Former Zimbabwe international Anthony Ireland, only drafted in because of injury, did the bulk of the damage with 6 for 31 as Leicestershire, who were 83 for 0, lost all their wickets for 50 runs after the ball had been changed for going out of shape. Gloucestershire soon found themselves wobbling on 20 for 3 before staging a slight recovery. Alex Wyatt, making his Championship debut, impressed with 2 for 22.Essex also lost their bearings after making a good start against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, slipping from 94 for 0 to 221 all out. Former South Africa seamer Andrew Hall, who came on third change, took 5 for 29 in two spells, triggering the collapse and then polishing off the tail. Northants reached 63 for 1 by the end, losing Niall O’Brien to the last ball of the day when he got a leading edge off Graham Napier to mid-off.