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Aston Villa are reportedly interested in a La Liga whizz, as Unai Emery prepares to bolster his squad this summer.

The Spaniard will team up with president of football operations Monchi, in the bid to take the side to the next level with European involvement pending next campaign.

The club have already been linked to a host of talent, with the latest name suggesting that a former player of Emery’s could follow him to Villa Park.

What’s the latest on Alex Baena to Aston Villa?

As reported by Spanish publication AS – relayed by Sport Witness – Aston Villa have emerged as a club interested in Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena.

The report claims that both Barcelona and Villa want the young talent, who is said to be valued by his club at £43m (€50m).

The Midlands club have however the claim to be favourites to sign the 21-year-old, with AS stating that Villa have ‘more options’ to secure the midfielder due to Barca’s financial woes.

What could Alex Baena bring to Aston Villa?

Having worked his way through the academy at Villarreal, Baena was given playing time by Emery at the start of the season, following his return from a loan spell at Girona.

Played mainly as a central attacking midfielder, the Roquetas de Mar-born gem has the ability to play in most offensive areas, deployed as both a left and right-sided winger on occasions in his career.

Lauded as “sensational” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Emery could see a reunion with his former scholar, who has proved himself in his first full season playing in the first team at the club.

In 35 appearances in La Liga this term, the 21-year-old has scored six goals and provided two assists, via Sofascore, asserting himself as an influential figure at the club he has developed at.

Having signed a new contract with the Yellow Submarine in January, the price could be high to allow the player to leave, which is something Villa intend to make happen if reports are to be believed.

The starlet could bring an abundance of talent to the midfield, in a move that could benefit the squad in many ways, however, it could be bad news for Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian has struggled to find his feet since making his return to the Premier League, scoring just once across 22 games last term, and could find himself knocked off the shelf should Baena opt to make the move from Spain to England this summer.

The Spaniard ranks as one of the best-attacking midfielders in Europe when it comes to his statistics in the final third.

The 21-year-old sits in the top 1% of midfielders over the past year in terms of total shots per 90 averaging 2.87, as well as ranking in the top 5% of those in his position for touches made in the penalty area, with an average of 3.05 per 90 recorded, via FBref.

Coutinho, who plays in a similar versatile role to the Villarreal ace comes up short of his numbers in areas critical to being a competent midfielder, averaging just 0.4 key passes per game to Baena’s 0.9 per game plus 12 big chances created, via Sofascore.

Emery could significantly upgrade his options in midfield by ditching the 31-year-old for the youngster, in a move that could signify the transitioning times at Villa Park.

Alex Hales sustained a fractured hand in the defeat in Cuttack and England have called up Jonny Bairstow to replace him in the T20 squad

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jan-20172:08

‘Haven’t produced near our best this series’ – Morgan

Alex Hales has been ruled out of the rest of England’s tour of India after scans revealed he had sustained a fractured hand in the defeat in Cuttack.The opener travelled with the rest of the squad to Kolkata but will return to England on Saturday and may require surgery. Jonny Bairstow, who was due to leave India after the third ODI, has been asked to stay back and be part of the squad for the three T20Is.*Hales injured his right hand when diving to attempt a catch off MS Dhoni in the second ODI, which India won to take the series. He opened the innings as planned although could be seen taking his hand off the bat on occasions before being dismissed for 14 as England fell short of chasing 382.Bairstow could also be in the running to break into the one-day XI but England might prefer Sam Billings at Eden Gardens considering he opened against Bangladesh, in Chittagong, in October, when Jason Roy was injured, and made a career-best 62. He also scored 93 in the first of England’s warm-up matches in Mumbai earlier this month.Meanwhile, England have been fined for a slow over-rate in the Cuttack ODI. They were ruled to be one over short as India piled up 381 for 6. Captain Eoin Morgan, who pleaded guilty, has been fined 20% of his match fee, while the rest of the players have received 10% fines.*0720 GMT+1 day – This story was updated with the inclusion of Jonny Bairstow into the T20 squad

Following his record-breaking opening stand with David Warner, Travis Head is hoping to get more chances up the order

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2017Travis Head, who hit his maiden ODI century against Pakistan in the fifth ODI in Adelaide after being pushed up to open, hopes to get more chances at the top of the order.”As a batter I would love to bat as high as I possibly can, if there’s that opportunity as there was in this series,” Head, who put on 284 with David Warner, said after Australia’s 57-run win. This was the second time Head has opened in his young ODI career of 20 games. The first of those chances to open came in the first ODI of the series, in Brisbane, where he was out for a run-a-ball 39.”I got the opportunity at the Gabba and felt like I was in good form, but I wasn’t able to get a massive score,” he said. “I was very disappointed after that, then going back down the order, that I wasn’t able to capitalise.”So it was nice to get out there today, get first crack at it and get runs. But I’m happy to do the job wherever is needed in the side. I’m happy to go game by game and just be in the side. The preparation for the Champions Trophy, I think we’re playing the right brand at the end of this series. So wherever I fit, it’s fantastic.”With David Warner guaranteed to open, barring injuries, the search is on for a second opener for Australia leading up to the Champions Trophy in England in June. Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch have been tried there. Khawaja opened in the middle three ODIs of the Pakistan series. Finch, who was dropped for the series against Pakistan, has been recalled for the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand.Head too is part of the squad, and hopes to find himself among the runs to merit automatic selection. “I felt like I’ve been in good form in the series but I just haven’t been able to get a big score, and it’s probably been like that since I debuted,” he said. “It’s nice and satisfying to get runs, but the head moves quickly to New Zealand and try and back up the good form and keep the ball rolling.”Head said batting with Warner, who now has six tons in 11 ODIs and was battling a cold and later on fatigue in this game, made his job much easier. The pair set a new Australian ODI partnership record – beating the 260-run second-wicket stand between Warner and Steven Smith against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup. They missed the all-time ODI opening partnership record by two runs.”He [Warner] told me he was going for 200, so I don’t think his mind was set on coming off [due to health issues],” Head said. “He was pretty fatigued, we did a fair bit of running. But I don’t think that hindered him in any way, he just got on with the job. He was struggling a little bit but he was definitely focused on getting a few more runs. It’s easy at the other end – he makes it easy for me. He does it consistently, backing up massive scores and it’s another match-winning effort from him.”

Celtic have scouted Gwangju FC’s Eom Ji-sung and Jeong Ho-yeon ahead of possible Parkhead moves, according to reports.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

The Hoops will back new manager Brendan Rodgers in the transfer market this summer and have already done so by securing a move for midfielder Odin Thiago Holm. The Norwegian has signed a five-year deal in Glasgow and could well be the first of many through the door.

According to reports, Celtic are also interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. Alongside the Nigerian who Rodgers knows well, a significant bid has also been made for Yang Hyun-jun from Gangwon FC.

Yang isn’t the only K League 1 target, though, with a Celtic transfer update emerging on both Eom and Jeong. According to The Daily Record, Rodgers is set to make the most of Celtic’s foothold in the Far East, with Celtic making their first move by scouting both Eom and Jeong from Gwangju.

Who are Eom Ji-sung and Jeong Ho-yeon?

It looks as if Rodgers is keen to continue looking at the Asian market, with former manager Ange Postecoglou bringing in the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Oh Hyeon-gyu from Japan and South Korea, but who are the two new targets in question?

Starting off with Eom – the South Korean is primarily a left-winger but can also play on the right or as an attacking midfielder.

The 21-year-old is valued at a career-high €650,000 by Transfermarkt and has progressed through Gwangju’s academy, making 77 senior appearances for the club, scoring 15 times and providing four assists.

Jeong is one year older than his teammate and is mainly a defensive midfielder who can also turn out slightly further forward if needed. Like Eom, Jeong also came through Gwangju’s youth system and holds a career-high €325,000 Transfermarkt valuation.

The midfielder took time out at Dankook University but has made a total of 55 senior appearances for his current employers, contributing to seven goals, and by the looks of it, they could soon be making their way to Scotland, should Celtic firm up their interest over the coming weeks.

Liverpool are thought to be leading the race to sign highly-rated Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga this summer, according to a fresh update.

Did Veiga shine last season?

The Spaniard enjoyed an eye-catching season for his current side in 2022/23 and was the club's third-best performer over the course of the previous campaign. Veiga proved to be a reliable source of goals from midfield, scoring 11 times and also chipping in with four assists across 36 appearances in La Liga.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old a number of times in recent months, seeing him as one of their primary midfield targets. The Reds have already brought in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, but a couple more signings are required in that area and the Celta Vigo gem could be one who comes in.

Now, a new update regarding Veiga's future certainly suggests that the Reds, and by extension new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, are serious about snapping up the youngster.

Are Liverpool favourites to sign Veiga?

According to The Transfer Room, Liverpool are in fact now the front-runners to sign Veiga before the new Premier League season begins:

"Sources close to The Transfer Room have claimed that Liverpool are well ahead of any club in the race for Veiga. Chelsea, who were pushing hard, have now taken a step back and are assessing other targets. The main 'problem' with the deal for Liverpool is the €40million release clause.

"Despite Chelsea dropping their interest in the Spanish midfielder, two other Premier League sides, Newcastle United & Manchester United are also following his future closely. Even though Liverpool are now leading the race, many twists and turns could still take place as his future will not be decided until he returns back from the U21 Euros which is taking place currently."

This is a very positive update regarding Liverpool's pursuit of Veiga, suggesting that he could well be the next man through the door at Anfield, joining Mac Allister in transforming an ageing Reds midfield.

His performances last season showed exactly what he is capable of – football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded his "great season" – and he already has 49 appearances to his name in La Liga, showing that he can compete at the highest level.

At 21, Veiga, labelled as a "very electric player" by Fabrizio Romano, would be considered both an immediate key squad player and a future star – he may have to accept not being a guaranteed starter from the off, especially given Curtis Jones' end-of-season form – and if he came in along with either Khephren Thuram or Romeo Lavia, it could continue a highly productive summer.

The batsman, who also contributed with his medium-pace bowling, last played an international match for West Indies in March 2015 at the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-2017West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith has announced his retirement from all international cricket. Smith, 33, who is playing for Islamabad United in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, confirmed the decision before the start of the second qualifying final against Karachi Kings in Sharjah. His last West Indies appearance came at the 2015 World Cup.Smith made his international debut on West Indies’ tour of South Africa 2003-04, beginning with the New Year’s Test in Cape Town in January 2004, after Marlon Samuels flew home with a knee injury. He made an impression straightaway, scoring a century on debut – a run-a-ball unbeaten 105, his only international century – in the second innings of the game, to help West Indies draw the match and end their streak of seven successive Test losses in South Africa. The team, however, did lose the series 3-1. Smith played only nine more Tests, scoring a total of 320 runs in the format. His last Test appearance for West Indies was in March 2006, against New Zealand in Napier.Smith had a far more substantial run in the limited-overs sides, where he also made useful contributions with his medium-pace, although his batting returns remained modest. Having begun in the lower order, Smith was promoted to the top order, including as an opener, after 2014 and did better there. Six of his eight ODI fifties came when he batted in the top three, and his average of 25.27 was better than his overall career average of 18.57. Overall, he played 105 ODIs scoring 1560 runs at a strike rate of 92.69. He also took 61 wickets in ODIs, with a career-best of 5 for 45 and three four-fors.Smith was part of two World Cup squads for West Indies in 2007 and in 2015, where his final appearance came against UAE in Napier. Following West Indies’ early exit from the 2007 World Cup, Smith spent close to three years out of the ODI and T20I squads before making his return in 2010.He was part of three World T20 squads – in 2007, 2012 and 2014. While he played only one match during West Indies’ title run in the 2012 World T20, he was picked in the next edition as the side’s designated opener and scored 125 runs in five matches. In 33 T20 internationals, he scored 582 runs at 18.18 with a strike rate of 122.78, although he only made three fifties.Smith has been a popular cricketer on the T20 circuit, over the last few years, turning out to play for franchises in the Indian Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Pakistan Super League, as well as the NatWest Blast in England.

Arsenal have been slowly building year-on-year under Mikel Arteta, with that culminating in last season's unexpected title charge to which they were narrowly edged out by Manchester City.

Their rivals were vastly more experienced in such a situation and in the end it showed, as Pep Guardiola's team finished five points ahead of the Gunners, before going on to win the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Whilst many factors aided such a historic campaign for the Manchester club, undoubtedly one of the most important was the decision to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

How many goals has Erling Haaland scored?

The Norwegian forward had lit up the Bundesliga following an imperious spell in Germany where he scored 86 goals in 89 games for the club, and his switch to the Etihad cemented his rise to the top. However, few could have expected the 22-year-old would come to dominate English football with such speed.

He would finish the term on 52 goals across all competitions, having broken the league's scoring record alongside numerous others.

Shifting from playing with no striker to a 6 foot 4 one was drastic for Guardiola, but ultimately it proved to be the difference.

Now, in an effort to emulate such success and once again seek to replicate the style that his former mentor has made, Arteta could replicate this by turning their rumoured interest from this year in Dusan Vlahovic into a reality.

Are Arsenal signing Dusan Vlahovic?

Although his €80m (£70m) price tag might put many off given what the north London outfit are already set to spend this summer with their various ongoing deals, if he was to have a similarly revolutionary effect like Haaland, it would be more than worth it.

After all, the Spanish head coach had reportedly made it clear that a taller, more aggressive striker was an important target for this summer back in March.

Given that the Serbia international stands at 6 foot 3, just one inch shorter than the Citizens' striker, he immediately ticks that box.

Not to mention he is also blessed with that same frightening speed that makes Haaland such a physical marvel and allows him to pin defenders, bully them in the air and run them in behind.

Given he is just 23 years old, the future remains bright for this young finisher to continue his development which has seen him also shoot to the top of the game.

In what was his true breakout year for Fiorentina, where many took note of this hulking forward, the left-footed star notched 21 league goals before earning his move the year following.

However, despite switching to Juventus mid-season, he would still record another 24 goals in Serie A to supplement his ever-growing reputation.

Podcaster Tom Rooney sought to outline his qualities back in 2021, forecasting such a high-profile transfer: "I thought Vlahovic was just exceptional tonight before Mitrovic came on, surely on the move from Fiorentina in the summer? Plays with proper bite, uses his size but can really play ball too."

With a freakish physique, blistering speed and an uncanny ability to find the net with regularity, there are few in world football who profile as close to the relentless Haaland.

Perhaps under Arteta, he could reach new heights and set up a new striking rivalry for the ages.

ESPNcricinfo’s wrap of the fourth day of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and New South Wales in Perth

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Mar-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Peter Nevill fell just short of delivering New South Wales a place in the Sheffield Shield final•Getty ImagesVictoria will play South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final for the second consecutive summer after New South Wales fell seven runs short of victory in a tense finish to the last regular match of the competition in Perth. Chasing 403 to win and gain a place in the decider, the Blues were denied when Peter Nevill reverse-swept and was caught off Ashton Turner for 63.The six-run win was a fine way for Western Australia to farewell their retiring captain Adam Voges, although South Australia’s victory over Tasmania earlier in the day had ended any hopes the Warriors had of jumping from fifth on the table into the final. Instead, Western Australia had to settled for third on the table, with Victoria to host South Australia in the final in Alice Springs.The final morning began with New South Wales in a vulnerable position at 1 for 6, needing a further 396 in a day to secure a place in the final. But a 161-run second-wicket stand between Ed Cowan and Daniel Hughes was the perfect platform. Cowan fell for 80 when he was bowled by Cameron Green, but he finished on top of the Shield run tally for the regular portion of this season with 959 at 73.76.Hughes brought up his first century of the Shield season but was caught by Voges off Turner for 110, although further contributions were to come from the New South Wales middle order. Kurtis Patterson made 39 and captain Moises Henriques posted 66, but both men fell to the offspin of Turner and left Nevill marshalling the lower order for the remainder of the chase.The final partnership began when No.11 Harry Conway joined Nevill with 24 runs still required, although time was also a factor with the number of overs in the day starting to dwindle. Nevill and Conway put on 17 but the drama ended when Nevill reverse-swept on 63 and was caught off the bowling of Turner, who finished with a career-best 6 for 111.

In the second hearing of the case against Sharjeel Khan, the PCB presented the evidence in front of three-man tribunal the board had formed

Umar Farooq14-Apr-2017The evidence presented against Sharjeel Khan for the alleged corruption charges against him is “insufficient”, according to his lawyer Shaigan Ijaz. In the second hearing of the case against him, the PCB presented the evidence in front of three-man tribunal the board had formed, and provided the material to the player and his counsel, who need to submit the response by May 5.Latif challenges constitution of tribunal

Khalid Latif filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court before the hearing on Friday, challenging the constitution of the PCB’s three-man tribunal headed by retired Justice Asghar Haider. The petition, however, was dismissed after a few hours, making the player appear before the tribunal.

“They have presented the evidences to the tribunal that contain statements of witnesses and some recording of interviews they had done during the investigations,” Sharjeel’s counsel said. “I want to insist to my media friends that everybody is innocent until or unless proven guilty. Sharjeel Khan is our national asset and our national team player and until the matter is in proceeding and until things are not proved, he is innocent. We will assess the evidence in detail but we understand that these are insufficient.”Similarly, Khalid Latif appeared before the tribunal along with his lawyer and was handed over the evidences. He also needs to respond by May 5.Sharjeel and Latif were charged by the PCB for alleged breaches of its Anti Corruption Code, during the second season of the PSL in the UAE. The PCB had charged the duo for breaching various articles under Clause 2, for attempts to corrupt a game, and for failing to disclose suspect approaches. Both had challenged the harges and a tribunal was formed to hear their cases.The specific articles both are alleged to have violated are: 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5. In addition, Latif is alleged to have breached 2.1.4. Both players had denied some of the alleged breaches they were accused of but admitted to at least one of the more minor charges that was related to not reporting the corrupt approaches.The charges are mainly centred on the opening game of the second season of the PSL, as well as activities around it, in Dubai. Islamabad United had registered a comfortable seven-wicket win, by the D/L method, over Peshawar Zalmi. Sharjeel was dismissed for 1 off four balls and Latif did not play the game. Both players were provisionally suspended by the PCB and were sent home with immediate effect.

With promotion expert Daniel Farke now at the helm, Leeds United will no doubt be plotting to secure an instant return back to the Premier League this term, having slipped back into the second tier last term after just three years in the top-flight.

The chances of Farke – who sealed two promotions from the Championship during his time at Norwich City – pulling off that feat have not been aided by the possible mass exodus that the Whites are set to endure, with the likes of Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson having already moved out on loan.

A far greater blow, however, looks to be the impending exit of last season's top scorer, Rodrigo, with the 32-year-old Spaniard seemingly on his way to Qatar to join Al-Rayyan, after three seasons at Elland Road.

Since signing from Valencia back in the summer of 2020, the experienced marksman has netted 27 times in 95 games in all competitions for the Yorkshire giants, with 15 of those strikes coming last term despite the club's eventual relegation.

With no other Leeds player having even reached double figures for goals in 2022/23, the Brazil-born hitman will leave a notable void in Farke's squad, with it unlikely to prove an easy fix trying to replace his influence in attack.

One name that has been mentioned as a possible centre-forward target of late, however, is Nottingham Forest's Sam Surridge – according to The Athletic's Phil Hay – with the 24-year-old also attracting interest from MLS clubs amid his limited game time at the City Ground, after starting just two league games last term.

While the Englishman may not be the most glamourous of signings, his prior experience in the second tier could prove invaluable for Farke and co next season…

How good is Sam Surridge?

It is fair to say that the Slough-born striker endured a frustrating 2022/23 campaign after scoring just one Premier League goal for Steve Cooper's side, albeit with the former Stoke City striker having been a crucial figure in Forest's successful promotion charge in the previous season.

Having signed from the Potters in January 2022, Surridge went on to score seven goals in just 17 Championship appearances in the second of the season, having arguably been "one of the best finishers" in the league, according to Forest legend, Gary Birtles – who also dubbed him "sensational" in front of goal.

That view has been echoed by journalist Lee Clarke, who recently hailed the £15k-per-week ace as something of a "cheat code" due to that sparkling previous form, as he simply "never looked like missing" when played in on goal.

Evidently a player who could fill the goalscoring shoes of Rodrigo, Surridge is also an asset due to his hard-working nature when leading the line, with Birtles describing him as a player who "worries defenders", while also stating:

"His work rate and trying to close defenders down to stop them playing, that lets midfield push up a couple of yards and the defenders even more. That makes life more uncomfortable and problematic for the opposition."

That willing work ethic is seemingly shared by Leeds' departing forward, with the ageing sensation notably ranking in the top 11% among those in his position in Europe's big five leagues for tackles made, showcasing that desire to defend from the front.

That would suggest that if Farke is turn to Surridge to be the main man next season, the 6 foot 3 machine could prove to be the perfect heir to Rodrigo at Elland Road.