birminghammail--2020-03-09--'A space hopper' - Predictions, line-ups and fears as our Aston Villa writers preview Leicester City

'A space hopper' - Predictions, line-ups and fears as our Aston Villa writers preview Leicester City away

It 's match day and Aston Villa revert back to all-important Premier League matters against Leicester City at the King Power tonight .
Dean Smith 's men will be rallied from last week 's spirited showing at Wembley against Manchester City and have no new injury concerns .
To get to the Carabao Cup final , Villa beat tonight 's opponents Leicester over two legs and , with 11 games to go , need another result to lift them away from danger .
Here , football editor Mat Kendrick ( MK ) , Midlands football writer James Rushton ( JR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preece ( AP ) look ahead to tonight 's fixture at Leicester - looking at the danger men , how Villa can get a result while picking their starting XIs .
1 .
How are you feeling going into Monday 's fixture at Leicester , has the Wembley hangover banished and are you feeling optimistic ?
JR : I think we 're all happy with Villa 's effort .
I 'm certainly not left bemoaning what could 've been , at all .
We 've played Leicester in two high pressure games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top both times .
We 've now got - effectively - our strongest team bar McGinn and we 've got a little bit of momentum after that last performance .
There 's absolutely no reason why we ca n't go to the King Power Stadium and take a point .
I 'm confident - and Villa have to be .
It 's now or never , do or die .
MK : The moment I got back on the coach home from Wembley and discovered my ham cobs and Wotsits were still there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Channeling that picnic positivity , let 's try and clutch for some optimism .
Villa still have their fate in their own hands ( we 'll pretend that 's a good thing ! )
and soon they will have a 'new signing ' in the form of John McGinn , an all action midfielder with the energy and quality to inspire Villa .
No pressure John !
Before then , Villa head to Leicester on Monday with the psychological boost of pushing Manchester City very close and the knowledge they have out-foxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg semi-final .
It can be done !
AP : The fact Villa did n't roll over after going 2-0 down inside half-hour at Wembley should give supporters hope .
It was chalk and cheese compared to that shocker at Southampton .
Against City , you had Nakamba 's flying tackles , Freddie Guilbert giving Sterling some , Mings and Engels putting their bodies on the line , Nyland making smart stops and Ally Samatta proving he 's a proper goal-scorer .
And all that was without Jack Grealish getting going !
Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to have Leicester 's number after doing a job on them over 180 minutes .
That 4-1 Villa Park massacre ca n't happen again .
It 'll be an intriguing one tonight : will Smith play a three at the back which worked so well in the cup or will be go with four at the back again , like he did vs Man City ?
Villa will be in buoyant mood going into this one , the nerves are with Leicester given their league form , winning once in last seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you pick and why ?
Tough call on Reina and Nyland , but I think the elder statesman of the group has a little more about him .
While Jack is more influential in the middle , he 's doing real damage on the wing so far this season .
Villa have a bit more threat with him on the side - and that probably needs to keep for the rest of the season , to be honest .
Nakamba and Luiz have earned a place in the side , while Hourihane enables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and he 's good for a goal from set-pieces .
Samatta starts up front , of course - and there 's no doubt in my mind that Engels and Mings will see out the season at the back .
The two up top debate has been rumbling on this week .
I 'd rather keep Keinan Davies on the bench , with the option of pairing him with Aly Samatta later in the game .
That would most likely mean a three-man midfield and until McGinn is back fit and firing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Try Conor Hourihane in there in the hope he can deliver one of those 'point to prove ' first game back performances alongside Marvelous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz .
You can count on the fingers of one foot how often Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have both excelled when starting together , so shift Jack Grealish back to the left wing and have a winger in reserve .
It 's horses for courses and , across the two semi-final legs , Villa stifled Leicester with a three-man back line .
I 'd pack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maddison and Tielemans from running the show and let Drinkwater and Nakamba get in Leicester 's faces .
I 'd keep Grealish in the middle to cause Foxes holder Ndidi problems .
It 'll be important for Villa 's wing-backs to stay discipline while , up top , I 'd go for it with Samatta and Davis , little and large .
3 .
What 's Villa 's best chance of getting a result at the King Power Stadium ?
JR : Smash-and-grab .
Take advantage of fast balls through to Samatta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , and free-kicks .
We have to really start to find a relentless desire to score from situations outside the norm - we ca n't rely solely the attacking football anymore to create and score chances .
We have to be ready to take advantage of errors whether they are fouls conceded in dangerous areas by the other side , or simply someone falling on their backside as was the case at Wembley .
We ca n't just rely on our own movement and abilities to create these spontaneous chances - but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented to us .
MK : Scoring more than them !
It 's easier said than done , but somehow Dean Smith has got to get consistency from these players .
In terms of performance level there 's been more ups and downs than a space hopper on a trampoline .
Regrettably , the ups have n't resulted in wins and the downs have prompted some shocking defeats .
Let 's set the standards - and stick to them .
Like I say , easier said than done .
AP : I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on set pieces .
They 've conceded a league-high 14 from set plays and that needs to stop .
As for nicking a win , Villa 's full-backs must be at their very best against Leicester 's rapid wing options , the likes of Chilwell and Ricardo like to bomb on past Barnes and Perez , too .
Keep Vardy quiet is paramount while , up the other end , if you get decent delivery into Samatta he 'll score .
In a nutshell , Villa must have that quality on the ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep concentration levels high .
Villa have n't won away since New Years ' Day and , if they are to get out of the relegation places , Smith 's men must buck that trend .
4. Who 's the most-dangerous player Villa need to be wary of and why ?
JR : If Jamie Vardy is fit , it 'll be him - but do n't forget Kelechi Iheanacho .
He 's been an impact player , certainly against Villa and is performing slightly better than expected .
He 's good for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robs teams again-and-again .
No Vardy ?
No problem for Leicester .
Do n't forget that Maddison bloke either .
MK : James Maddison - he 's a class act .
Forget the Grealish V Maddison debate , let 's just celebrate the fact that the Midlands has produced two extremey talented playmakers .
And let 's just hope that ours out-performs theirs on Monday night !
AP : Ricardo Pereira - I have n't seen anyone quicker in the Premier League this season .
When he gets going , seriously , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a thorn in Matt Targett 's side down Villa 's left tonight .
It 's not an obvious choice but Foxes fans will tell you the lightening Lisbon right-back is a class act .
He 's got a goal in him , too .
JR : I think it 'll be 1-1 , and hopefully it 'll be the type of performance that can further galvanise Villa 's survival efforts .
MK : Villa stood up strong and emerged with a 1-1 draw at the King Power in the cup semi - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So with that in mind , and with Leicester without a win in four in the Premier League , I reckon Villa can grab a point .
1-1 .
Can .
Whether they will is a different matter entirely !
AP : 3-1 , Villa .
I 'm waiting for a big performance and result against a top side and it could just come tonight at the King Power .
That huddle at the end of last week 's cup final could just be the turning point .
Smith hung his players out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction he wanted at Wembley .
Feed Samatta and he 'll score while Super Jack will be desperate to out-do his pal Maddison tonight .
It 's a bold prediction but Villa can get a result against a team who are having a right wobble at the moment .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Mat Kendrick, Ashley Preece, James Rushton)

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It's match day and Aston Villa revert back to all-important Premier League matters against Leicester City at the King Power tonight.
Dean Smith's men will be rallied from last week's spirited showing at Wembley against Manchester City and have no new injury concerns.
To get to the Carabao Cup final, Villa beat tonight's opponents Leicester over two legs and, with 11 games to go, need another result to lift them away from danger.
Here, football editor Mat Kendrick ( MK ), Midlands football writer James Rushton ( JR ) and our Villa club writer Ashley Preece ( AP ) look ahead to tonight's fixture at Leicester - looking at the danger men, how Villa can get a result while picking their starting XIs.
1. How are you feeling going into Monday's fixture at Leicester, has the Wembley hangover banished and are you feeling optimistic?
JR : I think we're all happy with Villa's effort. I'm certainly not left bemoaning what could've been, at all. We've played Leicester in two high pressure games, and arguably - we came out on top both times. We've now got - effectively - our strongest team bar McGinn and we've got a little bit of momentum after that last performance.
There's absolutely no reason why we can't go to the King Power Stadium and take a point. I'm confident - and Villa have to be. It's now or never, do or die.
MK : The moment I got back on the coach home from Wembley and discovered my ham cobs and Wotsits were still there, I realised all was not lost. Channeling that picnic positivity, let's try and clutch for some optimism. Villa still have their fate in their own hands (we'll pretend that's a good thing!) and soon they will have a 'new signing' in the form of John McGinn, an all action midfielder with the energy and quality to inspire Villa. No pressure John! Before then, Villa head to Leicester on Monday with the psychological boost of pushing Manchester City very close and the knowledge they have out-foxed Brenda Rodgers' team over a two leg semi-final.
It can be done!
(Image: Neville Williams/Getty Images)
AP : The fact Villa didn't roll over after going 2-0 down inside half-hour at Wembley should give supporters hope. It was chalk and cheese compared to that shocker at Southampton. Against City, you had Nakamba's flying tackles, Freddie Guilbert giving Sterling some, Mings and Engels putting their bodies on the line, Nyland making smart stops and Ally Samatta proving he's a proper goal-scorer. And all that was without Jack Grealish getting going!
Going into tonight's MNF clash, Villa appear to have Leicester's number after doing a job on them over 180 minutes. That 4-1 Villa Park massacre can't happen again. It'll be an intriguing one tonight: will Smith play a three at the back which worked so well in the cup or will be go with four at the back again, like he did vs Man City? Villa will be in buoyant mood going into this one, the nerves are with Leicester given their league form, winning once in last seven.
2. What starting XI would you pick and why?
JR : (4-3-3) Reina, Targett, Mings, Engels, Guilbert, Luiz, Nakamba, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Grealish, Samatta.
Tough call on Reina and Nyland, but I think the elder statesman of the group has a little more about him.
While Jack is more influential in the middle, he's doing real damage on the wing so far this season. Villa have a bit more threat with him on the side - and that probably needs to keep for the rest of the season, to be honest.
Nakamba and Luiz have earned a place in the side, while Hourihane enables Villa to take more risks going forward - and he's good for a goal from set-pieces.
Samatta starts up front, of course - and there's no doubt in my mind that Engels and Mings will see out the season at the back.
MK : Villa (4-3-3) Reina; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett; Nakamba, Luiz, Hourihane; El Ghazi, Samatta, Grealish.
The two up top debate has been rumbling on this week. I'd rather keep Keinan Davies on the bench, with the option of pairing him with Aly Samatta later in the game.
That would most likely mean a three-man midfield and until McGinn is back fit and firing that third midfield role remains an issue. Try Conor Hourihane in there in the hope he can deliver one of those 'point to prove' first game back performances alongside Marvelous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz.
(Image: Paul Harding/Getty Images)
You can count on the fingers of one foot how often Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have both excelled when starting together, so shift Jack Grealish back to the left wing and have a winger in reserve.
AP : Villa (3-5-2) Nyland; Konsa, Engels, Mings; Guilbert, Nakamba, Drinkwater, Grealish, Targett; Samatta, Davis.
It's horses for courses and, across the two semi-final legs, Villa stifled Leicester with a three-man back line. I'd pack the midfield, stop the likes of Maddison and Tielemans from running the show and let Drinkwater and Nakamba get in Leicester's faces. I'd keep Grealish in the middle to cause Foxes holder Ndidi problems. It'll be important for Villa's wing-backs to stay discipline while, up top, I'd go for it with Samatta and Davis, little and large.
3. What's Villa's best chance of getting a result at the King Power Stadium?
JR : Smash-and-grab. Take advantage of fast balls through to Samatta, floated crosses into the box, corners on, and free-kicks. We have to really start to find a relentless desire to score from situations outside the norm - we can't rely solely the attacking football anymore to create and score chances.
We have to be ready to take advantage of errors whether they are fouls conceded in dangerous areas by the other side, or simply someone falling on their backside as was the case at Wembley. We can't just rely on our own movement and abilities to create these spontaneous chances - but we must take them when they are presented to us.
(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MK : Scoring more than them! It's easier said than done, but somehow Dean Smith has got to get consistency from these players. In terms of performance level there's been more ups and downs than a space hopper on a trampoline. Regrettably, the ups haven't resulted in wins and the downs have prompted some shocking defeats. Let's set the standards - and stick to them. Like I say, easier said than done.
AP : I did a post-Wembley piece on Villa's concentration on set pieces . They've conceded a league-high 14 from set plays and that needs to stop. As for nicking a win, Villa's full-backs must be at their very best against Leicester's rapid wing options, the likes of Chilwell and Ricardo like to bomb on past Barnes and Perez, too. Keep Vardy quiet is paramount while, up the other end, if you get decent delivery into Samatta he'll score. In a nutshell, Villa must have that quality on the ball, be nasty in a tackle and keep concentration levels high. Villa haven't won away since New Years' Day and, if they are to get out of the relegation places, Smith's men must buck that trend.
4. Who's the most-dangerous player Villa need to be wary of and why?
JR : If Jamie Vardy is fit, it'll be him - but don't forget Kelechi Iheanacho.
He's been an impact player, certainly against Villa and is performing slightly better than expected. He's good for a quick and easy goal, and robs teams again-and-again.
No Vardy? No problem for Leicester. Don't forget that Maddison bloke either.
MK : James Maddison - he's a class act. Forget the Grealish V Maddison debate, let's just celebrate the fact that the Midlands has produced two extremey talented playmakers. And let's just hope that ours out-performs theirs on Monday night!
(Image: PA)
AP : Ricardo Pereira - I haven't seen anyone quicker in the Premier League this season. When he gets going, seriously, he's hard to stop and could be a thorn in Matt Targett's side down Villa's left tonight. It's not an obvious choice but Foxes fans will tell you the lightening Lisbon right-back is a class act. He's got a goal in him, too.
5. What's your score prediction?
JR : I think it'll be 1-1, and hopefully it'll be the type of performance that can further galvanise Villa's survival efforts.
MK : Villa stood up strong and emerged with a 1-1 draw at the King Power in the cup semi - and came close to winning that match. So with that in mind, and with Leicester without a win in four in the Premier League, I reckon Villa can grab a point. 1-1.
Can. Whether they will is a different matter entirely!
AP : 3-1, Villa. I'm waiting for a big performance and result against a top side and it could just come tonight at the King Power.
That huddle at the end of last week's cup final could just be the turning point. Smith hung his players out to dry post-Saints but got that very reaction he wanted at Wembley.
Feed Samatta and he'll score while Super Jack will be desperate to out-do his pal Maddison tonight. It's a bold prediction but Villa can get a result against a team who are having a right wobble at the moment.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Bookies reveal the five Cheltenham Festival horses they don't want to win

With Cheltenham Festival kicking off tomorrow , punters up and down the country will be getting their bets on .
But , what horses do the bookmakers not want to win during the four-day festival ?
We looked at the five most backed horses since last year ’ s renewal finished .
All figures and percentage of bets are taken from the day after last year 's Festival , March 16 , 2019 , until today ( March 9th ) .
This is the most-backed horse of the entire Festival and the biggest loser for a number of UK bookies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ballymore Novices Hurdle , Envoi Allen is the most-backed horse by punters for the entire festival , through Oddschecker .
Accruing a whopping 60 % of all bets on the Ballymore since the end of last year ’ s festival , odds have been cut accordingly on the Gordon Elliott-hope from 10/1 in June 2019 , into just 5/4 .
Officially the biggest favourite ( in terms of odds ) at the Festival , odds-on shot Paisley Park could cause serious problems in the trading floors if he hacks up in the Stayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of all bets in the race , the Emma Lavelle-trained eight-year-old is the only show in town for the Stayers and is priced at 8/11 to emerge victoriously .
Alongside Paisley Park , Benie Des Dieux is the only other odds-on shot at this year ’ s festival and punters are all over the Willie Mullins entrant .
Priced at 4/6 at the time of writing , Benie Des Dieux has accounted for 62 % of all bets in the race over the last year .
Returning champion Tiger Roll caught the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s Cross Country and Grand National – and he ’ s set to strike again .
Another short price favourite at 1/1 , Tiger Roll is romping the ante-post punting .
Since last year ’ s festival finished , a ridiculous 82 % of all bets in the race have backed the 10-year-old .
A slightly longer price than the above , Appreciate It is the favourite for the Champion Bumper and has been piled into by punters .
Attracting 42 % of bets in the race , trading floors will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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With Cheltenham Festival kicking off tomorrow, punters up and down the country will be getting their bets on.
But, what horses do the bookmakers not want to win during the four-day festival? We looked at the five most backed horses since last year’s renewal finished.
All figures and percentage of bets are taken from the day after last year's Festival, March 16, 2019, until today (March 9th).
1. Envoi Allen (5/4)
This is the most-backed horse of the entire Festival and the biggest loser for a number of UK bookies.
The clear favourite to win the Ballymore Novices Hurdle, Envoi Allen is the most-backed horse by punters for the entire festival, through Oddschecker.
Accruing a whopping 60% of all bets on the Ballymore since the end of last year’s festival, odds have been cut accordingly on the Gordon Elliott-hope from 10/1 in June 2019, into just 5/4.
2. Paisley Park (8/11)
Officially the biggest favourite (in terms of odds) at the Festival, odds-on shot Paisley Park could cause serious problems in the trading floors if he hacks up in the Stayers Hurdle.
Accounting for a staggering 71% of all bets in the race, the Emma Lavelle-trained eight-year-old is the only show in town for the Stayers and is priced at 8/11 to emerge victoriously.
3. Benie Des Dieux: (4/6)
Alongside Paisley Park, Benie Des Dieux is the only other odds-on shot at this year’s festival and punters are all over the Willie Mullins entrant.
Priced at 4/6 at the time of writing, Benie Des Dieux has accounted for 62% of all bets in the race over the last year.
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4. Tiger Roll: (1/1)
Returning champion Tiger Roll caught the eye of the casual punter in last year’s Cross Country and Grand National – and he’s set to strike again.
Another short price favourite at 1/1, Tiger Roll is romping the ante-post punting. Since last year’s festival finished, a ridiculous 82% of all bets in the race have backed the 10-year-old.
5. Appreciate It (11/8)
A slightly longer price than the above, Appreciate It is the favourite for the Champion Bumper and has been piled into by punters. Attracting 42% of bets in the race, trading floors will be running for cover if it wins.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Leicester City 4-0 Aston Villa report, player ratings & Dean Smith reaction

Aston Villa were left crying in the rain as Leicester City ran riot at the King Power .
Harvey Barnes terrified Villa throughout and notched a well-taken double , his first coming in comical fashion after Pepe Reina 's hapless error .
The Leicester winger fired in his second just 85 minutes from time , crashing home from a Marc Albrighton pass .
It was Jamie Vardy who added the other two .
The Premier League 's top marksman was left on the bench by Brendan Rodgers but , just seconds after coming on , slotted home a penalty before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , reacting first before unleashing down low to Reina 's right .
Villa , though , were surprisingly out of blocks much quicker , capitalising on Leicester 's apparent lack of confidence having gone four Premier League games without a win .
First , it was Conor Hourihane - in from the start for the first time since mid-January - who fluffed a clever cut-back from Matt Targett .
Villa 's left-back worked well with Jack Grealish down the side before Targett pulled it back for Hourihane .
The Irishman , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air-shot at goal without the ball .
Villa 's second opportunity was gilt-edged .
Hourihane was in the thick of it again , sending a curler of a free-kick towards the onrushing Mbwana Samatta .
The Tanzanian , meanwhile , slipped amidst the wet surface at just the wrong time to bundle the ball just wide of the goal from all of two yards out .
That chance seemed to spring Leicester into life .
Kelechi Iheanacho forced Bjorn Engels into an error , the Belgian almost nodding into Villa 's net .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ woes almost continued .
Smith 's side have conceded a league-high 14 from set plays and , after 10 minutes , allowed Jonny Evans the freedom of the King Power to plant a header on goal from a James Maddison corner .
Reina , though , was equal to it to beat it away .
Villa clearly did n't learn their lesson with Evans ' centre-back partner Caglar Soyuncu rising unattended to direct his header over .
Brendan Rodgers ' side continued to turn the screw , though , full-back Ricardo Pereira crossing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-yard box after getting in between Engels and Hourihane .
The breakthrough eventually came just five minutes before time - and in comical fashion .
Bodymoor Heath academy graduate Marc Albrighton sent a hopeful , left-footed punt upfield and Barnes was on his bike .
The one-time West Brom winger was deep in Villa 's half and still had an awful lot to do - only for Reina to endure a serious rush of blood to come sprinting a long old way , not getting there and gifting Barnes an easy tap in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the break , the brilliant James Justin out-powered Elmohamady in the air to allow Iheanacho a run on goal .
Reina was , though , equal to it after saving well with his feet .
Leicester , meanwhile , had the luxury of bringing on the fit-again Jamie Vardy and , within seconds , the league 's top marksman crashed in goal number 18 from the penalty spot .
It was another error on Villa 's part , Mings this time looking to get anything on a Barnes cross into the box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the claret Kappa logo on the top of his arm .
A quick VAR call ensued and the penalty was given for handball , Vardy making no mistake to slot coolly down the middle before giving Reina abuse in the Villa goal upon scoring .
Vardy was at the double and lashed home goal No.19 , reacting quickest between Guilbert and Engels after his cross deflected into the air inside the box .
The striker , though , sent the ball crashing inside Reina 's front post to kill the game off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , far from it .
Barnes notching his second ghosting in from off the left before slotting home Albrighton 's cut-back pass , Guilbert again guilty of ball-watching .
At this point , the 3,315-strong away following headed for the exits .
Albrighton , who was excellent down Leicester 's right , spurned a chance at the end , apparently not wanting to score against his boyhood club as he sliced well wide .
In the end , though , Villa were far too easy to beat as they racked up their 11th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UP : Chelsea at Villa Park , Saturday , March 14 , kick-off 5.30pm

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Ashley Preece, Richard Cusack)

Aston Villa were left crying in the rain as Leicester City ran riot at the King Power.
Harvey Barnes terrified Villa throughout and notched a well-taken double, his first coming in comical fashion after Pepe Reina's hapless error.
The Leicester winger fired in his second just 85 minutes from time, crashing home from a Marc Albrighton pass.
It was Jamie Vardy who added the other two. The Premier League's top marksman was left on the bench by Brendan Rodgers but, just seconds after coming on, slotted home a penalty before whacking home his 19th goal of the season, reacting first before unleashing down low to Reina's right.
Villa, though, were surprisingly out of blocks much quicker, capitalising on Leicester's apparent lack of confidence having gone four Premier League games without a win.
First, it was Conor Hourihane - in from the start for the first time since mid-January - who fluffed a clever cut-back from Matt Targett.
Villa's left-back worked well with Jack Grealish down the side before Targett pulled it back for Hourihane. The Irishman, though, failed to connect and sent an air-shot at goal without the ball.
Villa's second opportunity was gilt-edged. Hourihane was in the thick of it again, sending a curler of a free-kick towards the onrushing Mbwana Samatta.
The Tanzanian, meanwhile, slipped amidst the wet surface at just the wrong time to bundle the ball just wide of the goal from all of two yards out.
That chance seemed to spring Leicester into life. Kelechi Iheanacho forced Bjorn Engels into an error, the Belgian almost nodding into Villa's net.
Moments later, Villa's set piece woes almost continued. Smith's side have conceded a league-high 14 from set plays and, after 10 minutes, allowed Jonny Evans the freedom of the King Power to plant a header on goal from a James Maddison corner. Reina, though, was equal to it to beat it away.
Villa clearly didn't learn their lesson with Evans' centre-back partner Caglar Soyuncu rising unattended to direct his header over.
Brendan Rodgers' side continued to turn the screw, though, full-back Ricardo Pereira crossing for Iheanacho who headed wide from the six-yard box after getting in between Engels and Hourihane.
The breakthrough eventually came just five minutes before time - and in comical fashion.
Bodymoor Heath academy graduate Marc Albrighton sent a hopeful, left-footed punt upfield and Barnes was on his bike.
(Image: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
The one-time West Brom winger was deep in Villa's half and still had an awful lot to do - only for Reina to endure a serious rush of blood to come sprinting a long old way, not getting there and gifting Barnes an easy tap in to give Leicester a half-time lead.
After the break, the brilliant James Justin out-powered Elmohamady in the air to allow Iheanacho a run on goal. Reina was, though, equal to it after saving well with his feet.
Leicester, meanwhile, had the luxury of bringing on the fit-again Jamie Vardy and, within seconds, the league's top marksman crashed in goal number 18 from the penalty spot.
It was another error on Villa's part, Mings this time looking to get anything on a Barnes cross into the box, only for the ball to strike the claret Kappa logo on the top of his arm. A quick VAR call ensued and the penalty was given for handball, Vardy making no mistake to slot coolly down the middle before giving Reina abuse in the Villa goal upon scoring.
Vardy was at the double and lashed home goal No.19, reacting quickest between Guilbert and Engels after his cross deflected into the air inside the box. The striker, though, sent the ball crashing inside Reina's front post to kill the game off.
WATCH: Aston Villa's relegation worries worsen following defeat to Leicester City
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Leicester weren't done there, though, far from it. Barnes notching his second ghosting in from off the left before slotting home Albrighton's cut-back pass, Guilbert again guilty of ball-watching.
At this point, the 3,315-strong away following headed for the exits. Albrighton, who was excellent down Leicester's right, spurned a chance at the end, apparently not wanting to score against his boyhood club as he sliced well wide.
In the end, though, Villa were far too easy to beat as they racked up their 11th away defeat from 15 games.
VILLA, 4-1-4-1: Reina; Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett; Nakamba; Elmohamady (El Ghazi, 62), Douglas Luiz, Hourihane (Davis, 66), Grealish; Samatta.
Subs: Taylor, Drinkwater, Konsa, Trezeguet, Nyland.
LEICESTER, 4-3-3: Schmeichel; Ricardo, Soyncu, Evans, Justin; Ndidi (Mendy, 83), Maddison, Praet (Tielemans, 75); Albrighton, Iheanacho (Vardy, 59), Barnes.
Subs: Morgan, Ward, Perez, Fuchs.
REFEREE: Michael Oliver
BOOKED: Hourihane (42), Praet (71), Evans (75)
ATTENDANCE: 32,125 (3,315 away)
GOALS: Barnes (40, 85), Vardy (63, penalty; 79)
NEXT UP: Chelsea at Villa Park, Saturday, March 14, kick-off 5.30pm


birminghammail--2020-03-09--'Running out' - Dean Smith's reaction to Aston Villa's collapse at Leicester City

Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith believes his players have taken a confidence knock , admitting : `` They all know the damage that would happen , not just the football club but to themselves if we got relegated . ''
Villa were smashed 4-0 by a rampant Leicester City side at the King Power , with Harvey Barnes and substitute Jamie Vardy scoring two apiece .
It was Villa 's 11th defeat from 15 away games in the Premier League and , afterwards , Smith said it 's his job to lift them for Chelsea on Saturday now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result like this , '' Smith said .
`` Of course it can .
It 's my job now to make sure it does n't .
`` The players are getting opportunities to show their worth and keep themselves in the team .
They all know the damage that would happen to not just the football club but themselves if we got relegated .
There 's none of them not trying to win football games .
`` But games are running out .
I thought Marvelous Nakamba was very good tonight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see more of as a team .
We seem to be making a lot of individual errors if you want to win games at this level . ''
Regarding wanting a reaction from THAT Wembley huddle after last week 's final , Smith added : `` A lot has been made of that Wembley huddle , it was just me telling the players what I thought at that time .
`` Our performance against Man City was good .
This is a different day and a different team .
I thought first half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our defensive shape was good , they did n't get through to Pepe Reina too often .
We put in a shift .
The second goal is pivotal as it opens the game up . ''

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Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith believes his players have taken a confidence knock, admitting: "They all know the damage that would happen, not just the football club but to themselves if we got relegated."
Villa were smashed 4-0 by a rampant Leicester City side at the King Power, with Harvey Barnes and substitute Jamie Vardy scoring two apiece.
It was Villa's 11th defeat from 15 away games in the Premier League and, afterwards, Smith said it's his job to lift them for Chelsea on Saturday now.]
"Confidence can be harmed as a result like this," Smith said. "Of course it can. It's my job now to make sure it doesn't.
"The players are getting opportunities to show their worth and keep themselves in the team. They all know the damage that would happen to not just the football club but themselves if we got relegated. There's none of them not trying to win football games.
"But games are running out. I thought Marvelous Nakamba was very good tonight. His performance was what I want to see more of as a team. We seem to be making a lot of individual errors if you want to win games at this level."
Regarding wanting a reaction from THAT Wembley huddle after last week's final, Smith added: "A lot has been made of that Wembley huddle, it was just me telling the players what I thought at that time.
"Our performance against Man City was good. This is a different day and a different team. I thought first half after 15 minutes they controlled possession.
"Our defensive shape was good, they didn't get through to Pepe Reina too often. We put in a shift. The second goal is pivotal as it opens the game up."


birminghammail--2020-03-09--'Fear for him' - Aston Villa fans furious after Leicester City shocker

Aston Villa fans are at a low ebb tonight after their side 's thrashing by Leicester City .
Dean Smith 's Villans had a chance to lift themselves out of the relegation zone tonight but instead they were beaten comprehensively by City , thanks to a brace apiece from Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy .
Villa started well but Pepe Reina 's mistake gifted Barnes his first goal five minutes before half-time .
Vardy came off the substitute 's bench and notched his first goal of the calendar year from the penalty spot after a controversial handball decision by Tyrone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international 's shoulder .
Vardy notched again and Barnes rounded off the scoring to secure a big three points for Brendan Rodgers ' Champions League-chasers .
Understandably the Villa fans are furious tonight as they remain 19th in the table .
Here 's what they had to say on social media ... @ adamgodwin : The worst and most troubling thing about that performance from Villa is that is was just the same .
Same problems all over the field , in and out of possession , on set pieces .
Just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Deano , but fear for him after this run # AVFC @ StudleyLions01 : Shocking performance by # avfc tonight .
Looks inevitable that we ’ ll be heading back to the Championship .
Players in the main not worthy of our exceptional support .
Clueless I ’ m afraid @ valisthegal : Am I the only one getting flashbacks from 2016 ?
Just hoping and praying the atmosphere doesn ’ t become as toxic as it was then .
@ Reece_AV : Utterly poor performance both on and off the pitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wanted it .
Tactically all over the place , right hand side was pedestrian .
Defending all over the park , have to ask what JT is doing .
Buzz of the final is over , back to reality and it ’ s poor @ JacobFurnell10 : Tried to stay positive for most of the season , was even confident that we 'd stay up before tonight .
But that might have put the nail in the Coffin for this season .
# AVFC @ jackgw24 : not an excuse at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gutless every single one of them @ aimee_1874 : This is the first time this season that I feel genuinely worried that we are going down .
Till now I 've held onto the positive and hope that we will manage to stay up .
I 'm really not sure now @ Carlos_1982 : Rubbish Villa , absolutely no fight , no passion .
Gutless and spineless from all of them , were going down .
Course we would kick start Leicester 's season @ mattyreynolds83 : Surely there 's no other team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse than the villa

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Aston Villa fans are at a low ebb tonight after their side's thrashing by Leicester City.
Dean Smith 's Villans had a chance to lift themselves out of the relegation zone tonight but instead they were beaten comprehensively by City, thanks to a brace apiece from Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy.
Villa started well but Pepe Reina's mistake gifted Barnes his first goal five minutes before half-time.
Vardy came off the substitute's bench and notched his first goal of the calendar year from the penalty spot after a controversial handball decision by Tyrone Mings which appeared to strike the England international's shoulder.
Vardy notched again and Barnes rounded off the scoring to secure a big three points for Brendan Rodgers' Champions League-chasers.
Understandably the Villa fans are furious tonight as they remain 19th in the table.
Here's what they had to say on social media...
@ adamgodwin : The worst and most troubling thing about that performance from Villa is that is was just the same. Same problems all over the field, in and out of possession, on set pieces. Just the same it’s been. I like Deano, but fear for him after this run #AVFC
@ AlexHawkes72 : I'm waving the white flag mate.
@ StudleyLions01 : Shocking performance by #avfc tonight. Looks inevitable that we’ll be heading back to the Championship. Players in the main not worthy of our exceptional support. Clueless I’m afraid
@ valisthegal : Am I the only one getting flashbacks from 2016? Just hoping and praying the atmosphere doesn’t become as toxic as it was then.
@ Reece_AV : Utterly poor performance both on and off the pitch. Players didn’t look like they wanted it. Tactically all over the place, right hand side was pedestrian. Defending all over the park, have to ask what JT is doing. Buzz of the final is over, back to reality and it’s poor
@ JacobFurnell10 : Tried to stay positive for most of the season, was even confident that we'd stay up before tonight. But that might have put the nail in the Coffin for this season. #AVFC
@ jackgw24 : not an excuse at all, there are’nt any. Gutless every single one of them
@ aimee_1874 : This is the first time this season that I feel genuinely worried that we are going down. Till now I've held onto the positive and hope that we will manage to stay up. I'm really not sure now
@ Carlos_1982 : Rubbish Villa, absolutely no fight, no passion. Gutless and spineless from all of them, were going down. Course we would kick start Leicester's season
@ mattyreynolds83 : Surely there's no other team in the league that passes the ball worse than the villa


birminghammail--2020-03-09--'Had a stinker' - Brutal Aston Villa player ratings from Leicester City collapse

Aston Villa were smashed 4-0 by Champions League-chasing Leicester City at the King Power Stadium .
A brace each from Harvey Barnes and substitute Jamie Vardy did the damage , the pair capitalising on comical errors by Villa .
The defeat leaves Villa wedged in 19th place with Chelsea next up at Villa Park .
On what was a wet and sorry display on the road again , Aston Villa club writer Ashley Preece dishes out the player ratings - and they 're low ... Called into action after just 10 minutes , saving well from a powerful Jonny Evans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spaniard produced yet another howling error , channelling his inner Monk from Mean Machine , sprinting out needlessly looking to attempt to karate kick Barnes ' head off before the winger touched it past him and tapped home .
Did well to save from Iheanacho one-vs-one but was sent the wrong way for Vardy 's penalty .
Back-to-back poor displays now from Reina .
A penny for Orjan Nyland 's thoughts .
Close to giving away a penalty but timed his challenge on Justin to perfection to nick the ball from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from Justin and Barnes , the latter catching Guilbert out before striking at goal .
Barnes , in truth , had a field day up against Villa 's Frenchman who had a stinker .
Almost headed into his own net in the first half .
Kept his place after strong showing at Wembley .
Was under the cosh at the KP , though .
Was n't Villa 's worst player , but reacted slow to Vardy 's fortuous second .
Found it tough against Iheanacho and later Vardy .
Gave Albrighton a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to fetch the ball .
Continues not to man mark on corners , instead marking a zone .
Stuck out a desperate arm to stop a Barnes ball entering the box , only for it to hit his Kappa badge and , with it , gifting a penalty which Vardy slotted home .
When Barnes got his second late on , TV screens picked up his reaction of `` How ?
How ?
How ? ''
as he questioned his team-mates ' efforts in stopping the fourth .
Went down wincing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Leicester right-back catching Targett high above the ankle .
Was pinned back amid Leicester 's relentlessness down their right-hand side .
Albrighton gave Targett a tough night 's work , that 's for sure .
The ex-Villa man getting the better of the left-back throghout .
Crunched Maddison just seconds in and looked to kick on from where he left off last week .
For me , was Villa 's best player for the second game running and appeared to do it all on his own .
Was n't given much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very end in the middle on his lonesome .
Roared at by Villa coaching staff to play higher and press Leicester , but he put his hands out to signal he was struggling to cope .
Lacking consistency and found it hard out there .
Did n't get a foothold in the game at all .
Lacklustre to say the least .
Almost scored just moments in , failing to sweep home a Matt Targett cut-back when well-placed in the box .
Teed up Samatta from a free-kick , too .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cut a frustrated figure after being replaced in the second half .
Started again as an unorthodox right winger but lacks that attacking prowess after years playing at full-back .
This was clear when he was put through - yet Elmo hesitated amid a lack of intent .
Subbed off for El Ghazi .
Spurned a golden chance after five minutes , appearing to lose his footing when teed up just three yards out from a whipped Hourihane delivery .
Lacked any kind of service after missing his only chance .
Was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Left feeding off scraps as the Foxes kept turning the screw .
One of the worst games I 've seen from the usually fantastic captain .
Could n't get going at all back out in his favoured inside forward position .
`` Grealish , what 's the score ? ''
was what the Leicester fans chanted at Villa 's boo-boy who endured a rare night off .
Everyone knows Jack 's incredibly-high standards and this was way , way below what he 's produced this season .
Showed real promise as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half before picking out Guilbert .
Looked a threat and made Leicester think but , ultimately , ran out of time .
Left Justin for dead after coming on , jinking one way and going the other .
But again , did n't affect the game as Leicester 's dominance continued .

Aston Villa were smashed 4-0 by Champions League-chasing Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last night
A brace each from Harvey Barnes and substitute Jamie Vardy did the damage, the pair capitalising on comical errors by Villa .
The defeat leaves Villa wedged in 19th place with Chelsea next up at Villa Park.
On what was a wet and sorry display on the road again, Aston Villa club writer Ashley Preece dishes out the player ratings - and they're low...
Aston Villa, 4-1-4-1
Pepe Reina, 4
Called into action after just 10 minutes, saving well from a powerful Jonny Evans header from a corner. However, the Spaniard produced yet another howling error, channelling his inner Monk from Mean Machine, sprinting out needlessly looking to attempt to karate kick Barnes' head off before the winger touched it past him and tapped home. Did well to save from Iheanacho one-vs-one but was sent the wrong way for Vardy's penalty. Back-to-back poor displays now from Reina. A penny for Orjan Nyland's thoughts.
Frederic Guilbert, 3.5
Close to giving away a penalty but timed his challenge on Justin to perfection to nick the ball from the Foxes' left-back. Was under relentless pressure from Justin and Barnes, the latter catching Guilbert out before striking at goal. Barnes, in truth, had a field day up against Villa's Frenchman who had a stinker.
Bjorn Engels, 5
Almost headed into his own net in the first half. Kept his place after strong showing at Wembley. Was under the cosh at the KP, though. Wasn't Villa's worst player, but reacted slow to Vardy's fortuous second. Found it tough against Iheanacho and later Vardy.
Tyrone Mings, 4.5
Gave Albrighton a mighty shove in sheer frustration as he went to fetch the ball. Continues not to man mark on corners, instead marking a zone. Stuck out a desperate arm to stop a Barnes ball entering the box, only for it to hit his Kappa badge and, with it, gifting a penalty which Vardy slotted home. When Barnes got his second late on, TV screens picked up his reaction of "How? How? How?" as he questioned his team-mates' efforts in stopping the fourth.
Matt Targett, 5
Went down wincing in pain after a nasty challenge from Ricardo, the Leicester right-back catching Targett high above the ankle. Was pinned back amid Leicester's relentlessness down their right-hand side. Albrighton gave Targett a tough night's work, that's for sure. The ex-Villa man getting the better of the left-back throghout.
Marvelous Nakamba, 5.5
Crunched Maddison just seconds in and looked to kick on from where he left off last week. For me, was Villa's best player for the second game running and appeared to do it all on his own. Wasn't given much help at all and tried until the very end in the middle on his lonesome.
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Douglas Luiz, 4.5
Roared at by Villa coaching staff to play higher and press Leicester, but he put his hands out to signal he was struggling to cope. Lacking consistency and found it hard out there. Didn't get a foothold in the game at all. Lacklustre to say the least.
Conor Hourihane, 4.5
Almost scored just moments in, failing to sweep home a Matt Targett cut-back when well-placed in the box. Teed up Samatta from a free-kick, too. But, like Douglas next to him, struggled and cut a frustrated figure after being replaced in the second half.
Ahmed Elmohamady, 4
Started again as an unorthodox right winger but lacks that attacking prowess after years playing at full-back. This was clear when he was put through - yet Elmo hesitated amid a lack of intent. Subbed off for El Ghazi.
Mbwana Samatta, 5
Spurned a golden chance after five minutes, appearing to lose his footing when teed up just three yards out from a whipped Hourihane delivery. Lacked any kind of service after missing his only chance. Wasn't his night, I'm afraid. Left feeding off scraps as the Foxes kept turning the screw.
Jack Grealish, 4.5
One of the worst games I've seen from the usually fantastic captain. Couldn't get going at all back out in his favoured inside forward position. "Grealish, what's the score?" was what the Leicester fans chanted at Villa's boo-boy who endured a rare night off. Everyone knows Jack's incredibly-high standards and this was way, way below what he's produced this season.
Subs
Keinan Davis (on for Hourihane, 66), 4.5
Showed real promise as he dribbled the ball from inside his own half before picking out Guilbert. Looked a threat and made Leicester think but, ultimately, ran out of time.
Anwar El Ghazi (on for Elmohamady, 62) 4
Left Justin for dead after coming on, jinking one way and going the other. But again, didn't affect the game as Leicester's dominance continued.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Jamie Vardy & Harvey Barnes notch doubles as Leicester City thrash sorry Aston Villa

Leicester City 4-0 Aston Villa : Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes scored a brace each as Dean Smith 's side @ @ @ @ @ with ten games of the season left Leicester City ran riot at the King Power @ @ @ @ @ Aston Villa 4-0 in the East Midlands .
Dean Smith 's side remain in the @ @ @ @ @ to Premier League action following a spirited display in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester @ @ @ @ @ their side .
However , they failed to use any of that momentum as City @ @ @ @ @ a rainy night in Leicester .
Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy were at the double @ @ @ @ @ given a helping hand from Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina for the opening goal and a @ @ @ @ @ second .
But , make no mistake , Villa were well below the level required @ @ @ @ @ the relegation zone .

Leicester City 4-0 Aston Villa: Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes scored a brace each as Dean Smith's side remain in the relegation zone with ten games of the season left
Leicester City ran riot at the King Power Stadium tonight as they thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 in the East Midlands.
Dean Smith's side remain in the relegation zone after their return to Premier League action following a spirited display in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City last weekend had re-energised their side.
However, they failed to use any of that momentum as City comprehensively beat the strugglers on a rainy night in Leicester.
Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy were at the double for City, who were given a helping hand from Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina for the opening goal and a controversial handball decision for the second.
But, make no mistake, Villa were well below the level required to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Three men face jail for killing drill rap manager linked to Birmingham group 23 Drillaz

Three men are facing years behind bars for killing a drill rap manager who was stabbed during a promotional music video shoot following an online `` war of words '' .
Bright Akinleye , 22 , was stabbed three times with a large hunting knife at a flat in Euston , central London , in February last year .
During the onslaught he grabbed the blade and left a trail of blood as he ran 150 yards to a hotel foyer where he collapsed and died from a leg wound .
Following an Old Bailey trial , Abdoulie Ceesay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of south London , were found guilty of his murder .
Co-accused Oliver Petts , 30 , from Bromley , south-east London , had pleaded guilty to manslaughter , which was accepted by the prosecution .
Mr Akinleye , a sports management graduate from Lewisham , south-east London , was involved with a group of drill artists from Birmingham called 23 Drillaz .
He later became the manager for one of the rappers , who was connected with the video shoot where he was attacked , jurors heard .
Prosecutor Simon Denison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help `` punish '' Mr Akinleye over a long-running dispute .
Mr Denison said : `` Bright Akinleye had been in a long-running dispute with twin brothers from the Aylesbury estate in Southwark called Jospin and Elvis Mayamba .
`` At the end of 2018 Bright had posted online a video that showed Jospin Mayamba being manhandled and disrespected by a group of people and it appears that there was a war of words between them that continued in the early part of 2019 . ''
A few days before the murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the twins ' older brother , Chris Mayamba , who was then in jail in Nottingham .
Mr Denison told jurors : `` Instead of resolving anything , they taunted each other and it ended with a threat from Chris Mayamba to Bright - 'When stuff go wrong for u or ur friends Mum just remember I said I do n't do verbal ' . ''
On the evening of February 18 last year , the twins ' friend , Ceesay , and Petts had been at a studio in Deptford , south-east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before moving to Euston .
While in Deptford , Ceesay called Jospin Mayamba , who did not pick up .
He then called Brewster who travelled to Euston from his home in Kennington , south London .
Brewster 's DNA was later found on the handle of the knife and more DNA evidence linked him to a pair of trainers that were stained with Mr Akinleye 's blood , the court heard .
The jury deliberated for more than 20 hours to reach a unanimous verdict for Ceesay and a majority verdict of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendants were remanded into custody to be sentenced on March 26 .
A fourth defendant , Silas Loko , 27 , of Southwark , south London , was cleared of murder .

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Three men are facing years behind bars for killing a drill rap manager who was stabbed during a promotional music video shoot following an online "war of words".
Bright Akinleye, 22, was stabbed three times with a large hunting knife at a flat in Euston, central London, in February last year.
During the onslaught he grabbed the blade and left a trail of blood as he ran 150 yards to a hotel foyer where he collapsed and died from a leg wound.
Following an Old Bailey trial, Abdoulie Ceesay, 28, and Tashawn Brewster, 31, of south London, were found guilty of his murder.
Co-accused Oliver Petts, 30, from Bromley, south-east London, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which was accepted by the prosecution.
Mr Akinleye, a sports management graduate from Lewisham, south-east London, was involved with a group of drill artists from Birmingham called 23 Drillaz.
He later became the manager for one of the rappers, who was connected with the video shoot where he was attacked, jurors heard.
Prosecutor Simon Denison QC said knifeman Brewster had been recruited to help "punish" Mr Akinleye over a long-running dispute.
Mr Denison said: "Bright Akinleye had been in a long-running dispute with twin brothers from the Aylesbury estate in Southwark called Jospin and Elvis Mayamba.
"At the end of 2018 Bright had posted online a video that showed Jospin Mayamba being manhandled and disrespected by a group of people and it appears that there was a war of words between them that continued in the early part of 2019."
A few days before the murder, Mr Akinleye used Instagram to contact the twins' older brother, Chris Mayamba, who was then in jail in Nottingham.
Mr Denison told jurors: "Instead of resolving anything, they taunted each other and it ended with a threat from Chris Mayamba to Bright - 'When stuff go wrong for u or ur friends Mum just remember I said I don't do verbal'."
On the evening of February 18 last year, the twins' friend, Ceesay, and Petts had been at a studio in Deptford, south-east London, where the video shoot began before moving to Euston.
While in Deptford, Ceesay called Jospin Mayamba, who did not pick up.
He then called Brewster who travelled to Euston from his home in Kennington, south London.
Brewster's DNA was later found on the handle of the knife and more DNA evidence linked him to a pair of trainers that were stained with Mr Akinleye's blood, the court heard.
The jury deliberated for more than 20 hours to reach a unanimous verdict for Ceesay and a majority verdict of 11 to one for Brewster.
The defendants were remanded into custody to be sentenced on March 26.
A fourth defendant, Silas Loko, 27, of Southwark, south London, was cleared of murder.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Prince Andrew ‘completely shut door’ on co-operating with FBI over Jeffrey Epstein probe

The Duke of York has “ completely shut the door ” on co-operating with investigators over the probe into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , a US lawyer has said .
Andrew stepped away from royal duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview in November about his relationship with Epstein , who killed himself in his jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking .
In a statement released four days later , the duke said he was “ willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations , if required ” .
But Geoffrey Berman , who is leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday : “ Contrary to Prince Andrew ’ s very public offer to co-operate with our investigation into Epstein ’ s co-conspirators , an offer that was conveyed via press release , Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation and our office is considering its options.
” Mr Berman told a news conference in January the duke had “ provided zero co-operation ” , claiming his lawyers had been contacted by prosecutors and the FBI as part of the probe .
But a few days later , Andrew was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at the claims by the US authorities , with The Telegraph quoting a source as saying : “ The duke is more than happy to talk to the FBI but he hasn ’ t been approached by them yet.
” Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday : “ This issue is being dealt with by The Duke of York ’ s legal team .
Buckingham Palace will not be commenting further on this particular matter.
” The palace has refused to give details of the duke ’ s legal team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QC , who previously represented former dictator of Chile General Augusto Pinochet in the House of Lords .

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The Duke of York has “completely shut the door” on co-operating with investigators over the probe into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a US lawyer has said.
Andrew stepped away from royal duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview in November about his relationship with Epstein, who killed himself in his jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
In a statement released four days later, the duke said he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required”.
But Geoffrey Berman, who is leading the Epstein inquiry, told reporters on Monday: “Contrary to Prince Andrew’s very public offer to co-operate with our investigation into Epstein’s co-conspirators, an offer that was conveyed via press release, Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation and our office is considering its options.”
(Image: BBC)
Mr Berman told a news conference in January the duke had “provided zero co-operation”, claiming his lawyers had been contacted by prosecutors and the FBI as part of the probe.
But a few days later, Andrew was reported to be “angry and bewildered” at the claims by the US authorities, with The Telegraph quoting a source as saying: “The duke is more than happy to talk to the FBI but he hasn’t been approached by them yet.”
Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday: “This issue is being dealt with by The Duke of York’s legal team. Buckingham Palace will not be commenting further on this particular matter.”
The palace has refused to give details of the duke’s legal team but he has reportedly hired Clare Montgomery QC, who previously represented former dictator of Chile General Augusto Pinochet in the House of Lords.
The barrister declined to comment.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--How to self-isolate if you have coronavirus symptoms - seven questions answered

People with even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever could soon be asked to self-isolate as coronavirus continues to spread in the UK .
Here is all you need to know about what you can and can not do when self-isolating .
– What is the current guidance on self-isolating ?
People only need to self-isolate if they have been advised to by a medical professional or the 111 online coronavirus service .
You should seek medical advice if you think you might have coronavirus , or have been in close contact with someone who has .
Anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a higher risk of coronavirus in the last fortnight might also need to seek advice .
Locations include Italy , Tenerife , Thailand and China .
– When might that change ?
People may soon be told to self-isolate even if they have minor respiratory tract infection symptoms – such as flu or a cold – or a fever .
At a press conference on Monday evening , England ’ s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the UK was “ very close to the time , probably within the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with cold or flu symptoms could be advised to self-isolate for seven days .
– What does self-isolating actually mean ?
If you are asked to self-isolate , this means you should stay at home , not go to work or school or visit public places and not use public transport or taxis .
– What about other people in my house ?
If you live with other people , you should separate yourself from them and try not to be in the same room as them at the same time .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if a separate bathroom is not available , with the isolated person using the facilities last before thoroughly cleaning the bathroom .
You should not share dishes , drinking glasses , cups , eating utensils , towels , bedding or other items with other people in your home .
If you live in shared accommodation such as university halls of residence , you should only use communal kitchens , bathrooms and living areas when necessary and take meals back to your room to eat .
– How do I get vital provisions like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you are in self-isolation , you should ask friends , family members or delivery services to carry out errands for you , such as getting groceries , medicines or other shopping .
Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online .
– What if an elderly relative living alone is told to self-isolate ?
Can I see them ?
People in self-isolation should not invite or allow visitors to enter .
If you think there is an essential need for someone to visit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical contact first .
Even if you test negative for Covid-19 , you may still need to self-isolate if you have travelled from certain countries .
Those who have returned from a specified Category 1 location – such as Iran or locked-down areas of Italy – should continue to self-isolate until they have been back in the UK for 14 days .
If you receive a negative result and have returned from a specified Category 2 location – such as Singapore or Thailand – you should continue to self-isolate until either your symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK for 14 days , whichever is sooner .
If you receive a negative result and have had contact with a person known to have had Covid-19 you should remain in isolation until the end of the 14-day period .

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People with even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever could soon be asked to self-isolate as coronavirus continues to spread in the UK.
Here is all you need to know about what you can and cannot do when self-isolating.
– What is the current guidance on self-isolating?
People only need to self-isolate if they have been advised to by a medical professional or the 111 online coronavirus service.
You should seek medical advice if you think you might have coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who has.
Anyone who has travelled to the UK from somewhere with a higher risk of coronavirus in the last fortnight might also need to seek advice. Locations include Italy, Tenerife, Thailand and China.
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– When might that change?
People may soon be told to self-isolate even if they have minor respiratory tract infection symptoms – such as flu or a cold – or a fever.
At a press conference on Monday evening, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the UK was “very close to the time, probably within the next 10 to 14 days” when people with cold or flu symptoms could be advised to self-isolate for seven days.
– What does self-isolating actually mean?
If you are asked to self-isolate, this means you should stay at home, not go to work or school or visit public places and not use public transport or taxis.
(Image: PA)
– What about other people in my house?
If you live with other people, you should separate yourself from them and try not to be in the same room as them at the same time.
You should also think about a bathroom rota if a separate bathroom is not available, with the isolated person using the facilities last before thoroughly cleaning the bathroom.
You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding or other items with other people in your home.
If you live in shared accommodation such as university halls of residence, you should only use communal kitchens, bathrooms and living areas when necessary and take meals back to your room to eat.
– How do I get vital provisions like food and toiletries into the house?
If you are in self-isolation, you should ask friends, family members or delivery services to carry out errands for you, such as getting groceries, medicines or other shopping.
Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online.
– What if an elderly relative living alone is told to self-isolate? Can I see them?
People in self-isolation should not invite or allow visitors to enter.
If you think there is an essential need for someone to visit, you should discuss it with your designated medical contact first.
– Can’t I avoid self-isolating by taking a test?
Even if you test negative for Covid-19, you may still need to self-isolate if you have travelled from certain countries.
Those who have returned from a specified Category 1 location – such as Iran or locked-down areas of Italy – should continue to self-isolate until they have been back in the UK for 14 days.
If you receive a negative result and have returned from a specified Category 2 location – such as Singapore or Thailand – you should continue to self-isolate until either your symptoms have gone or you have been back in the UK for 14 days, whichever is sooner.
If you receive a negative result and have had contact with a person known to have had Covid-19 you should remain in isolation until the end of the 14-day period.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--The first coronavirus symptom you'll experience - and how long it takes

People infected with coronavirus could be symptom-free for five days , experts have said .
Researchers estimated the average incubation period of Covid-19 to be 5.1 days .
The experts found that almost all ( 97.5 % ) of those who develop symptoms appeared to do so within 11.5 days of infection .
Coronaviruses in humans that cause common colds have average incubation periods of around three days .
Experts , led by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US , studied 181 cases of people confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The researchers conducted an analysis of news reports , public health reports , and press releases which included information on likely dates of exposure and when symptoms started .
Most of the cases were linked to Wuhan , the city in China at the centre of the outbreak , and the surrounding Hubei province .
The authors conclude that current “ self-isolation ” time frames adopted by health bodies – including the NHS – are “ reasonable ” .
Some people who have , or may have , been infected have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from others for two weeks – or “ self-isolate ” – to reduce the risk of the infection spreading .
The authors of the analysis said the time frame is “ reasonable ” but suggest that a small number of cases could develop symptoms after this quarantine period is over .
The estimates , published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine , estimates that 101 out of every 10,000 cases will develop symptoms after 14 days of active monitoring or quarantine .
“ Based on our analysis of publicly available data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active monitoring or quarantine is reasonable , although with that period some cases would be missed over the long-term , ” says study senior author Justin Lessler , an associate professor in the Bloomberg School ’ s Department of Epidemiology .

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People infected with coronavirus could be symptom-free for five days, experts have said.
Researchers estimated the average incubation period of Covid-19 to be 5.1 days.
The experts found that almost all (97.5%) of those who develop symptoms appeared to do so within 11.5 days of infection.
Coronaviruses in humans that cause common colds have average incubation periods of around three days.
(Image: Getty Images)
Experts, led by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US, studied 181 cases of people confirmed to be infected with the new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness Covid-19.
The researchers conducted an analysis of news reports, public health reports, and press releases which included information on likely dates of exposure and when symptoms started.
Most of the cases were linked to Wuhan, the city in China at the centre of the outbreak, and the surrounding Hubei province.
The authors conclude that current “self-isolation” time frames adopted by health bodies – including the NHS – are “reasonable”.
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Some people who have, or may have, been infected have been asked by health officials to stay away from others for two weeks – or “self-isolate” – to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.
The authors of the analysis said the time frame is “reasonable” but suggest that a small number of cases could develop symptoms after this quarantine period is over.
The estimates, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, estimates that 101 out of every 10,000 cases will develop symptoms after 14 days of active monitoring or quarantine.
“Based on our analysis of publicly available data, the current recommendation of 14 days for active monitoring or quarantine is reasonable, although with that period some cases would be missed over the long-term,” says study senior author Justin Lessler, an associate professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Epidemiology.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Sheridan Smith to reprise Cilla Black role in stage musical in Birmingham

Sheridan Smith will reprise her role as Cilla Black on the stage .
The actress , who portrayed the entertainer in a three-part ITV series in 2014 , will appear in the musical adaptation of the TV programme from September .
Cilla the Musical will open at the Liverpool Empire for a four-week residency before it tours the UK , visiting Aylesbury , Edinburgh , Birmingham and Leeds .
Sharing the news on Instagram , Smith - who is currently pregnant with her first child - wrote : `` Woo hoo it 's official ! ''
Smith , 38 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black in the series , written by Bafta winner Jeff Pope .
She was nominated for a TV Bafta and an International Emmy Award , and she won a National TV Award and a TV Choice Award for the role .
The musical , written by Pope and directed by West End theatre producer Bill Kenwright , debuted in 2017 with Kara Lily Hayworth in the starring role after she fended off competition from thousands of other hopefuls at an open audition .
It tells the story of Black from her life as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredible rise to fame as an international star .
The musical score features Black 's greatest hits Anyone Who Had A Heart , Alfie and Something Tells Me , along with the backdrop of the sound of Liverpool 's music scene .
The production is executive-produced by the late music and TV star 's son Robert Willis .
Black 's career in the limelight spanned six decades before her sudden death , aged 72 , after a fall at her villa in Spain in August 2015 .
Smith is expecting her first child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told her fans on Twitter that she and Horn are going to have a boy .
Tickets for Cilla the Musical are on sale from March 10 at 10am .

Sheridan Smith will reprise her role as Cilla Black on the stage.
The actress, who portrayed the entertainer in a three-part ITV series in 2014, will appear in the musical adaptation of the TV programme from September.
Cilla the Musical will open at the Liverpool Empire for a four-week residency before it tours the UK, visiting Aylesbury, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Smith - who is currently pregnant with her first child - wrote: "Woo hoo it's official!"
(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Smith, 38, won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Black in the series, written by Bafta winner Jeff Pope.
She was nominated for a TV Bafta and an International Emmy Award, and she won a National TV Award and a TV Choice Award for the role.
The musical, written by Pope and directed by West End theatre producer Bill Kenwright, debuted in 2017 with Kara Lily Hayworth in the starring role after she fended off competition from thousands of other hopefuls at an open audition.
It tells the story of Black from her life as a teenage girl in Liverpool through her incredible rise to fame as an international star.
The musical score features Black's greatest hits Anyone Who Had A Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, along with the backdrop of the sound of Liverpool's music scene.
The production is executive-produced by the late music and TV star's son Robert Willis.
(Image: publicity picture)
Black's career in the limelight spanned six decades before her sudden death, aged 72, after a fall at her villa in Spain in August 2015.
Smith is expecting her first child with fiance Jamie Horn.
In November she told her fans on Twitter that she and Horn are going to have a boy.
Tickets for Cilla the Musical are on sale from March 10 at 10am via ATGTickets.com.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--St Patrick’s Day parades cancelled over coronavirus fears

St Patrick ’ s Day parades in Ireland have been cancelled due to Covid-19 .
Their size , the mixing of local and international travellers , and the continued progression of community transmission in some European countries was to blame , the Irish Government said .
A small number of cases of local spread , unconnected to foreign travel , have also emerged in the Republic .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said : “ I think it ’ s really important to get across a very important fact , the vast majority of people who get Covid-19 in the next couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not do so because they attend a mass gathering .
“ They will most likely pick it up in their own home from their family or interactions with friends or others through prolonged human contact , droplet infection , human fluids .
“ That ’ s why the most important thing we can all do is follow and adhere to the public health advice around hand washing and also respiratory etiquette.
” Concerns worldwide have surrounded mass gatherings of people as a potential source of infection .
An official Government statement said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale of the St Patrick ’ s Day festivities , in terms of size , the mass gathering of local and international travellers , and the continued progression of community transmission in some European countries , along with the emergence of a small number of cases of local transmission in Ireland , the Government has decided that St Patrick ’ s Day parades , including the Dublin parade , will not proceed .
“ This is based on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team .
“ The situation in relation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under review and any response will be guided by the NPHET which meets again tomorrow , along with the public health advice.
” Four events will not proceed during St Patrick ’ s Festival :

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St Patrick’s Day parades in Ireland have been cancelled due to Covid-19.
Their size, the mixing of local and international travellers, and the continued progression of community transmission in some European countries was to blame, the Irish Government said.
A small number of cases of local spread, unconnected to foreign travel, have also emerged in the Republic.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “I think it’s really important to get across a very important fact, the vast majority of people who get Covid-19 in the next couple of weeks or couple of months will not do so because they attend a mass gathering.
“They will most likely pick it up in their own home from their family or interactions with friends or others through prolonged human contact, droplet infection, human fluids.
“That’s why the most important thing we can all do is follow and adhere to the public health advice around hand washing and also respiratory etiquette.”
Concerns worldwide have surrounded mass gatherings of people as a potential source of infection.
An official Government statement said: “Due to the unique nature and scale of the St Patrick’s Day festivities, in terms of size, the mass gathering of local and international travellers, and the continued progression of community transmission in some European countries, along with the emergence of a small number of cases of local transmission in Ireland, the Government has decided that St Patrick’s Day parades, including the Dublin parade, will not proceed.
“This is based on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
“The situation in relation to other events and mass gatherings remains under review and any response will be guided by the NPHET which meets again tomorrow, along with the public health advice.”
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Four events will not proceed during St Patrick’s Festival:
– March 17 – National St Patrick’s Festival Parade, Dublin;
– March 14-17 – Festival Village, Merrion Square, Dublin;
– March 15 – Treasure Hunt, Dublin;
– March 17 – Ceili Mor, Merrion Square, Dublin.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--'Incredible mistake' - Sven-Goran Eriksson blasts Pepe Reina for Leicester City howler

Sven-Goran Eriksson has taken aim at Aston Villa goalkeeper Pep Reina after his mistake cost his side against Leicester City .
The 37-year-old gifted Brendan Rodgers ’ side the simplest of openers at the King Power Stadium after racing off his line five minutes before the interval .
Reina was trying to cut out Marc Albrighton ’ s through ball when he raced off his line , but Harvey Barnes reacted quickest , and after he knocked the ball past the onrushing Spaniard , he finished into the empty net .
And speaking at half-time on Sky Sports , Eriksson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he saw from the former Liverpool man .
“ It is an incredible mistake from the goalkeeper , ” he said .
“ He should stay in goal , of course , as there is no reason for him to be out there like a right-back more or less .
“ He should be sure 1000 percent to take the ball but he is not .
If he stays in goal nothing will happen .
“ Those three defenders can get back and he would never score from there if he stays in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carragher added : “ You see his starting position here and you go back a couple of weeks to when he tried to score against Southampton and you saw him running back , so we know pace isn ’ t Pepe ’ s strength .
”

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Sven-Goran Eriksson has taken aim at Aston Villa goalkeeper Pep Reina after his mistake cost his side against Leicester City.
The 37-year-old gifted Brendan Rodgers’ side the simplest of openers at the King Power Stadium after racing off his line five minutes before the interval.
Reina was trying to cut out Marc Albrighton’s through ball when he raced off his line , but Harvey Barnes reacted quickest, and after he knocked the ball past the onrushing Spaniard, he finished into the empty net.
And speaking at half-time on Sky Sports, Eriksson was left less than impressed by what he saw from the former Liverpool man.
“It is an incredible mistake from the goalkeeper,” he said. “He should stay in goal, of course, as there is no reason for him to be out there like a right-back more or less.
“He should be sure 1000 percent to take the ball but he is not. If he stays in goal nothing will happen.
“Those three defenders can get back and he would never score from there if he stays in goal.”
Before fellow Sky regular Jamie Carragher added: “You see his starting position here and you go back a couple of weeks to when he tried to score against Southampton and you saw him running back, so we know pace isn’t Pepe’s strength.”


birminghammail--2020-03-09--'Honestly, what is the point?' - Aston Villa fans fume at VAR in Leicester City clash

Aston Villa fans are furious that Tyrone Mings ' handball in the build-up to Jamie Vardy 's penalty tonight was n't overturned .
With Video Assistant Referee ( VAR ) technology in use at all Premier League games this season there was the opportunity for referee Michael Oliver to have a look at the decision before settling on a spot-kick .
Mings appeared to use the shoulder to control the ball , but Oliver gave a penalty which Vardy dispatched just minutes after coming off the substitute 's bench to give Villa a mountain to climb if they are to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King Power Stadiun .
Villa had already gifted Harvey Barnes the opening goal thanks to Pepe Reina 's decision to rush out from his goal and their night went from bad to worse as Vardy ended his poor run in front of goal to net his first goal of 2020 .
Understandably Villa fans are furious for VAR not looking at the decision .
Here 's what they had to say on social media ... @ kDamo : Honestly , what is the point of VAR if you ’ re going to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been clearer .
That would never ever have been given against a top team .
@ DavidMunday815 : Someone please explain to me how this is a penalty for handball .
That ’ s *clearly* and *obviously* hit Mings ’ shoulder @ its_just_ez : Gon na start doing more things with those hands on my shoulders .
Driving will be the first @ WesleyBoyle5 : Never a pen in a million years !
Straight off the shoulder .
Referee has given everything to Leicester today .
@ carlanthony24 : No way was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I find myself questioning the point of VAR ?
@ IanB_producer : Two poor decisions have cost us goals in this match - one by Reina , the other by the VAR - but let 's not ignore the panicked 'hoof it long ' defending and imaginary marking from corners @ NewYarBird : Deserve to be 2 down , but that is never handball .
It just is n't Will they have VAR in the Championship next season ?
@ mitchwood1 : We ’ ve been terrible but that ’ s never handball @ @ @ @

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Aston Villa fans are furious that Tyrone Mings' handball in the build-up to Jamie Vardy's penalty tonight wasn't overturned.
With Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in use at all Premier League games this season there was the opportunity for referee Michael Oliver to have a look at the decision before settling on a spot-kick.
Mings appeared to use the shoulder to control the ball, but Oliver gave a penalty which Vardy dispatched just minutes after coming off the substitute's bench to give Villa a mountain to climb if they are to get back into the clash at the King Power Stadiun.
Villa had already gifted Harvey Barnes the opening goal thanks to Pepe Reina's decision to rush out from his goal and their night went from bad to worse as Vardy ended his poor run in front of goal to net his first goal of 2020.
Understandably Villa fans are furious for VAR not looking at the decision.
Here's what they had to say on social media...
@ kDamo : Honestly, what is the point of VAR if you’re going to give that decision? Couldn’t have been clearer. That would never ever have been given against a top team.
@ DavidMunday815 : Someone please explain to me how this is a penalty for handball. That’s *clearly* and *obviously* hit Mings’ shoulder
@ its_just_ez : Gonna start doing more things with those hands on my shoulders. Driving will be the first
@ WesleyBoyle5 : Never a pen in a million years! Straight off the shoulder. Referee has given everything to Leicester today.
@ carlanthony24 : No way was that a penalty
@ JaseTheVillain : Once more I find myself questioning the point of VAR?
@ IanB_producer : Two poor decisions have cost us goals in this match - one by Reina, the other by the VAR - but let's not ignore the panicked 'hoof it long' defending and imaginary marking from corners
@ NewYarBird : Deserve to be 2 down, but that is never handball. It just isn't Will they have VAR in the Championship next season?
@ mitchwood1 : We’ve been terrible but that’s never handball. VAR is pointless


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Italy imposes nationwide lockdown amid coronavirus outbreak

Italian premier Giuseppe Conte has said he is extending restrictions on travel from the north to the entire country to @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
Mr Conte said a new government decree will require all people in @ @ @ @ @ to work , health conditions or other limited reasons to travel outside the areas where @ @ @ @ @ wo n't be just a red zone , '' he told reporters , referring to @ @ @ @ @ northern Italy instituted over the weekend .
`` There will be Italy '' as a @ @ @ @ @ .
The restrictions will take effect on Tuesday and will last until April 3 , @ @ @ @ @ also took to task young people in much of Italy who have been gathering at @ @ @ @ @ public health emergency that started on February 21 .
`` This nightlife ... we ca @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Pubs had been closed in northern Italy , with eateries @ @ @ @ @ close at dusk .
Now that crackdown is extended to the entire country .

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Italian premier Giuseppe Conte has said he is extending restrictions on travel from the north to the entire country to try to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Mr Conte said a new government decree will require all people in Italy to demonstrate a need to work, health conditions or other limited reasons to travel outside the areas where they live.
"There won't be just a red zone," he told reporters, referring to a lockdown of areas in northern Italy instituted over the weekend.
"There will be Italy" as a protected area, he said.
The restrictions will take effect on Tuesday and will last until April 3, he said.
(Image: Getty Images)
Mr Conte also took to task young people in much of Italy who have been gathering at night to socialise during the public health emergency that started on February 21.
"This nightlife... we can't allow this any more," he said.
Pubs had been closed in northern Italy, with eateries and cafes also ordered to close at dusk. Now that crackdown is extended to the entire country.


birminghammail--2020-03-09--Liverpool fans are all saying the same thing about Pepe Reina's mistake at Leicester City

Aston Villa fans have blasted goalkeeper Pepe Reina for a glaring error in tonight 's clash with Leicester City .
Reina sprinted out to try and close down Harvey Barnes as the City attacker raced onto a long ball and got nowhere near the 22-year-old .
Barnes then nicked the ball past Reina and passed the ball into the back of the Villa net .
Villa had defenders covering , which makes Reina 's decision to come out all the more baffling .
Now , despite a good first half from Dean Smith 's side , they are a goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose tonight will remain in the relegation zone .
Reina , whose last stint in English football was with Liverpool , got a bit of a reputation toward the end of his Anfield career for his unpredictability .
And Reds fans have seen more of that familiar sight tonight .
Here 's what they 've had to say on social media ... @ LfcFan258 : Reina 's past his best .
Hence why he 's playing for Villa .
Thank god # LFC got rid .
Do n't know why some lfc fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great again .
@ DanielRoachLFC : Milner would ’ ve cleared that off the line .
@ BobbyKlopp : Reina ’ s doing the crazies constantly at Villa .
@ carlosjohno : Good to see pepe reina reverting back to his form before lfc let him go just stick to the basics @ Rob2K : What was # Reina thinking ?
!
An absolute gift for # LFC Asking for a friend ... @ jon_s1989 : In terms of unpopular opinions , I think that Reina gets ridiculously overrated by Liverpool fans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and went down hill every year after that .
@ WanDijk_ : Reina helping Leicester for them to overtake City so Liverpool humiliates them even more ?
My keeper @ dannypo187 : Seems like Villa have got the `` end of Liverpool career '' Pepe Reina ...

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Aston Villa fans have blasted goalkeeper Pepe Reina for a glaring error in tonight's clash with Leicester City.
Reina sprinted out to try and close down Harvey Barnes as the City attacker raced onto a long ball and got nowhere near the 22-year-old.
Barnes then nicked the ball past Reina and passed the ball into the back of the Villa net.
Villa had defenders covering, which makes Reina's decision to come out all the more baffling.
Now, despite a good first half from Dean Smith's side, they are a goal down heading into half-time and should they lose tonight will remain in the relegation zone.
Reina, whose last stint in English football was with Liverpool, got a bit of a reputation toward the end of his Anfield career for his unpredictability.
And Reds fans have seen more of that familiar sight tonight.
Here's what they've had to say on social media...
@ LfcFan258 : Reina's past his best. Hence why he's playing for Villa. Thank god #LFC got rid. Don't know why some lfc fans were looking forward to seeing him be great again.
@ DanielRoachLFC : Milner would’ve cleared that off the line.
@ BobbyKlopp : Reina’s doing the crazies constantly at Villa.
@ carlosjohno : Good to see pepe reina reverting back to his form before lfc let him go just stick to the basics
@ Rob2K : What was #Reina thinking?! An absolute gift for #LFC Asking for a friend...
@ jon_s1989 : In terms of unpopular opinions, I think that Reina gets ridiculously overrated by Liverpool fans. He had one great season in 2005-06 and went down hill every year after that.
@ WanDijk_ : Reina helping Leicester for them to overtake City so Liverpool humiliates them even more? My keeper
@ dannypo187 : Seems like Villa have got the "end of Liverpool career" Pepe Reina...


birminghammail--2020-03-09--'With love' - Aston Villa legend Gordan Cowans issues emotional statement

The statement , issued by the Cowans family on behalf of the the claret and blue hero states that he has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer 's disease .
Cowans was a Division One title and European Cup winner with Villa in the early 1980s .
The statement from Cowans , issued by his daughter Jenna , son Henry and partner Vicci , reads as follows : 'In an attempt to stop speculation and mis information about my health , I have decided to release the following statement .
'After a series of recent tests , I have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Medication has been prescribed , with some life changes , which I intend to commit to fully , the prognosis is a good one . '
I will be out and about for many years yet and see this as just another of life 's journeys .
My match day duties with Aston Villa will remain an important part of my future and I will continue to perform these , in support of my beloved club , for as long as my health allows . '
'With the love and support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am very optimistic and positive about the future . '
Early onset Alzheimer 's disease is a form of dementia that affects people under the age of 70 , usually those who are in their 40s , 50s or 60s .
Symptoms of the disease include subtle changes in mood , memory issues , general confusion and communication difficulties .
As a player , Cowans enjoyed three separate spells at Villa from the late seventies to the early nineties - appearing over four-hundred times for the Villans .
The cultured midfielder also turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bari .
Following the end of his playing days , Cowans joined Villa once more , and spent almost two decades as a coach at Bodymoor Heath .
'Sid ' claimed a quarter of famed trophies at the Villa , including the aforementioned European Cup , a league title , the European Super Cup and the League Cup .
Aston Villa 's former players are not looked after by a new in-club organisation headed up by Cowans ' former team-mate and fellow Villa legend Ken McNaught .

Aston Villa legend Gordon 'Sid' Cowans has released a statement today.
The statement, issued by the Cowans family on behalf of the the claret and blue hero states that he has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.
Cowans was a Division One title and European Cup winner with Villa in the early 1980s.
The statement from Cowans, issued by his daughter Jenna, son Henry and partner Vicci, reads as follows:
'Dear friends and supporters.
'In an attempt to stop speculation and mis information about my health, I have decided to release the following statement.
'After a series of recent tests, I have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Medication has been prescribed, with some life changes, which I intend to commit to fully, the prognosis is a good one.
'I will be out and about for many years yet and see this as just another of life's journeys. My match day duties with Aston Villa will remain an important part of my future and I will continue to perform these, in support of my beloved club, for as long as my health allows.'
'With the love and support of family and close friends guaranteed, I am very optimistic and positive about the future.'
'With Love. Gordon ( Sid ) Cowans x'
Early onset Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that affects people under the age of 70, usually those who are in their 40s, 50s or 60s. Symptoms of the disease include subtle changes in mood, memory issues, general confusion and communication difficulties.
As a player, Cowans enjoyed three separate spells at Villa from the late seventies to the early nineties - appearing over four-hundred times for the Villans. The cultured midfielder also turned out for Wolves, Burnley, Blackburn and Bari.
Following the end of his playing days, Cowans joined Villa once more, and spent almost two decades as a coach at Bodymoor Heath.
'Sid' claimed a quarter of famed trophies at the Villa, including the aforementioned European Cup, a league title, the European Super Cup and the League Cup.
Aston Villa's former players are not looked after by a new in-club organisation headed up by Cowans' former team-mate and fellow Villa legend Ken McNaught.