
Aston Villa’s final step in European bid will be hardest – Unai Emery
Boss Unai Emery admits Aston Villa’s final step to return to Europe will be their hardest. Villa host Brighton on Sunday knowing victory would seal a European comeback for the first time since 2010-11. It would book seventh in the Premier League and a Europa Conference League play-off spot but Emery knows it is a tough test. “We have to be very ambitious and I am. I’m here trying to push everybody, to demand from everybody to get better playing and to take European places,” he said. “We have to take each step being strong and being passionate about how to do it. We are in this way. We are progressing very well. “I’m very, very happy with the players and their commitment, their character and they are responding very well. We are also connecting with our supporters. “We are in the first step. If we achieve our objective on Sunday, we will be very, very happy. “It’s the next step because we started by escaping from the bottom (of the table), we got into the top 10 and then we have the objective to be in the European places. “The most difficult step is to get it, but we have our objective. And then if we don’t, it’s not changing our idea or our mind about how we want to improve.” Brighton have already qualified for the Europa League, sealing sixth place with Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City. Boss Roberto De Zerbi has impressed since replacing Graham Potter in September and Emery is an admirer. He said: “Football is changing so quickly. I’m 51 years old, I started coaching at 32, so I’ve had 19 years as a coach and manager. “Always I am very focussed on how I can improve each day to be today, better than yesterday, to be tomorrow, better than today. “It’s not only about my work or my experiences or my analysis, it’s about trying to watch other coaches. One of them is Roberto De Zerbi. “I like coaches who can show us something different tactically, offensively and defensively. In football, you have to be in the fast train because it moves so quickly.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 5 talking points: Three clubs battle for Premier League survival on last day Ryan Mason ‘trusts the people making decisions’ at Tottenham ahead of key summer Thomas Frank inspired by ‘best coach’ Pep Guardiola’s work
2023-05-27 19:21

Serbian border troops to maintain highest state of alert after ethnic clashes inside Kosovo
Serbia has condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighboring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop “brutal actions” by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs
2023-05-27 18:51

Erling Haaland named 2022/23 Premier League Player of the Season
Erling Haaland has been named the 2022/23 Premier League Player of the Season.
2023-05-27 18:49

Madison Beer: TikTok star who doesn't like Cannoli tries it. What makes her spit it out?
Madison Beer is the ‘hero of the internet’ after her latest appearance on YouTube
2023-05-27 18:45

'I don’t give a f**k': Mark Wahlberg and Martin Scorsese butted heads on the set of 'The Departed'
Mark Wahlberg not only clashed with Scorsese, but also developed some resentment toward his cast mates including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson
2023-05-27 18:30

Father knows best: Keith Tkachuk's words came at just the right time for Panthers
Keith Tkachuk never played a game for the Florida Panthers, and hadn’t recorded an assist at the NHL level in nearly 13 years
2023-05-27 18:29

Angels' Bachman becomes first top-10 pick from 2021 draft to reach majors
It didn’t take long for Sam Bachman to make his big league debut
2023-05-27 18:27

F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying latest updates and FP3 times
Formula 1 returns to one of its most famous races - the Monaco Grand Prix - after the unfortunate cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a crucial qualifying session to be held this afternoon. F1 was forced to cancel the Imola race weekend due to adverse weather and flooding in the region, with the event at this stage unlikely to be rescheduled amid the congested 2023 calendar. Yet teams and drivers will now turn their attention to the tight twists and turns of the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco for the next round of the season. PREVIEW: Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won last year’s race in wet conditions, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second and Max Verstappen third. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc has never been on the podium at his home race, while Mercedes will be eyeing improvements as they introduce upgrades to Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s cars. Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice on Friday with Max Verstappen top of the timesheets in FP2. Follow F1 qualifying live with The Independent - FP3 is at 11:30am before qualifying at 3pm (BST) Read More Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it? Lewis Hamilton hoped for more from Mercedes updates in Monaco
2023-05-27 18:22

Borussia Dortmund is on brink of ending Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance
The final day of the Bundesliga on Saturday is set to be a thrilling one with the title race going down to the wire.
2023-05-27 18:21

Pope Francis returns to work after suffering fever
Pope Francis returned to work on Saturday morning after being struck down by a fever which interrupted his regular schedule and sparked renewed concerns for his health.
2023-05-27 18:20

Luton Town vs. Coventry City: Soccer's 'richest game' offers winner of play-off final a $360 million Premier League jackpot
It's been dubbed soccer's "richest game," but for Luton Town and Coventry City, Saturday's Championship play-off final means much more than just money.
2023-05-27 18:20

Motor racing-Hamilton rumours all part of F1's fuelled-up 'Silly Season'
MONACO Having lived in Monte Carlo for nearly three decades David Coulthard knows a good bet when he
2023-05-27 18:19