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Villa have been here before – but are they really in title race?

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Phil McNulty

Stamford Bridge’s chief football writer
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Fans of Aston Villa think so. The Villa players appear to believe in it. Unai Emery will never confirm his belief.

However, one thing is undisputed: Aston Villa must now be viewed as a contender for the title in the Premier League.

Emery questioned whether Villa could face the most wacky of bats, saying, “Not really. We are strong in our battle. We are currently third in the league, trailing only Manchester City and Arsenal. Wow”.

Wow, indeed.

Emery demonstrated that he is also an expert at managing expectations and strategy.

Six minutes from time, Villa won 2-1 thanks to substitute Ollie Watkins’ header, before the deafening songs of belief rang around Stamford Bridge.

However, the evidence is compelling:

Emery may sway title talk, but his Villa and Midas touch, which match winner Watkins described his manager as a “tactical genius,” puts them at the center of the conversation.

On Tuesday, December 30th (20:15 GMT), Villa will face league leaders Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, but Emery has a habit of making life difficult for his former club.

He leaves Villa just three points off the top of the table and just one point behind Manchester City, making it three points clear of the competition after missing out on this term’s competition on the final day of the previous campaign.

After losing any of their first five league games, Villa would have accepted with gratitude that they are now 10 points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea. This is another significant development.

Emery resurrected his pedigree by galvanising a stuttering Villa display just before the hour when Joao Pedro’s messy 37th-minute goal, the striker volleying home Reece James’ corner, was the only goalkeeper.

Emery sent Watkins, Amadou Onana, and Jadon Sancho for Donyell Malen, John McGinn, and Emiliano Buendia with Villa going nowhere and the game still in the balance.

Watkins scored the winner with a header after four minutes, and the impact was stunning.

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Watkins spearheaded Villa’s Renaissance, coming off the bench with a fierce intent to captivate the visiting fans in their corner of Stamford Bridge.

Emery praised Watkins as “mature and a very important player,” setting the stage for the perfect example by letting go of any disappointment he might have experienced when he was substituted to punish Chelsea when he started playing.

The 29-year-old former Brentford striker has scored just three Premier League goals so far this season.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney, who works as a pundit on Match of the Day, said, “It’s been a difficult season for him.” However, he appeared to be very sharp right away and had a top-notch energy and movement.

Although “players don’t like coming off the bench,” he has a fantastic response.

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Villa could yet defy his own belief that they will not win the title, according to Alan Shearer, who mentioned the Emery factor.

You have to say that Aston Villa are legitimate title contenders as we approach the halfway point, according to Shearer, a Match of the Day pundit.

Do you believe they’ll prevail? No, but that’s just because their squad’s depth is lacking. However, Unai Emery allows for anything.

His three subs at Stamford Bridge demonstrate his mastery of game management. Although they didn’t play in the first half, Ollie Watkins, Jadon Sancho, and Amadou Onana’s introduction provided a new perspective.

“His team simply isn’t aware of how bad they are.”

“Where would they be today if their start had not been so terrible? It’s quite amazing to imagine where they were five games into this club-record run. Emery will enjoy them now that they are 10 points clear of fifth. What they are accomplishing is fantastic for the Premier League.

What a game is going to be when they travel to the Emirates next.

Villa’s performances are begging for him, even though Emery is not even interested in whispering it.

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Wayne Lineker ‘fully recovered’ after spending Christmas Day in hospital with pneumonia

By in Entertainment News, News

After being taken to the hospital for treatment for his second bout of severe pneumonia, Wayne Lineker has been sharing news with fans about his health.

Ayeesha Walsh Showbiz & TV Reporter

After another severe bout of pneumonia, Wayne Lineker spent Christmas Day in the hospital. He is now back. The entrepreneur described it as “the toughest six weeks of my life,” keeping his patients informed from his hospital bed.

Taking to Instagram, Wayne – who initially thought he’d go home on Boxing Day after completing his course of antibiotics – said he’d endured “7 weeks of misery” but was now “fully recovered”.

One month after his initial illness, the star was taken to the hospital last week. As they embraced the holiday spirit, Wayne was captured surrounded by nurses in an Instagram post.

In the photo, Wayne was dressed in a red and white striped pair of pyjamas and wore a fluffy Santa hat on his head. He wrote: “Merry Christmas everyone love from me and all the girls at the Bursted ward Basildon Hospital. Christmas tunes are on!! Been video calling my family too.”

In a different post, he stated, “I have won pneumonia!!” I’ll return home on Boxing Day after what will undoubtedly be my toughest six weeks. Unfortunately, I will be in the hospital on Christmas Day with two days left until my IV antibiotics are finished. but very content.

“Thank you to Basildon Hospital’s amazing doctors and nurses. Wayne also confirmed that his condition had nearly led to his death and that an operation on his lung had been required to lessen the agonizing pain he was experiencing.

When Wayne’s condition turned out to be worse, he was forced to be taken back to the hospital while his son Sean was watching him. At the time, he posted the following update on social media: “PNEUMONIA UPDATE.

“Unfortunately, I was only home for four days before I had a serious second attack after being released from the hospital last week with antibiotics and additional medication.” My son @seanlineker1 took me back to the hospital while I was being cared for at home, and I appreciate that he was there.

Wayne also described how his immune system was hampered as he “stopped drinking alcohol” and entered rehab earlier this year.

He had previously stated that “the doctors are now looking into why the antibiotics haven’t been fully effective and that I still have pneumonia.” Numerous scans and blood tests have revealed positive outcomes for me, with more to come.

Continue reading the article.

The good news is that it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with my heart and is more likely to do with my immune system, which hasn’t changed since I stopped drinking alcohol. Despite making such a drastic lifestyle change, I had numerous infections while in rehab, but now that I’m almost six months sober, this still seems to be a significant factor. I’ll receive a potent course of antibiotics and steroids via drip if this is confirmed.

“I’m now beginning to think that I’ll spend Christmas in the hospital, but I’ve come to terms with it, and I’ll stay there until I’m completely recovered.” Thank you all so much for your love, which truly signifies “being positive” and “pneumonia”

Ex-Emmerdale star Daisy Campbell bombarded with gifts from crazed stalker

By in Entertainment News, News

A stalker found Daisy Campbell’s address on Google Maps and sent her a stream of unapproved money and gifts. The former Emmerdale star was terrified.

Ayeesha Walsh Showbiz & TV Reporter

Former Emmerdale star Daisy Campbell was left terrified after a crazed stalker bombarded her with unwanted gifts. The actress found herself living a real-life nightmare when Lyle Cook, 39, found her address on Google maps and began his campaign.

A menacing stalker also targeted her character Amelia Spencer in a storyline from the television show two years ago. From 2011 until the end of last year, she was a part of Emmerdale.

Between January 2024 and February 2025, she received money-related envelopes from Cook, love letters, and a variety of presents and packages. She fought with the police to stop her from receiving the unwanted attention.

Cook also attempted to arrange for Daisy to visit him in a separate incident. A stalking protection order was issued for him after that.

In September, Cook of Telford, Shropshire, appeared at the town’s magistrates’ court to confess to stalking. After that, he received a 12-month conditional discharge and a £161 fine.

After her stint in the soap, he was also given a five-year ban from communicating with Daisy, who runs a pilates studio in Pontefract, Yorkshire, in any way “directly or indirectly.”

Daisy was concerned that this was going to be so bad for her, according to a source who spoke to The Sun.

She reported it in the right way so that the authorities could handle it accordingly. The fact that this matter was brought before a judge is a great relief.

At the end of last year, Daisy left Emmerdale because her storylines were running out. She was just seven years old when she first appeared in the film. She did, however, claim that her career nearly disappeared overnight.

Daisy previously acknowledged that leaving “wasn’t her choice.”

She stated to The Mirror, “Emerging at first was a shock, and it wasn’t my choice.” All I’ve ever known was Emmerdale. I spent my entire childhood playing the soap, which was intimidating.

She added to The Sun: “It was so out of the blue. You do just get into a bit of a hole of, oh god, like, ‘Can I do this?’ It was weird, because it was so abrupt. I just had a feeling. I always get gut feelings.”

When Daisy’s character Amelia made the decision to leave the village and move to Leicester, she was ultimately cast out of the soap.

Following her manipulative boyfriend’s conviction for exposing her to his own enraging stalking campaign, the character made the choice.

Continue reading the article.

Late Penalty Miss Denies Uganda AFCON Win Against Tanzania

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At the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, Uganda’s Allan Okello was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against his country’s neighbor, Tanzania.

After Uche Ikpeazu scored a late equaliser for the Cranes in front of 10, 540 fans at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, Okello’s failure to convert from the spot gave Uganda a priceless victory in Group C.

Before that, it appeared as though Tanzania, which has lost all but 10 of its previous AFCON matches, might finally win when Simon Msuva scored from the penalty spot.

With 10 minutes left, Ikpeazu, who plays for St Johnstone in the Scottish second division, headed in a cross from fellow substitute Denis Omedi to bring the score level.

“I feel terrible because I don’t believe this draw was merited.” Coach Paul Put of Uganda, “I believe we had more opportunities.”

He remarked about the missed penalty, saying, “That is also football.”

The regional rivals, who will host the 2027 Cup of Nations with Kenya in addition, have little chance of making it to Group C’s last 16 due to their stalemate.

AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ Eye Revenge Against Tunisia — Kickoff Time, Team News, READ ALSO.

Both teams are currently tied for one point after two matches, with Tunisia and Nigeria facing off in Fes on Saturday.

Despite their best efforts, Put’s team will face Nigeria on the next day.

Uganda, who have won just one AFCON championship game win in three games since 1978’s final, came closest to scoring in the first half.

Rogers Mato’s head hit a left-angled Aziz Kayondo cross, which bounced back after the effort fell off the crossbar.

Just before the hour mark, Alphonce Msanga’s shot struck the arm of Ugandan Baba Alhassan, who was awarded a spot-kick.

The seasoned Msuva, who plays for club football in Iraq, was unaffected when he first started scoring goals at three different AFCON competitions.

However, Tanzania wasted the lead after a dramatic end to the game in the midst of a pouring downpour before breathing a great sigh of relief as Uganda missed a chance to win.

When James Bogere fell as his shirt was pulled by Tanzania defender Haji Mnoga of Salford City, Ikpeazu won the penalty and the game was 1-1.

Okello stepped up just before the 90th minute when the game was in the 90th, perhaps offended by a massive thunderclap that sent his kick over the bar.

Coach Miguel Angel Gamondi expressed his disappointment with the outcome, “We tried to win the game but we could have lost it in the final five minutes.”

“I’m sorry for everyone in Tanzania,” the hosts said after their first victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.

LIVE: Nigeria 3 – 2 Tunisia – AFCON 2025

By in News, sport-news

Nigeria faced Tunisia in its second game, with the prospect of second-round qualification, after defeating Tanzania 2-1 in the opening Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman’s goals secured their team’s 3-2 victory over Tunisia and passage to the round of 16 elimination.

The 2025 AFCON between Nigeria and Tunisia was broadcast live on Channels Television. Thank you for joining us for a game-by-blow overview.

87′ GOAL! Abdi scores for Tunisia at 3-2.

Tunisia is one goal away from drawing level when Abdi kicks the ball into the top-right corner of the goal from the penalty spot. Tunisia was given a penalty by the referee after the ball was handled in the penalty area.

75′ GOAL! Nigeria wins 3-1 in Gujarat.

Mejbri sent the ball into the box after Tunisia won a free kick on the left.

Gharbi directed the ball toward the far post after it reached him. Nwabali was sent into the net after the deflection went wrong.

67′ GOAL! Lookman Scores: Tunisia 3-0, Nigeria

In Fez, Nigeria are undisputed leaders. Iwobi threads a fine pass to Osimhen to the right, which is the result of a well-executed team move.

Osimhen hurries into the box and swayes to Lookman to the left. Lookman makes a short movement toward the left post before deflecting the ball into the net with plenty of room.

50′ GOAL! Nigeria defeated Tunisia 2-0.

A left-handed Nigerian corner was won. Lookman headed the ball into the net, where it was found by Ndidi, who slammed it deftly past Dahmen.

Ndidi’s first international goal came right away, and his teammates immediately surrounded him. Nigeria appears to be on a strong course to make it to Round 16

46 Second half is underway.

Tunisia 1-0 at half-time.

44′ GOAL! Tunisia vs. Nigeria: Osimhen gives them the lead with a score of 1-0.

Victor Osimhen finally ends his AFCON 2025 goal drought!

A stunning cross from Lookman to the left made the connection between the Galatasaray striker. Osimhen perfectly timed his run, heading past Dahmen at the far post.

As teammates embraced him in joy, he immediately ran out and celebrated. Nigeria deserved the victory, and it will approach the break with confidence.

Tunisia is 36′ Growing into the Match

The North Africans are beginning to assert themselves after a quiet first 30 minutes.

On the right edge of the box, Abdi sends a ball over the top to Mastouri, who then attempts a chip into the danger area, but the ball misses for a left-side corner.

Mejbri gives the corner from the left, but Osimhen makes a head-but-forgett.

Tunisia’s 32nd Team Earns Their First Corner

Mejbri delivers a corner from the right, demonstrating their first real attacking intent. As the ball bounces around the box, Osimhen rises to meet it with a header.

Abdi fires a shot over the crossbar after the ball eventually falls to him outside the box to the right.

Another Corner: Another Corner for Nigeria at 28′

From the right, Lookman floated the ball in. Iwobi attempted to redirect the ball, but it was eventually cleared after Osimhen got a touch while positioned at the far post.

Osimhen’s goal at 17′ is flagged as offside.

Before entering the box, Lookman made a run to the right of center and fired his way to the goal.

Osimhen perfectly timed his run by sliding the ball past the goalkeeper after Dahmen rebounded.

The referee immediately flagged Osimhen for offside and gave him the goal, but the ball hit the back of the net. The striker has allowed the fifth goal in the tournament without an exception.

11′ Nigeria Wins First Corner

Osimhen rose up to meet the ball, which Lookman delivered from the right, but his angled header once more fell over the bar.

Tunisia have been under pressure, and they will be hoping to improve.

Osimhen misses another chance, 9′.

On the right flank, Adams gathered the ball and headed to Osimhen’s far post. A well-timed header from the striker was well received, but it went just over the crossbar.

Nigeria lacked a prime opportunity to take the lead early.

Osimhen’s 6′ effort crosses the bar.

The striker for Galatasaray picked up the ball outside the box on the right. The ball soared high over the crossbar and into the stands as he attempted to score it.