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Aston Villa’s season is ebbing away. One win – way back on the opening day of the league campaign – has been the only highlight of the Midlands side’s 20 matches, leaving them staring at life outside of the Premier League for the first time.

Alas, the optimism in FFC Towers has not quite died out, and in this craziest of crazy seasons anything is possible – Leicester remain in the title race, after all. However, something needs to be done to quell the misery at Villa Park, and although it would be a risky move, perhaps luring Emmanuel Adabayor out of his somewhat self-imposed exile could work.

The Togolese striker, who was linked with a move to Villa during the Tim Sherwood era, was released by Spurs after the close of the summer transfer window, and has since been unable to join another side due to the red tape that so often haunts transfer dealings.

Okay, the 31-year-old may be a little unfit, he may have a questionable mentality and he’s likely to ask for a considerable salary, but he could be the double six Villa need with their last roll of the dice…

Where are the goals coming from?

Well, where are Aston Villa’s goals coming from? Unsurprisingly, the rock-bottom Villans are the lowest scorers in the Premier League with just 16 to their name, which has contributed heavily to their -21 goal difference – the lowest in the division.

Jordan Ayew is the current top scorer with five, but there is a feeling that the Ghanaian is better cutting in from the left flank, so that leaves the claret and blue side without a real presence up front, other than the immobile Rudy Gestede – he has only netted twice in the league since the opening day of the season!

Aside from the aforementioned duo, only Carles Gil and Scott Sinclair have scored more than once in the league, while centre-back Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott (one apiece) have outscored the likes of Adama Traore and Gabby Agbonlahor.

It’s almost over

We may only be at the halfway point of the season (one game over, to be precise), but many are already predicting Villa slipping into the Championship.

And it’s easy to see why, with the Midlanders having notched just one win – on the opening day of the season – which leaves them a staggering 11 points off of safety.

Despite the fact that they’ve amassed just eight points in over 50% of their games, there is still time on the clock, and in this topsy-turvy season three wins on the trot, although unlikely, remains possible, and a haul of nine points would suddenly change the look of the table. Fellow relegation zone-dwellers Newcastle notched back-to-back victories against Liverpool and Spurs last month, so anything is possible.

And with a striker able to put the ball in the back of the net, who knows what could happen.

Premier League experience

Like or loathe Adebayor, he has a proven record in the Premier League.

Spells with Arsenal, Manchester City and Spurs brought close to 100 goals in 230 league appearances, averaging out at almost one every other game, so going by that reckoning

Villa would be able to reasonably expect around seven to eight goals from the Togolese forward between now and the end of the season, which could make the difference considering their current top scorer has just five.

Short-term fix

Adebayor’s biggest problem has been his short-termism, but this sort of quick impact is just what Villa need.

There’s no doubt that the clock is ticking, so an instant impact would be ideal. Throughout his career Adebayor has specialised in scoring goals when he needs them, with his gluts often coming when he’s either just signed for a club or is fighting for a new contract, and both situations could collide at Villa Park if he’s handed a six-month deal.

One issue, though, could be his half-season without a club.

Haven’t replaced Christian Benteke

Gestede was mooted as the man to fill the sizable void left by Benteke’s £32.5m move to Liverpool, but the Benin international, although almost unbeatable in the air, has shown that he somewhat lacks he movement and mobility to be an all-round threat, as his Belgian predecessor was.

Although not as mobile as the now Anfield man himself, Adebayor has a little more to his game than a prolific record from crosses and set-pieces, which may be needed if Villa are to drag themselves clear of the trapdoor.

North Carolina Courage have confirmed that forward Kerolin Nicoli will not take part in the NWSL playoffs after tearing her ACL.

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• Kerolin suffers heartbreaking injury
• Been superb for the club
• Club set to play Portland Thorns

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kerolin sustained the ACL injury during the Courage's win over Washington Spirit during Sunday's regular season finale, subsequently ruling her out of the playoffs. North Carolina Courage play Portland in midweek.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 23-year-old finished the season as the NWSL Golden Boot runner-up and as an MVP candidate, scoring 10 goals and laying on three assists. She also scored the winner in the NWSL Challenge Cup final, so her absence is a bitter blow for the Courage.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kerolin is the third-ever Brazilian to hit double figures for goals in the NWSL; the feat is made all the more impressive by the fact that she missed games to represent Brazil at the World Cup.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Courage will hope to record a positive result against Portland, even without their star player.

There is no more heartwarming subplot in Saturday's showdown in Istanbul than the 35-year-old centre-back's long and difficult journey to the top

Italian street artist Mr. Savethewall posted his latest piece to Instagram earlier this week. It depicts Inter duo Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku trying to take down Manchester City striker Erling Haaland with a pair of slingshots, an amusing and apt reference to the David versus Goliath-like nature of Saturday's Champions League final.

It's not entirely accurate of course. Neither Lautaro nor Lukaku will actually be tasked with tackling Haaland – that unenviable challenge will instead be assigned to Francesco Acerbi.

It, too, looks like a mismatch of biblical proportions. Haaland is 22 years of age and a physical phenomenon enjoying an unchecked rise to superstardom. Acerbi turned 35 in February and his body has gone through more than most on a career path that has been anything but straightforward.

He should be terrified of facing the most feared forward in world football. But Acerbi "stopped being scared" of anything a decade ago.

Getty'I felt empty and football was meaningless'

"Cancer saved me." It's a jarring sentiment, "a terrible paradox" as Acerbi has put it, but one he has repeated time and time again over the past few years, because he truly means it.

To understand why, one has to go all the way back to his time at Chievo. Acerbi was in his early-20s and considered a centre-back of real promise, good enough to play for the team he supported as a child, AC Milan. However, just before moving to San Siro in the summer of 2012, his father passed away. And with him went Acerbi's raison d'etre. “After his death, I felt empty and football was meaningless," he told the . "From there, it all went downhill."

AdvertisementGetty'I often arrived at camp tipsy'

Acerbi had always enjoyed a night out, and Milan knew that too. When he joined, the club found him a home in Gallarate rather than Milan in a bid to keep him away from the bright lights of the city centre. Acerbi went out anyway. Why? Two reasons, essentially.

Firstly, he felt he could get away with staying out drinking until all hours. "I often arrived at camp tipsy, not having recovered from the night before," he told . "I was fine with it because physically I've always been strong. It was enough for me to sleep for a few hours because, on the pitch, I was still performing well."

Secondly, and far more significantly, Acerbi no longer cared – about anything. Not even himself. By the midway point of the 2012-13 season, Milan had had enough. And so too had Acerbi. He wanted to quit, at just 25 years of age.

Even the shock of being sent back to Chievo on loan failed to change his mindset. He told team-mate Alberto Paloschi that he couldn't take anymore. "Come on, Ace, what the f*ck are you saying?" the striker replied. "Hold on!" And Acerbi did, agreeing to join Sassuolo in the summer of 2013.

Mentally, nothing had changed, though. As far as he was concerned, the life of professional footballer didn't extend beyond the pitch. His free time was own, and he could do whatever he wanted with it. Then, everything changed.

Getty'A world of pain and of courage'

Acerbi underwent a routine medical after signing for Sassuolo, but the blood test produced unusual readings. He was promptly diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent immediate surgery to remove the tumour. It was all relatively "painless", the way he tells it.

Just a few months later, though, he failed an anti-doping test. Again, it was due to irregular hormone levels caused by cancer. It had returned and, this time, the treatment would be far less straightforward.

“I had chemotherapy from January 7, 2014 to March 14," Acerbi told . "It was like stepping into a parallel world, the entrance to which is closer than you could possibly think, so you never leave it again. It's a world of pain and of courage." And full of surprising and humbling sources of inspiration.

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Elia

After overcoming cancer for a second time, Acerbi returned to the field in September 2014. After a subsequent game at Udinese, he was approached by the parent of one of the patients at the paediatric oncology department of the local hospital.

"I accepted and beautiful friendships were born from there." Including one with a little boy named Elia, who had terminal cancer. "He taught me a lot," Acerbi said. "I would ask his father if he really knew he had a few months left to live and he answered 'yes'. It seemed impossible to me that he could play and laugh as he did."

One of the things that most surprised Acerbi most about his battle with cancer was that it didn't appear to change him, at least not initially. He continued to act in the same unprofessional manner for a long time after going into remission for a second time. However, the gradual realisation of just how lucky he had been eventually led to an almost crippling sense of guilt.

"A year after the illness," he revealed, "I went to sleep one night like nothing had happened. But, in the morning, I woke up in terror. I was afraid of my shadow. I was thinking about all of the worries I had caused my parents, about the opportunities I had thrown away, about the years wasted, about the evenings of excess. All together, all of a sudden."

There's only a few weeks to go until the launch of the new game, but here are loads of things to get you in the mood for the latest version of FIFA!

• EA Sports FIFA 19 assets
  

  Champions League mode

  It's finally here. After years of playing in generic European tournaments, you can now live the full Champions League experience in FIFA 19, taking your club to glory in the fully-licensed competition. This includes official graphical overlays, trophy presentation cermonies and even that iconic anthem: "The Champions…"

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  New commentators

  Although the commentary gets better and better each year in FIFA, sometimes it would be nice to listen to someone other than Martin Tyler and Alan Smith while playing. This year, there is a new commentary team of Derek Rae and Lee Dixon, who provide voiceovers for the Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup.

• Headers & Volleys

  A new game mode in Kick-Off, Headers & Volleys is the schoolyard game where only shots off the ground count as goals. It is included in FIFA 19 for the first time ever and will have you recreating your school days, or else taking your usual afternoon activity indoors on a rainy day.

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  Europa League mode

  Somewhat overlooked due to all the hype of the Champions League addition in FIFA 19, the Europa League is also new this year. It should give Arsenal fans something to aim for and also provide an extra avenue into the Champions League in FIFA Career Mode.

MatériaMais Notícias

Dentre os reforços contratados pela equipe do Santo André visando ao menos a permanência na elite do Campeonato Paulista de 2020 após o título da Série A2 nessa temporada, um deles possui experiência internacional e passagem por importantes clubes brasileiros: o meio-campista Jocinei.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalMeia destaca acerto com o Santo André e foca em grande anoFutebol Nacional05/12/2019Futebol NacionalVice-artilheiro da Copa Paulista assina com Santo André para 2020Futebol Nacional04/12/2019Futebol NacionalCom ex-Corinthians, time do interior de SP anuncia reforços ao estilo FIFAFutebol Nacional02/12/2019

O jogador de 29 anos afirma que está motivado para voltar a jogar no futebol brasileiro, projeta a disputa da Série A1 e revela que, em seu ponto de vista, é a melhor competição estadual.

– Me sinto muito feliz e motivado para voltar a jogar no Brasil. Para mim, o Paulistão é o melhor estadual do país e vou dar meu máximo em campo para ajudar a equipe a chegar longe – comentou o atleta.

Com outras propostas, do exterior e do Brasil também, o atleta que passou pelo Corinthians entre os anos de 2013 e 2014 ressalta que o treinador Paulo Roberto teve considerável influência para escolher jogar no Ramalhão:

– Havia uma proposta do Vietnã e outras duas aqui do Brasil. O Santo André me procurou, conversei com o técnico Paulo Roberto, porque já trabalhei com ele, e decidi por vir para cá. Espero poder corresponder as expectativas e confiança que depositaram em mim.

Graeme Smith has ruled out a comeback to international cricket but admitted an interest in coaching following his return from the Masters Champions League

Firdose Moonda19-Feb-2016Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain, has ruled out a comeback to international cricket, but admitted an interest in coaching following his return from the Masters Champions League.Last December, Smith said he was “at the cusp” of deciding whether to give top-level cricket another go after what seemed a premature retirement at the age of 33 in March 2014.”It’s not something that I really considered,” Smith told at a sponsor function. “It’s been largely driven from a media perspective. I think just being at the age that I retired, everyone expects that I could do it; I know I could, but I don’t think playing for South Africa is something that’s on the table.”After his retirement from international cricket, Smith signed a three-year deal with Surrey, but could not even complete the first of those years because of a serious knee injury. His only other active participation before the MCL was a charity game at the Oval last September.When talk of his comeback was first mooted, South Africa’s convener of selectors Linda Zondi made it clear that Smith would have to play in the domestic set-up if he wanted to be considered for the national side.There were suggestions that Smith would sign up with the Titans franchise for their T20 competition, but he took on other roles in cricket including that of tournament director for the Ram Sam T20, South Africa’s flagship T20 competition, and as an employee for financial services company Momentum, who sponsor one-day cricket in South Africa. He also commentated, most notably for during the recently completed Test series between South Africa and England.During that series, Smith was swayed into coaching as well. After he criticised South Africa’s batsmen following the Boxing Day defeat, he was roped in as a batting consultant ahead of the New Year’s Test. Although Hashim Amla, who was at the time still captain of the Test side, said Smith would be with the team for the whole series, Smith’s media commitments meant he only spent a net session with them.By the end of the series Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach, confirmed he was looking for a batting consultant to add to his support staff and that he had approached several candidates. Neither Domingo nor Smith mentioned whether Smith was one of those but even if he was, a consultancy role is not something Smith is considering at the moment.”I obviously have challenges on the personal front. I’ve got two young kids and for me it’s two-fold. Firstly, time away from home. At the moment, a batting consultant is something that I can’t really commit to,” Smith said. “If I’m going to coach then I’m really going to commit fully and try and go for something more substantial, maybe a head coach role.”When and where Smith will start that quest in uncertain, but he has admitted to keeping his eye on T20 leagues as a way in before considering his next move. “It’s something that I’m certainly starting to consider more. I had a good two years away from the game and the pressure of captaining South Africa for 11 years. I needed that break,” he said. “Leadership and running an environment and being at the forefront of decision making is something that has been an integral part of my career, you know.”So it’s certainly something that I will look at doing, whether it starts at the IPL or starts in a T20 league and builds into something else; we’ll just have to see what happens.”

تعرف على قائمة برشلونة أمام جيرونا في الدوري الإسباني

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، تشافي هيرنانديز، عن قائمة اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة جيرونا في الجولة الـ 16 من الدوري الإسباني.

وتنطلق مباراة برشلونة وجيرونا في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “منتجويك” بقيادة الحكم الشاب، إيسيدرو دياز دي ميرا.

وشهدت قائمة برشلونة استمرار غياب الظهير الأيسر، ماركوس ألونسو، ولكن هذه المرة بسبب شعوره ببعض آلام الظهر.

اقرأ أيضًا | لابورتا: مستعدون للتعاون مع الدوري السعودي.. وبرشلونة قادر على الفوز بالليجا

👥 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐎̀𝐑𝐈𝐀

⚽ #BarçaGirona pic.twitter.com/DqDCpptsm0 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) December 10, 2023

قائمة برشلونة لمباراة جيرونا في الدوري الإسباني اليوم

حراسة المرمى: إينياكي بينيا، أندير أسترالاجا، دييجو كوشين.

الدفاع: جواو كانسيلو، رونالد أراوخو، أليخاندرو بالدي، أندريس كريستنسن، جول كوندي، باو كوبارسي.

الوسط: بيدري، أوريول روميو، فرينكي دي يونج، سيرجي روبيرتو، إلكاي جوندوجان، فيرمين لوبيز.

الهجوم: فيران توريس روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، رافينها، جواو فيليكس، لامين يامال.

Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins will join captain Michael Hussey in the Prime Minister’s XI to take on England in Canberra on Wednesday next week. The side will also include Papua New Guinea batsman Lega Siaka, who scored a century in his country’s debut ODI series against Hong Kong in November, and has been signed by the Melbourne Renegades.Canberra-raised Jason Behrendorff will also have a chance to impress against an international side as he continues his strong season, as will his Western Australia team-mate Cameron Bancroft, who is third on the Sheffield Shield run tally this summer. Western Australia fast bowler Simon Mackin and Victoria batsman Peter Handscomb have also been named.The side also features some younger players still on the fringes of the domestic scene, including Western Australia rookie fast bowler David Moody, the nephew of former Test allrounder Tom Moody. Eighteen-year-old Jake Doran, who first faced England at age 16 on their last tour when he played for a Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI, will keep wicket.”This match is a special fixture on the Australian cricketing calendar and a magnificent tradition,” Australia’s chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said. “Mike Hussey will lead the team well and is a great drawcard, as is local boy Jason Behrendorff, who has been in fantastic form this summer across all three formats.”Fans will also be looking forward to seeing Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell in action. Pat has been in excellent form bowling fast for the Sydney Thunder this summer, while Glenn can electrify the crowd with his daring and aggressive stroke play.”Eighteen-year-old batsman Jake Doran is in the team, and he will also take the gloves. I think we all realise what a great talent Jake is, and his selection will provide another opportunity for him to continue his development.”We are also excited about 22-year-old batsman Lega Siaka, contracted to the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. Lega scored a century for Papua New Guinea in their first ever one-day international series in November when they defeated Hong Kong, and he is a confident young batsman who will excite the fans. His selection highlights PNG’s growth as a cricketing nation.”Siaka has been playing for Essendon in Melbourne’s grade cricket this season, and was also signed last month as a community rookie by the Melbourne Renegades. ACT opening batsman Matt Condon is also in the Prime Minister’s XI, while local player Mac Wright will be 12th man.Prime Minister’s XI Michael Hussey (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Matt Condon, Pat Cummins, Jake Doran (wk), Peter Handscomb, Simon Mackin, Glenn Maxwell, David Moody, Lega Siaka, Mac Wright (12th man).

A round-up of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Silver League matches that ended on November 20, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Nov-2014Group IIZahir Siddiqi finished with a match haul of eight wickets, and also scored a fighting fifty down the order in the first innings to power Bahawalpur Stags’ six-wicket victory against Faisalabad Wolves at the Iqbal Stadium.Wolves, opting to bat, were bundled out for 76. Their last seven batsmen managed just nine runs all together, as Siddiqi collected 6 for 36 to dismiss the team in 31.2 overs. Stags, however, did not fare much better in their first essay and were struggling at 98 for 7 before Siddiqi once again came through for his team, striking eight fours and a six during a 75-ball 62 to lift the score to 198.Facing a deficit of 122, Wolves once again failed to really produce a significant total, as none of their batsmen were able to convert their starts into a much-needed fifty. Imranullah Aslam shone with 4 for 55, while Siddiqi and Ansar Javed both chipped in with two scalps to bowl Wolves out for 154, meaning Stags had to hunt down just 33 for victory.The team lost four wickets during the chase, eventually reached the target in 12 overs.Fast bowler Waqas Ahmed’s seven-for in the second innings helped Sialkot Stallions beat Abbottabad Falcons by six wickets. Having been inserted, Falcons were all out for 229 in the first innings, as Waqas took 4 for 82 to wreck the team’s middle order. Stallions, however, couldn’t translate their advantage into a first-innings lead. Their captain Faisal Khan top-scored with 53 and Salman Cheema hit 44, but nobody else stayed long enough to string together a big partnership, as four wickets apiece from Aziz-ur-Rehman and Ikramullah Khan meant that Stallions were bowled out for 208 inside 67 overs.Falcons had a slender 21-run lead, but could not make it count, as Waqas picked up 7 for 37 to run through the team for 91 in 36.5 overs. This meant that Stallions needed only 113 for the win – a total they chased down in 22.2 overs thanks to a 45 from Bilal Hussain.Group IA 10-wicket match haul from the seamer Najaf Shah, and centuries from Sheharyar Ghani and Shoaib Khan set up Pakistan International Airlines’ huge win against Pakistan Television in Sialkot. PTV, after being put in, were shot out for 133 in 42 overs, as Najaf took 6 for 31, while Ali Imran chipped in with 3 for 57.PIA were precariously placed at 154 for 5 in their reply, but Ghani and Shoaib put up an unbroken stand of 244, batting together for nearly four hours. Ghani struck 17 fours and a six during his unbeaten 152, while Shoaib’s 114 included 16 fours, as PIA declared at 468 for 6.Facing a deficit of 335 runs, PTV opener Raheel Majeed resisted by scoring 174, but apart from him and Rehan Afridi (53), no other batsman was able to contribute more than 27. Najaf once again led the attack with 4 for 58, as PTV were all out for 317, ensuring that PIA won by an innings and 18 runs.

ScorecardSean Ervine’s unbeaten 75 helped resurrect the Hampshire innings•Getty Images

Sean Ervine made the best of a placid Canterbury pitch to ease Hampshire into the driving seat on the opening day of their Championship Division Two clash with Kent.The 31-year-old Zimbabwean scored an unbeaten 75 from 110 balls to resurrect a Hampshire innings that, at 187 for 5, had threatened to seriously underachieve. With Chris Wood adding 61 from No. 8, the visitors recovered to reach 343 for 7 at the close.Kent marked the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I by using a 1914 half crown for the toss, which Hampshire won and chose to bat first. On a docile wicket the visiting opening pair of Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry suffered little or no consternation in posting 71 for the first wicket.Carberry steered a couple of his seven boundaries down through third man off thick edges, but otherwise looked untroubled until the introduction of offspinner Adam Riley, who struck with his fourth ball. Looking to whip a length delivery through midwicket, Carberry missed and was sent packing lbw for 39 but, despite a short break for rain, Hampshire were still sitting pretty at lunch on 90 for 1.Kent regrouped in the interval and, with the first ball after the break, Mitch Claydon found the inside edge of Adams to dismiss the left-hander to an athletic take by wicketkeeper Sam Billings – the first of his four catches.Kent made further mid-session progress when Doug Bollinger had James Vince caught at the wicket when attempting a back-foot force then Will Smith, having reached a 108-ball 50 with eight fours, played around one from Riley to go leg-before. Without addition to the total Liam Dawson nicked another catch to Billings to make it 187 for 5 but Ervine, resolute and punishing when anything short was on offer, stroked six boundaries on his way to a 59-ball 50.Soon after posting their first batting bonus point Adam Wheater feathered one off Bollinger to give Billings another top catch and leave Kent believing they might polish the innings off in good time. Ervine had other ideas however, and he dug in together with Wood to add a workmanlike 124 for the seventh wicket inside 28.3 overs.Wood hit six fours in his 74-ball half-century in a responsible stay in tandem with Ervine that left Kent wondering where their next wicket may come from.It was veteran Darren Stevens who finally proved to be Kent’s partnership breaker having Wood snaffled at slip by Ben Harmison to bring in Matt Coles – the former Kent allrounder – to face the handful of nervy deliveries before the close. Though Coles failed to get off the mark, he survived through to stumps with Ervine to send their side into day two of the 163rd Canterbury Cricket Week fixture with power to add.