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Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is ‘a doubt’ for Monday’s trip to Nottingham Forest with a muscle injury, John Townley reports.

The Lowdown: Injury issues

Steven Gerrard has had a number of injuries to deal with so far this season just eight games into the Premier League campaign.

Diego Carlos, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, Calum Chambers and Ludwig Augustinsson have all picked up problems, with some short-term and others long-term.

Cash and Chambers look set to return to the squad at the City Ground in a much-needed boost, however, Bailey appears to have been added to the Bodymoor Heath treatment room.

The Latest: Bailey’s problem

Townley took to Twitter to relay updates from Gerrard’s pre-match press conference.

He stated that Cash and Chambers will both now be available on Monday before adding that Bailey is ‘a doubt after picking up a muscle injury’.

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The Verdict: Never ending

It feels like Gerrard has a new injury to deal with every week, with Bailey one of the first Villa attackers to pick up a problem.

Once described as a player who ‘can do anything’ by former Bayer Leverkusen coach Heiko Herrlich, the Jamaican has featured in every Premier League game so far this season, with his only goal coming against Manchester City.

He started against Leeds last time out, so his absence could result in someone like Emiliano Buendia or Danny Ings coming into the starting XI in what feels like a huge game for Gerrard.

Glasgow Rangers reporter for The Athletic Jordan Campbell reports that Ben Davies is ‘being assessed’ after complaining about an injury in midweek.

The Lowdown: Goldson blow

The Ibrox outfit were rocked by the news from The Daily Record on Thursday morning that Connor Goldson is set to face months out, after suffering a suspected thigh muscle tear in the 7-1 loss at home to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

He received medical treatment after a challenge with Darwin Nunez in the first half, hobbling off moments before the half-time whistle to be replaced by Leon King, eventually leaving the stadium on crutches.

The Latest: Davies ‘being assessed’

Taking to Twitter, Campbell has revealed that Davies is also ‘being assessed’ ahead of the Gers’ game away at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership at Sunday lunchtime, after the central defender ‘felt muscle tightness’ against his former club in midweek, but did not want to come off:

“Ben Davies is being assessed for an injury complaint after the 7-1 defeat to Liverpool. Felt muscle tightness during the game but didn’t want to come off. With Goldson, Helander & Souttar out, King could be the only recognised centre-back available.”

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The Verdict: Crisis

If Davies is ruled out for the Motherwell clash, alongside Goldson and long-term absentees Filip Helander and John Souttar, 18-year-old King would be the only recognised centre-back available in the senior squad.

That will leave Giovanni van Bronckhorst with a tough decision to make over who he would now have to pull out of position to cover in that area of the pitch.

To have four of his five senior centre-halves injured leaves him with a crisis in the heart of the defence, which is certainly not ideal as they look to catch bitter rivals Celtic at the top of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second Premier League defeat in the space of just a few days as Antonio Conte was left to rue another defensive disasterclass led by skipper Hugo Lloris after they were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday evening.

The long-serving veteran was at fault for Callum Wilson’s lobbed opener and arguably the second as well.

The Magpies forward collided with the 35-year-old but managed to fire home an excellent chip before a poor clearance from the Spurs goalkeeper fell to Sean Longstaff, only for Miguel Almiron to weave his way past two defenders to slot in a winner.

He wasn’t the only Lilywhites star to struggle, however, as in the absence of some of the team’s injured on-pitch leaders such as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cristian Romero, centre-back Eric Dier looked off it once again.

As did Emerson Royal, whose recall to the starting XI was quite a contentious decision, given just how well Matt Doherty had performed in two of the three games he was suspended for.

When the Brazil international was sent off for a nonsensical tackle during the north London derby, he was rightfully lambasted by talkSPORT pundit and ex-Spurs player Jamie O’Hara, who was one of the more vocal critics.

“Royal is just a complete liability,” he claimed.

“Every single week we play him, he makes mistakes. I don’t care how much money he’s spent on trying to make himself a better footballer, he’s not good enough to play for Tottenham. It’s like having [Serge] Aurier back in the team. He’s just a mistake waiting to happen.”

On his arguably surprise return to the side, we saw the same old from the 23-year-old wing-back. It’s a crucial role in Conte’s system, not only is he expected to get back and defend – where, as above, he’s been a calamity at times – but he’s also needing to get forward to provide creativity for the two strikers, Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

Emerson failed to provide a single accurate cross from four attempts and lost possession a whopping 16 times from his 81 touches – only Dier (20) lost the ball more times and that’s largely because he was the man trying to spray those dangerous long balls (19 attempts) into the final third, as per Sofascore.

Further back, the £26m flop registered only one tackle, which was five fewer than Rodrigo Bentancur and two fewer than fellow wing-back Ryan Sessegnon, who was hooked on the hour mark.

The £40k-per-week lightweight also picked up a yellow card for his nightmare display, whilst the FootballJOE Twitter account offered a tongue-in-cheek comment on the matter. “Genuinely can’t fathom how bad Djed Spence must be in training if he can’t get a game ahead of Emerson and Doherty.”

Indeed, the mind boggles on that front as Emerson was evidently the true villain of Conte’s dismal woes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.

“Emerson Royal just isn’t good enough at all, he’s not Premier League quality whatsoever,” journalist Josh Bunting added. “Maybe the worst player to play for Tottenham in my lifetime.”

He’s not wrong and the sooner the Italian head coach realises that, the better it’ll be for Spurs, the team and the fanbase.

AND in other news, Conte can seal a “world-class” deal by signing titan who’d “definitely improve” Spurs…

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has now shared his side’s plans for when the transfer window opens in January.

The Lowdown: January successes

In the winter window last season, the Hoops welcomed the likes of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley to Parkhead, who were able to hit the ground running in the famous Green and White strip.

The Japan international made 13 appearances for Celtic in the second half of the Premiership season, in which he impressively bagged four goals and three assists from central midfield.

With the success of the club’s January strategy last season, the Hoops are now looking to replicate what they pulled off again this time around.

The Latest: Ange’s comments

Having noted his success in the Japanese market, Postecoglou has now revealed his transfer plans going into the next window.

As quoted by The Herald, the Celtic boss said:

“We are well underway with our planning for January.

“It was really beneficial for us last year to do our business early in January. I think that helped us in the back half of the season.

“I think we are going to have to do something similar this January. Our strategy is already in place and hopefully it all comes together.

“We are looking everywhere in terms of our recruitment. Mark Lawwell is in the building now and the reason I brought him in is that he knows what I am looking for. The brief is to scour the world for that.

“The Japanese and Asian market is one I am really familiar with and I still think there is value there for players, and I know how they would fit into what we do.

“But we signed Alexandro Bernabei from Argentina, so South America is also an area we are looking at.”

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The Verdict: Time to fix

Whilst Celtic sit top of the Premiership table with 27 points from their opening ten league games, Old Firm rivals Rangers are closing in behind with 25 points.

Having clinched the title by four points last season, the gap between the two Glasgow sides remains extremely close.

Postecoglou will know he can utilise the winter window to solve any issues or reinforce any weak areas of his squad which he may have picked up on during the first half of the season.

Whilst the 57-year-old does not have any imminent injuries to attend to, he can use the window to add quality and depth to his squad as they fight with the Gers for back-to-back league titles.

Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action today following the conclusion of their Champions League campaign in midweek.

A 3-1 defeat to Ajax in their final match of the tournament left the Gers with the unwanted record of being the worst-ever team in the Champions League group stage, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be aiming to bounce back with a victory over St Johnstone today.

In an ideal world, the Dutchman would make a raft of changes to his starting XI ahead of today’s match, but with the current injury crisis enveloping the squad, that won’t be possible.

There will likely be just one or two changes, and the 47-year-old should ruthlessly bin striker Antonio Colak to the bench amid his poor performance in midweek.

On the surface, dropping the Croatian – who has netted 11 Premiership goals already – seems like a bold move, but he has only scored once in his last three league matches.

The 29-year-old may be excelling in Scotland, but his displays in the Champions League have been hugely disappointing, with the £1.8m striker averaging a rating of just 6.33/10 via SofaScore.

He averaged 0.2 shots on target while taking just 11.5 touches per game in six Champions League matches, which suggests that he struggles to get involved quite as much at that level compared to playing in the Premiership.

Of course, the opposition in Europe’s premier club competition is far superior to that in Scotland, but he has fallen below the required standard for the big stage.

These European displays may have ruined any hope of the striker making Croatia’s World Cup squad, for if he can’t perform on the grandest club stage of them all, then the biggest tournament in international football might be a bridge too far for the player.

Alfredo Morelos, who scored last week against Aberdeen, should be given the nod today. The Colombian is screaming out for a full 90 minutes, and with seven goals against the Saints during his time with the Light Blues, he will surely fancy his chances of adding one or two more to that haul this afternoon.

David Moyes made some excellent signings in the summer transfer window for West Ham United, bringing in the likes of Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd and Lucas Paqueta to form a wonderful spine to the team.

The signing of Flynn Downes appears to have largely gone under the radar, but Moyes may have a real diamond on his hands in the 23-year-old.

With Irons stalwart Mark Noble having retired last season following an 18-year spell in the first team, West Ham may just have unearthed his ideal heir.

Downes plays in the same position as the former club captain, while he is also a lifelong Hammers fan and has all the attributes which could make him the perfect midfield replacement, although the former Swansea man might just go one better than the 35-year-old by winning a senior England cap.

Former West Ham academy graduate and England international Joe Cole praised Downes on BT Sport following his performance against FCSB, saying he has been an “outstanding” find for West Ham, and Moyes has done the correct thing by easing him into first-team action this season.

The Englishman has started four matches in the Europa Conference League, averaging a rating of 6.98/10 from SofaScore, and he has impressed in the club’s engine room.

A 92% pass success rate and an average of 58.2 touches per match would suggest that he isn’t fazed at this level, while he has added some excellent defensive protection to the West Ham side in Europe.

Downes has made three tackles and one interception and won possession back 1.6 times per match, while also displaying his strength in one-on-one situations by winning 64% of his duels in the competition.

Journalist Josh Bunting has said that Downes “adds another dimension” for the Hammers, and with these numbers from the Conference League playing a part in Moyes’ side winning the group with six wins out of six, the praise is certainly justified.

The next step will be to transition these performances on the continent into regular appearances in the Irons’ starting XI in the Premier League.

Only then can the 23-year-old claim to be the heir apparent to Noble, but so far, the early signs are looking hugely positive.

Aston Villa recently made the decision to part ways with manager Steven Gerrard and swooped to bring in Spaniard Unai Emery to replace him in the dugout.

The former Villarreal and Arsenal head coach enjoyed a phenomenal first game in charge of the Premier League side as his team smashed Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday.

He masterminded a superb victory over the Red Devils and ended their opponents’ nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions, with Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey, and Lucas Digne getting on the scoresheet.

Ramsey, in particular, was impressive as he registered one goal and one assist, whilst also winning eight of his ten individual duels and making an eye-catching six tackles in the middle of the park.

The 21-year-old, who scored six goals in the Premier League last season, could be a key player for Emery in the coming months but there is another member of his family who could be on the manager’s radar heading into the 2023 – Aaron Ramsey.

Jacob’s 19-year-old sibling is currently out on loan at Norwich in the Championship and his promising displays at Carrow Road suggest that he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of his brother.

The new Villa boss could even unearth his next David Silva by bringing Aaron Ramsey back to the club, either in January or at the end of his loan deal next summer, and helping him to fulfil his potential.

Emery joined Valencia in 2008 and had the pleasure of managing the majestic attacking midfielder, Silva, for 67 competitive matches, in which the maestro scored 16 goals and provided 20 assists as a young attacking midfielder before moving to Manchester City in 2010.

The magician, who could play as an eight, a number 10, or out wide on the left, enjoyed a fantastic spell in England, eventually becoming one of the greatest technicians seen in the English top-flight. Indeed, he racked up 60 goals and 106 assists in 309 Premier League matches for the Cityzens.

Ramsey, whose vision was dubbed “outstanding” by ex-Villa boss Dean Smith earlier this season, has caught the eye in the Championship and could be the next star to make the breakthrough in the first-team at Villa Park.

The teenager has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.92 and chipped in with three goals and three assists in 17 league outings for the Canaries, whilst playing in central midfield, as a number 10 and out on the left wing.

His form at senior level comes after he produced a sublime 24 goals and 13 assists in 53 matches for Villa at U18 and U21 level combined, which shows that he has a knack for making a big impact in the final third by bursting through from a midfield position.

Therefore, he could be Emery’s next Silva by pushing into the Villa side and making his mark by scoring and assisting goals from the middle of the park – becoming a mercurial, versatile, talent just like the former Manchester City man.

However, it is down to Ramsey to push on and develop his game as he gains more experience at first-team level so that he can adapt to playing in the Premier League, in order to fulfil the potential that his impressive statistics suggest he has.

Tottenham Hotspur have been urged by former goalkeeper Paul Robinson to secure a transfer deal for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison. 

The Lowdown: Spurs’ previous interest in Maddison

The north London club have been linked with a move for the midfielder in the past, most recently during the previous summer transfer window.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that the Foxes have entered talks with Maddison and his representatives over potentially extending his contract at the club, which is set to expire in 2024.

Now though, it appears that one pundit believes that the north London club should reignite their interest in the Englishman and add him to Antonio Conte’s squad.

The Latest: Spurs urged to sign Maddison

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson claimed that Maddison would take Spurs to the ‘next level’:

He said: “I’ve changed my mind on James Maddison.

“I know I have dismissed it previously and said he wouldn’t fit in at Spurs, but I was wrong. Now that I’ve seen him playing on the right-hand side for Leicester I really think he’d be an asset to Spurs.

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“Look at the lack of creativity in the midfield at Spurs. Maddison couldn’t play in the centre-midfielder position but he could add a lot from the right-hand side. Spurs are crying out for creativity.

“I now think that Maddison could take Spurs to the next level. He is versatile, he could play out wide or behind [Harry] Kane. Conte has to make room for a player like Maddison. He could be the spark Spurs need moving forward.”

The Verdict: A smart signing for Spurs

The 25-year-old has been in hot form this season for Leicester, which led to him being included in England’s World Cup squad.

With 13 league appearances under his belt, Maddison has scored seven goals, provided four assists and made more key passes (31) and shot-creating actions (57) than any other player at Leicester.

Bearing in mind how Manchester City and Liverpool have racked up more shot-creating actions and key passes than Spurs in the league this season, having a player like Maddison in the squad could be a good way of closing the gap between those two other clubs, who have dominated in recent seasons.

Hailed for his “sensational” performances last season by Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester star would surely be a smart and exciting signing for Conte to make.

Newcastle United are expected to be busy throughout the upcoming winter transfer window, with a midfielder and a winger targeted according to reports.

The Lowdown: Strike while the irons is hot

Since PIF took over the Magpies in October 2021, the side have been heavily invested in, with little to no funds wasted in the process.

Signings have been entirely astute, with the foundations of the side now well and truly built.

The side have endured massive progression as a result of the decisions and backing implemented by the hierarchy, with Eddie Howe’s philosophy serving as the cherry on top of a Champions League-decorated cake.

Qualification to club football’s most illustrious tournament is a genuine possibility, and in order to build on their momentum, a couple of high-profile signings will not go a miss.

It’s important to strike now, rather than later down the line.

The Latest: Big transfer plans

According to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, Howe is intent on strengthening the squad and will look to bring in a midfielder, with a winger also detailed as a possibility when the winter window opens.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Downie said: “I wouldn’t be surprised to see them bring in a midfielder and a winger, with one of them being a loan.

“If they can get a loan deal done, then I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what they do.“

The Verdict: Make the most

Considering Newcastle’s position in the league, they are way ahead of the progression schedule that PIF would have detailed when they commenced the project on Tyneside.

Qualification to the Champions League is a genuine possibility, with the side sat in third place after some beautiful football showing across the first half of the season.

It’s important to add to the momentum with a couple of astute signings.

So, in their bid to assert themselves as a Champions League outfit once more, they must identify recruitments who can bolster depth at the very minimum.

Newcastle United transfer target James Maddison will make a decision on his future at ‘the end of the season’, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: £60m needed

The Premier League maestro is currently in Qatar, having been named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad to represent England at the World Cup, although that hasn’t put a halt to speculation surrounding his future at the King Power Stadium.

The Magpies reportedly still have the Leicester playmaker at the top of their wish list despite seeing a £50m bid rejected over the summer, with the Foxes holding out for closer to £60m.

The Latest: Jacobs’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, however, Jacobs claimed that Newcastle will find it difficult to secure Maddison in January unless they are to put a seriously big offer on the table.

He said: “Sources told me that Maddison would rather wait until the end of the season and Leicester are not ruling out a new deal either.

“But from Maddison’s point of view, the reason why he would rather wait is because he wants to know what he’s getting and right now if London’s the preference, and Tottenham and or, more loosely, Chelsea are looking at him, neither of those two clubs can categorically guarantee that they’re heading towards Champions League football for sure next season and Newcastle are in a better form position, but again, who knows whether they’re going to get over the line and get Champions League football.

“So, if James Maddison decides in January, then he is gambling to some extent on who he’s joining in qualifying for the Champions League.

“So, I do sense that unless a massive offer is made, Newcastle will struggle to get James Maddison in January.”

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The Verdict: Splash the cash

PIF will know that Maddison’s valuation is only likely to increase should he play any part for England during the rest of the World Cup, but they must splash the cash if they want to land their target in the New Year.

The Coventry-born talent has already posted 11 goal contributions in 13 league appearances this season and is a versatile player with the ability to operate in four different positions (Transfermarkt).

Newcastle find themselves in the top four after a strong start to the campaign, but Maddison’s potential arrival could be the difference as to whether they stay there come the end of the 2022/23 season and duly secure Champions League football.