Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Blues Spring An FA Cup Upset At Villa Park?

In what was a real FA Cup shock on Wednesday night, Chelsea stormed their way into the fifth-round as they secured a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa.

While there might be mounting speculation over Mauricio Pochettino’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge, the Blues took an early lead as Conor Gallagher powered home after 11 minutes.

With Senegal international Nicolas Jackson silencing Villa Park after doubling Chelsea’s lead midway through the first half, the ex-Tottenham boss should be dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine FA Cup charge this year.

Watching Enzo Fernandez notch a shock third strike just nine minutes after the interval, Aston Villa will certainly feel that they missed out on a real opportunity in the Midlands.

Although Moussa Diab…

Virgil Van Dijk says Trent Alexander-Arnold is ‘the complete package’

Virgil Van Dijk has weighed into the debate over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position by proclaiming his Liverpool team-mate as the complete package.

Alexander-Arnold delivered another reminder of his attacking talents as he got forward to strike a fine equaliser for the Reds in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at champions Manchester City.

The 25-year-old right-back had spent a lot of a tight Premier League encounter in defensive mode, trying to contain City’s tricky Belgium winger Jeremy Doku.

It was a sweet moment for Alexander-Arnold after plenty of debate over the past fortnight over whether or how he can fit into the England team.

Van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, said: “I think everyone this season, as a defender, one v one against Doku will have a tou…

Premier League Data Diary: Reds remain unstoppable after rivals falter

Dreams of Premier League glory began to feel like an inevitability at Anfield as Liverpool beat Manchester United on a weekend that saw Leicester City, Chelsea and Manchester City drop points.

Jurgen Klopp s side dispatched their old rivals with goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, leaving Reds supporters full of confidence after Burnley came from behind to beat third-placed Leicester 2-1 at Turf Moor.

There was a surprise result at St. James Park on Saturday, Frank Lampard s Chelsea dominating for long periods against Newcastle United but succumbing to a late Isaac Hayden goal in a 1-0 defeat.

There were late goals at the Etihad Stadium, where Sergio Aguero thought he had won it with a brace, only for Fernandinho to put through his own net in a 2-2 dr…

Wales would happily welcome Joe Allen back to squad for Euros – Ethan Ampadu

Ethan Ampadu says Joe Allen would be welcomed back into the Wales fold should the midfielder come out of international retirement ahead of Euro 2024.

Wales are one win from reaching a third successive European Championship, and host Poland in a play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday with a place in Germany this summer at stake.

Allen called time on his distinguished Wales career in February 2023 after winning 74 caps and playing at three major tournaments.

But the Swansea veteran said last week he would “never say no” to Rob Page if the Wales manager asked him to come out of international retirement for the Euros.

“I think if someone was to say no they’d be lying,” Ampadu said when asked if the Wales squad would welcome Allen’s retu…

Ancelotti: I want to coach Ramos at Real Madrid next season

Carlo Ancelotti wants to coach Sergio Ramos next season but the new Real Madrid boss acknowledged the veteran defender s future is still up in the air.

Ramos contract expires in a matter of days and although the Spaniard has long been in talks over a new deal, no breakthrough appears imminent.

Although his 2020-21 campaign was hampered by injuries that ultimately cost him a place at Euro 2020 with Spain, the 35-year-old captain still proved his worth.

In LaLiga his tackle success rate (80 per cent) and number of tackles won per 90 minutes (0.85) was higher than any of his fellow Real centre-halves.

He was also dribbled past fewer times per 90 minutes (0.28) than Raphael Varane (0.3), Eder Militao (0.48) and Nacho (1.03).

While Ancelotti – w…

The Final Weekend: Sunday’s Ultimate Premier League Betting Guide – Predictions, Betting Tips & Best Available Markets

With Manchester City now just 90 minutes away from getting their hands on a fourth consecutive Premier League title, the 2023/24 campaign will draw to a close on Sunday afternoon.

As the race to clinch a top-six finish going right down to the wire, we should be set for an action-packed afternoon from across the country.

With a host of Premier League betting markets available this weekend, we have taken an in-depth look at some of the most appealing options.

Sunday, May 19th

16:00 Manchester City vs West Ham

While Manchester City might have suffered Champions League heartbreak last month as they relinquished their maiden European crown, Pep Guardiola’s men are now on the cusp of making more domestic history.

Securing what looks like a season-de…

Bitesize Prediction: Celtic vs Rangers – 25/05/24

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 8/11 @

With the Old Firm rivals meeting on Saturday afternoon, this year’s Scottish Cup trophy will be up for grabs when Celtic and Rangers meet at Hampden.

Starting with Celtic, while Brendan Rodgers might have found plenty of pressure on his shoulders this season, the Hoops have made more domestic history. Defending their Premiership crown and continuing to shine over the past few months, the former Leicester boss is within touching distance of completing another domestic sweep. Last seen signing off the 2023/24 campaign with an action-packed 3-2 victory against St. Mirren, the Scottish giants have won all of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Extending on their Scottish Cup adventure last month as the…

Chris Wood warns Nottingham Forest must build on win at Newcastle

He told Forest TV: “It’s most definitely a step in the right direction. I would never say ‘turned a corner’ because it is only one game and we need to remember than one game doesn’t make four or five.

“We need to work ahead and it’s not going to guarantee that we’re going to play well in the next game. We have to make sure we play well in the next game. It’s only on us as players and staff – and the fans getting behind us, that really helps.

“But I’m sure it will be bouncing, the City Ground, come the 30th.”

Forest showed real character as well as flair and deadly finishing on Tyneside as they fought back from Alexander Isak’s 23rd-minute penalty to level when Wood tapped home from the impressive Anthony Elanga’s pinpoint cross.

Parma 1-2 Inter: Sanchez double moves Nerazzurri six points clear

Inter moved six points clear at the Serie A summit as a brace from Alexis Sanchez sealed a 2-1 win away at struggling Parma on Thursday.   

Scudetto rivals Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Udinese on Wednesday and Antonio Conte s side took full advantage of that slip up to move closer to a first league title since the 2009-10 campaign.   

Sanchez, who scored in the weekend win over Genoa, set Inter on their way to a sixth consecutive top-flight win with his fourth league goal of the campaign nine minutes into the second half.   

The former Manchester United player added another eight minutes later as Inter, who gave the hosts hope of salvaging a draw when Hernani scored 19 minutes from full time, claimed yet another three points to pull away from…

Inter showed how much they have grown with win against Sassuolo, says Conte

Inter showed just how much they have grown this season with their 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Wednesday, according to head coach Antonio Conte.

The Nerazzurri moved 11 points clear at the top of Serie A with the victory, sealed through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez in each half – their only two on-target attempts of the contest.

Hamed Junior Traore deservedly pulled one back for Sassuolo with a late strike, but the league leaders held on to become the second side in Serie A history – after Milan in 1989-90 – to win their first 10 games in the second half of a campaign.

Inter recorded their lowest possession rate (30 per cent) in a Serie A match since Opta records began in 2004-05 and were outdone on shots by Sassuolo 15 to seven.

B…