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Bangladesh’s spinners wrested back control from Ireland at stumps on the first day of the Sylhet Test. The visitors lost their way after a strong first session, ending the day on 270 for 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three wickets while Hasan Murad, the debutant left-arm spinner, picked up two wickets.Ireland started losing their way in the middle session as they went from 96 for 1 to 184 for 4. Four more fell in the last session as they ended the first day in a disappointing note. Paul Stirling and debutant Cade Carmichael had given Ireland a bright start with a 96-run second-wicket stand. Stirling, opening for the second time in his career, made 60, with a dominant display through square on the off-side. He struck seven of his nine boundaries through that region.The 22-year-old Carmichael was composed in his first day of Test cricket, batting confidently in his 59. Stirling and Carmichael struck fifties while Curtis Campher and Lorcan Tucker got out in the forties. Towards the end of the day, the 19-year-old debutant Jordan Neill impressed with his drives in his unbeaten 30.Bangladesh had to wait for about half an hour in the last session to get their first breakthrough. But once they had removed Campher, who struck six boundaries including two sixes in his 94-ball 44, Bangladesh made more headways into the Ireland innings.Campher, who was caught at slip, was Murad’s first Test wicket. It was followed by the wicket of Tucker, who was beaten by Murad’s flight and stumped for 41 off 80 balls. Tucker was looking good and hit three fours and two sixes, but he got sucked into an aggressive false shot by Murad. Mehidy got the big wicket of Andy McBrine, also stumped, for five.Ireland however fought back with the eighth wicket stand between Neill and Barry McCarthy, who added 48 runs till the end of the day. Neill made 30 with three fours and a six before falling on the last ball of the day.Bangladesh could have had a much better start to the day, had they held on to three chances in successive overs in the morning. Stirling was dropped twice, at slip and gully, while Taijul Islam spilled Carmichael’s chance at short square-leg. All of this happened betwen overs 4 and 7.Already a wicket down and with Bangladesh creating regular chances, Stirling and Carmichael rode out the difficult period. They found regular boundaries, particularly Stirling cracking numerous hits through backward point. Carmichael was circumspect during the first session, hitting three boundaries.Ireland started losing their way in the middle session. Nahid Rana removed the well-set Stirling in the first over after lunch, getting caught at second slip. Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Harry Tector lbw for one in the next over, before Carmichael reached his fifty off 110 balls. Miraz however removed him for 59. Najmul Hossain Shanto then dropped Lorcan Tucker on 11 late in the second session.

The draw is here. Who needs the easiest group? Who could make a run? And did FIFA’s seeding just tilt the field? GOAL's writers weigh in.

And so it gets real. The World Cup draw feels like an inflection point in every cycle. From the end of the previous tournament – when Lionel Messi lifted the trophy in Qatar – everything has basically been informed guesswork. We knew that some teams would be here as hosts. We could make some solid guesses as to who would join them. And even after qualifying last month yielded (most of) the rest of the field, no one substantively knows very much until the draw.

Now it's here. Starting Friday, we will get a real sense of how this tournament will look. We will know who will play who. We will know if the U.S. are odds on to make a run to the quarters, or could crash out at the group. We will have a good sense if England can bring football home. 

Still, there are some questions to be asked here. 48 teams is a lot for a World Cup. And FIFA has set up the seeding so that the highest ranked teams are unlikely to face any of their most apparent competition later in the tournament. Sure, this is randomization, but it's not as unpredictable as in years past. Is that a good thing? Or should there be more obstacles? 

GOAL US writers break down the World Cup draw and make some far too early predictions in another edition of… .

AFPOut of the USA, Mexico and Canada, which team needs a friendly draw?

Tom Hindle: ALL OF THEM, really. But the Canadians could really do with a good one. Canada manager Jesse Marsch has hammered home the point that they could play a ton of home games if they top their group. If he manifests that, then it'll be a sight to see – but they will certainly need a little luck on the day. 

Ryan Tolmich: All three would LOVE a friendly draw, but in terms of need? Mexico, probably, simply because they're in a place where pressure and expectations don't really match up with talent and quality. For Mexico, any World Cup where they don't genuinely compete is seen as a failure, so a group stage exit from a Group of Death would be no moral victory. Because of that, a nice waltz into the knockout stage would at least quiet the noise, even if would likely fall shortly after.

AdvertisementGettyWho's the team to watch out for if they get a friendly group?

TH: Norway are the obvious answer, especially considering the fact that Erling Haaland is an evil space demon. But Colombia could be the real tricky one. Every game for them will basically be a home game, and Luis Diaz is in red-hot form. They're a Pot 2 team who could win their group, and you wouldn't bet against them to make a run. 

RT: Looking at the teams deeper in the pots, it's safe to say no one is going to want to run into Norway. They have the best goalscorer of this generation in Haaland and, when you have that, you can win any game against any team. Because of that, Norway could easily top their group, despite being in Pot 3, and, from there, who knows?

Getty ImagesWhich newly qualified teams or long-absent teams are you excited to follow?

TH: If Ireland manage to qualify, it will be them, especially considering everyone is now a massive Troy Parrott enthusiast! But as for the guys that are already here, why not Curacao? They're a really fun story and play with a real confidence. Will they get battered? Probably. But they won't give up. 

RT: We've already mentioned Norway, and that's surely one. The other obvious one is Scotland. They haven't been to the World Cup since 1998, with this run ending a six-tournament drought. That's fun! You know their fans will turn up and, given the Premier League-level talent at the squad, they might just be pretty damn competitive, too.

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GettyWhat is the group stage game you most want to see?

TH: So many options. It's a real disappointment that England and the U.S. are both in Pot 1, because that would have been TASTY. Let's have Germany-South Korea, if only to repeat a classic match-up. 

RT: Give us Morocco-Portugal again! The former scored a historic upset over the latter in the quarterfinals in Qatar, so seeing those two teams meet again would no doubt be personal. It would also be fun, too, as there would be plenty of star power on both sides eager to make a run this summer.

Real Madrid came from behind but were unable to get over the line in a frustrating 1-1 draw with a well-drilled Girona. Kylian Mbappe's second half penalty cancelled out a well-worked opener from the La Liga strugglers, yet Madrid couldn't find a second – and stay one point off the top in La Liga in another twist to the title race.

Madrid probed for opportunities early on, but were left rather exposed on the break. Thibaut Courtois responded, though, producing a couple of good saves to keep the visitors level. Los Blancos thought they had taken the lead when Mbappe slotted home, but his goal was correctly chalked off when VAR determined there was a handball in the build-up. The visitors were then made to pay for a major defensive lapse. Girona were allowed to work the ball down the right, before Azzedine Ounahi swept one past Courtois from the top of the box after a well-timed feed from Viktor Tsigankov. 

Los Blancos had their chances to start the second half. They had the ball in the net again on the hour mark, but saw it ruled out again after Vinicius Junior was in an offside position when he poked home. Madrid got their equalizer from the spot after 65 minutes. Vinicius scampered around his man and was brought down inside the box. Mbappe coolly tucked the penalty into the bottom corner to ease Xabi Alonso's nerves on the touchline. Madrid came close numerous times after. Vinicius missed a couple narrowly. Mbappe was denied from close range. 

But there was never a second. Girona were resilient at the back, and Madrid lacked a crucial bit of quality needed to put the game away. This can be considered nothing other than a chance to go top wasted, with Barcelona holding the initiative at the La Liga summit. 

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Estadio Montivili…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

Made a few silly saves. Could do nothing about the goal. Denied a second. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

A very Trent performance. Did some ridiculous things with the ball but failed to track his man on the goal.  

Eder Militao (7/10):

A composed performance on his return to the side. Good on the ball and effective in the air. 

Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

First appearance since late August, and he was a little mixed. Solid on the ball but a little slow to react – and handed Girona a good chance as a result. 

Fran Garcia (6/10):

A surprise to see him start at left back. Scampered up and down the left but his final ball was lacking. 

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):

Offered plenty of control at the base of midfield, but didn't get across to track the runner on Girona's opener. 

Jude Bellingham (8/10):

Dropped a little deeper and did plenty of dirty work in the first half. Pushed up more in the second. Madrid's most consistent performer throughout. 

Federico Valverde(6/10):

Full of legs and industry, clean on the ball, but rather stripped of his attacking nous in this role. 

Arda Guler (5/10):

Used in a No.10 role in the opening exchanges, but saw his influence wane. Removed at the break. It's been a tough few games.

GettyAttack

Kylian Mbappe (7/10):

Unfortunate to have a goal ruled out for an unlucky handball. Buried his penalty with ease. Not his most involved game, but got on the scoresheet, regardless. 

Vinicius Jr (8/10):

Won the penalty thanks to a lovely bit of skill. Put a couple of others narrowly wide. Very good without being at his scintillating best. 

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GettySubs & Manager

Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

Introduced at the break and gave Madrid some much-needed energy and balance in midfield. Seriously impressive thus far this year. 

Rodrygo (6/10):

A late introduction as Madrid chased a winner. Barely involved. 

Alvaro Carreras (N/A):

No time to make an impact. 

Gonzalo Garcia (N/A):

No time to make an impact. 

Xabi Alonso (5/10):

Rotated a bit, making changes at left back and centre-back. His side were a bit lacklustre, though, and unconvincing at both ends. 

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann was "really proud of the team" after they thumped Slovakia 6-0 in a must-win World Cup qualifying game on Monday. Nagelsmann gave full marks to every single player and praised them for working "like a maniac", as the result ensured Germany's direct passage to next year's World Cup in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

• Germany secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup

  Germany completed a demolition job on Monday night in their final World Cup qualifying game, as they beat Slovakia 6-0 to secure direct passage to next year's World Cup. 

  The hosts opened the scoring through the in-form Nick Woltemade in the 18th minute, with the Newcastle United frontman continuing his rich vein of goal scoring form for his country. Serge Gnabry doubled the lead in the 29th minute, before Leroy Sane – who had been warned by head coach Nagelsmann about not getting many opportunities to prove himself – silenced his critics by bagging a brace in the space of five minutes shortly before the end of the first half. 

  Substitutes Ridle Baku and Assan Ouedraogo piled further misery on to the Slovaks by grabbing a goal each in the second half. The result was a great demonstration of the potential Germany possess when it comes to inflicting damage on their opponents. It was an important result in the grander scheme of things, with Germany slumping to a shock 2-0 loss to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifying game in September.

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• AFP
  

  Nagelsmann and Kimmich 'proud' of the performance

  Speaking to after the game, Nagelsmann was happy to finish the World Cup qualifiers with a thumping victory, acknowledging the "bumpy start" as well as the pressure ahead of the game, having lost to Slovakia in the reverse fixture. 

  "I'm really proud of the team," he said. "We had a bumpy start to the qualifiers, and today the pressure was on. It was a very good game. Every player played extremely well today and worked like a maniac. We got into the game really well defensively, thanks to a huge effort. We also scored some great goals and were very convincing in terms of our footballing ability; the team did a really, really good job."

  Germany captain Joshua Kimmich was also impressed with what he saw from his team-mates. "We knew that if we played close to our top level, we would win," the Bayern Munich star told reporters. "The coach prepared us superbly, set us up perfectly, and gave us some really good words of encouragement. It was a very, very strong game. Everyone wanted to make a statement today; everyone knew exactly what was at stake."

• Other Germany stars react to the win

  Several players from the Germany national team reacted to the win and provided their thoughts on the exquisite performance. Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who has become one of the mainstays in defence under Nagelsmann, had no doubts that Die Mannschaft could go on and win the World Cup if they maintained the level on display on Monday.

  "If we play like we did today, we're a very good team. And if the guys who are still good for us, the ones who are injured, come back, then I believe we'll have a very good World Cup," he said.

  Meanwhile, Woltemade, who has scored four goals in his last three outings for the national team, was relieved after the game, saying: "That was a really good game today. We didn't let anything slip from the first second to the last. We're delighted that we were able to deliver such a performance. It's very, very relieving."

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• Getty
  

  Germany will hope to avoid third straight group stage exit in 2026

  This is the 21st time Germany have qualified for the World Cup – second only to Brazil’s 23 – but they have struggled to reach the heights of their triumphant 2014 campaign. In both 2018 and 2022, they suffered shock eliminations in the group stage. As a result, immense pressure now rests on Nagelsmann and his squad to defy the odds and ensure history does not repeat itself for a third consecutive World Cup.

The Detroit Tigers won yet again on Wednesday night, taking care of business easily against the Tampa Bay Rays to move even closer to completing one of the most remarkable runs in baseball history and securing a playoff spot. They are now 10 games over .500 and will make the playoffs barring a collapse this weekend against the lowly Chicago White Sox.

In short, the vibes are immaculate and have been boosted by Bally Sports Detroit's broadcast of the 29-11 stretch. Jason Benetti has been as advertised, one of the very best announcers working any sport. And a rotating crew of analysts including Dan Petry, Andy Dirks, Kirk Gibson and Carlos Peña have added to the experience.

Peña found himself in the middle of Benetti and Gibson last night and authored a great moment in the sixth inning. Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson was at the dish with with one on and one out against Tampa Bays reliever Manuel Rodríguez. Peña noticed the way Torkelson was being pitched and applied that baseball instinct to predict a big fly on the next pitch.

And when Torkelson launched a two-run home run to make Peña look like a genius, the player-turned-analyst reacted like Joe Rogan watching a shocking knockout ringside.

It's been a long, long time since anyone doing a Tigers broadcast has had reason to have this much fun. Game after game it becomes clear that everyone involved is taking full advantage of the surprising opportunity at every turn.

It leaves him a major doubt for the upcoming tour of the West Indies

Andrew McGlashan13-Jun-2025

Steven Smith went off the field with a finger injury•Associated Press

Australia were left contemplating the possibility of needing to replace over 10,000 runs after Steven Smith suffered a compound dislocation of the little finger on his right hand on the third day of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, leaving him a major doubt for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, as a rare loss in a tournament decider loomed into view.Smith suffered the injury when he dropped a sharp chance offered by Temba Bavuma on 2 as the South Africa captain edged Mitchell Starc to first slip where Smith was standing so close that he was wearing a helmet.Smith immediately knew he was in trouble and started to leave the field in significant pain even before the medical staff reached him.”He was assessed by Australian team medical staff at the ground and taken to the hospital for X-rays and further treatment,” a CA spokesperson said.The dropped catch was a pivotal moment in the day as South Africa would have been 76 for 3 chasing 282 had it been held, but instead Bavuma was unbeaten on 65 at the close as fought through a hamstring injury.Since 1996, Australia’s men have lost just one of the 10 global finals they have been in – the 2010 T20 World Cup against England – but barring a spectacular South Africa collapse on Saturday will relinquish the mace.”We understand the magnitude of the task, that 8 for 70 or whatever it is, is incredibly tricky and conditions would have to go away,” assistant coach Daniel Vettori said. “I think with the nature of where the ball is at and the surface, it’s a difficult task, but it is a task that the group has probably done at times throughout the last three, four, some of them five, six, even longer years.”Meanwhile, Smith’s injury also leaves Australia with the prospect of having a big hole to fill in their batting order in the West Indies, where the first Test begins in Barbados on June 25, although the extent of Smith’s injury was still being assessed at the close of play with him not having returned to the ground from hospital.Earlier this year left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann was able to make a swift return to action after suffering a similar blow in the BBL before going on to take 16 wickets in the series against Sri Lanka.Australia already have significant uncertainty around their top order with Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green struggling in the WTC final. After a relatively lean period by his high standards, Smith has been prolific in recent Tests with four hundreds in five matches against India and Sri Lanka before 66 in the first innings at Lord’s.Should Smith be ruled out of all or part of the West Indies tour, it could create an opening for Sam Konstas’ return, with Labuschagne going back to No. 3 and Green dropping down to No. 4 where he made 174 not out against New Zealand before his back injury.Josh Inglis is the other spare batter in the squad for the WTC final, which will be the same group that travels to the Caribbean. Should reinforcements be needed, Nathan McSweeney could come into consideration while the resurgent Kurtis Patterson could be another option.

Jordan Henderson has backed “world-class” Liverpool to rediscover their form after helping Brentford inflict another defeat on his former club. The England international played a crucial role as his side secured a 3-2 victory which stretched the Reds’ losing run in the Premier League to four games, with Bees trio Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago doing the damage.

Henderson produces another fine performance in Liverpool win

Henderson continued his fine form in 2025-26 with an impressive display against Liverpool on Saturday evening. After joining Keith Andrews’ side on a free transfer in the summer, the 35-year-old produced another brilliant performance to help his team secure all three points at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford forwards Ouattara, Schade and Thiago were all on the scoresheet for the hosts, with Liverpool unable to find an equaliser after goals from Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfielder backs his former club to rediscover early-season form

Liverpool have now suffered four straight defeats in the league, and five losses in their last six games in all competitions, after coming unstuck against an in-form Brentford side who are currently 10th in the table and just two points behind Arne Slot’s men. The Merseysiders have also lost to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United during their worrying run, but while questions are now being asked of their title credentials, Henderson has backed his former paymasters to recapture the form which saw them win their first seven games this season.

Henderson insists Liverpool are still 'world-class' despite recent losses

Speaking to after the Brentford game, Henderson said: “Liverpool are a world-class team with world-class players. You look all over the pitch, there's not much to go at, they're all quality players. I don't really see a weakness in the team.

"Yes, I know there's been results of late that haven't been great for them but, for me, they're still top players and a top, top team and it's just a matter of time before they get in a rhythm and get going.

"I think there's been a lot of reasons why they haven't hit the heights from last year but they're still a world-class team and wherever you look on the pitch there's to players, so it's always going to be difficult.

“But the [Brentford] lads dug deep, stuck together and caused some problems on the counter.

"I thought from start to finish we stuck together. We knew it would be difficult at times. The way we defended together, the way we stayed composed on the ball and try to, rather than just kick it forward at times, it's trying to play the long ball in behind to someone running in, like Dams (Mikkel Damsgaard) did for Kev (Schade) on the second goal.

"And [Igor] Thiago was a threat all night and he’s been like that all season to be fair. We've got a lot of good players on the counter-attack with the front three. We've got people like Dams, Yarmo (Yehor Yarmolyuk) and the centre-halves who can pick passes as well.

"Overall, I think it was a really good performance and we deserved the win in the end."

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Getty Images SportEngland international likened Liverpool departure to a 'break-up'

Saturday’s clash was the first time Henderson had faced Liverpool following his departure in 2023. After joining the club from Sunderland in 2011, the midfielder spent 12 seasons at Anfield before his heavily-criticised move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. Henderson made just 19 appearances in the Middle East before switching to Ajax in January 2024, featuring 57 times before leaving in the summer.

Reflecting on his Liverpool exit, Henderson said earlier this month: "Timing, with everything in hindsight, yes – maybe I would have made different decisions. But at the time that's how I felt and the decision I made was for many different reasons and only I know them reasons.

"I am not going to lie, over the past couple of years I have had some tough moments. It felt like a break-up when I left Liverpool. Of course I'm not perfect and I've made mistakes in the past. Of course I will have throughout my career.

"But all I've ever tried to do is the right thing.”

Rob Yates makes 86 as new-look Surrey attack toil in the sunshine

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 09-May-2025

Tom Latham scored a debut century as Warwickshire reached 364 for four against Surrey on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship Division One match at Edgbaston.New Zealand batter Latham struck an unbeaten 139 (244 balls) after Surrey chose to bowl on another belter of a batting pitch at Edgbaston. Rob Yates scored 86 (151) against the champions’ much-changed team with Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson having departed on England duty.Surrey are also without Dan Worrall whom they decided to spare the hard labour on a pitch which appears so good for batting that the best chance of victory lies in a fourth day run-chase. Warwickshire, meanwhile, are without young seamer Michael Booth who will be sidelined for two to three months by a stress fracture of the fibula. Barbados-born Che Simmons has come into the team for his home championship debut.Against a Surrey attack including debutant Nathan Smith. Warwickshire started serenely in the Second City sunshine as Yates and Alex Davies (45, 58) gathered an untroubled 70 in 19 overs. Davies twice hoisted Jordan Clark for six over the short Hollies Stand boundary but departed in angst after swinging and missing at a full toss from Dan Lawrence.Yates and Latham added 112 before the former departed in a different type of angst to this captain. With a century beckoning, he tickled an unthreatening leg-side delivery from Tom Lawes to the wicketkeeper.A Latham century looked likely from the moment he took guard. He moved sweetly into the 40s, took a breather and spent 35 balls there, then pulled Clark for six to reach his half-century and galloped from 50 to 80 in another 18 balls. It was batting of simple, solid, unhurried class.Surrey’s rejigged bowling attack, with Smith on his debut and Lawes and Cameron Steel each playing their first game of the season, persevered nobly. Sam Hain flicked Clark straight to backward square leg and Lawrence bowled Beau Webster with a beauty through the gate.But Ed Barnard (38, 63) joined the implacable Latham to add an unbroken 83 in the last 24 overs of the day. Latham reached his 27th first class century from 161 balls to emulate his countryman Jeetan Patel in making a ton on his Warwickshire debut. Whether Latham matches Patel’s subsequent haul of 742 wickets for the club remains to be seen, but he has immediately provided the top order ballast they badly need.It was a gruelling day in the field for Surrey but they will expect similar plunder from their batters, including Jason Roy who will be looking to make it back-to-back championship centuries spanning six years eight months, having scored 128 against Essex at The Oval in his last Championship game, in September 2018.

Leicestershire 65 for 1 trail Glamorgan 229 (Cooke 55, Holland 3-40, Mike 3-54) by 164 runs Leicestershire took control on the opening day of the 2025 Rothesay County Championship against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens, bowling the hosts out for 229. Ian Holland and Ben Mike took three wickets apiece for the visitors after putting Glamorgan into bat while Chris Cooke’s half-century was in vain after a series of starts in the top order.Three-match loanee and debutant, Shoaib Bashir participated in a 53-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Cooke as the pitch became easier to bat on, although the England international went wicketless from his solitary over bowled.Despite the success with the ball, concerns were for Rishi Patel who left the field and didn’t return after just 16 balls with a dislocated finger fielding a ball in the slips. As a result, Holland came and went at opener as the Foxes ended the day strongly, returning for day two on 64 for 1 with Sol Budinger and makeshift No. 3 Mike at the crease.After winning the toss and putting Glamorgan into bat on a green-topped Sophia Gardens wicket, the bowlers soon reaped the rewards, led by Leicestershire’s new-ball pair of Holland and Chris Wright with a combined age of 73.Zain Ul Hassan was the first to fall, with full credit deserved for the 34-year-old Holland who troubled the Glamorgan left-handers throughout the day.Eddie Byrom and captain Sam Northeast worked hard to see off Holland’s opening spell combining for a 57-run partnership. Just when the gruelling first hour in bowling-friendly conditions appeared done, the pair fell. Northeast, lbw squared up by Tom Scriven in a mode of dismissal that had been threatened by earlier appeals, and Byrom prodding outside his eyeline for a well-made 41, a familiar story from 2024.Another rebuild for Glamorgan, and more signs of promise. Both Kiran Carlson and last year’s County Championship top run-scorer, Colin Ingram, battled past Ben Green and Scriven bowling consistently, taking advantage of loose Mike deliveries to keep the scoreboard going along into lunch at 90 for 3.Ingram came out after lunch firing, cover-driving his way past 9000 career first-class runs, making light of his early signs of discomfort. In similar fashion to earlier dismissals, however, wickets came in a group: Carlson and Ingram both falling to the second spell from Holland and an uncomfortable 18-ball knock from Ben Kellaway, bowled by Scriven, leaving Glamorgan at 132 for 6.Leicestershire continued to dominate the second session as the hosts bided their time, scoring at two-an-over heading into tea with the wickets of Timm van der Gugten and Andy Gorvin falling to Mike, bowling a better spell the second time around.As the ball began to wear and the sun shone down on Sophia Gardens, the pitch appeared to flatten and life became easier for Cooke and Bashir who added 53 for the ninth wicket, 48 of those in less than 10 overs after tea – before falling to Mike, claiming his third, and Rehan Ahmed picking up a first wicket, respectively.As expected, Patel couldn’t bat for Leicestershire with his return unknown, and Holland faced up before falling to van der Gugten for a third time in as many innings. Mike continued to have his day as he and Budinger negotiated Glamorgan’s bowlers until the end of play with an unbeaten partnership of 47 despite a dropped catch from Ingram and a couple tight lbw appeals denied.

Aston Villa haven’t had it easy across the summer transfer window, but there’s no doubt that Unai Emery’s squad have what it takes to tackle the new Premier League and continental campaign with fervour.

Emery has returned to his favourite competition, the Europa League, after all.

Signings have been made, even if obstacles had to be circumvented. Still, the club, the owners, the manager, the fans, all are ambitious, and all are in concert that one or two more deals could be struck before the closure of the transfer window, should Villa hope to go from strength to strength.

Villa planning late-window deals

Aston Villa have been hamstrung by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules this summer, no doubt, but they have spent shrewdly and may yet welcome one or two more fresh faces.

But one or two signings might be made before the end of the term, with Villa still in the race to sign Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson at this late hour, though they face stiff competition from Bayern Munich.

However, Emi Buendia is currently weighing up an exit, with German club Stuttgart keen, and so a replacement could be found in Marco Asensio.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Villa are ready to bring the Spaniard back to the club after his successful half-season loan, and they have agreed personal terms with the 29-year-old.

Monchi is currently locked in talks with Paris Saint-Germain, and it’s been suggested that a £13m package could do the trick.

Why Villa should sign Asensio

When Aston Villa welcomed Asensio to the fold at the season’s midpoint last year, they perhaps didn’t expect him to revel in the prolific heights he reached, scoring five goals across his opening seven matches for the English outfit.

Once hailed by his Mallorca youth coach, Juan Pericas, for his “magical” ability on the ball, Asensio has led a storied career amongst some of Europe’s heaviest hitters, but his spell with Villa last term showcased his potential for success in a system such as Emery’s, still challenging for the top but perhaps a rung below.

In this way, his potential arrival offers shades of Jack Grealish’s recent move to Everton, with Asensio perhaps set up to become Villa’s own version of the England international, once a superstar at Villa Park.

Aston Villa’s boyhood sensation completed 213 appearances for the Lions before leaving in 2021, and while he has since won the lot under Pep Guardiola’s wing at Manchester City, a recent loan move to Everton has seemingly reignited his career, having placed two assists against Brighton in the Premier League last week.

The difference, of course, is that Asensio has already proven himself for Emery’s squad, with his prolific touch and capacity to play across the frontline seeing him complete his sojourn with eight goals scored and one assist placed across 21 matches in all competitions.

Asensio differs from Grealish in that he’s more of a focal contributor in the final third, although he completed 71% of his dribbles in the Premier League last year to showcase some degree of ball-carrying similarity to the one-time Villa Park talisman.

Matches (starts)

13 (9)

Goals

3

Assists

1

Shots (on target)*

1.8 (0.8)

Big chances missed

4

Pass completion

86%

Big chances created

1

Key passes*

1.2

Dribbles (success)*

0.9 (71%)

Tackles + interceptions*

0.7

Duels won*

2.1

Grealish set the Premier League alight during his two-year performance at the highest level with his boyhood club, and he then earned himself a record-breaking £100m move to Manchester City.

While the experienced Asensio doesn’t fit that same narrative, he could emulate the modern-day Grealish in stepping down a notch to rekindle his decorated career.

The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star

Everton are interested in signing an England U21 star.

1 ByWill Miller Aug 29, 2025