Football News Chelsea will win the Capital One Cup final, while Liverpool, Arsenal and United will all claim wins, says Paul Merson

Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his predictions ahead of another action-packed round of Premier League fixtures, as well as his tip for Sunday’s Capital One Cup final.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Super Sunday, 12pm (live from 11.30am, SS1)

Liverpool host champions City at Anfield on Sunday lunchtime

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Liverpool vs Man City

March 1, 2015, 11:30am

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I am just going for Liverpool here. They have really picked up of late, while Brendan Rodgers has rested a couple of players for the trip to Besiktas in Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson, and for me this game on Sunday is bigger than the Besiktas match.

Getting beaten by Barcelona on Tuesday will have really knocked the stuffing out of City. And I think that Liverpool are at home and are on a right roll at the moment, so I see them winning this game 2-1.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Capital One Cup final, Sunday, 4pm (live on SS1 from 2.30pm)

Merse has tipped his former club Arsenal to see off Everton on Sunday at the Emirates

It will be a tight game. There is no Nemanja Matic, which makes a massive difference for Chelsea. I think Chelsea will just win 2-1, although it will be a hard, hard game for them - and a good game too.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

Arsenal v Everton - Sunday, 2.05pm

Burnley will beat Swansea 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday, predicts The Magic Man

Arsenal will win this match quite easily. Everton are struggling quite badly at the moment and only got out of jail last week with a last-minute goal at home to Leicester.

It is Arsenal all over really, they will get back to normal and then their disastrous Wednesday against Monaco will all be forgotten about. So I do not see anything other than a 3-0 Arsenal win here.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

West Ham United v Crystal Palace - Saturday, 12.45pm (live on SS1 from 12pm)

Merse tips United to beat Sunderland 3-0 at home this weekend

I am just about going for a home win here. I know West Ham have hit a bit of a rocky patch recently, but I still think that they will just have a little bit too much for Palace at home.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

Burnley v Swansea City - Saturday, 3pm

Merson thinks Newcastle will overcome one of his former teams Villa at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon

Burnley need to win this match. Swansea had a great result last Saturday against Manchester United, while Burnley have got some big games coming up - this is a must-win one for them. I am going for 2-1 to Burnley.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

Manchester United v Sunderland - Saturday, 3pm

Stoke will beat Hull 2-0 this weekend, says the Magic Man

Sunderland are struggling badly at the moment and they cannot score goals, while Manchester United had a bad result last week at Swansea.

However, while United have not been playing well recently, I still expect them to beat Sunderland 3-0.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)

Newcastle United v Aston Villa - Saturday, 3pm

Merse predicts West Brom to draw with Southampton at the Hawthorns on Saturday

Newcastle got rinsed last week, while Villa have a new manager – I thought it was a good decision bringing in Tim Sherwood, but nothing really changed against Stoke on Sunday. They had just three shots last week, only two on target and I thought they would have had a lot more than that.

So I think Newcastle will bounce back this week and win 2-0.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)

Stoke City v Hull City - Saturday, 3pm

I do not like going against Stoke, they had a decent result at Villa last week. Hull have really picked up in recent weeks, they’ve had some big wins, but I am going to go 2-0 Stoke.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)

West Bromwich Albion v Southampton - Saturday, 3pm

Southampton dominated big chunks of the game against Liverpool on Sunday, without ever really looking like scoring. It was hardly backs-against-the-wall stuff with Southampton ripping then open and goalmouth scrambles.

Meanwhile, West Brom are decent at home and I do not see them losing here, so I am going to go 1-1.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)

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Manchester United News Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea says he has not fallen out with Louis van Gaal

David de Gea has hit back at reports claiming he has fallen out with Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

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Reports in Spain claimed that his relationship with Van Gaal had broken down, with the pair not having spoken in months.

But the goalkeeper rejected that notion out of hand during an exclusive interview with MUTV on Friday.

"Everything that has been written in the press about us not getting on is a lie," said De Gea.

"Everything that has been written in the press about us not getting on is a lie."

David de Gea

"We both want the best for the club and the team, and the stories are complete lies."

After signing seven players in his first year at the club, Van Gaal is expected to make more additions in the summer.

But for many United fans, the Dutchman's priority should be extending De Gea's contract, which expires at the end of next season.

The 24-year-old Spaniard has rescued United on countless occasions this season.

Few would have thought he was capable of such performances when, at the start of his United career, he made a series of howlers. He thinks those days are firmly behind him, though.

"I think this is the best period of my career," added De Gea, who has been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid.

"I am playing the best football that I've ever played.

"I'm really enjoying it at the moment and I'm just trying to improve with every training session and every game that goes by, giving 100 per cent and concentrating to the maximum. That's the way I want to continue."

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Champions League News Manuel Pellegrini defends Manchester City tactics after defeat by Barcelona

Manuel Pellegrini stood by his decision to set Manchester City up with two strikers against Barcelona after a hard-fought second-half performance saw his side hang in their Champions League last-16 tie.

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Despite Barcelona running out 2-1 winners, Lionel Messi saw a late penalty saved by Joe Hart, missing an open goal on the rebound to keep City in the tie going into the second leg at the Nou Camp.

And Pellegrini, who saw his side outlcassed in the first-half by two Luis Suarez goals, said the second-half show justified his offensive tactics.

Manchester City go into the return leg at the Nou Camp needing to score twice

Pellegrini said: "I'm very happy with the way we played. It was the way we must play against Barcelona, we demonstrated that in the second half with the same names.

"Barcelona will always dominate some parts of the game, but with the same players in the second half and losing 2-0 in the second half it was difficult. I think we showed it was the way we must play from the first minute."

Pellegrini sent out City in a 4-4-2 formation with Edin Dzeko partnering Sergio Aguero up front, and the latter halved the deficit with 21 minutes remaining.

Luis Suarez had Barcelona 2-0 up in the first half

And Pellegrini admitted his team played two different halves, finally finding their flow after the break.

He said: "In the second we did what we talked about before the game, we played well. It's not easy to play against Barcelona.

"We are going to play at Barcelona and try to do it the way we normally do in Europe. We have a chance."

The Chilean also conceded he owes a debt of gratitude to Hart for saving Messi's penalty, which was awarded after the Barca superstar was fouled by Pablo Zabaleta.

"It was a very important save," Pellegrini added. "It gives us more chance to try and win in Barcelona...3-1 is a very difficult score to try and erase.

"It was a very unnecessary penalty."

When asked whether he would hand penalty-taking duties to another player in future, Barca boss Luis Enrique said: "No. We know penalties can be missed in this game of ours and he will take the next one.

"Tonight is a night to celebrate. All the first half was fantastic from every player, every person on the pitch.

"I can't complain about the attitude of the players."

The two teams meet for the return leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, March 18.

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Manchester City News Manuel Pellegrini hails Manchester City home display in Newcastle rout

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has expressed his delight at seeing his side produce a dominant home display in their 5-0 demolition of Newcastle.

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City went 3-0 up inside the opening 25 minutes as they cruised to victory and closed the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to five points.

Pellegrini’s men have often struggled to impose themselves and break teams down at home, but the City boss believes they may have turned a corner.

“The last three here we didn’t win, so it’s important to have three points more, to continue playing the way we did today, as we always try to be a scoring team, and also not to concede goals,” he said.

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is confident his side can catch Chelsea in the title race

“I don’t know if it was the best, but it was a good performance here at home because I think we’ve lost too many things here.

“We lost the FA Cup, we lost the Capital One Cup here at home without scoring goals. So I think it’s important to be a scoring team at home.”

City’s game came after Chelsea were surprisingly held at home by Burnley, while Manchester United slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Swansea.

But Pellegrini was adamant his players were not thinking about the fortunes of their title rivals, and they are just thinking about their next match.

“We didn’t think about Chelsea and Manchester United,” he added.

“I said before the game ‘we are not thinking of other teams, we are just thinking of our performance and of the next game’.

'Nobody knows'

“After now, we are going to start thinking about Barcelona, and after that Liverpool, but the other teams, we can do nothing about what they do in their games so we are not worried about that.”

Saturday’s results have injected life into the Premier League title race but, with teams at the top regularly dropping points to bottom-half sides, Pellegrini believes there will be several twists and turns before the season is up.

“I think all teams will drop points,” he said.

“We must try not to drop one more because we’ve already dropped too many points, but after this game we have 36 more points to play for and nobody knows who will win the title.

“Of course the more points you have the better but nobody can know what will happen in the future.

“The only way is to continue to try to play the way we did today, try to win all our games, and at the end of the season we will see which team has more points.”

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Manchester City News Jamie Redknapp labels David Silva a maestro after another sparkling performance from the Spanish playmaker

Jamie Redknapp hailed the performance of David Silva after the Spaniard inspired Manchester City to a 5-0 demolition of Newcastle.

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Silva scored twice and set up another as City ran riot at the Etihad to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to five points, with Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero also on the scoresheet.

Newcastle had no answer to the impact of Silva, and Redknapp praised just how influential the former Valencia man is to City’s title push.

Silva celebrates after scoring Manchester City's fourth goal

“He is absolutely exceptional,” Redknapp told Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Football.

“The little man (Silva) was involved in everything, but he was given the freedom of the park.

“He is the maestro, he knows where the passes are going to go.

Samir Nasri: Also amongst the goals at the Etihad

“He runs the game. His goal was a lovely finish. He is truly exceptional. A joy to watch."

Craig Bellamy believes that the title race is wide open, and tipped City to emerge victorious come May.

“I said Man City at the start,” Bellamy added.

“While Chelsea have been exceptional, I am sticking with Man City.

“With this run City have, and on the back of such a crucial win that they got today, then they should close the gap.”

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Chelsea News Chelsea racists should be jailed, says victim of abuse on Paris Metro

The man who was abused by Chelsea supporters in Paris on Tuesday night says the men involved should be jailed.

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Shocking footage of the incident showed a black man being prevented from boarding a Paris metro, twice, by Chelsea supporters, who then sang “we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it".

Police in London and Chelsea have launched an investigation to identify those responsible.

The fans have been condemned by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, UEFA, the FA and Chelsea, who say they will ban any fan identified.

The man, named by Le Parisien newspaper as 'Souleymade S’ works as a farm manager near the Richelieu-Drouot station where the incident occurred.

The 33-year-old told the French paper: "I wanted to get into the carriage but a group of English fans blocked me and pushed me away.

“I tried to force the passage, I again tried to return. In the scramble, I lost my phone.

"They told me things in English but I did not really understand the meaning of their words. I do not speak a word of English.

"I understand also that they were attacking me because of the colour of my skin. You know, I live with racism, I was not really surprised by what happened to me even if it was a first in the subway."

He admitted he had not been aware than the incident had been filmed by a British ex-pat, and when he returned home that evening he did not mention it to his wife or their three children.

“I went home without telling this story to anyone, not my wife or kids. What can I say to my children? That daddy was abused on the metro because he is black?

“One person came up to me and said I was brave to resist them like that. But no-one came to my defence but to be fair, what could they do?

"These people, these English fans must be found, punished and must be locked up. What happened should not go unpunished.”

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand believes football has done a lot to combat racism and that a wider problem exists in society as a whole.

In a series of tweets, the QPR defender said: "The racist scene on the metro with the Chelsea fans-disgraceful behaviour obviously. But can football change this? Does it have the power?

"Does football want to change this? Do the people in the game that hold the power really want to put the hard yards in to eradicate racism?

"Football has come a long way since the 70's & 80's but are we all guilty of becoming a bit complacent ??

"Football has done a lot over the years to combat racism..but society has to do more to make change or is there too much hatred in society?"

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Champions League News Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho confirms Diego Costa will start Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed striker Diego Costa will start their Champions League round of 16 game with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

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Costa has just served a three-match domestic ban after being found guilty of stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can during their Capital One Cup semi-final victory.

Mourinho has given the Spain international the green light despite previously admitting concerns over throwing him straight back in for such a crucial match.

"Yes, I start him. But I don't think it's good for a player to be three weeks or three matches without starting a game," so I don't think he's in the best of his condition," said the Portuguese.

Midfielder John Obi Mikel was the only player not involved in Monday morning's training session and did not travel with the remainder of the squad to Paris as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Chelsea will hope for a similar outcome to last season when the two sides met at the quarter-final stage of the competition.

The tie finished 3-3 on aggregate, with Eden Hazard’s penalty in the 3-1 first leg defeat in Paris proving crucial.

The Blues will go into the game in good spirits, having finished comfortably top of their Champions League group, while continuing to set the pace in the Premier League.

listen to ‘Mourinho: Costa will start’ on audioBoom

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Champions League News Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho warns PSG his side is stronger since losing in Paris last season

Jose Mourinho has promised Paris Saint-Germain fans they will see a different Chelsea side to the one that lost 3-1 at the Parc des Princes last season.

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The sides met in the quarter-finals of the competition last season, with PSG winning at home before being knocked out on the away goals rule after losing 2-0 in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

"I'm not saying we won because we were better than Paris. We won because we scored a goal away and we didn't concede at home."

Jose Mourinho

David Luiz moved between the two clubs over the summer for £50m and with the money raised from the sale of the Brazil international, Chelsea were able to add to their squad.

Luiz has claimed Chelsea are a better team since he left but Mourinho refused to be drawn on that.

"I'm not here to comment what opponents say, even being David. I don't want to comment,” he said.

UEFA Champions League Highlights

2014/15 Last-16 First Leg

February 17, 2015, 11:00pm

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"We beat them, but we lost. And we lost in Paris and again knockout competition was decided in the last minute. A detail makes a difference.

"I'm not saying we won because we were better than Paris. We won because we scored a goal away and we didn't concede at home.

"Paris are a great team and are basically the same team as last season, with David Luiz. Same team, same coach, same dynamic, same profile.

"They have conditions to be better. When you have stability you can always improve. Chelsea are a different team. We have some different players, we change a little bit the profile of our game, the identity of our game.

"I don't want to say we are better or not better. I'm saying that we change the profile of our game, so I believe that tomorrow Parc des Princes will see a different Chelsea than last season."

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Manchester United News Louis van Gaal: Roy Hodgson right to play Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as a striker

Louis van Gaal has admitted he would play Wayne Rooney up front if he were manager of England.

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Van Gaal has been using Rooney in midfield at Manchester United in the interests of "balance", even dropping him into a deep-lying position for part of the recent victory over Burnley.

Hodgson this week said he had no plans to alter Rooney's role as his captain closes in on Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time goalscoring record, and van Gaal reckons the England manager is right.

He said: "In the composition for Mr Hodgson, Rooney is probably giving more contribution to the English team in the striker's position, then I would put him there too if I was the English manager.

"He has to compare Rooney with other strikers in his line-up and that is another consideration I have to make. I have to choose between Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and all the other strikers I have, then it is my consideration that is a different way."

Van Gaal even said he rates Rooney as "maybe the best striker (I have)," but that does not mean United's third-highest scorer in history will be starting further forward any time soon.

"I have to look at where each player can make the biggest contribution. It's the composition, which is more important than the individual player."

Louis van Gaal on Wayne Rooney's role

"It is not that anybody isn't a good player in my selection," he said. "I have to look at where each player can make the biggest contribution. It's the composition, which is more important than the individual player."

The Dutchman was more guarded in his praise of goalkeeper David De Gea, who was this week picked out as United's key performer this season by Kevin Davies, the veteran Preston striker he will face in the FA Cup on Monday.

Asked whether De Gea is now the world's best he said: "I never speak about that because I can never judge other goalkeeper, I can only judge mine.

"He doesn't save any points as he is my goalkeeper and his obligation is to hold balls and you are thinking that is an exception for other goalkeepers? It is not like that."

De Gea is still likely to start at Deepdale as Victor Valdes continues to build up his fitness after a long-term knee injury.

Van Gaal said: "When you are out for more than one year, you have to show yourself at a lower level. Like Ashley Young is doing, like Michael Carrick did, it's always the same, it is normal."

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Football News England boss Roy Hodgson happy to welcome back Daniel Sturridge

Roy Hodgson insists there is no simmering tension with the Liverpool hierachy as the England manager prepares to recall Daniel Sturridge.

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Friction appeared to mount after the 25-year-old's season was thrown off kilter in September by an injury during a training session with the national team.

As the injury problems mounted Sturridge went to the United States to aid his recovery and, five months after his last Liverpool appearance, made a goalscoring return in a 2-0 win against West Ham on 31 January. He was also on the scoresheet in the 2-1 FA Cup win at Crystal Palace.

The forward is now set to return to the England fold for next month's matches against Lithuania and Italy.

"Of course I am excited to have him back," Hodgson said. "As long as he playing well and playing.

"I haven't had to the pick the team yet or squad yet - I have a few weeks to do that. But, of course, I have always said that Daniel, for me, is a player that I think has the talent we are looking for.

"I am really delighted that he is not suffering from his muscle problems any more and we have the chance to bring him back."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers initially felt the forward's injury could have been avoided, saying his tailored training programme was ignored by the England coaching staff, but Hodgson believes all the blame can not be laid at his door.

"It was unfortunate that Daniel got injured as he did and we were sad about that, but he has had a few injuries since then and I haven't seen too many people writing about that or has that been put down to our count as well?

"The other three muscle injuries he has picked up since our one, is that due to England and the way we work as well? I don't think so.

"It is just one of those things. It is unfortunate that Daniel has had a period of time where he has been plagued by injuries, but I am pleased he is not that way any more and that he is back playing. I thought he played well the other night (against Tottenham)."

Hodgson penned a four-year deal with the FA in 2012 taking him through to Euro 2016 - a competition England look all-but certain to qualify for having won all four Group E matches to date.

The 67-year-old admits he has not given thought to life beyond that tournament – but the much-respected coach admits he may still be open to a fresh challenge.

He said: "At the moment I feel quite good and I don't feel anything like my age and I hope that will continue for a good few more years to come, so you never know.

"I prefer to let the future take care of itself and have my clearly focused goals. As times go on, we will see what develops from there.

"I must say that it is not something that really occupies me at the moment. I am quite confident that when the day comes, I will know what the right the thing to do is and then I'll do it.

"But I don't want to think about it now because I have got important things to think about, I have got an important job to do that I really enjoy, so 2018 and 2020 we will see."

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Queens Park Rangers News Huddersfield manager Chris Powell backs Chris Ramsey to save QPR from relegation

Huddersfield manager Chris Powell has backed Chris Ramsey to do a good job as caretaker manager of Queens Park Rangers.

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Ramsey is widely expected to be given the role at Loftus Road until the end of the season after leading the team to their first away win of the season on Tuesday against Sunderland.

A host of names have been linked with the vacancy, including Tim Sherwood and Michael Laudrup, but Powell has thrown his support behind his friend to lead QPR away from relegation and raised the possibility of Ramsey getting the job long-term.

"Hopefully for Chris, if he carries on the way he has, he will have a chance beyond the end of the season"

Huddersfield manager Chris Powell

“Well he’s only caretaker but he’s done very well in the two games he has been in charge,” Powell told Sky Sports News HQ.

“He has managed to get around the group and galvanise them. He is a very good football man, he knows the game and been around it a very long time at academy level and first team level at Spurs.

“He has done his dues. He has coached in England, abroad and with national teams. He is someone I know really well and look up to. It is good for him and I hope he does very well.

“It’s very tight down there, I think people tend to write sides off very early. I think QPR have as much chance as anyone else of getting out the bottom three and make sure they are a Premier League side next year.

“Hopefully for Chris, if he carries on the way he has, he will have a chance beyond the end of the season.”

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Aston Villa News Scott Marshall wants experienced manager to replace Paul Lambert at Aston Villa

Caretaker manager Scott Marshall says Aston Villa need an experienced man to take over from Paul Lambert.

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Marshall was placed in temporary charge following the sacking of Lambert on Wednesday night with the Midlands' club sitting in the relegation zone.

Lambert was sacked after just two wins in 21 league games which left Villa in the relegation zone. Marshall, who worked with Lambert at previous club Norwich before going to Villa Park, will take charge of his first game against Leicester City in the FA Cup.

The former Arsenal defender admits he was sad to see Lambert go and has ruled himself out of the running to take the job due to his lack of experience.

"This is a big club and it's not somewhere for someone to cut their teeth," he said.

"This is a big club and it's not somewhere for someone to cut their teeth"

Aston Villa caretaker manager Scott Marshall

"It's certainly a big club and I would say there's not many things which are going to prepare you for this experience so I think a manager with experience is probably necessary but it's not really my decision or my call.

"He (Lambert) has been really good for me. He brought me in at Norwich and gave me an opportunity there, and brought me here and gave me a great opportunity to work at a great club.

"I'm hugely disappointed that it's not going to continue."

Marshall admits he may yet seek Lambert's advice before the Leicester game. He said: "If I had a conversation and asked him something I'm sure he'd be a positive help.

"You can only explain so much to get advice back but you try and call upon all your experiences before and try to make the best decision going forward. That's what I'm trying to do now. I'm pretty sure we'll have another conversation before the game."

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Aston Villa News Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner defends squad investment in wake of Paul Lambert sacking

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has defended the club's transfer dealings during Paul Lambert's time as manager.

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Villa dismissed Lambert after 32 months on Wednesday in the wake of a defeat at Hull which left them in the Premier League relegation places and with just 12 goals in 25 games.

But Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher partly laid the blame for Villa's long-term troubles at the door of the board, claiming "lack of investment is killing the biggest club in the Midlands."

And in a statement released through the League Managers' Association on Thursday Lambert revealed Lerner had told him the Villa job would be "the toughest challenge of my working life".

He also said his initial remit was to "conduct a massive overhaul of the playing squad, lower the overall wage structure of the playing staff and achieve this whilst keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League."

But a statement from Lerner later on Thursday claimed his investment has left the club in a stronger position now than it was when Lambert arrived.

It read: "Following several brutally challenging years at Villa, Paul Lambert arrived with a fresh view and a proven style and track record. It was our hope, and belief, that Aston Villa would find its footing and strengthen during Paul's tenure with the club.

"Adding players and investing in the squad over the last three years has strengthened Villa, and it is our hope that given the quality, leadership and team spirit at Bodymoor Heath that we can rise to the occasion for the remainder of the season.

"I want very much to thank Paul for his commitment to me personally, and to Villa, and wish him well personally and professionally in his future endeavors."

Lambert's statement was equally gracious towards Lerner, and the Scot also thanked everyone at Villa from former chief executive Paul Faulkner to the supporters, players and coaching staff.

Villa's search for a new manager is now under way, and Derby manager Steve McClaren has already distanced himself from the position along with former Chelsea boss Avram Grant.

Tim Sherwood is Sky Bet's 1/3 favourite for the post ahead of Glenn Hoddle, Jurgen Klinsmann and Sean Dyche.

In the meantime, first-team coach Scott Marshall and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall (the pair are unrelated), will take charge for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Leicester.

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Football News Premier League: Vincent Kompany insists champions Manchester City will never give up on the title

Vincent Kompany insists champions Manchester City will never give up on the title.

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City crushed Stoke 4-1 on Wednesday to end a winless run of five matches but the result did not cut Chelsea’s seven-point lead at the top of the table as Jose Mourinho’s side claimed a last-gasp win over Everton.

However, the result sent out a message that City will fight on and Kompany believes history should also prove that after they came from behind to seize the crown in 2012 and 2014.

"Belief never goes,” said City captain Kompany. “Past experiences should give us enough confidence to carry on and go for it.

"It has happened before. The belief is always there, that is never the problem, even when form is not the best.

"But performances like this make us not need to talk so much. It makes it obvious we are a good team and that is what we need to show."

City have already clawed back an eight-point deficit once this season having drawn level with Chelsea on New Year's Day, only to fall back again.

Doubts were raised over their durability during their barren run but Kompany is confident City can now build some momentum.

The 28-year-old said: "This was about us. I don't think anyone thought about Chelsea's result.

"We needed to focus on our own game and when we do, it gives us enough satisfaction to not care about Chelsea.

"We know if we are in the right form we can set up a line of results, and that's what we will need for this season."

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Premier League News Premier League: James Milner urged to commit future to Manchester City after record-breaking performance

Manuel Pellegrini has urged James Milner to sign a new contract at Manchester City after a a record-breaking performance for the champions.

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Milner followed up his injury-time equaliser against Hull at the weekend by playing a starring role in City’s 4-1 win at Stoke on Wednesday night, heading in their second goal.

But his value to Manuel Pellegrini's side was further underlined by a stat that showed he had covered the most ground by a Premier League player in a single game this season - 13.56km.

The 29-year-old is yet to commit his future but City supporters at the Britannia noisily implored Milner to stay put.

Pellegrini hails 'big' win at Stoke

And while admitting contract negotiations can prove to be difficult, Pellegrini reiterated City's desire to keep hold of the England international.

"When you are trying to sign a contract you need both parties to agree to it, so maybe that's why it's not so easy to get it signed," Pellegrini said.

"But I repeat, the most important thing is that the club wants Milner to stay here, and he has to decide what he wants to do with his future."

Having spared City’s blushes with a last-minute free kick against the Tigers, Milner proved pivotal at the Britannia as City powered past a resilient Stoke side to stay in touch with league leaders Chelsea.

Player Profile

7. James Milner

• Appearances 23 (15)
• Goals 5
• Assists 8
• Yellows 4
• Reds 0
• Current Season domestic and international figures 12th Feb 2015

Milner, whose contract expires at the end of the summer, has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Liverpool as well as a number of European clubs.

Top five distances covered by a Premier League player during 2014/15 season.*

James Milner – MAN CITY v Stoke – 13.56km – 11/02/15

George Boyd – BURNLEY v Newcastle – 13.55km – 01/01/15

Tom Carroll – SWANSEA v Southampton – 13.47km – 01/02/15

George Boyd – BURNLEY v Stoke – 13.34km – 22/11/14

George Boyd – BURNLEY v Man Utd – 13.30km – 11/02/15

*Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Official Player Ranking Index of the Premier League.

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Chelsea News Roberto Martinez felt Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic should have been sent off against Everton

Everton boss Roberto Martinez felt Branislav Ivanovic should have been dismissed during their last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night.

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Tempers flared in the closing stages when Gareth Barry tripped Willian, earning a second yellow card, before Ivanovic motioned his head towards James McCarthy in the resulting fracas.

The Everton substitute was booked for his part in the melee, but Ivanovic avoided censure from referee Jonathan Moss and could face retrospective action from the Football Association.

The Spaniard said: "If you look at the images, Ivanovic's behaviour is wrong. That shouldn't be allowed.

"If you want to be on top of the laws, that's a red card. We got nothing out of that moment."

Roberto Martinez

"He grabs James McCarthy around his neck in a very forceful manner, then he puts his head against him when James McCarthy never reacted one single bit.

"If you want to be on top of the laws, that's a red card. We got nothing out of that moment."

The resulting free-kick led to the decisive goal and Ivanovic was involved.

His header was punched out unconvincingly by Toffees goalkeeper Tim Howard to Willian, who struck home.

Martinez added: "If you want to analyse that action (when it leads to the goal), it's even more hurtful."

And Martinez rued returning to Merseyside beaten after conceding such a late goal.

"The performance didn't deserve to end up with a negative result," he said. "We produced probably the two best chances in the game. Petr Cech's reflexes were the difference."

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Arsenal News Premier League: Arsenal sweat over injured duo Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal may have beaten Leicester, but the win was marred by injuries to Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey on Tuesday night.

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The Gunners boosted their hopes of a top-four finish with a scrappy 2-1 victory overs strugglers Leicester, but manager Arsene Wenger's immediate concern will be the medical status to two of his key players.

Sanchez, who has only just returned from a two-week lay-off with a hamstring strain, suffered a problem with his knee in the first half at the Emirates Stadium and had to be replaced in the 68th minute.

Ramsey came on as a substitute in the second half but lasted only nine minutes before going off with what Wenger suspected was a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Arsene Wenger thinks Arsenal's spirit got them the win after a strong Leicester second-half performance

"Sanchez got a knock on his knee," Wenger said. "From the moment he got this knock, he was never really comfortable.

"I don't know for how long he will be out and whether he will be out or not. I haven't seen the doctor."

On Ramsey, Wenger added: "It looks like it (a recurrence of a hamstring injury). I don't know how bad it is yet. Just visually, it didn't look good - when a guy stops straight away and sits down, that's not good news.

"There's a recurrence now of a few muscular injuries and it's difficult - we haven't found out why."

Arsenal, who climbed up to fourth, next face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Saturday, before travelling to Crystal Palace on February 21 for their next Premier League commitment.

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World Richest golfers

The world's wealthiest golfer is also the world's richest athlete, according to a July report by Wealth-X.

 

The U.S. claims three spots among the top five richest active PGA golfers, based on prize money, endorsement deals, corporate outings and licensing fees.  sour umathurman.org

 

Tiger Woods

 

Phil Mickelson

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Ernie Els

Football News Merson's predictions: Liverpool to beat on-form Spurs at Anfield... and Man City will slip up against Stoke

Paul Merson expects Tottenham to follow up their north London derby win with a defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday, and can see Man City slipping up again at Stoke while Chelsea take advantage.

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It's Matchday 25 of the 2014/15 Premier League season and Merse is back to cast his expert eye over the midweek fixtures. Here's how the former England international sees the 10 games going...

Arsenal v Leicester (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

After the north London derby defeat, Arsenal need to win, and it’s a perfect game for them. The battle for fourth place is perhaps more fierce than previous seasons.

Arsenal win these games, they just don’t always win the big games, and Alexis Sanchez returning is a boost for them. Leicester’s defeat by Crystal Palace will have knocked them. It’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable home win.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

Arsenal should have Alexis Sanchez back for the visit of Leicester

Hull v Aston Villa (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Villa and Paul Lambert have got to go to Hull and not lose, especially after Hull’s good result at Man City. Having been dropped for the game against Chelsea, Christian Benteke should be back for this one. I think Lambert knows that if he leaves him out again he’s got a death wish.

Benteke needs to score goals, that is what he’s there for. They probably had more crosses on Saturday than they’ve had for a while, and he wasn’t playing.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)

Christian Benteke was dropped for Villa's home defeat to Chelsea

Sunderland v QPR (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

I just don’t see where QPR are going to win an away game this season, they just don’t have the pace. I think they’ll be relegated, especially with the games coming up.

Sunderland will be too good for them, and their new signing will keep them up comfortably with his goals at home. It was typical Jermain Defoe on Saturday, his strike against Swansea was brilliant, and I should think he’ll score again in this one.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

Jermain Defoe scored the opener in the 1-1 draw at Swansea on Saturday

Liverpool v Tottenham (Tuesday, 8pm)

Liverpool were good against Everton and were unlucky not to win, and they’ve been playing relatively well recently. Even though Tottenham had a great result against Arsenal, it’s another big game, and that fantastic performance may take it out of them. You could see how much they were pushing for 90 minutes flat.

Harry Kane was superb against Arsenal. Will he ever play better than he’s playing now? I don’t know. But fair play to him, he’s on fire.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

Merse predicts a win for Liverpool at home to in-form Spurs

Chelsea v Everton (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

Everton are struggling. I don’t think I’ve seen a more comfortable performance for Liverpool at Goodison Park. I don’t see anything other than a Chelsea win especially after the boost at the weekend with Man City not winning.

There’s still a long way to go but I think Chelsea will win the league. They’ve got a better attitude than Man City, who just turn up for the lesser games and think they will turn teams over.

PAUL PREDICTS 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)

Chelsea took advantage of Man City's slip at the weekend with a win at Villa

Man Utd v Burnley (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

If you’re Burnley, you can’t keep going 2-0 up and blowing it. They’ve done it twice in the last two home games and got one point, that’s nowhere near good enough.

I don’t think Manchester United have been very good, I went for West Ham on Sunday and thought I was unlucky, to be fair. The strikers aren’t doing it for them, but they will still be too strong for Burnley at Old Trafford.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

Daley Blind saved Manchester United at West Ham despite a poor team performance

Southampton v West Ham (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

There’s not a lot between these two teams. Southampton are still up there, playing well, and they’ve had a bit of luck at the same time, but the games are reeling off now.

Before you know it, we’ll be down to single-figure games, and if they’re up there, they have a big chance. This is a test for both teams, who have been surprise packages this term.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)

Southampton host West Ham after their win at QPR on Saturday

Stoke City v Man City (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

This might be the final nail for Manchester City’s title hopes. If they draw, it will be nine points to Chelsea, who would have to lose three games and City win all their games. I don’t see that happening.

I don’t think Manuel Pellegrini truly understands lesser opposition. Jesus Navas probably had his best game at City against Chelsea, and then he’s on the bench against Hull. They were lucky against Chelsea, but look through their home games this season and the ones they haven’t won have been mostly against the lesser teams.

PAUL PREDICTS 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)

Manuel Pellegrini's Man City face a tough trip to hard-to-beat Stoke City

Crystal Palace v Newcastle (Wednesday, 8pm)

Palace are doing well and had a great result at Leicester. I don’t think they necessarily deserved to win, Leicester had their chances, but Alan Pardew has done fantastically and extinguished relegation talks.

I don’t think Newcastle have done the wrong thing in having John Carver in for the rest of the season. He’s right in referencing the number of star names they’ve had as managers that haven’t worked, and he’s a Geordie. They got booed off at the end of the draw with Stoke, but they were unlucky. It was a bit harsh.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)

Crystal Palace saw off lowly Leicester 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Joe Ledley's goal

West Brom v Swansea (Wednesday, 8pm)

This is a hard game to call. West Brom got out of jail the other day, scoring at the perfect time just before half-time but it could have gone either way.

West Brom need Saido Berahino starting games, especially at home at The Hawthorns. Pulis started positively but he doesn’t seem overly happy with the performances, even when they drew up at Everton. Swansea will cause them problems, but this is a draw.

PAUL PREDICTS 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)

Saido Berahino was dropped by Tony Pulis for the 2-2 draw at Burnley, but was soon brought on as a sub

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Arsenal News Premier League: Arsenal will welcome back Alexis Sanchez for Tuesday's match against Leicester

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez will be back in the squad for the visit of Leicester on Tuesday.

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The Chilean forward missed Saturday’s 2-1 derby defeat at Spurs with a hamstring strain but is in contention to start against the Premier League’s bottom club.

However, Wenger also reported that England man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be out for another two weeks due to a groin problem.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that their top goalscorer Alexis Sanchez could face Leicester

Wenger said on Monday morning: "Sanchez will be back in the group and we don't have any injuries from Saturday. Everybody looked fine yesterday.

"Alexis is our best goal scorer and one of our hardest working players. Physically, I think we suffered a little bit on some occasions on Saturday and it is good to have him back."

Wenger also had news of midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is closing in on a return to action after recovering from an ankle injury.

"He is back in full training this week," said the Arsenal boss.

"We have to monitor him daily and see how he develops. I don't know when he will return.

"Alex is not back. He has got at least two more weeks."

"Leicester are a team who are fighting to survive in the Premier League. That demands a complete focus from us and we need to respond very strongly to our defeat on Saturday."

Arsene Wenger

Regarding Tuesday's match, Wenger added: "Leicester are a team who are fighting to survive in the Premier League.

"That demands a complete focus from us and we need to respond very strongly to our defeat on Saturday.

"We had a very strong run just before Saturday so we need to continue that, and respond very strongly to disappointment."

Wenger has received some criticism following the loss to Spurs but says he is not concerned by it and remains confident his side can finish in the top four once again.

"We have to deal with our performances and criticism is always there when you lose a game," he said.

"We have to move forward and I don't take it personally. What I take personally is to lose a game.

"Every year, it was never granted (finishing in the top four). Every year we were under threat until the last game, basically, and every year we managed to do it. I am absolutely convinced we have the quality."

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Arsenal eager to hunt down Foxes after derby despair

The Gunners have become synonymous with stability framework for French boss Arsene Wenger more than 18 years at the helm of the club.

Leicester, in contrast, have been forced to issue a statement Sunday night Nigel Pearson insists was still their manager.

A whirlwind 24 hours followed the defeat of the house of the city by Crystal Palace on Saturday that left them rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, with previous suggestions that their manager three and a half had been dismissed prove incorrect.

Both parties have something to prove, with Arsenal keen to revive their bid for a fourth place after falling to sixth after the 2-1 defeat at Spurs on Saturday.

The Gunners will be boosted by the return of Alexis Sanchez to the team after the Chile forward was forced to sit out the trip to White Hart Lane with a hamstring problem.

And they will draw some comfort from the fact Manchester United failed to beat West Ham on Sunday with a 1-1 draw ensure the fourth side of Louis Van Gaal remains touching distance, with just one standard colon separating the Arsenal team Dutchman.

On paper, Tuesday's game should be a routine win for Wenger side who won a 5-0 victory over Aston Villa in their last home exit.

But the Leicester events have added an element of uncertainty and Wenger was keen to see a positive response from his players.

"This is not the first time we lost a game but how we bounce back is to take the information from what we have and respond very quickly against Leicester. We must be ready to respond.

"Overall, there is a long way to go this season. I think we should just go ahead and recover quickly show a strong response and we see where we are after.

"We have to focus on us because there are many teams fighting to get in (the first four)."

Wenger was unsure whether Sanchez would be in the starting line or on the bench.

But his return in any capacity the first team will be allowed after Arsenal and England striker Danny Welbeck has admitted the Gunners fell short at the front against the Spurs.

Welbeck returned to Tottenham after a month and conceded that there was much room for improvement.

Football News Louis van Gaal says he thanked his Manchester United players for their second-half show at West Ham

Louis van Gaal said he personally thanked his Manchester United players for their second-half performance in the 1-1 draw at West Ham.

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Daley Blind’s late equaliser denied West Ham what would have been a deserved win after Cheikhou Kouyate’s opener, and despite the hosts having chances to win the game, the Dutchman was pleased with the second-half showing.

Van Gaal told Sky Sports: “I think we played very badly in the first half, but we showed a lot of fight and spirit in the second, especially after their goal.

“We gave it away, and then we played football, but you have to do it from the first minute.

Daley Blind gives his post-match reaction

“But I have to say what spirit my team showed after going behind, and I have thanked my players for that.”

Manchester United introduced Marouane Fellaini for the final stages at Upton Park, and the Belgian provided the assist for Blind’s equaliser by winning an aerial ball.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claimed his side could not cope with “long ball United”, but Van Gaal returned the compliment by insisting he had prepared to face long balls from the hosts themselves.

“They are playing long balls, we know that in advance, but they won all the second balls.

"I think with Fellaini you have to change your style, and we did, and because of Fellaini we have created a lot of chances.”

United remain in fourth place in the Premier League, and have now lost just once in 17 games in all competitions. 

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Jamie Carragher News Radamel Falcao will not remain at Manchester United after poor display at West Ham, says Jamie Carragher

Radamel Falcao’s career at Manchester United appears to be in doubt and he won’t remain at the club past the end of the season, according to Jamie Carragher.

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Carragher gave his assessment on the Colombian international after United’s 1-1 draw at West Ham, a game which the Sky Sports pundit criticised their lack of movement and imagination going forward.

West Ham were without Winston Reid and James Collins at the heart of defence, and Carragher believes the United front line should have caused the Hammers more problems.

“I think Louis van Gaal has got a problem with his strike force,” Carragher told Super Sunday.

“I don’t see Falcao staying at the end of the season and it’s something Manchester United will have to address in the striking department.

"Van Persie and Falcao were just jogging up field, ambling up and they didn’t cause a make-shift West Ham back four enough problems. United have got big problems at that end of the pitch. There is not enough movement from the front two, there’s no sprint, spark or energy."

Carragher's damning assessment on United attack

“West Ham showed pace and energy through Sakho and Valencia in the first half to get in behind the United defence. But Falcao and Van Persie failed to exploit the same spaces.  

“They were just jogging up field, especially Van Persie, ambling up and they didn’t cause a make-shift West Ham back four enough problems.

“When United were in the wide areas, Falcao was ball-watching and that made him easy to mark. He should have been running down the channels. There is not enough movement from the front two, there’s no sprint, spark or energy and that was in complete contrast to West Ham.”

With his side trailing by a goal to nil. United manager Louis van Gaal opted to bring Marouane Fellaini on as they pushed for a route back into the game.

Rooney: Position not right, says Carragher

And while the substitute was involved in the build-up to Daley Blind’s equaliser, Carragher thought James Wilson, or the deployment of Wayne Rooney further forward, would have been better alternatives.

“United have got big problems at that end of the pitch,” Carragher added. “Everybody talks about United needing a centre back and that defensively they’re all over the place, but they’ve got one of the best defensive records in the league.

“Granted, a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper, but the problems are at the other end of the pitch and there’s no way I see Falcao staying.

“The position of Rooney is not right. He only touched the ball in the opposition’s box once or twice and he’s playing like a defensive midfield player.

"You wonder why Van Gaal doesn’t put Rooney up front in those positions to create and score goals because the two strikers, with their lack of movement, had less touches than De Gea and that tells the whole story.”

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Football News Premier League: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists increased lead means nothing after Aston Villa win

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists the Premier League title race is far from over, even though his side beat Aston Villa to extend their lead in the table.

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Branislav Ivanovic scored a stunning winner to give the Blues a 2-1 win at Villa Park, which saw them move seven points clear thanks to Manchester City’s draw at home to Hull.

But with 14 games to go the Blues boss insists there is plenty still to play for in such an unpredictable division.

"Seven points means seven points, we have 14 matches to go," said Mourinho. "We are speaking about 42 points to play for and in 42 we have a lead of seven. I think it's nothing.

Branislav Ivanovic scored a stunning goal to give all three points to Chelsea

"I would say in another league – done. In the Premier League, I would say far from done because the Premier League is the only league where any team can take points from the top teams.

"You go to other leagues and the teams from the second part of the table, they play the top teams and they lose, they lose easily with big results.

"We have 14 matches left and that’s a long way to go."

Mourinho also complemented the display from Aston Villa, who ended a run of six Premier League matches and almost 11 hours without scoring as Jores Okore netted early in the second half.

Stability

Paul Lambert’s men lie in 16th place - just two points out of the relegation zone - but the Chelsea manager, who won at Villa Park for the first time, is confident Villa will survive.

Phil Thompson gives his thoughts on Chelsea's 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

"A team with so many good players is not a team in trouble,” he added. “The teams in trouble are the ones without good players and Aston Villa’s is a squad filled with good players.

"They are a very good side, so for us to win here is very important – obviously it’s very difficult. The result says everything.

"I knew that they had a reaction and my players couldn’t cope. The good thing was that after that we had our reaction, we found our stability and we started going forwards.

"We went to try to win and, when we scored the second goal, after that I don’t remember a dangerous situation in our goal. We could control with stability."

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