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India’s vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has suffered an injury to his left rib cage during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney. The BCCI said he “has been taken to hospital for further evaluation and assessment.”The injury occurred during the 34th over of Australia’s innings at the SCG, as Iyer completed an outstanding catch to dismiss Alex Carey off Harshit Rana. Carey had attempted to slap the ball down the ground but got a top edge that sent the ball high between backward point and deep third.Iyer tracked the ball from backward point, running at full tilt and diving as the ball dropped over his head, but hit the ground hard while holding the catch. He immediately clutched his side in pain, had to be attended to by the physiotherapist, and went off the field before the next ball was bowled.Iyer did not return to the field for the remainder of the innings as Australia were dismissed for 236 in 46.4 overs. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adding an unbroken 168-run partnership for the second wicket, Iyer was not required to bat in the chase as India sealed a nine-wicket victory in the 39th over. Australia won the series 2-1.

يواجه فريق الكرة الأول بنادي بيراميدز نظيره ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري في الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا. 

وكان بيراميدز قد صعد إلى دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، عقب تخطيه التأمين الإثيوبي في دور الـ32.

ويقع بيراميدز في المجموعة الأولى من دوري أبطال إفريقيا رفقة فرق باور دينامو ونهضة بركان وريفرز يونايتد. 

طالع.. قائمة بيراميدز لمباراة ريفرز النيجيري في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

جدير بالذكر أن بيراميدز هو حامل لقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا النسخة الماضية على حساب صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي للمرة الأولى في تاريخه.  موعد مباراة بيراميدز وريفرز يونايتد اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا 

وستنطلق مباراة بيراميدز أمام ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري، في تمام الساعة التاسعة من مساء اليوم السبت بتوقيت القاهرة، العاشرة مساء بتوقيت السعودية، على ملعب “الدفاع الجوي”. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز وريفرز يونايتد اليوم 

تذاع مباراة بيراميدز وريفرز يونايتد النيجيري على شبكة قنوات “بي إن سبورتس”، بالإضافة إلى قناة “أون تايم سبورت” على التردد الأرضي.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا 

Derbyshire four-down at the close with an uphill battle awaiting them

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay31-Jul-2025

Derbyshire 377 (Andersson 105, Chahal 6-118) and 52 for 4 trail Northamptonshire 550 for 9 dec (Broad 171, Keogh 125*) by 121 runsAllrounder Justin Broad hit a brilliant 171, his second score in excess of 150 this month amid a Northamptonshire run-fest against Derbyshire at Wantage Road as the hosts racked up a mammoth 550 for nine declared.Returning from a wrist injury, Broad struck 18 fours and a six, following his maiden first-class ton, 157 not out at Canterbury at the beginning of July. On a day of records, his 171 was the highest score ever made by a number seven from any team against Derbyshire.With Rob Keogh also striking an excellent unbeaten 125, the pair put on 208, the highest seventh-wicket partnership for Northamptonshire against Derbyshire as the visitors’ attack wilted in the afternoon sunshine.Luis Reece was the pick of Derbyshire’s bowlers, finishing with figures of three for 114.Northamptonshire declared 173 ahead and reduced Derbyshire to 52 for four at stumps, Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal picking up two wickets in two balls. It leaves the visitors with a mountain to climb on a pitch offering turn and bounce, still trailing by 121 at the end of day three of this Rothesay County Championship fixture.Earlier, resuming on 265 for five, Broad and George Bartlett extended their sixth-wicket partnership to 127, also the highest for Northamptonshire against Derbyshire. But after posting 66, his highest score this season, Bartlett was trapped lbw by a Ben Aitchison delivery which nipped back and kept low.Broad and Keogh though looked relatively untroubled by a lacklustre Derbyshire bowling display throughout the morning as they focused on building a partnership and taking a first innings lead, picking up a handful of boundaries along the way. Broad, 64 overnight, deployed the pull against Zak Chappell and on drove handsomely, while Keogh swept and reverse swept against Joe Hawkins’ spin.Broad lunched nervously on 99, but despite flashing outside off stump against Martin Andersson after the break, he took a single off Hawkins to celebrate his first century at home.With the scoring rate accelerating, Keogh drove Andersson sweetly through midwicket to reach his second successive half-century off 112 balls and crunched Andersson through extra cover to bring up the 100 partnership and put Northamptonshire ahead. Broad then punched Blair Tickner down the ground for another boundary.Derbyshire plugged away, trying several short-term experiments to try to force a breakthrough. Andersson bowled consistently wide outside off-stump to Broad, while Aitchison reverted to bowling spin. Then for Chappell, three fielders were stationed in the area between mid-on and short midwicket.But Northamptonshire’s batters continued unabated, Keogh cutting Tickner to backward point to bring up the 150-partnership before passing the previous highest seventh-wicket stand (163) by Josh Cobb and David Willey at Derby in 2015.Frequent Northamptonshire milestones continued to keep the public address announcer busy, Keogh turning Andersson away for two to bring up his century, Broad taking a single next ball off Hawkins to reach his 150.In a scrappy passage of play before tea, Derbyshire’s tired fielders shelled three catches, but picked up one vital wicket in between. First, Keogh, on 101, swept Hawkins firmly to short midwicket where Madsen put down a straightforward chance. Then after Broad smashed Reece through extra cover, Caleb Jewell dropped one at backward point off an attempted reverse sweep.Undeterred, Broad and Keogh celebrated their 200 partnership, Broad swinging Reece for six into the sightscreen as Northamptonshire accelerated further. Broad’s 273-ball knock finally ended though when he hit Reece down the ground again but was caught just inside the ropes.George Scrimshaw won an immediate reprieve when Aitchinson failed to hold a one-handed grab at first slip off Reece. But his intentions were evident as he quickly went on the offensive against Hawkins.Tickner struck after tea castling Scrimshaw with a full and straight delivery, but Keogh found good support from Liam Guthrie (22), Northamptonshire declaring when Hawkins had the Australian caught hitting down the ground.Derbyshire’s reply started ominously when Jewell flashed outside off, Ricardo Vasconcelos snatching the ball at first slip.Promoted to opener Zak Chappell made 22 before Chahal’s double strike. First Chappell reverse swept straight to backward point, then Harry Came was lbw playing back to a slider. Finally skipper Wayne Madsen edged Keogh to Broad at first slip to further compound Derbyshire’s woes.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Brasil empatou em 1 a 1 com a Venezuela, nesta quinta-feira (12), na Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá-MT, pela terceira rodada das Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2026. Depois de abrir o placar com Gabriel Magalhães, os brasileiros sofreram um golaço de bicicleta de Bello, no fim do jogo.

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Com o resultado, a Seleção cai para a segunda posição das Eliminatórias com sete pontos, dois a menos do que a Argentina. Já os venezuelanos ocupam o sexto lugar, com quatro pontos.

+ Você quer trabalhar no seu clube do coração? Matricule-se no curso Gestor de Futebol e entenda como!

CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM O DUELO

> CANETA E PANCADA! O jogo começou com algumas jogadas plásticas do ataque do Brasil, principalmente com Neymar, que deu uma caneta em Herrera e iniciou o embate individual com o venezuelano e seu parceiro Rincón. Aí foi drible de um lado e pancada do outro.

> ABRE O JOGO, DINIZ! Em boa parte do primeiro tempo, Diniz concentrou o jogo no lado esquerdo do ataque com Vini Jr, Rodrygo, Neymar e Arana. Mas o lado direito ficou sem nada, e o jogo pelo meio estava manjado pela Venezuela. Resultado? Ida ao intervalo com 0 a 0 no placar.

> GOL, UFA! Apesar de muitos passes, muitos dribles e muitas tabelas, a abertura do placar para o Brasil saiu em uma cobrança de escanteio. Neymar cobrou para o meio da área e Gabriel Magalhães desviou forte para fazer 1 a 0.

> DE BICICLETA! Quando não mais parecia que a Venezuela iria assustar, Savarino encontrou um cruzamento para Bello, que armou uma bicicleta e acertou o cantinho de Ederson, que nem teve chance de pular. Empate venezuelano.

> BRASIL PEDIU! Depois de inúmeras chances perdidas durante todo o jogo, a Seleção deu margem para levar o merecido empate.

PRIMEIRO TEMPO

Como era esperado, o Brasil dominou a posse de bola na primeira etapa, mas não conseguiu concretizar o volume de jogo em bolas na rede. Concentrada muito do lado esquerdo do ataque, a Seleção até teve um início promissor, mas depois esbarrou na forte marcação venezuelana na entrada da área. E se engana quem pensa que o adversário apenas se defendeu. Com contra-ataques cedidos pelos brasileiros, a Venezuela chegou com perigo algumas vezes, mas também não conseguiu mexer no placar, que foi para o intervalo em 0 a 0.

SEGUNDO TEMPO

O Brasil “achou” o gol na segunda etapa, mas seguia com os mesmos problemas do primeiro tempo. Tanto é que balançou a rede com Gabriel Magalhães, de cabeça, após cobrança de escanteio de Neymar. Dali em diante, porém, uma enorme desorganização, falta de marcação e falta de intensidade brasileira colocaram a Venezuela no jogo, dando campo e chances para empatar. Em uma jogada de Savarino, bola lançada na área e Bello, de bicicleta, anotou o um golaço para igualar o placar merecidamente.

O QUE VEM POR AÍ

Na terça-feira (17), o Brasil enfrenta o Uruguai, em Montevidéu, às 21h (de Brasília), pela quarta rodada das Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2026. Já a Venezuela recebe o Chile, também na terça (17), às 18h (de Brasília).

FICHA TÉCNICA
BRASIL 1 x 1 VENEZUELA
Local: Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá (MT)
Data e hora: 12/10/2023, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Assistentes: Eduardo Cardozo (PER) e Milciades Saldivar (PER)
VAR: Carlos Orbe (EQU)
Público e renda: 40.020 torcedores/R$ 12.745.969,80
Cartões amarelos: André e Richarlison (BRA) Rincón e Herrera (VEN)
Cartões vermelhos: Fulano, aos 0’/0ºT (BRA) (VEN)
Gols: Gabriel Magalhães (5’/2ºT) (1-0), Bello (39’/2ºT) (1-1)

BRASIL: Ederson; Danilo (Yan Couto, aos 41’/1ºT), Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães e Guilherme Arana; Casemiro (André, aos 33’/2ºT), Bruno Guimarães (Gerson, aos 33’/2ºT) e Neymar; Rodrygo, Vini Jr (Matheus Cunha, aos 33’/2ºT) e Richarlison (Gabriel Jesus, aos 13’/2ºT). Técnico: Fernando Diniz.

VENEZUELA: Romo; González, Osorio, Ángel e Makoun; Herrera (Cásseres, no intervalo), Rincón (Junior Moreno, aos 21’/2ºT), Sosa (Bello, aos 33’/2ºT) e Machís (Soteldo, aos 13’/2ºT); Córdova (Savarino, no intervalo) e Rondón. Técnico: Fernando Batista.

MatériaMais Notícias

Os resultados da 30ª rodada na noite de sexta-feira (29) não mexeram nas colocações da tabela de classificação da Série B, mas interferiram diretamente na briga pelo título e na luta contra o rebaixamento. Isso porque a diferença entre o líder Vitória, que venceu a Tombense pelo placar mínimo, para o Sport, segundo colocado, aumentou para quatro pontos. O Leão empatou em 2 a 2 com Avaí, na Ressacada.

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AVAÍ X SPORT

Os Leões promoveram uma partida eletrizante na noite desta quita-feira (29) na Ressacada, em Santa Catarina, e com gol em tempo recorde: 26,6 segundos. Menos de cinco minutos depois, aos 4′, Peglow colocou o Sport de novo no jogo ao deixar tudo igual no placar. As equipes não diminuíram a intensidade na busca pela vitória e o duelo permaneceu aberto até os 36′ do primeiro tempo, quando o time da casa contou com a infelicidade de Rafael Thyere em desviar contra a própria meta para colocar o Avaí novamente em vantagem.

Os times não conseguiram manter o dinamismo na segunda etapa, mas ainda protagonizaram uma partida interessante de se acompanhar. O Avaí perdeu Filipinho, expulso aos 48 minutos, e o Sport empatou na sequência, aos 50′, no oportunismo do atacante Fabrício Daniel. Com o resultado, as equipes se mantiveram em suas colocações: o Rubro-Negro é o vice-líder, com 54 pontos, e o Leão da Ilha permanece em 16º lugar.

+ Veja tabela e próximos jogos da Série B

VITÓRIA X TOMBENSE

Assim como ocorreu no primeiro jogo da noite, a diferença entre o líder e o 18º colocado ficou apenas na tabela de classificação. O que se viu em campo foram times bem equiparados – principalmente na etapa inicial – e um confronto aberto, interessante de se acompanhar. O placar só foi inaugurado aos 10 minutos do segundo tempo quando Matheuzinho partiu do meio-campo, fez uma linda jogada individual passando pelos marcadores do Tombense e finalizou no cantinho do gol de Felipe Garcia.

Líder do Brasileirão Série B, com 58 pontos, o Vitória foi recepcionado por um ‘corredor de fogo’ na chegada ao Barradão, em Salvador, na noite desta sexta-feira (29). A festa rubro-negra também tomou conta das arquibancadas durante o jogo. Já a situação da Tombense no torneio é delicada. A equipe permaneceu na 18ª colocação, com apenas 26 pontos somados – 5 a menos em relação ao Avaí, primeiro time fora do Z-4.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que Pet, Dante e outros craques da bola participaram também. Cupom: LANCE400

O sábado (29) será de mais emoção na Série B com quatro jogos programados. Juventude e Criciúma abrem o dia às 15h30, no Alfredo Jaconi. Depois, às 17h, rodada dupla: Guaraní x Novorizontino e Ituano x Botafogo-SP. O duelo entre ABC x Ponte Preta fecha a data, no Frasqueirão, às 18h.

After a summer of perhaps foolish optimism, any such positives have been hard to find for Manchester United in the early weeks of 2025/26, amid what has been the club’s worst start to a Premier League season since the inaugural campaign in 1992.

One notable ray of light has been the displays of summer signing, Bryan Mbeumo, however, with the Cameroonian – signed from Brentford on an initial £65m deal – having scored twice in five games, while denied a third by the sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma last time out.

There is evidence to suggest that the Red Devils shouldn’t get too carried away by such a promising start. Indeed, £86m flop Antony scored in his first three league outings for the club. Dan James, meanwhile, netted three times in just his first four top-flight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

That said, the silk and speed of Mbeumo is difficult not to be heartened by, with both he and fellow new arrival Matheus Cunha seemingly relishing their new status in Manchester, rather than being burdened by it.

The question remains as to whether Mbeumo and co now have the right manager to get the best out of them, with talk rife over the future of Ruben Amorim.

When previous post-Fergie managers were sacked

There are mixed reports over whether Amorim is actually under real pressure or not, with recent claims suggesting that he retains the backing of the board. Other reports, however, have claimed that he could have just three games left to save himself, with Chelsea, Sunderland and Brentford to come before the next international break.

Should a change occur by the time that October hiatus comes around, it would make the Portuguese coach the manager to have been sacked the quickest into a new season in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, even ahead of his predecessor Erik ten Hag.

In the case of the Dutchman, a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United – which included a glaring Diogo Dalot miss and a controversial late penalty for the Hammers – spelt the end for his turbulent Old Trafford reign, with the ex-Ajax boss relieved of his duties on 28 October.

The permanent manager that Ten Hag had replaced – Solskjaer – was given his marching orders on 21 November 2021, with a 4-1 defeat away to Watford sparking what appeared an inevitable exit, in the wake of prior defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Norwegian had himself been parachuted in mid-season three years earlier, with Jose Mourinho dismissed in December 2018, a 3-1 defeat away to Liverpool proving the final nail in the coffin.

As for Louis van Gaal, the enigmatic veteran did at least see out the season before his 2016 dismissal, albeit with news of his departure unfortunately filtering through as he celebrated his FA Cup triumph on the Wembley turf.

David Moyes – the man to endure the briefest permanent tenure to date – lasted just ten months into his six-year deal, prior to being given the boot in April 2014.

Erik ten Hag

28 Oct 2024

West Ham 3-1 Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

21 Nov 2021

Watford 4-1 Man Utd

Jose Mourinho

18 Dec 2018

Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd

Louis van Gaal

23 May 2016

Man Utd 2-1 Palace

David Moyes

22 April 2014

Everton 2-0 Man Utd

Amorim could well be the next victim of such ruthlessness, with a potential replacement already being lined up…

Why Andoni Iraola could be a perfect Amorim replacement

According to reports relayed by Caught Offside, among the leading candidates to replace the former Sporting CP man in Manchester is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, with tension in the Old Trafford boardroom said to have reached “boiling point”.

The report claims that there is a potential plan in place to carry out an “international reset” in the next break, should results not drastically improve, with Iraola among the top targets being lined up amid his fine work on the south coast. This comes amid reports that Sir Gareth Southgate may also be in the mix.

In an era of managerial excuses and complaints, the Spaniard has set himself apart by simply cracking on with things at the Vitality Stadium, be it despite a raft of injuries last term, or numerous key exits this summer.

Indeed, the Basque-born tactician has thus far guided the Cherries to fourth in the table in 2025/26, despite having lost four members of last season’s back five, including Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi.

The only defeat thus far came on the opening night away at Anfield, although with the expensively assembled hosts needing two late goals to see off their spirited visitors and the lively Antoine Semenyo in that 4-2 thriller.

Iraola – who has overseen respectable 12th and ninth-place finishes in the Premier League – has been particularly key in taking that man Semenyo to a whole new level, registering 36 goals and assists in 83 games under Gary O’Neil’s successor, as per Transfermarkt.

That includes three goals and two assists already this season, with the Ghanaian thriving as part of a relentless and dynamic front line. Such an approach appears tailor-made to get the best out of Mbeumo, with the pair deemed to be statistically and stylistically similar players among those in their position in Europe, as per FBref.

Like Semenyo, the United man is an adept goalscorer and creator, while mirroring his Bournemouth counterpart in being able to operate off the right flank or centrally.

That ability was evident last term, with Mbeumo racking up 27 goals and assists in the league, while creating 17 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.8 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Semenyo, for context, registered 17 goals and assists of his own, while creating 11 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.2 key passes under Iraola’s watch.

For the ex-Bristol City man to have flourished with the in-demand coach at the helm, just imagine the heights that Mbeumo could reach in such a front-foot, aggressive attacking set-up.

He is an “incredible” manager, as lauded by Pep Guardiola, with it likely to be intriguing to see if the 43-year-old could translate such success at United.

He’s young, Premier League proven and with a knack for getting results despite the circumstances and chaos surrounding him – sounds perfect, right?

Time running out: 5 ways that Ruben Amorim can save his job at Man Utd

INEOS are running out of patience.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 17, 2025

With time running out at Ibrox for Russell Martin, Glasgow Rangers are now reportedly targeting a move to hire a former La Liga coach who they previously had contact with.

Managers that could replace Martin at Rangers

He’s had just five games in the Scottish Premiership, but Ibrox has already seen enough of Martin. Boos echoed around Ibrox when he emerged from the dressing room for the second-half last weekend and those boos only increased when Rangers were condemned to their first home defeat against Hearts since 2014.

With the writing on the wall for the former Southampton boss, the focus has instantly turned towards the candidates that could arrive to replace Martin in Scotland.

On that front, one name already mentioned has been Steven Gerrard. The last manager to win the Scottish Premiership with the Gers, having dethroned Celtic in 2020/21, Gerrard certainly knows what it takes to bring success to Rangers. Whether fans are ready to forgive him for moving to Aston Villa midway through the 2021/22 campaign is another question, however.

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ByDan Emery Sep 18, 2025

Meanwhile, a move for Jose Mourinho can now be ruled out. The former Chelsea boss has moved back to Portugal to become the new Benfica manager. It goes without saying, though, that affording his wages would have been a tough task for Rangers.

So the question as to just who could replace Martin remains unanswered. With Mourinho ruled out and Gerrard perhaps a choice that will split opinion, the Gers could turn their focus towards a former La Liga coach.

Rangers eyeing summer target Davide Ancelotti

As reported by The Daily Record, Rangers are once again eyeing a move for Davide Ancelotti to replace Martin. The former Real Madrid assistant coach has found himself back on the Gers’ radar after hitting a difficult spell at Botafogo, which could yet end in his dismissal. If that does prove to be the case, then he could be available just in time for Rangers to swoop in.

Ancelotti should be someone that the 49ers are already very familiar with. It was reportedly between the Spaniard and Martin for the job in the summer, with contact made with both, before the Gers ultimately made a choice that they’ve come to regret.

That said, hiring Ancelotti would also come with its risks. In his first managerial job, Carlo Ancelotti’s son has ultimately struggled after initially getting off to a solid start. Questions would rightly be asked if Rangers hired a manager who has won two of his last eight games at his current club.

Whether it’s Gerrard, Ancelotti or another option, Rangers’ next potential manager cannot afford to get off to a poor start. Those at Ibrox already sit 10th and in an increasingly concerning position.

Will Aston Villa be busy in the final few days of the transfer window?

So far this summer, due to constraints relating to the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules, the Villans have made just one noteworthy signing, with Evann Guessand arriving from Nice for £26m.

However, following the sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £39m, plus £4m in potential add-ons, there is optimism this will allow the Claret and Blue Army to spend before the transfer window slams shut.

So, could Aston Villa make a move to sign an “explosive” attacking midfielder from within the Premier League?

Aston Villa's search for an attacking midfielder

After arriving in January, Marco Asensio made quite the impression at Villa Park, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances, three of which came in the Champions League, averaging a goal every 139 minutes.

Unai Emery would reportedly love to be reunited with his compatriot on a more permanent basis, with claims made that an agreement on personal terms has already been reached. While it is yet to be seen if a similar agreement can be struck with PSG, he is completely out of Luis Enrique’s plans.

Regardless of what occurs on that front, is there another target emerging who may prove to be an even better signing?

Well, according to Brazilian outlet Globo, Aston Villa have made contact with West Ham United over the possibility of signing Lucas Paquetá, with the Midlands side said to be planning a move for the playmaker.

They add that Tottenham and Everton are also interested, with the Hammers valuing their creator in chief at £50m.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Talks remain ‘ongoing’, and Aston Villa currently lead the race to sign him, so could Paquetá swap one claret and blue club for another?

Why Lucas Paquetá should excite Aston Villa supporters

Last month, Paquetá was cleared by the Football Association of all charges related to alleged spot-fixing allegations.

If found guilty, the Brazilian would likely have received a lifetime ban, and this prospect had been hanging over him for two years, scuppering his proposed £80m move to Manchester City back in the summer of 2023.

Having now had his name cleared, it is widely expected that Paquetá would push for a move away from the sinking ship that is West Ham this month, so could a move to the Midlands be on the cards?

Speaking on Sky Sports following a 1-1 draw between Aston Villa and West Ham in January, Jamie Redknapp labelled the Brazilian “explosive”, asserting that he possesses an immense amount of talent.

Redknapp adds that Paquetá has lacked consistency recently, with many putting this down to the looming allegations, and the table below documents his dip in form.

As the table documents, Paquetá endured a miserable campaign last time round, as did West Ham as a team to be fair, having accumulated 27 goals and assists across the previous two campaigns.

Also, now an innocent man, he’s started this season excellently, scoring two goals in three games, on target against Wolves in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, having scored this absolute rocket against Chelsea last Friday.

So why would he be a better signing than Asensio?

Well, prior to joining Aston Villa, the Spanish international had scored just seven goals and registered 11 assists in 47 appearances for PSG, this spread across 18 months.

Asensio has not been a consistent, high-level contributor since his Real Madrid days, scoring 12 goals in all competitions in 2022/23, suggesting he might just be a fading force.

Paquetá, on the other hand, could be an elite-level player at Villa, having continued to show his quality in an otherwise dismal West Ham side, so the Villans should go all in on the Brazilian, while confining Asensio’s career in the Midlands to history.

Emery's own Grealish: Aston Villa agree terms for "magical" late signing

Aston Villa are ready to welcome one or two late signings to their squad as the transfer window draws to a close.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 29, 2025

Julian Alvarez silenced talk of a rift with Diego Simeone in the best way possible, by firing a stunning hat-trick that sealed Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano. After the match, the Argentine forward addressed the lip-reading controversy from the Mallorca game, insisting his frustration was misinterpreted and that his bond with Simeone remains intact.

Julian Alvarez's lip-reading controversy

Alvarez’s explosive display against Rayo Vallecano came just days after controversy swirled around him. In the Mallorca game, cameras caught him visibly frustrated after being substituted, and social media lip readers claimed he muttered criticisms at Simeone, sparking rumours of a fallout. With speculation rising over tensions in the Atleti camp, all eyes were on how the Argentine striker would respond on the pitch and off it. The speculations caught more traction after his six-match goal drought and the club's inconsistent display in this year's campaign.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAlvarez clears the air around the lip reading incident

After his hat-trick heroics, Alvarez directly addressed the controversy in a post-match interview.

"The words they said… The lip-reading they did had nothing to do with what I'd said. I swore and he was angry with me, to be honest," he said. "This always happens with social media, but it's all good. Let's keep improving so we don't drop points along the way."

He admitted frustration at being subbed but stressed it was aimed at himself, not Simeone, dismissing the online storm as a misunderstanding blown out of proportion.

Alvarez's on his hat-trick heroics

If his words weren’t enough, the Argentine let his football do the talking. He netted a superb hat-trick to drag Atletico past Rayo Vallecano, with his third goal – a composed left-footed finish in the dying minutes – sealing three points for the capital club. Asked to pick his favourite, he said: "The third was very nice, it was a left-footed one, and it was right at the end to turn the game around. I'll stick with the third."

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AFPDiego Simeone backs Alvarez ahead of derby clash

For Simeone, there’s no doubt about Alvarez’s importance. “Julian is the best player we have,” he declared, urging the club to keep him long-term. Next up is the Madrid derby on September 27 – another chance for the Argentine to prove once again why Simeone calls him “the best” and why Atleti’s future may rest on his shoulders.

During the lunch break on the second day, Rohit Sharma cleared the air, saying that he had sat out of the Sydney Test and that he wasn’t retiring from Test cricket yet. Soon after the break, Jasprit Bumrah, who had taken over from Rohit as captain, left the SCG for scans. Australia had lost half their side around that time, with the game – and the series – dangling on a razor’s edge. Despite the absence of Bumrah, who had experienced back spasms, India snatched a four-run first-innings lead, turning the Sydney Test into a second-innings shootout.Rishabh Pant pulled India further ahead with a jaw-dropping 29-ball half-century. It was the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in Test cricket, behind his own 28-ball effort against Sri Lanka in 2022. After Scott Boland had carved up India’s top order with pinpoint accuracy, Pant countered them and thrilled a Sydney crowd of 47,257. The late dismissals of Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy kept the game in the balance, with India leading by 145 at stumps.The second-innings shootout, though, could get skewed in favour of Australia if Bumrah isn’t fit to bowl anymore in this Test.Related

• Bumrah leaves SCG for scans after experiencing back spasms

• Rohit says he 'stood down' for SCG Test: 'It is not a retirement decision'

India’s support bowlers, though, stepped up admirably on the second day, with Prasidh Krishna and Reddy sharing five wickets among them. India’s non-Bumrah seamers came away with combined figures of 8 for 132 – their best in any innings on this tour.Reddy picked up two wickets in two balls while Prasidh marked his Test comeback with the scalps of Steven Smith, Alex Carey and debutant Beau Webster, who top-scored for Australia with 57 off 105 balls.Webster continued his excellent debut, emulating his team-mate Sam Konstas in scoring a half-century in his first Test.The day had dawned with Bumrah snaring Marnus Labuschagne for 2 and throwing a stare at non-striker Konstas. Bumrah surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi’s tally for the most wickets taken by an India bowler on a tour of Australia.Beau Webster dismissed Shubman Gill for his first Test wicket•Getty Images

The 19-year-old responded strongly with the bat when he advanced at Bumrah and shanked him down the ground for four. Then, after Bumrah reinforced the slip cordon by bringing deep third in, Konstas unfurled another audacious reverse-ramp, prompting Bumrah to post a fielder at deep third.In the next over, however, Mohammed Siraj had Konstas edging to gully for 23 off 57 balls with an outswinger. Three balls later, he had Travis Head caught at second slip for 4. Where Bumrah and Australia’s quicks hit the deck, the source of Siraj’s menace was swing. So, he kept exploring a fuller length to maximise that swing.Smith and Webster steadied Australia with a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Smith fell to Prasidh at the stroke of lunch. Smith seemed destined to reach 10,000 Test runs but moments before the break Prasidh shifted his stock length to an even more fuller one to dismiss him five short of the landmark.Then, in the afternoon, he stormed through the defences of Carey with a similar length. Reddy rocked Australia even further with the wickets of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Australia lost their last four wickets for just 19 runs to be bowled out for 181.Yashasvi Jaiswal then launched India’s second innings in grand style, scything Starc for four fours in the first over. KL Rahul, too, showed some attacking intent at the other end until Boland intervened and curtailed India’s rapid start.Some of Rishabh Pant’s outrageous shots were on display•Getty Images

Boland struck in his second over when he had Rahul chopping an inducker onto his stumps and in his next over, he knocked Jaiswal over with a beauty that angled in towards middle from around the wicket and seamed away late to beat the outside edge and smash the top of off stump. Boland proceeded to dismiss Virat Kohli in familiar fashion, for 6. It was the eighth time that Kohli was out edging behind to the keeper or the slip cordon in nine trips to the crease in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was so angry that he yelled at himself and slapped his thigh.Webster earned his maiden Test wicket when he had Shubman Gill caught behind off the inside edge.After having spent nearly 150 minutes being someone else with the bat on the first day, managing 40 off 98 balls, the real Pant stood up on the second. He charged at his first ball from Boland, who had just snared Kohli, and violently clubbed him over mid-on for six. He then ventured a reverse-scoop off his third ball, and though he failed to connect, he didn’t curb his natural instincts in this innings.Pant then lined up Webster for three successive fours, including a trademark falling sweep-pull. He notched up his fifty with a helicoptered six off Starc and celebrated the milestone with another six next ball.Pant’s assault forced Australia into bowling T20 lines and lengths. When Cummins went short and wide of off and hid the ball away from Pant’s swinging arc, he chased it and ended up feeding an edge to the keeper. Boland had Reddy holing out for 4 to cap a 15-wicket day in Sydney.