Sunny Badwal

Joe Root says England must evolve rather than abandon the successful elements of the Bazball era after returning as Test captain for a second spell. He credits Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum with changing the team’s approach and says Stephen Fleming’s appointment as head coach was a major reason for accepting the role. Root feels re-energised after stepping down in 2022, while Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim coach for the upcoming Pakistan series before Fleming begins preparations for the winter tour of South Africa.

Tadej Pogacar secured his fourth stage win of the 2026 Tour de France with a commanding attack on the final climb to Le Markstein Fellering, extending his overall lead to four minutes and 30 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard. Isaac del Toro and Paul Seixas followed 38 seconds behind, with Seixas moving into the white jersey as best young rider. The standings tightened between third and seventh place, while Tom Pidcock dropped from fourth to ninth after losing significant time. Pogacar highlighted strong crowd support and said he had targeted the stage, while acknowledging that Sunday’s route poses a tougher challenge.

England beat Ukraine 3-0 in their final World Cup qualifier but must enter the play-offs after Spain secured top spot in Group A3. Goals from Jess Carter, Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead secured a dominant win, with England controlling much of the match despite Ukraine’s spirited second-half response.

Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella aims to give departing coach Willie Peters a winning send-off in the Challenge Cup final against Wigan. Peters, who leaves at the end of the season to coach Papua New Guinea’s new NRL side, is credited with transforming the club and driving its recent success. Minchella expressed strong respect for Peters and added motivation to retain the trophy. After missing out on England selection last year, he remains determined to rejoin the national team. Hull KR have recovered from a difficult start to the season, which Minchella says was unrelated to Peters’ departure announcement.

Andoni Iraola celebrated Bournemouth’s sixth‑place Premier League finish and historic Europa League qualification, calling it a way to thank the club’s owner, players and supporters before his departure. Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches after drawing 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. Morgan Gibbs‑White scored for Forest despite missing out on England’s World Cup squad, while Marcus Tavernier equalised for Bournemouth. Forest manager Vitor Pereira praised Gibbs‑White’s efforts and stressed the need for stability and retaining top players to progress next season.

A 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest left Bournemouth short of a Champions League place despite an 18‑match unbeaten run, securing instead their first-ever Europa League qualification. Morgan Gibbs-White scored for Forest with a free-kick after being omitted from England’s World Cup squad, while Marcus Tavernier equalized early in the second half. Forest completed a turbulent season by finishing safely above the relegation zone, also honoring club legend John Robertson with a stand renaming before the match.

Ollie Watkins highlights Aston Villa’s rise from relegation struggles to winning the Europa League, attributing the club’s progress to team belief and Unai Emery’s leadership. Emiliano Martinez reveals he played through a broken finger during the 3-0 win over Freiburg as Villa celebrates bringing a European trophy back to Birmingham for the first time in 44 years.

Matty Cash praised manager Unai Emery for guiding Aston Villa to a 3–0 victory over Freiburg in Istanbul, securing the club’s first European trophy since 1982 and Emery’s fifth Europa League title. Cash highlighted Emery’s meticulous preparation, the team’s growth from recent European near-misses, and the crucial support of Villa fans. The squad will return to Birmingham for a trophy parade.

Unai Emery celebrates Aston Villa’s 3-0 Europa League final win over Freiburg, highlighting the victory as a milestone in the club’s development and expressing ambitions for continued success. Goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers secured Villa’s first major trophy in 30 years. Emery credits past clubs for his European success, downplays his ‘king’ reputation and says Villa did not consider themselves favourites despite their dominance.

Aston Villa claimed their first major trophy in 30 years with a 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul, sealed by goals from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers. The team’s strong first-half performance set the tone, while Unai Emery secured his fifth Europa League title. Prince William attended as Villa lifted their first European silverware since 1982.

Unai Emery downplays his reputation as a Europa League specialist as Aston Villa prepare for the final in pursuit of their first major trophy in 30 years. He stresses that past successes with Sevilla and Villarreal do not influence the upcoming match and urges his players to embrace the pressure positively. Emery reflects on Villa’s growth since his 2022 arrival, highlighting their resilience after a poor start to the season and crediting the squad’s maturity for their progress to this point.

Marco Silva said he has not decided his future after Fulham’s draw at relegated Wolves effectively ended their hopes of European qualification. He plans to meet with the board to discuss key issues before making a decision. Fulham’s performance, especially in the second half, left Silva disappointed. Wolves manager Rob Edwards acknowledged fan frustration after their relegation and indicated significant changes are expected in the summer.

Fulham’s push for European qualification suffered a major setback after a 1-1 draw at already-relegated Wolves. Mateus Mane put Wolves ahead before conceding a penalty that Antonee Robinson converted to level the score. Fulham struggled to impose themselves, while Wolves came close to regaining the lead through Adam Armstrong, whose effort hit the post. Uncertainty around Marco Silva’s future and frustration among Wolves fans toward Rob Edwards framed a subdued final home match at Molineux.

Aston Villa overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Nottingham Forest 4-0 and secure a 4-1 aggregate victory, reaching their first European final in 44 years. Goals from Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia and a John McGinn double established control as Unai Emery credited his side’s focus and preparation. The Prince of Wales joined post‑match celebrations, while Villa now turn their attention to securing a Champions League place in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest, hampered by injuries, fell to their first defeat in the competition since March and shift focus to maintaining their league status.

Leicester City’s trajectory over the past decade spans their 2016 Premier League title, managerial changes, European runs, and domestic cup victories before a steep decline beginning in the 2022–23 season that led to relegation. A brief return to the Premier League was followed by another disappointing campaign marked by poor form, managerial instability, and a six‑point deduction, leaving the club on the brink of a second consecutive relegation to League One.

Aston Villa moved close to securing Champions League qualification with a dramatic 4–3 win over Sunderland, sealed by a stoppage‑time goal from Tammy Abraham. Ollie Watkins scored twice and Morgan Rogers added a second-half goal before late strikes from Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor brought Sunderland level. Emiliano Martinez made key saves before Villa countered for the decisive winner, leaving them ten points clear in the top five while Sunderland missed the chance to climb the table.

Aston Villa overcame a late collapse to defeat Sunderland 4-3, restoring control through Tammy Abraham’s decisive goal after conceding twice in a chaotic minute. Unai Emery praised his side’s overall performance despite the lapse and defended Jadon Sancho following his role in Sunderland’s first late goal. Sunderland missed a key chance to go ahead before Villa’s winner, and manager Regis Le Bris highlighted the match as part of his team’s development in the Premier League.

Aston Villa secured a 7-1 aggregate victory over Bologna to reach the Europa League semi-finals, where they will face Nottingham Forest. Goals from Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa sealed a dominant win, with Watkins scoring his 100th goal for the club. Unai Emery praised his team’s clinical first-half display and described the upcoming all-Premier League semi-final as a special occasion for both clubs, emphasising the importance of maintaining collective focus and supporting individual player achievements.

Aston Villa advanced to the Europa League semi-finals with a dominant 4-0 victory over Bologna, completing a 7-1 aggregate win. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring with his 100th goal for the club, followed by goals from Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers before halftime, with Ezri Konsa adding a late fourth. Villa will face Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals after controlling the match throughout and nullifying Bologna’s attempts to respond.

England prepare to face Spain at Wembley in a key World Cup qualifier, with Sarina Wiegman emphasising the competitiveness and significance of the match. Keira Walsh is poised to earn her 100th cap, reflecting on the milestone while focusing on the game. Leah Williamson remains a fitness doubt as she continues recovery from a hamstring injury, with England taking a cautious approach to her return.

Aston Villa secured a 3–1 first‑leg advantage over Bologna in their Europa League quarter‑final, surviving heavy first‑half pressure before goals from Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and a late strike restored their two‑goal cushion. Unai Emery acknowledged the team’s uneven performance but praised the result, while Watkins admitted Villa were fortunate early on and expressed confidence heading into the second leg at Villa Park.

Lotte Wubben-Moy expresses pride in representing England as she aims to secure a starting role in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland. After limited involvement during England’s European Championship triumph, she has since added international caps and believes her challenging career path has strengthened her. She highlights the significance of the Lionesses’ upcoming 500th match and anticipates a competitive meeting with Spain, emphasizing respect and enthusiasm for the fixture.

England selected 17‑year‑old midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland, marking her first senior call‑up. Beth Mead and Alex Greenwood return from injury, while Freya Godfrey remains in contention for a debut. Aggie Beever-Jones, Grace Clinton and Ella Toone miss out due to injuries. The team will host Spain at Wembley before travelling to Iceland, their first meeting with Spain since winning the Euro 2025 final.

Nottingham Forest overturned a first‑leg deficit by winning 2-1 away at Midtjylland, forcing extra time before prevailing 3-0 in a penalty shootout in which the Danish side failed to score any of their attempts. Goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates secured the comeback, with Forest having two extra‑time goals disallowed for offside. The result sends Forest into the Europa League quarter‑finals to face Porto.

Nottingham Forest overturned a first‑leg deficit with a 2‑1 win in Denmark before advancing 3‑0 on penalties after Midtjylland missed all three of their attempts. Goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates put Forest ahead on aggregate, though Martin Erlic forced extra time with an equaliser. Forest had two extra‑time goals ruled out but remained flawless in the shootout, securing a Europa League quarter‑final meeting with Porto.

Nottingham Forest advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals after defeating Midtjylland on penalties, overturning a first-leg deficit through goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates. Despite Midtjylland forcing extra time, Forest prevailed 3-0 in the shoot-out. Vitor Pereira praised his squad’s depth, character and energy management ahead of a crucial Premier League match against Tottenham. Ryan Yates emphasised the team’s togetherness and the importance of maintaining momentum as the season enters its decisive stage.

Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 to Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last‑16 tie despite dominating much of the match. Vitor Pereira argued the tie is far from decided and felt Midtjylland celebrated prematurely. Forest created numerous chances but were denied repeatedly by Elias Rafn Olafsson before Cho Gue‑sung scored the winner from an Ousmane Diao cross. Heavy rain worsened playing conditions during Forest’s strongest spell. Midtjylland manager Mike Tullberg also warned that the tie remains open while celebrating a second consecutive win at the City Ground.

FC Midtjylland secured a 1-0 Europa League last‑16 win over Nottingham Forest through a late Cho Gue‑sung header, extending Forest’s winless run to five matches. Forest created numerous chances but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson, while severe second‑half weather further hindered their attack. Midtjylland threatened sporadically, hitting the woodwork before capitalizing in the 80th minute to take an advantage into the second leg in Denmark.

England secured a 2-0 win over Iceland in Women’s World Cup qualifying, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Lucy Bronze opened the scoring on her 145th cap, with England maintaining pressure throughout despite inefficient finishing. Iceland offered little threat, producing just one shot on target that Hannah Hampton saved. Georgia Stanway sealed the victory with a late volley, giving England back-to-back qualifying wins ahead of their upcoming match against Spain.

England prepare to face Iceland in a World Cup qualifier, with Sarina Wiegman stressing the need for a top-level performance against a disciplined and physical opponent. England enter the match after a 6-1 win over Ukraine, with Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park each scoring twice. Russo and Park receive praise for their strong form, while Alex Greenwood withdraws from the squad due to a minor muscle injury.

Wolves beat Liverpool 2-1 with a stoppage‑time goal from Andre, ending Liverpool’s three‑match winning streak and putting their Champions League prospects at risk. Rodrigo Gomes scored first for Wolves before Mohammed Salah equalised, breaking a ten‑match league goal drought. Despite sitting last in the table, Wolves continued an encouraging run of form following positive results against Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Daniel Farke praised Leeds’ resilient performance in their 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, highlighting their near miss at securing a rare away win after Anton Stach’s free-kick. Tammy Abraham’s late equaliser denied Leeds all three points, though Farke viewed the result as valuable for a newly promoted side. Unai Emery acknowledged Villa’s recent dip at home but remained satisfied with their reaction and consistency despite dropping points again.

Tammy Abraham scored a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Aston Villa against Leeds at Villa Park, cancelling out Anton Stach’s free‑kick that had given Leeds the lead. Strong performances from Leeds’ Karl Darlow and Villa’s Emiliano Martinez shaped the match, while Villa narrowly avoided a third home defeat in four games as Leeds extended their unbeaten league run to three matches.

Issy Boffey retained her women’s 800m title at the UK Indoor Championships, winning in 1:59.64 after Keely Hodgkinson withdrew. Jeremiah Azu secured a second gold in the 200m following his 60m win, while Ben Pattison took the men’s 800m. Hannah Nuttall set a championship record to win the women’s 3000m, and Jemma Reekie captured the 1500m title. Josh Kerr withdrew from the men’s 3000m due to a back issue, and Thomas Keen narrowly won the event.

Keely Hodgkinson set a new British indoor 800m record at the UK Indoor Championships with a time of 1:56.33 before opting to skip the final to prepare for next week’s meet in France. She highlighted improved health and training after last year’s injury. Dina Asher-Smith won the women’s 60m in 7.05 seconds ahead of Amy Hunt, while Jeremiah Azu retained his men’s 60m title and Molly Caudery reclaimed the women’s pole vault crown.

Aston Villa secured a crucial 1-0 win over Brighton through a late Jack Hinshelwood own goal, with Unai Emery stressing the importance of recovering confidence after recent home defeats. Villa relied on set pieces and resilient defending, highlighted by Tyrone Mings’ strong display in his 200th appearance. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler argued his side deserved more after controlling much of the second half but urged collective responsibility as they sit 14th in the table.

A late own goal by Jack Hinshelwood secured Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Brighton, keeping them within reach of the Premier League’s top positions and strengthening their Champions League prospects. Brighton’s winless streak extended to six matches, increasing pressure on manager Fabian Hurzeler. James Milner matched the Premier League appearance record but missed opportunities to score, while both teams struggled to create chances until Villa broke through in the 85th minute.

Oliver Glasner declined to discuss transfer speculation after Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with 10‑man Nottingham Forest, emphasising his focus on available players and upcoming fixtures. Palace extended their winless run to nine matches but remain nine points clear of the relegation zone, while injuries left Glasner with a reduced squad. Forest, boosted by an early goal from Morgan Gibbs-White, held on for a point despite Neco Williams’ red card for a handball that led to Ismaila Sarr’s equalising penalty. Forest, now unbeaten in four, viewed the result as a valuable point, and Williams later apologised for his dismissal.

Bournemouth secured a 2-0 win over Wolves at Molineux with goals from Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott, earning their third victory in four league games. Wolves showed early promise but were punished for a defensive mistake that led to Kroupi’s opener. Despite sustained pressure and several missed chances, the hosts failed to equalise, with Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic making key saves. New signing Rayan impressed off the bench and assisted Scott for a late second goal, deepening Wolves’ relegation concerns with their 18th loss of the season.

Aston Villa secured a 3-2 comeback win over RB Salzburg to finish in the Europa League top two despite falling two goals behind. Morgan Rogers, Tyrone Mings and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba overturned the deficit, with Unai Emery praising the team’s resilience while emphasising the Premier League remains the priority. Harvey Elliott made his first appearance since October but his loan situation remains unchanged. Ollie Watkins left with a hamstring issue, though Emery hopes the injury is minor.

Aston Villa overturned a two‑goal deficit to beat RB Salzburg 3–2 in the Europa League, securing a top‑two group finish but suffering a setback with Ollie Watkins’ first‑half hamstring injury. Salzburg capitalised on early pressure through goals from Karim Konate and Moussa Yeo before Villa responded with strikes from Morgan Rogers, Tyrone Mings and an 87th‑minute winner from Jamaldeen Jimoh‑Aloba. Unai Emery’s side extended their strong group‑stage form despite ongoing injury concerns.

Aston Villa face a major midfield shortage after Youri Tielemans was ruled out for up to ten weeks with an ankle injury sustained during the win over Newcastle. He joins long‑term absentee Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn, who is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Unai Emery confirmed the absences will affect squad options for the final Europa League group match against RB Salzburg, though Ross Barkley and Douglas Luiz are close to returning. Leon Bailey and new signing Tammy Abraham are unavailable for the Europa League, but Emery expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and highlighted Abraham’s importance following recent departures.

Wolves defeated Shrewsbury 6-1 in the FA Cup, with Jorgen Strand Larsen scoring a hat‑trick and the team extending their unbeaten run to four matches. Rob Edwards highlighted growing momentum and improvement while acknowledging transfer interest in Strand Larsen but praising his commitment. Shrewsbury manager Michael Appleton said key moments and Wolves' quality decided the match, calling it a reality check for his struggling League Two side.

Wolves advanced to the FA Cup fourth round with a 6-1 win over Shrewsbury, led by a hat‑trick from Jorgen Strand Larsen and additional goals from Jhon Arias, Rodrigo Gomes and Tolu Arokodare. Despite briefly conceding from a John Marquis penalty, Wolves controlled the match, capitalizing on defensive mistakes and extending their unbeaten run to four games.

Sarina Wiegman won her fifth Best FIFA Women’s Coach award after leading England to the Euro 2025 title. England’s success also brought recognition for Hannah Hampton as Best Women’s Goalkeeper, with several Lionesses named in the team of the year. Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati claimed the top player awards, while Gianluigi Donnarumma and Luis Enrique were honoured as best men’s goalkeeper and coach. Multiple English and European players featured in the men’s and women’s teams of the year.

Aston Villa secured a 2-1 Europa League victory over Basel, extending their winning run and moving closer to automatic qualification. Unai Emery praised his team’s resilience in a difficult away match, while Youri Tielemans, returning from injury, scored the decisive goal shortly after coming on. Basel applied late pressure, but Villa held firm to secure a play-off place with two group games remaining.

Wolves opened Rob Edwards’ tenure with a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace after second‑half goals from Daniel Munoz and Yeremy Pino. Palace controlled key moments, missing early chances before eventually breaking through via a deflected effort and a long‑range strike. The loss leaves Wolves winless and nine points from safety, underscoring the significant challenge Edwards faces in trying to keep the club in the Premier League.

Aston Villa surged to within a point of the Premier League’s top four with a 4-0 win over Bournemouth, ending their early‑season scoring struggles. Unai Emery praised his players’ improved consistency, pressing and overall performance. Goals from Emiliano Buendia, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen secured a fourth straight home league victory, with Emiliano Martinez saving a key penalty. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola admitted Villa were deserved winners and called for improvement after two sub‑par matches heading into the international break.

Aston Villa ended their scoring struggles with a dominant 4-0 win over Bournemouth, featuring goals from Emiliano Buendia, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen. Emiliano Martinez made several key saves, including a penalty stop from Antoine Semenyo, as Bournemouth briefly threatened before fading. Villa’s controlled performance secured their fourth straight home league victory.

Nottingham Forest remained unbeaten away in the Europa League after a goalless draw against Sturm Graz, with Sean Dyche extending his undefeated European start. Morgan Gibbs-White missed a first-half penalty and Nicolas Dominguez hit the crossbar in stoppage time, while both goalkeepers made key interventions in an otherwise scrappy second half. Multiple squad changes and late defensive adjustments signaled Forest settling for a point as neither side generated significant chances after the break.