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      Aston Villa considering shock Romelu Lukaku transfer swoop this summer when Chelsea stars loan finishes at Inter Milan

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      ROMELU LUKAKU is a shock transfer target for Aston Villa, according to reports.The Chelsea striker, 29, was shipped out on loan to Inter Milan for this season despite his £97million transfer in 2021.
      Romelu Lukaku could be on his way to Aston Villa this summerCredit: Getty
      But with that deal ending in the summer, he looks set to be on the move again as the Stamford Bridge club are said to want to sell him.
      And Todo Fichajes claim Aston Villa are surprise admirers and considering launching a bid.
      Unai Emery’s side sold Danny Ings to West Ham in January, leaving Ollie Watkins as the main striker.
      Villa also have Bertrand Traore and Wesley on their books.
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      But signing Lukaku would add plenty of experience and extra talent into the attack.
      Lukaku has 121 goals in 278 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, West Brom, Everton and Manchester United.
      The Belgian, though, has expressed his desire to stay put at Inter, where he spent two years from 2019 to 2021, winning Serie A, reaching the Europa League final and scoring 64 goals in 95 games.
      He has struggled to hit his top form this term, though, with just five goals in 19 games – including three in the league.
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      But as with Villa’s pursuit, attempts by Inter to sign Lukaku permanently could be thwarted by finances.
      Ths San Siro giants and Villa Park side may be unable to offer the money both Chelsea and Lukaku the money they want for a transfer.
      The Blues will certainly have to take a hit on the £97m outlay two years earlier.
      But Lukaku’s current contract in West London sees him earn a whopping £325,000 per week.

      Chelsea have no genuine strikers available for the Champions League knockout stages, dumping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang while Armando Broja is injured.
      Kai Havertz, Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling can all play in a central role, though. More

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      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta aims thinly-veiled dig at Ten Hag after Man Utd chief’s attack on Gunners’ lack of injuries

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      ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman’s recent comments about his side.Ten Hag, 53, last week claimed that the Gunners have not had to put up with many injuries this season.
      Mikel Arteta addressed Arsenal’s injury situationCredit: AP
      Arsenal fans online were left incensed, with many pointing to Gabriel Jesus’ long lay-off.
      Arteta, 40, vehemently disagrees with the sentiment too, and laid out what his side have had to contend with after his side’s latest match.
      After having to field Rob Holding in the absence of William Saliba, the Gunners managed to beat managerless Crystal Palace 4-1 yesterday.
      Following the final whistle, Arteta told Sky Sports: “We had to respond and we talked about having players out all season.
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      “Gabriel Jesus was out for four months, Emile Smith Rowe out for four and a half months, Kiernan Tierney, Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah out for two and a half months, now William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
      “We overcome those situations, Rob came in and was brilliant today.
      “Everyone has to give another edge to be at the same level, it’s not a secret.
      “There are moments we have 14, 15 players but everyone is willing to play and put their bodies on the line and I am happy that our players are happy to do that.
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      “To be at the top you have to do that at all times.”
      Arsenal suffered their latest injury setbacks during their Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.
      Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba both limped off during the first half of the Emirates clash.
      Speaking ahead of United’s round of 16 second leg clash at Real Betis, Ten Hag had said: “When you see the whole season, we had some setbacks, also some shortages of players.
      “But every time we dealt with it and it’s about the players who are available and every time there was a team on the pitch.
      “But what is true is I think, till now, we had only one game when we had a squad available totally. One game where I could say, ‘okay now I can pick my team [only] for a tactical approach’ and that was perfect. It was against Man City at home. It was the only time in this season.
      “At other times, in every game we had one player suspended, one player is injured, or has illness so we have to deal with it now.
      “Of course, you hope it is like Arsenal. Almost all the time, their squad is total available.”
      Erik ten Hag made a dig at Arsenal last weekCredit: Getty More

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      Steven Gerrard bags new job five months after being sacked by Aston Villa in move described as a ‘major coup’

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      STEVEN GERRARD has bagged a new job five months after being sacked by Aston Villa.And the move is being hailed as a “major coup.”
      Steven Gerrard has landed a new gig after leaving Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Gerrard lasted less than a year at Villa Park after joining them from Rangers in November 2021.
      The Liverpool legend won just 13 of his 40 matches before getting the boot in October.
      And after seeing Unai Emery replace him in the Midlands, Gerrard is yet to land a new role.
      However, the former England captain has finally managed to get a big gig this week.
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      That’s after being snapped up by Channel 4 for the Three Lions’ upcoming Euro qualifiers.
      The broadcaster believes it has pulled off a “major coup” to land Gerrard for England’s games against Italy and Ukraine.
      And the Mail adds he is likely to be joined by Joe Cole and Jill Scott in the studio.
      Meanwhile, Gerrard continues to be linked with a return to the beautiful game.
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      It’s claimed he was on Leeds’ shortlist to replace Jesse Marsch before they plumped for Javi Gracia.
      And Gerrard is also thought to have held talks with Turkish side Trabzonspor after flying to Istanbul this month.

      But incredibly, it’s reckoned Paris Saint-Germain could be set to swoop as pressure grows on Christophe Galtier.
      The French side were beaten 2-0 at home by Rennes last night.
      And they are also out of the Champions League after defeat to Bayern Munich. More

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      Tottenham players are stunned at Antonio Conte’s blazing rant towards them with ‘several’ wanting him sacked NOW

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      ANTONIO CONTE has left Tottenham’s stars stunned and some of the squad want him axed now.The angry Spurs manager returned to Italy for a short break yesterday with the club still reeling after his astonishing rant following Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.
      Tottenham collapsed in the second half of their clash with Southampton on SaturdayCredit: GETTY
      Spurs boss Antonio Conte launched a scathing attack on his troops following their latest collapseCredit: REUTERS
      But it’s come at a cost as some of the squad want Daniel Levy to axe the ItalianCredit: PA
      The first-team squad know it is impossible that £15million-a-year Conte — out of contract this summer — will be in charge next season.
      There is a feeling among the players that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy could even sack the Italian before the next Premier League game against Everton on April 3.
      Equally, there are a few players who would be happy for Conte to get the chop during the international break.
      Conte had slammed the players — and also attacked Tottenham owners — in an extraordinary outburst on Saturday, calling the situation “unacceptable”.
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      A furious Conte said: “They don’t play for something important.
      “They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.
      “It is easy this way. Tottenham’s story is this.
      “For 20 years there is the owner but they never won something but why?
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      “The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stays here?
      “I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench.
      “Until now I try to hide the situation but not now because, I repeat, I don’t want to see what I have seen today because this is unacceptable and also un- acceptable for the fans.”
      It is widely accepted in football circles that Conte was accurate when he slammed the situation at Tottenham.
      But many also questioned his decision to make his feelings known publicly, which means his departure is now certain.
      The North Londoners have won one trophy since the current owners took over the club in 2001 and that was the EFL Cup in 2008.
      And SunSport revealed that club chiefs were furious when Tottenham tumbled out of the FA Cup to Sheffield United on March 1 after starting Harry Kane on the bench.
      Spurs have had 11 different managers in that time, including three since the 2019 departure of Mauricio Pochettino.
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      The Argentine coach took them to the Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid in 2019 but was sacked six months later.
      Some fans would love to see Pochettino return and he left the club on good terms with Levy.
      Antonio Conte’s future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is up in the airCredit: Rex More

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      Fans rage at ‘double standards’ as Mitrovic sent off for Man Utd ref shove just weeks after Fernandes escaped punishment

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      FOOTBALL fans were left fuming after comparing Aleksandar Mitrovic’s red card for pushing the referee to Bruno Fernandes’ unpunished shove on a linesman.Mitrovic, 28, lost his head during Fulham’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United after Willian was dismissed for a handball on the line.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off for pushing and screaming at referee Chris Kavanagh
      Bruno Fernandes appeared to push the assistant referee at Anfield earlier this monthCredit: Sky Sports
      As referee Chris Kavanagh returned from the VAR monitor to send off the former Chelsea man, Mitrovic proceeded to push the official.
      He was immediately shown a red card as Fulham were reduced to nine men, which all happened after manager Marco Silva has also been given his marching orders for encroaching on the ref as he looked at the VAR monitor.
      But football fans have been quick to point out the similarity of Mitrovic’s actions to that of Fernandes’ at Anfield earlier this month.
      The Portuguese playmaker, 28, who scored twice to clinch Man Utd’s place in the FA Cup semi-finals, avoided punishment despite appearing to push the assistant referee during United’s humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool.
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      It is an inconsistency the footballing world were not prepared to let slide.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “Mitrovic was ridiculous there 😂. 🤔 But his push on the ref was no less than Bruno Fernandes on the linesman the other week. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Where’s the consistency?”
      Another added: “Sent Mitrovic off for touching an official, but didn’t do the same to Fernandes a few weeks ago. Where is the consistency?”
      A third replied: “What Mitrovic did was disgraceful but Fernandes basically did the exact same thing at Anfield. Both should’ve been straight red cards.”
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      And a fourth responded: “Just seen the Mitrovic red card. Pretty sure Bruno Fernandes got away with doing the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago. Howard Webb strikes again…”
      Another fan said: “More double standards. Right to send Mitrovic off but no action against Fernandes for shoving a linesman.”
      While yet another supporter added: “Different rules for Penchester United. A – Mitrovic argues with referee over a red card = sent off. B – Bruno Fernandes shoves linesman and kicks a player = No card no action taken.”
      And it wasn’t just the fans who remembered Fernandes’ misdemeanour at Anfield.
      The talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent also complained about double-standards, when he took to Twitter.
      He shared: “Bruno gets nothing for pushing a linesman but mitrovic gets a straight red for bumping the ref , inconsistent VAR Embarrassing.”
      Man Utd will now face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-finals on the weekend of April 22/23.
      In the other semi-final tie, rivals Manchester City will take on Championship outfit Sheffield United. More

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      What Gabriel Martinelli told Mikel Arteta after Europa League penalty heartbreak as he scores in crunch win over Palace

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      MIKEL ARTETA has revealed that Gabriel Martinelli wanted to make amends after his penalty heartbreak against Sporting Lisbon.The Brazilian attacker’s miss from the spot saw Arsenal knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday.
      Gabriel Martinelli netted against Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta has said that Martinelli wanted to play after his heartbreak against Sporting LisbonCredit: EPA
      But he was on target as the Gunners hammered Crystal Palace in their return to Premier League action.
      And Arteta has admitted that Martinelli told him he wanted to play in the game.
      He told BBC Sport: “The reaction he had after missing a penalty [on Thursday].
      “There is always the question, but I asked him yesterday how he was and he said: ‘I want to be in the team’.”
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      Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka wrapped up the result with the Englishman netting a brace.
      Arteta was left “impressed” with what he saw as the whole side put the disappointment from Thursday behind them.
      He added: “The desire and the energy that we put in right from the beginning impressed me most.
      “We were really determined and focused and left Thursday in the past.
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      “After playing 120 minutes, they have to come back here and do it again against a team with a lot of needs.
      “Palace have not got the results lately but they have be very tough to beat.
      “But we were dominant and deserved to win the game.
      “Today, in the box when we had those openings, we defined the game in the right way.”
      The win has seen Arsenal extend their lead over Man City in the table to eight points.
      Arteta praised the achievement but is focused on the team’s next match in the Premier League.
      He said: “It feels very good, especially with the way we have played and the results we have picked up.
      “Now we must stop and make sure everyone comes back from the internationals with the same mindset.
      “We have Leeds next and we put the focus there.” More

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      Roma ‘slash Tammy Abraham asking price in HALF as Premier League side take big step towards transfer for ex-Chelsea man’

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      ROMA have cut their asking price for Tammy Abraham in half, reports suggest.The Italians had previously been claimed to want £66million for his signature.
      Tammy Abraham has been linked with a return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      But now, according to Calciomercato, an offer of more than £35m could be enough to secure his services.
      That is just under half of the earlier figure reported by Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
      And Calciomercato claim Abraham is top of Aston Villa’s list for attacking reinforcements.
      Abraham, 25, previously spent the 2018-19 season on loan from Chelsea at Villa Park.
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      He helped the club secure promotion to the Premier League, netting 26 goals in 40 appearances for the club.
      After scoring 27 goals in his debut campaign for Roma last season, Abraham has netted seven times so far this term.
      Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked with a move for the striker, as have former club Chelsea.
      But another of Abraham’s former clubs in Villa are also thought to be keen on the attacker.
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      Unai Emery’s side were previously linked with Abraham back in November.
      And reports suggest Villa remain interested in his signature.
      Roma are also said to be open to letting Abraham leave this summer. More

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      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace LIVE SCORE: Gunners go EIGHT points clear at the top after dominant win

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      ARSENAL have gone EIGHT points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Crystal Palace 4-1.Gabriel Martinelli – who missed a penalty in the Europa League exit during the week – opened the scoring for the Gunners.
      And Bukayo Saka helped himself to a stunning double.
      Granit Xhaka was also on target for the Gunners who extended their lead with Man City in FA Cup action this weekend.

      Result: Arsenal 4 Crystal Palace 1
      Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard
      Crystal Palace XI: Whitworth. Ward, Guehi, Tomkins, Mitchell, Milivojevic, Doucoure, Schlupp, Olise, Zaha, Edouard

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      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      Saka’s clinical brace guided Arsenal eight points clear at the top of the table.
      Martinelli opened the scoring after skipping past his defender to arrow a shot into the bottom corner before Saka coolly slotted home to double the lead shortly after.
      Xhaka then made it three shortly after the interval.
      Palace threatened to mount a comeback when Schlupp lashed a goal home from a corner.
      But it proved to be nothing but a consolation as Saka restored the three-goal cushion.
      The win puts them eight ahead of Man City, while Palace remain deep in trouble, with no post-manager bounce after Vieira’s sacking earlier this week.
      Thank you for joining SunSport’s coverage this afternoon.
      FULL-TIME Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      90+4. End to end stuff at the moment.
      Palace break away again with Arsenal’s defence nowhere to be seen.
      The ball goes through to Eze who shoots towards the bottom corner, but Ramsdale is equal to the effort.

      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace

      90+1. Zaha gets in behind the Arsenal defence and has a great chance to score, but fails to even get a shot away as he is quickly closed down.
      He then plays in Ayew with a back heel but he can’t get a shot away in time either and is also closed out.
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      88. Small scuffle between Zaha and Holding after Holding pushes Zaha to the ground, conceding a free-kick.
      Tomkins gets his foot on the end of the set-piece but the ball rolls harmlessly into Ramsdale’s hands.
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      86. Kiwior comes on for his Premier League debut.
      He replaces Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      85. Arsenal in complete control at the moment.
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      82. More subs now.
      Olise and Sclupp are hooked by Palace for Eze and Ahamada.
      Meanwhile, Arsenal make two changes as well with White and Martinelli taken off for Smith Rowe and Jorginho.
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      80. Jesus goes down in the area under pressure from two Palace defenders after being played in.
      But ref Stuart Atwell waves play on as Jesus seems to slip before going over.
      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      76. Palace are given a free-kick on the edge of the Arsenal box after a foul by Xhaka.
      However, it amounts to nothing as Olise’s shot hits the wall.

      Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
      74. Tierney grabs an assist as he controls the ball and plays in Saka on the edge of the area who whips the ball into the bottom corner with a first-time effort.
      A VAR check confirms the goal with no offside offence from Jesus.
      Goal – 4-1 to Arsenal
      74. Saka restores the three-goal cushion.
      Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
      72. So close for Palace.
      Zaha is played in by Schlupp and manages to squeeze a shot at goal from a tight angle.
      He strikes the ball well but his effort goes agonisingly wide of the far post.
      Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
      65. Subs for both teams.
      Jesus and Tierney are introduced for Trossard and Zinchenko.
      While Palace hook Edouard and Milivojevic for Ayew and Will Hughes.

      Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
      64. Olise whips a corner in and Arsenal fail to clear the danger as the ball goes through to Schlupp.
      He then fires the ball past Ramsdale as Gabriel almost rips the shirt off his back.
      A VAR check for handball ensues, but the goal stands.
      Goal Arsenal 3-1 Crystal Palace
      63. Schlupp pulls one back for Palace
      Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
      62. Another spell on the ball for Palace ends with Arsenal picking up the ball in midfield.
      The Eagles have lacked control and quality in build up all game.
      Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
      60. Arsenal are moving the ball with swagger and purpose.
      They look able to carve open this Palace defence with ease.
      Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
      57. Arsenal fans are in full voice now.
      And they’re singing about recently sacked Palace boss Vieira.
      Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
      55. Xhaka is played in after a run into the penalty area and makes no mistake from close range to put Arsenal three goals up.
      Replays reveal a bit of fortune to the shot with a Palace defender helping give the ball some lift, but the Gunners will not care one bit.

      Goal – 3-0 to Arsenal
      55. Xhaka makes it three.
      Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
      53. Zaha trying to make something happen.
      Once again he is on the ball in the penalty area but has no way through with Arsenal triple-teaming him.
      But he manages to work some space and laser a shot at goal which Ramsdale is able to save.
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