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      LaLiga ref exposed as secret Real Madrid fan by a PARROT live on TV as official desperately tries to silence pet bird

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      FORMER LaLiga referee Pajares Paz was left squirming after being exposed by his pet PARROT on live TV.And fans believe the exotic bird’s blunder confirmed Paz as a secret Real Madrid fan.Retired ref Pajares Paz begged his pet parrot to ‘shut up’ on live TVThe parrot started whistling Real Madrid’s anthemThe 75-year-old was discussing a controversial penalty decision in the closing moments of the Villarreal’s 1-1 draw with Getafe last Sunday.However, what happened during the conversation caught everyone by surprise.Paz’s parrot started singing the Hala Madrid’s anthem live on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito.The wide-eyed embarrassed ex-referee tried to calm the bird by shushing it and begging it to “shut up”.READ MORE FOOTBALLBut the mimicry kept singing, while the four hosts in the studio could barely contain their laughter, with two covering their eyes and mouths.Parrots are vocal learners, which means they are able to imitate and repeat new sounds.And while the comical moment is not total evidence that Paz is actually a Real Madrid fan, he had some explaining to do.He later dropped ex-referee Urizar Azpitarte in it, after claiming he has a parrot that says “Cabron” (b*****ds) when it hears the word “Barcelona”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFans were quick to assume that the parrot had exposed Paz as a Madrid supporter.One wrote: “Madrid will never beat the allegations of favouritism.”Watch Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham roll his eyes at how he is introduced to fans at EA FC 25 launchA second said: “This referee, who teaches his parrot the Madrid anthem, used to whistle classics and now he acts as impartial.”Another commented: “The tokens keep falling. Shameless.”One more added: “How much do VARdrid pay the parrots? 😂😂”Paz retired as a referee at the end of the 1994/95 season.The Spanish official oversaw eight Madrid games, where the Los Blancos won seven, drew one and lost zero.Furious Jose Mourinho’s CUTTING dig at referee Clement Turpin after red card vs Man UtdJOSE MOURINHO launched a sarcastic blast at ref Clement Turpin after he was red-carded in his clash with former club Manchester United. The Fenerbahce boss saw his side fight back to earn a point as United tossed away the lead for a third successive drawn Europa League match.Mourinho was sent to the stands after raging against Turpin’s failure to award a penalty against Manuel Ugarte for a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel.And Mourinho scowled: “The referee told me something incredible. He said at the same time he could see the action in the box and my behaviour on the touchline.“I congratulate him because he is absolutely incredible. During the game, 100 miles per hour, he had one eye on the penalty situation and one eye on my behaviour on the bench. That’s the explanation he gave me.”That is why he is one of the best referees in the world!” More

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      Ian Holloway spotted managing Swindon from the stands despite not starting new job until Monday

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      IAN HOLLOWAY was spotted managing Swindon from the stands despite not yet officially starting his new role.The maverick manager was appointed Robins boss on a deal until the end of the season, replacing the sacked Mark Kennedy.Ian Holloway dished out instructions from the touchlineCredit: Rob NoyesHe even consulted with Swindon coachesCredit: Rob NoyesHolloway took up a seat in the standsCredit: Rob NoyesSwindon announced Holloway would begin his tenure on Monday but the incoming boss was at the County Ground on Saturday casting an eye over his new team.However he could not resist the urge to get involved and he walked down the stand to the touchline where he began barking out instructions.The former Premier League boss even went up to the Swindon dugout as began consulting with Swindon coaches.His new team needed all the help they could get as they went a man down just nine minutes into the clash with defender Grant Hall receiving a red card.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMinutes later Timothee Dieng opened the scoring for Gillingham but Swindon held firm and grabbed a dramatic last-minute equaliser through Harry Smith.Holloway, 61, is known for fostering a strong team spirit in his squads and it appears he is already having a positive influence.Fans loved Holloway’s antics with one reacting saying: “Showing more passion than that clown Kennedy in 45 mins.”Another added: “Certainly worked his magic.”Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA third wrote: “Oh this is gonna be fun!!!!”And another commented: “He was cracking, from the DR stands wee were playing ‘where’s Holloway’ 🤣”Lincoln’s Ethan Erhahon reveals players STOLE the physio’s car and he was offered a ‘scrap’ with a fan – What the EFL More

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      How one journalist got sacked from voting for the Ballon d’Or after his picks showed he’d lost all credibility

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      ARGENTINE journalist Enrique Wolff lost his right to vote for the Ballon d’Or winner after his picks showed “he’d lost all credibility.”Wolff, 75, was removed after voting for FOUR of his compatriots in the top five of the 2023 Ballon d’Or, which was won by Lionel Messi.The voter for Argentina was removed after last year’s Ballon d’OrEnrique Wolff was accused of losing ‘all credibility’Credit: wolffquique instagramFrance Football will hand the Ballon d’Or to the world’s best player in a glittering awards ceremony in Paris on Monday.The coveted award is decided by 100 journalists, one from each of Fifa’s 100 top-ranked member nations (top 50 for the women’s award).Each journalist makes their top 10 pick from the 30-player shortlist and there are different point values for each.The Ballon d’Or is for the previous season and should go to the best player during that specific period, not the journalists’ favourite.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut guidance carries only so much weight.Ballon d’Or organiser and commander-in-chief, Vincent Garcia told The Times: “I am not a dictator. They vote with their heart.”Some prefer attackers or midfielders, this team or that team. The important thing is to be credible. Not everyone passes that test either.”He then went on to explain where Argentine journalist Wolff went wrong.Most read in FootballInter Miami and Argentina’s Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGarcia said: “Last year the voter for Argentina was removed after he selected four players from Argentina — Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Emiliano Martinez — in his top five spots.”There were four Argentina players available on the shortlist and he picked all of them.Karim Benzema shows off incredible Ballon d’Or watch after responding to Ronaldo snub as he’s tipped for career change”My opinion was he had lost objectivity. We changed the journalist and he no longer votes.”The only non-Argentine player included by Wolff was Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the Qatar World Cup final.Messi’s coronation last October was the first time in 15 years that the Ballon d’Or hasn’t gone to a player from Real Madrid or Barcelona.And Madrid winger Vinicius Jr is the clear frontrunner to win the award for the first time on Monday.Garcia also wanted to clear up accusations about LaLiga favouritism and the supposed unfair power of Madrid president Florentino Perez.He added: “If there was a ‘Perez Effect’, what would it be? Would I be in touch with him? I never spoke to him ever in my life so far. READ MORE SUN STORIES”It would somehow mean he manages to have some influence over us, which is not the case.­­”In the men’s category, six England players – captain Harry Kane, midfielders Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Declan Rice, and forwards Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer – have been nominated.Ballon d’Or nominees in fullMen’s awardJude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Turkey, Inter)Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)Rúben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)Artem Dovbyk (Ukraine, Dnipro / Girona / Roma)Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta)Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter )Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid)Martin Ødegaard (Norway, Arsenal)Dani Olmo (Spain, Leipzig / Barcelona)Cole Palmer (England, Manchester City / Chelsea)Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)Antonio Rüdiger (Germany, Real Madrid)Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)William Saliba (France, Arsenal)Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)Nico Williams (Spain, Athletic Club)Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)Granit Xhaka (Switzerland, Bayer Leverkusen)Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)Women’s awardBarbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai RCB / Orlando Pride)Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona / Chelsea)Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona / Arsenal)Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)Grace Geyoro (France, Paris Saint-Germain)Manuela Giugliano (Italy, AS Roma)Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)Giulia Gwinn (Germany, Bayern Munich)Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)Lauren James (England, Chelsea)Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, Paris Saint-Germain)Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)Sjoeke Nüsken (Germany, Chelsea)Ewa Pajor (Poland, VfL Wolfsburg / Barcelona)Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)Gabi Portilho (Brazil, Corinthians)Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)Mayra Ramírez (Colombia, Levante / Chelsea)Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)Lea Schüller (Germany, Bayern Munich)Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)Tarciane (Brazil, Corinthians / Houston Dash)Glódís Viggósdóttir (Iceland, Bayern Munich)Yashin TrophyDiogo Costa (Portugal, Porto)Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain)Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund)Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid)Mike Maignan (France, Milan)Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia, Valencia)Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club)Yann Sommer (Switzerland, Inter)Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)Kopa TrophyPau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, Manchester United)Arda Güler (Turkey, Real Madrid)Karim Konaté (Ivory Coast, Salzburg)Kobbie Mainoo (England, Manchester United)João Neves (Portugal, Benfica / Paris Saint-Germain)Savinho (Brazil, Girona / Manchester City)Mathys Tel (France, Bayern Munich)Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)Warren Zaïre-Emery (France, Paris Saint-Germain)Men’s coach awardXabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain national team)Gian Piero Gasperini (Italy, Atalanta)Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City)Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina national team)Women’s coach awardSonia Bompastor (France, Olympique Lyonnais / Chelsea)Arthur Elias (Brazil, Corinthians / Brazil national team)Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, Barcelona / Washington Spirit)Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea / USA national team)Filipa Patão (Portugal, Benfica)Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands, England national team)Men club of the year awardBorussia Dortmund (Germany)Girona (Spain)Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)Manchester City (England)Real Madrid (Spain)Women’s club of the year awardBarcelona (Spain)Chelsea (England)NJ/NY Gotham (USA)Olympique Lyonnais (France)Paris Saint-Germain (France) More

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      Invincible says don’t judge Kai Havertz on goals as Dennis Bergkamp-like ace becoming ‘major part of Arsenal history’

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      BELIEVE it or not, there ARE similarities between Kai Havertz and Dennis Bergkamp.Arsenal legend and three-time Prem winner Bergkamp was heavily criticised upon signing for the club on June 21, 1995 – taking seven league games to score his first goal.Kai Havertz has become a vital member of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal starting XICredit: GettyDennis Bergkamp was heavily criticised before becoming a club legendCredit: GettyHavertz – a £65m buy from Chelsea on June 28, 2023 – was considered by some a waste of money after he took 10 games in all competitions to open his account in North London.Their positions too. Bergkamp was never considered a conventional goal-getting No.9, while Havertz has so far under Mikel Arteta been used as a central striker, No.10 and marauding midfielder.And importantly, for all of the flair and beauty, aggression and physicality, their influence on their respective Arsenal teams is undeniable, regardless of goals.Deemed one of the club’s and Prem’s all-time greats, Dutch master Bergkamp never scored more than 16 goals in a single league season for the Gunners.read more arsenalAs an integral, world class cog in Arsene Wenger’s Invincible side of 2003/04, he scored just four Prem goals, alongside seven assists for the likes of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.On the hunt for a first league title since then, Havertz notched 13 Prem goals and seven assists in his debut season as Arteta’s men finished two points behind champions Manchester City.Havertz already has four goals and one assist in eight games this term after a fine start solely as a No.9, while his influence on those around him grows by the week.And ahead of a blockbuster title clash against Liverpool, Jeremie Aliadiere – a member of the Invincibles and ex-teammate of Bergkamp – told SunSport: “I don’t rely on [Havertz] scoring goals.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The team shares goals from everywhere, and as long as you keep winning games, that’s all that matters. Do you always need an Erling Haaland scoring 20 to 30 goals a season?“You can share it around and still win a Premier League title. I would never judge Havertz on a minimum number of goals because he brings so much more than that to the team.”Did officials cheat Arsenal with dramatic Man City winner and Saliba red card?More often than not right now, when Havertz gets a chance, he takes it – recently on a run of scoring in seven successive home games – while continuing to drive others forward with a cuteness and technical brilliance under pressure.The German international’s 6ft 4in frame sees him dominate duels in the air, his work rate off the ball is relentless and he has recently revealed he has started to “enjoy” physical battles.Bergkamp – occasionally nicknamed ‘Dirty Den’ during his 11-year Arsenal stint – also had a mean streak to him that paved the way for others to grab the headlines.Frenchman Aliadiere – who made 51 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2007 – continued: “I see [the similarities]. Dennis could play anywhere.Jeremie Aliadiere (bottom left) won the title with Arsenal in 2004Credit: Getty“He was a magician, the best footballing brain I have ever seen. He saw things and could read the game quicker than anybody and saw things no one else could. He was the ‘Iceman’.“You would try to copy him in training and it was impossible. He was on a different level, feeding the likes of Henry, Pires, Freddie Ljungberg. He was the conductor, the chief.“I must say, I was not convinced of Havertz initially as a No.9, maybe not sharp or quick enough, but like Dennis, he is not a typical player.“A big lad who holds the ball well and his intelligence and selflessness to get Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard involved.“When you start to feel important in the team, not wondering if you’re going to start, suddenly the confidence grows and he is playing like he has never played before.“He’s slowly becoming a major part of Arsenal’s history and hopefully it is a winning season.”All that is missing is the “aura” that comes from lifting titles and being recognised as one of the world’s best – something a 16-year-old Aliadiere experienced first-hand with Bergkamp.Speaking on behalf of William Hill Vegas, Aliadiere explained: “As a young boy joining the club, the first six months being in the first team, [Bergkamp] never spoke to me. He barely said hello in the morning.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I thought: ‘Oh god, he doesn’t like me’. It made me even more anxious and scared in training, but after that he suddenly completely changed. He accepted me.“He wanted to see if I was good enough to be around him. He had such an aura around him. You couldn’t get his friendship just like that. You had to earn it.” More

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      Spanish press turn on ‘shadow of himself’ Jude Bellingham who played in the wrong position for Real loss to Barcelona

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM was singled out for criticism by the Spanish press following Real Madrid’s humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona.The England star was labelled a “shadow of his former self” after Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position during his first El Clasico beating.Jude Bellingham has been labelled a ‘shadow of his former self’ by the Spanish pressAfter the England star suffered a 4-0 thrashing by Barca at the BernabeuBellingham was played on the right and at times in a more defensive role on Saturday nightAll four of Barcelona’s goals came in the second half, with Robert Lewandowski hitting a brace, before Lamine Yamal and Raphinha added to Real Madrid’s woes.Bellingham won five of his 11 duels, completed just 13 passes, committed two fouls and spurned a big chance in his 90 minutes, as Kylian Mbappe saw TWO goals ruled out for offside.But Spanish outlet Marca believe that only one person is to blame for Bellingham’s struggles.Marca claim Real Madrid boss Ancelotti is at fault for playing Bellingham on the right, and at times in a more defensive role, against Barca. READ MORE ON BELLINGHAMJournalist Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa wrote: “Bellingham is a shadow of the player who burst onto the scene last season at the Bernabeu. “And the fault lies not with him, but with the way he is being managed.”Every day he plays in a position that is not his and the boy, although he gives his all, does not shine. “Playing close to the right flank, playing as a full-back for many minutes, is a joke in bad taste that Ancelotti must correct immediately.Most read in FootballMarca believe that Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is at fault for Bellingham’s strugglesFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”The fact that a player who last year scored almost twenty goals has not scored any when we are almost in November is something that deserves serious analysis.”Bellingham, 21, was thriving in his previous free role, where he was often used as the main source of goals.Moment Jude Bellingham video chats sick child in hospital after ex-team-mate calls him out of the blueBut this season he’s found himself deeper, often playing from the right or left hand side of midfield.The change in position has accompanied a new 4-4-2 formation after Madrid signed Mbappe from PSG in the summer.NBC Sports gave Bellingham a player rating of four for his performance against Barcelona, while Sports Mole rated him a five.And Madrid fans were even harsher after Saturday’s defeat, with one writing: “Jude Bellingham is better the less you watch him.”Another said: “Bellingham has mastered the art of looking busy on a football pitch. The casuals love it, the analytics guys love it, I see through it.”A third wrote: “Bellingham is closer to a Scott McTominay than a Cole Palmer, Pedri or a Musiala.”Bellingham is still searching for his first goal of the season, after missing the first few weeks of the new term with a muscle injury.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis is a far cry from his debut season at the club, when he scored 23 times in all competitions and landed himself a Ballon d’Or nomination.Meanwhile, Barca shattered Madrid’s 42-game unbeaten streak and sit six points above Ancelotti’s side at the top. More

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      Millionaire rapper Snoop Dogg wants to invest in Celtic after seeing Wrexham success plus ‘their mascot is a hound’

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      SNOOP DOGG wants to invest in Scottish champions Celtic.The millionaire rapper has been inspired by the recent success of Wrexham under their Hollywood owners.Snoop Dogg wants to invest in Scottish champions CelticClub mascot Hoopy the Hound is a key factor in Snoop’s desire to invest in the BhoysCredit: GettyActors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the Red Dragons in 2020 and have since transformed their fortunes.Following back-to-back promotions, Wrexham are back in League One this season for the first time in 19 years.Snoop is now ready to get into club ownership himself with his beloved Celtic.As well as Wrexham’s fortunes, he is also keen to get involved due to the Bhoys’ mascot Hoopy the Hound.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe hip-hop icon told the Daily Record: “I love what Ryan has done with Wrexham – it’s just a great story.”Investing in a sports team has been something I have been looking at for a long time – if the chance came to invest in Celtic, I would be crazy not to take a look at it.”I have watched so much soccer in Europe but I have never seen fans like the Celtic fans. There is something so special about them.”There is a reason why their fans are talked about across Europe – the best players and coaches in the world tell you there is nowhere like Celtic Park and I want to be a part of that.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Their mascot is a hound – you couldn’t make that up. Snoop Dogg becomes Hoopy the Hound – that’s gotta be a match made in heaven. The headlines write themselves.”Snoop has made no secret of his passion for the Hoops in the past, having been recognised as one of the club’s most famous fans.‘I’m not sure that was pragmatic enough for some’ says Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers as he responds to doubters after Atalanta draw As well as proclaiming they “are my boys”, he has been pictured in their famous green and white several times.However, he appeared to switch sides last September as Celtic began their Champions League campaign.The 53-year-old performed in a Feyenoord shirt at a concert in Rotterdam on the same night Celtic faced the Dutch side.Snoop will be hoping for more success for his team this Sunday, though, as Brendan Rodgers’ side visit Motherwell.A win would take the Hoops back to the top of the Scottish Premiership on goal difference ahead of Aberdeen.Wrexham’s success under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds has inspired SnoopCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League flop, 33, left looking sheepish after scoring ‘own goal of the year’ to cost his team a point

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      ASTON VILLA flop Leandro Bacuna scored a comical and DECISIVE own goal which saw his team lose 1-0 late on at Fortuna Sittard.Bacuna, 33, was captaining Dutch side Groningen who now sit 15th – just outside the Eredivisie relegation zone.Former Villa man Leandro Bacuna was left red-faced after blasting the ball into his own net from two yards outThe decisive error saw his Dutch side Groningen lose 1-0The ex-Premier League star held onto the the roof of the net looking devastatedHis moment of madness means Groningen have suffered five consecutive defeats after winning promotion last season.With the score tied 0-0 in the 86th minute, Fortuna Sittard took an in-swinging corner and managed to get a low shot off.But goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen kept the ball out by pushing it out to left-back Wouter Prins, who was standing at the front post.With the ball moving fast, Prins could only tap it away centrally towards an incoming Bacuna, who was two yards away from the goal line.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former Aston Villa star tried to clear it over the bar – but somehow lashed it into his own net even though he was only a yard out.A devastated Bacuna stood with his head in his hands and held onto the the roof of the net looking shell-shocked.The unbelievable howler also left his team-mates wrecked, with Prins picking the ball up and booting it in the air in frustration.After the match, Bacuna said: “I was emotional, went inside and didn’t thank our fans. I’m not happy about that and I apologise. I also have to be there for the team.”Most read in FootballBacuna was left devastated after failing to clear an attempt in the 86th minuteFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFans couldn’t believe what they witnessed as they stormed social media stating this might have been the worst own goal this year.One fan wrote: “Bacuna with an own goal of the year contender.”‘I wouldn’t want to be the VAR’ gasps Mike Dean as Aston Villa goal overturned in controversial circumstancesAnother commented: “Why has he just blasted in????”While one more said: “That’s really unbelievable. Poor fella. Hard luck in recent times.”Dutch footie analyst Wim Masker added: “This is really an incomprehensible own goal.”Fans were quick to call out Bacuna after he was dropped to the bench for oversleeping before their 1-0 defeat to FC Utrecht last week.To make matters worse, he will miss Groningen’s next match against NEC Nijmegen, after picking up his fifth yellow of the season, for kicking the ball away earlier in the game.He is the older brother of former Birmingham, Rangers and Huddersfield midfielder Juninho Bacuna, who now plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Wehda.Bacuna made more than 130 appearances for Villa and was a regular when they were relegated in 2016, when the club had four different managers.He often shifted between playing at right-back and central midfield.During his time in the Prem, Bacuna fell out with the Villa Park supporters during their relegation campaign in 2015-16.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was once singled out with insults about his baby daughter in fan attack on rock-bottom squad, according to The Mirror.Bacuna was issued with a three-match suspension for his headbutt on assistant referee Mark Russell in 2017.How Unai Emery has transformed Aston VillaBy Graeme BryceASTON VILLA suspected they were on to a winner when they enticed four-times Europa League king Unai Emery away from Villarreal in October 2022.They will certainly never bag a bigger bargain than the £5.2million compensation fee they paid the La Liga side for their Spanish tactical genius.Emery started the way he meant to continue at Villa, ironically beating Sunday’s opponents Manchester United 3-1 on his debut – to record Villa’s first home Premier League victory over United since August 1995!And he has continued smashing records and setting new standards ever since, culminating in Wednesday’s incredible win over six-times European champions Bayern Munich.Emery credits his Basque upbringing for his workaholic nature and he is first into Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training base before 8am every morning – and he is usually the last there, switching the lights off when he leaves around 9pm most nights.A Villa insider once summed it up by saying: “It’s not unusual for managers to spend long hours at the training ground, chatting to staff, having cups of coffee. Unai is different, he doesn’t do down-time, it’s full on work-mode from the minute he arrives to the minute he leaves.”On away trips Emery opens his laptop as soon as he boards the team coach and starts analysing his own team’s performance as well as the opposition.”He will watch all of our games seven or eight times and does the same for our opponents,” says Villa’s Director of Football Operations, Damian Vidagany – one of 23 Spaniards Emery has taken with him to Villa, including the world-famous transfer guru Monchi.Emery trusts Monchi to supply the talent he needs from £50million record signing Amadou Onana to £8million bargain-buy Morgan Rogers and then he improves them beyond recognition.Lesser managers would have written hotheaded hitman Jhon Duran off as a troublemaker – cut their losses and flogged him this summer after a series of high-profile PR gaffes.But Emery was cold and clinical and asked himself one question – does the kid have any worth to me? Once he decided he did, he put an arm round the youngster and talked him through how he would transform him into one of the world’s great strikers.Now the smile is back on Duran’s face, never more so than after his stunning winner against Bayern, which underlined Emery’s extraordinary man-management skills. Training is meticulous and repetitive until players get the drill with the aid of constant video reminders, both collectively and individually, while his army of coaches work tirelessly on improving individual players’ skill-sets and game intelligence with tailor-made sessions.Against Bayern Emery not only set Villa up brilliantly defensively to frustrate the Bavarian giants, who failed to score for the first time this season. He also hammered home over and over again verbally and visually with video clips, Manuel Neuer’s tendency to stray miles off his goal line in his sweeper-keeper role.Jhon Duran’s first-time finish to send the ball soaring over a stranded Neuer was pure genius – but the seed to try such an outrageous attempt was planted in his head by another genius.Take a bow, Unai Emery! 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      Wolves lining up £20million transfer for Watford Euro 2024 star to help rescue them from Prem relegation

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      WOLVES will make Watford’s Georgian star Giorgi Chakvetadze a top target in January as they seek a Premier League saviour.Gary O’Neil’s men need new attacking inspiration and lively Chakvetadze, 25, has been on top form this season.Wolves are eyeing a January move for Watford midfielder Giorgi ChakvetadzeCredit: RexScouts watched the midfielder against Leeds on Tuesday and he is short-listed as a buy if the Molineux club can wheel and deal in the window.Wolves have been sellers recently but a purchase may save their top-flight skins.Watford would want up to £20million for a player who signed a fresh five-year deal only a month ago, however, and other Prem clubs have an eye on Chakvetadze.The Georgian international initially joined the Hornets on loan from Gent last summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis loan move was then made permanent in February for around £2million.As well as penning a new deal, he has scored once and provided two assists in 12 Championship appearances this term.Meanwhile, the midfield ace also has nine goals in 33 caps for Georgia.He made his international debut in 2018 aged just 18 and was part of the Crusaders’ Euro 2024 squad.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWilly Sagnol’s side were one of the surprise packages of the tournament in Germany during the summer.Chakvetadze played in all four of their matches as they reached the last 16, losing to eventual winners Spain.I watched Cristiano Ronaldo play for Al-Nassr, the atmosphere and standard had me shocked… but he didn’t seem botheredHis arrival would boost Wolves’ survival hopes after a difficult start to the season.O’Neil’s side are currently 19th following Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Brighton.However, they have yet to win any of their opening nine Premier League fixtures. More