Unai Emery keen for extended European run with Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said it was mission accomplished after his side cruised into the European Conference League group stage with an 8-0 aggregate win against Hibernian. Villa were 5-0 up from a resounding win in Edinburgh last week and completed formalities in the second leg as first-half goals from Jhon Duran and Leon Bailey put them out of sight. Substitute Matty Cash sealed a 3-0 win on the night as Villa hosted European football for the first time since 2010 and they now await Friday’s group-stage draw in Monaco to learn who they will face. Four-time Europa League winner Emery said: “Yes of course (I’m happy). We finished it tonight. “We needed to be in the group stage and we have to be happy and enjoy it with our supporters. “Today it was a full stadium and to finish and qualify was fantastic. I’m really happy because I really enjoy it in Europe and I want to enjoy it now with Aston Villa.” The Spaniard is expecting Villa to complete the loan signing of Clement Lenglet before the transfer window closes on Friday. “He’s not completely signed, but he’s close to signing with us,” Emery said. “He’s a player who can help us. With the injury to Tyrone Mings, he can replace him in the squad.” Emery said it “was possible” that Philippe Coutinho could leave Villa Park on deadline day and added: “I’m very happy with our squad. “The club made a big effort to complete our squad. There’s still one day to go and we’re going to be ready.” Hibs are going through a difficult spell having sacked manager Lee Johnson on Sunday after a home defeat to Livingston had left them bottom of the cinch Premiership without a point. They were outclassed for large periods in both legs against Villa, but were given a rapturous send-off by their noisy 2,200 travelling fans and caretaker boss David Gray said he was proud of them and his players. Former Hibs defender Gray, appointed caretaker for a third time after Johnson’s departure, said: “I’m proud of the players. “They worked right to the very end in difficult circumstances all round at the football club at the moment, but I can’t fault the effort or commitment from the players. “Playing against this level of opposition, if you switch off for a split second or make a slight mistake, you get punished. They’re a top, top team with fantastic players.” On Hibs’ impressive following, Gray added: “I’ve been at the club nearly 10 years now and they’ve always been fantastic. “You say there was 2,000, I’m sure there was a lot more that came down. Fantastic support as always.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Boulter relieved not to be defaulted after reaching US Open third round LGBT+ England fans may shun Jordan Henderson for ‘turning his back’ on them Gareth Southgate admits Raheem Sterling not happy after England snub
2023-09-01 06:57
Claimed by Cincinnati Reds, New York native Harrison Bader hopes for future return to Yankees
The Cincinnati Reds claimed outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Harrison Bader off waivers in an effort to boosts their playoff push
2023-09-01 06:50
Volpe becomes 20-20 player as Yankees lose to Tigers 4-3 in 10-inning series finale
Gleyber Torres’ throwing error in the 10th inning gave Detroit a 4-3 win against the New York Yankees, allowing the Tigers to salvage the series finale
2023-09-01 06:47
Patrick Kane tells The AP he's back on the ice and feeling himself again 3 months since hip surgery
NHL free agent forward Patrick Kane tells The Associated Press he’s been on the ice about 20 times already and is on track, if not ahead of the initial four to six month projection in returning to play since having hip resurfacing surgery on June 1
2023-09-01 06:27
Yankees' Steinbrenner excited about young players, says team will evaluate analytics department
New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he’s excited to see what an influx of young players will bring to the major league team over the final weeks of a lost season and also hinted that changes could be coming to how the team utilizes analytics
2023-09-01 05:51
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf says he doesn't see how shooting could have occurred in ballpark
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is pushing back on the possibility that a shooting at Guaranteed Rate Field came from a gun inside the ballpark
2023-09-01 05:47
No. 4 Alabama keeps starting QB under wraps as the opener against Middle Tennessee arrives
Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t reveal his No. 1 quarterback this week _ or any other starter for that matter
2023-09-01 05:21
Some 60,000 people return from prison each year. Her program is now a nationwide model for providing second chances
For 25 years, Susan Burton has dedicated herself to helping women rebuild their lives after prison. Today, she's established an alliance that helps others around the world follow her path.
2023-09-01 04:55
Mariners find themselves in rare spot heading into September: first place
The Seattle Mariners started August with a 6-4 loss to Boston that left them in fourth place in the AL West
2023-09-01 04:51
Cincinnati to open first season in Big 12 against Eastern Kentucky
Scott Satterfield opens his tenure at Cincinnati with a home game against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday
2023-09-01 04:48
Liverpool agree £35million deal with Bayern Munich for Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool have agreed a £35million deal for Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch as Jurgen Klopp’s midfield rebuild nears completion. The PA news agency understands the 21-year-old is heading to Merseyside for a medical ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline, with the fee agreed inclusive of add-ons. Gravenberch has been a target for some time but only in the last week has Bayern’s position changed on a player they bought from Ajax a year ago for around £16m. The Netherlands international will be the fourth and almost certainly final acquisition before the deadline, joining fellow new additions Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo in Liverpool’s engine room. Having sold Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, aged 33 and turning 30 in October respectively, and allowed James Milner (37), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (30) and the injury-plagued Naby Keita (28) to leave in the summer, the midfield was in need of a major refresh. Gravenberch’s arrival will bring the average age down even further after the signings of Mac Allister (24) and Szoboszlai (22) began the process. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-09-01 04:25
PSG and Mbappe get tough Champions League draw in group with Milan, Dortmund and Newcastle
Paris Saint-Germain and its star forward Kylian Mbappe landed in the toughest group in the Champions League draw Thursday with former champions AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, plus Newcastle
2023-09-01 03:50