Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz delivered a masterclass for Brazil

He may not be Aston Villa’s sporting director anymore, but there’s no questioning that Suso’s work in signing Douglas Luiz on a permanent basis was a stroke of genius.

The Midlands club brought in the midfielder for £15m in the summer of 2019, and he has gone on to establish himself as a key part of Dean Smith’s side, both last season and at the beginning of this new one too.

He played 36 of Villa’s 38 Premier League games in the 2019/2020 campaign, and has started in every one of his side’s matches in the top-flight this season.

And after months of playing high-level football, Luiz finally picked up his second senior cap for Brazil on Saturday, as he was named in the starting line-up for the World Cup qualifying clash against Bolivia.

In a resounding 5-0 victory, it was the Villa ace who arguably stole the show, running things in the middle of the park and proving what an absolute steal he was for his club side.

Lining up in a midfield three alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona stars Casemiro and Philippe Coutinho respectively, Luiz controlled the tempo of the game, recycling possession and playing it with precision both short and long.

As per Sofascore, he had a game-high 107 touches, and also boasted another game-high of a 95% passing accuracy. The key thing to note is that Luiz didn’t just try and keep things simple or play it safe.

Instead, he always looked to probe and move the ball forward, delivering two key passes (only Casemiro had more with three), and successfully completing all five of his attempted long balls.

Hailed as “outstanding” by Villa boss Smith, Luiz’s exceptional display for a star-studded Brazil proved once and for all that he is the real deal, and that Suso delivered a masterclass by signing him for just £15m last summer.

And in other news, Aston Villa must look to offload this fringe man before next week’s transfer deadline.

Profit Players: £540k Joe Lolley purchase could be one of the Nottingham Forest’s best

This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.

When you look at the rapport Joe Lolley has built with Nottingham Forest fans, it’s hard to believe he’s only been with the club for two years. The Reds swooped for him in 2018 from Huddersfield for a bitesize price of just £540,000, according to Transfermarkt.

In two seasons, not only has Lolley’s market value spiked massively – now ringing in at £5.8million – but he has won over the hearts of his teammates and the club’s loyal supporters.

This campaign, the 27-year-old has contributed to seven goals and seven assists in the Championship and has been an almost ever-present figure, missing just two matches out of the entire league term. His stats last season were even more impressive, playing 100% of Forest’s games and tallying a total of 11 goals and 11 assists in the league (via Transfermarkt).

Lolley will have the chance to potentially match 2018/19’s numbers once Championship football returns. The Reds will have nine games left to ensure they qualify for the play-offs and the versatile forward could be their ticket to doing so.

The Redditch-born winger boasts extreme versatility, being able to play on either flank, up front or in the attacking midfield role. His presence on the pitch will be what Forest need to kick on and hold their play-off qualification spot. They currently sit fifth in the table and as it stands, will be battling it out for the third promotion slot ahead of next season.

Lolley has also been spearheading Nottingham Forest’s participation in the Football Manager 2020 EFL Cup – a competition where EFL sides take each other on virtually. The 27-year-old drove his side to the semi-finals after iconic victories over Mansfield and Middlesbrough.

Signing Lolley from Huddersfield for less than £1million was superb business from the club as they now have a real driving force and leader in their ranks. Whether he will stay with the club is unknown but his passion and clinical nature in front of goal could help them fight their way back into the Premier League this season. If he does fire them to the top flight, then he will surely rank as one of their best value for money signings ever.

Do you agree, Forest fans? Is Joe Lolley an inspirational asset to the team? Join the conversation in the comments below!

Predicted Everton XI vs AFC Bournemouth for Premier League finale

Everton’s disappointing 2019/20 campaign draws to a close later this evening following the Premier League’s final set of matches.

The Toffees have nothing to play at Goodison Park for but they do welcome AFC Bournemouth who are fighting to stay in the division.

Last time out, Carlo Ancelotti’s side picked up their first victory in four outings, so what sort of line-up the Italian field today?

Here’s what we are predicting…

The 61-year-old could make two changes to the side that defeated Sheffield United last week.

One of which is likely to be amongst his backline – and no, it doesn’t seem as if Leighton Baines will get a fairytale ending at the Merseyside outfit. Instead, it’s a swap on the other flank with skipper Seamus Coleman coming back in for loan man Djibril Sidibe.

It means young Jarrad Branthwaite keeps his place at centre-back alongside Michael Keane with both Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina out injured.

The three-man midfield of Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and a more advanced Gylfi Sigurdsson is likely to remain too, meaning the second and final alteration is in an attacking position.

Veteran winger Theo Walcott, who cost the Toffees £20m in 2018, is dropped with 19-year-old emerging talent Anthony Gordon coming in on the left.

Everton’s joint-top goalscorers both start – Richarlison on the right with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line on his own.

Moise Kean has been a doubt for this one and is unlikely to be risked.

AND in other news, Everton facing another Brands disasterclass if they sign Serie A star…

Glasgow Rangers: Fans celebrate eSports victory

The current lockdown means that football fans and clubs across the globe have plenty more time on their hands, and it is no different with Glasgow Rangers.

During this period, video games such as FIFA and Football Manager appear to have been put to good use. There have been a number of tournaments organised, like the Ultimate Quaranteam Cup, for example. The Gers have also been competing, most recently in the eScottish Cup, which was played on Football Manager Touch.

82 teams initially took part in the competition, but there could only be one winner – and it was the Ibrox outfit who took home the trophy. They beat their fierce rivals Celtic in the final 2-1 to do so.

Of course, this cannot replace the feeling of getting your hands on a real piece of silverware, but the club’s supporters seem happy all the less. They have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

Let us know what you think!

The streets should forget: Nostalgia bias has blinded too many fans

Nostalgia bias, also known as rosy retrospection is a social phenomenon that academics have been trying to get to grips with for years.The general idea is that people romanticise things from their youth and remember them for being better than they actually are, whether that be films, foods or their favourite holiday destinations, and it seems that football isn’t exempt from this bias either.It seems that every other day we’re seeing highlight clips of average players who ‘the streets won’t forget’, with many fawning over former Premier League players who don’t deserve such adulation.

The above tweet has over 41,000 likes and almost 15,000 retweets, and it features such players as Bryan Ruiz and Adel Taarabt, and as someone who has had the misfortune of watching both players turn out for my club, I can tell you that ‘the streets’ are remembering them both wrongly.

Ruiz arrived as a £10m signing on deadline day in 2011 after banging in 35 league goals in 65 games for FC Twente in the Eredivisie, but his first Premier League season saw him score just twice, with both efforts being rather fantastic chips against both Everton and Bolton.

In the end, he would score just 11 goals in 97 league appearances for the Whites, including just four in 29 in the Championship, having to go down as quite a massive flop, considering he was the club’s biggest signing that summer.

Taarabt was a similar story, the Moroccan was undoubtedly one of the Championship’s best players during QPR’s promotion season, netting 19 in 44 from midfield, but once he got into the big leagues, he faltered, netting just seven times in 77 Premier League appearances for both the R’s and Fulham.

The former Tottenham man did have a trick or two up his sleeve, and his nutmegs and stepovers do make for good montage videos that can be shared on social media, but when you’re seeing people lament him as if he was the West London’s answer to a prime Ronaldinho, you can’t help but wonder if anyone remembers actually watching him for a full 90 minutes.

No harm is being done in enjoying these clips, and there is plenty of skill on show here, but it’s leading to a generation of fans glorifying an average bunch of players from an era where there are plenty of footballers worth remembering.

Stuart Armstrong could soon be Southampton’s most important midfielder

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Following a run of four successive defeats in all competitions, Southampton finally showed some fight and quality during their 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday – and they should have won comfortably.

With the five-at-the-back formation clearly not paying dividends and with a full squad to choose from, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl decided to deploy a 4-3-3 system against Unai Emery’s men.

What followed was 21 shots as the visitors dominated in terms of clear-cut chances, and there was another decent display from Stuart Armstrong in the middle of the park following a recent resurgence from the Scotland international.

For the first time this season Oriol Romeu missed out on the spot in the starting XI, with the midfield trio of him, James Ward-Prowse and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg that we have seen so often this term split up in north London.

Instead, Armstrong was named alongside the Englishman and the captain, and he showed just how useful he can be and the important thing he offers that his other central midfield teammates can’t.

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Ward-Prowse and Hojbjerg certainly didn’t have their worst games at the weekend – the former scored and the latter made six interceptions and won BBC Sport’s man of the match award, but they also showed their shortcomings in other areas.

While they may be good working from a defensive point of view – as well as tracking back – they simply don’t have that turn of speed needed to effectively press higher up the pitch with or without the ball.

In addition, they both showed their lack of ability to take the ball forward when they have possession of it, with Hojbjerg only jogging forward when completely on his own seconds after Nicolas Pepe messed up a two-on-one situation for the hosts.

More energy or a quicker pass was needed, but it never came.

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Similarly, Ward-Prowse wasted a four-on-three situation for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men when instead of slipping in one of his attacking teammates, he instead chose to shoot from just inside the Arsenal half. And it wasn’t a good effort as it sailed well wide.

They simply don’t have the legs to do it, and that is a big problem at home – last time out against Everton the duo and Romeu struggled to make any impact from an attacking point of view as Hasenhuttl’s men fell to a disappointing defeat.

Armstrong brings something different though, and he has the energy to bring the ball forward as we saw glimpses of at the Emirates, successfully completing one dribble.

Given he only played 85 minutes of Southampton’s first 10 Premier League fixtures of the season – he played more than that against Arsenal alone – his recent emergence has been a little unexpected.

However, because of the traits he has, he could just turn out to be Saints’ most important midfielder ahead of their huge home matches against Watford and Norwich City, because he offers something Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg and Romeu don’t.

Crystal Palace fans react to Alexander Sorloth’s honest comments

Loads of Crystal Palace fans have reacted on Twitter after fan account CPFC News HQ relayed some eye-catching comments made by striker Alexander Sorloth.

The centre-forward appeared on Norwegian media outlet TV2’s Premier League podcast this week, and issued some very honest comments on his time at Selhurst Park prior to his loan exit to Trabzonspor.

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The 24-year-old said that he felt unlucky to have a goal ruled out against Chelsea in one of his first matches that could have helped him cement a spot in the starting XI, before he then suffered an injury which further hampered his chances.

He went on to say that it wasn’t fair to be judged on a few late substitute appearances, which is certainly some refreshing honesty from the Norway international.

Of course, Sorloth has gone on to be a big hit in Turkey after scoring just once in 20 games for Palace, netting 25 times in 39 outings for Trabzonspor to date.

Eagles supporters have been quick to comment on their striker’s comments on Twitter, as you can see below.

More than one individual said they felt sorry form him – it’s difficult not to.

Here is just a selection of the reaction…

In other Crystal Palace news, Wilfried Zaha has named a former Manchester United teammate as the best right-back he’s faced…

Sheffield Wednesday fans blast Keiren Westwood after an error-prone performance

Sheffield Wednesday saw victory snatched out of their hands on Saturday afternoon as Swansea City bagged the last of a late flurry of goals to secure a point at Hillsborough.

Garry Monk’s men thought they had come from behind to win it in injury time when left-back Morgan Fox fired home, but within three minutes, the visiting side had silenced the south Yorkshire crowd with an equaliser as Ben Wilmot turned in an effort from a corner.

It means that the Owls sit in seventh place, just one point outside of a playoff position, as the Championship now embarks on a third international break of the season.

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Many fans at the club believe their goalkeeper Keiren Westwood was at fault for both of Swansea’s goals and they have certainly made their feelings heard on social media.

One member of the Hillsborough crowd demanded that the 35-year-old was dropped as punishment for his errors while another claimed his performance was a ‘stinker.’

A further supporter believes that the shot-stopper has costed the side quite regularly this campaign with one more claiming that if it had been backup Cameron Dawson between the sticks, then he would have been crucified.

Here’s the best of the reaction:

Leeds loanee Illan Meslier should be worried if David Stockdale signs

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Illan Meslier arrived in the summer as a rather understated signing, one that went under the radar as Leeds also landed Eddie Nketiah towards deadline day.

Once linked with moves to Chelsea and Monaco, the Frenchman has been a neglected figure in Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.

Kiko Casilla has made the number one spot his own and Meslier hasn’t featured for the senior team whatsoever.

He didn’t even earn a place in the Carabao Cup as he’s been restricted to outings for Carlos Corberan’s U23 side. Saving two penalties earlier in the season, he’s done all he can to make a statement to Bielsa.

However, he doesn’t seem to be listening and in recent times Kamil Miazek has even been preferred on the bench because of Leeds’ loan quota.

But his role in the side could change if Casilla is found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko. The goalkeeper has been charged and could face at worst a 12 game ban.

That would surely put Meslier at the top of the pecking order but a January addition could soon swipe away that idea.

The People, via Leeds Live, have recently linked Leeds with a move for Birmingham stopper David Stockdale.

Now aged 34, he was once one of the better men between the sticks in the division, helping Brighton to secure promotion. However, since then he’s been stuck behind the calamitous Lee Camp this term at St Andrew’s.

Leeds could offer him a fresh start and bringing in an experienced keeper would certainly benefit the Whites if Casilla is banned.

But what sort of message does it send out to Meslier if the former Fulham man walks through the door? There can only be one answer, a concerning one.

The £4.5m-rated ‘keeper is already struggling to make an impact and the last thing he needs is someone else bumping him down the pecking order.

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Leeds have an option to buy him next summer but the possibility of that feels remote given he’s not played a single minute.

Signing Stockdale would stink of a lack of faith in Meslier, something that’s incredibly bizarre given he’s performed admirably for the U23s. If Leeds have desires of bringing someone else in, they may as well have just stuck with Miazek last summer, rather than bringing the 19-year-old in on loan.

This would be a rather damning statement from Victor Orta and the senior management team at Elland Road.

Everton fans loved seeing Alex Iwobi in the No.10 role against West Ham in 2-0 win

Some Everton fans have taken to Twitter to show their admiration for Alex Iwobi’s performance in the No.10 role against West Ham.

The 38-cap Nigeria international excelled against the Hammers in a central role, having made five appearances out on the left wing so far this season following his £34m move from Arsenal.

However, Marco Silva entrusted the 23-year-old to play centrally on Saturday, and Iwobi rewarded that faith shown i him with a fine performance which helped contribute towards a 2-0 win.

Iwobi managed to get both of his two shots on target, made two key passes and also completed three dribbles on a day where his first thought was always to play the ball forward and get Everton on the attack.

Seeing as he doesn’t always get to play in the middle, his performance has sparked a discussion amongst some of the Toffees supporters on Twitter, who clearly loved seeing him thrive in the No.10 role…