birminghammail--2020-10-18--'Trade is down 70 per cent' - reality of covid impact in Selly Oak

Traders in Birmingham 's student village have spoken of how its title as the city 's `` Covid capital '' is decimating their businesses .
The streets in and around the University of Birmingham where students live and mix currently has the highest coronavirus infection rate in the city .
Rates in Edgbaston South , the university and Selly Oak are between 803 and 885 cases per 100,000 people - the highest in Birmingham .
Worried traders on the stretch of Bristol Road in Selly Oak say these statistics are making people scared to venture into the area and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pubs , bars , cafes , take-aways and shops , traders all depend heavily on the massive student population for their income .
They said they had been hit twice by the pandemic : first by Government restrictions , and now a second time by the sky-high infection rates .
The rise is being blamed on the return of students to the University of Birmingham for the start of the new term .
But what is it like to be a shopkeeper or publican working in Birmingham 's Covid capital ?
BirminghamLive spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find out ... .
It 's October and all the students are back .
The sun is shining and it 's quite mild for the time of year .
This stretch of the Bristol Road - between the University and Selly Oak train station - is normally heaving , as students walk to and from campus for their lectures , stopping in at shops on the way .
But today the pavements are noticeably emptier .
There are people here , but much less than normally and most are wearing face masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once the student village was filled with thriving cafes and bars - now all but the big chain outlets are closed , with signs in the door explaining that due to Covid restrictions they are shut .
It 's the Government restrictions - not the students The main pub is the Goose at the OVT .
Normally on a sunny afternoon it would be busy , with students enjoying a cheeky pint as they relax after their lectures .
But today there are just a handful of people inside .
To get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app QR code at the door , sanitise your hands and then wait for a member of staff to come and escort you to your table .
You are quizzed as to who the people in your group are , and if you are not from the same household or support bubble , you are either turned away or told to sit at different tables .
Nobody at the pub would speak to us .
But The Goose 's owners , Stonegate Pubs , did tell us trade had been impacted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have implemented clear safe socialising measures , enhanced cleaning regimes and providing customers with the opportunity to order food and drink via a range of apps .
Single use menus , contactless payments and hand sanitiser stations complement the revised layout of our pubs and bars .
“ We have consistently worked within the Government guidelines to ensure we provide a safe and sustainable environment for our staff and customers in making our businesses Covid-19 compliant whilst maintaining the atmosphere our customers enjoy .
However , the Government restrictions have had an impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England figures show less than five per cent of all outbreaks are linked to hospitality , demonstrating there is little evidence to suggest hospitality venues are responsible for the spread of Covid-19 .
“ It continues to be a difficult time not just for our industry , but for our customers , with local lockdowns and tougher restrictions feeding feelings of uncertainty and worry.
” At the Best Buy shop , owner Chaudhrey Naeem said he was not concerned about the high infection rates on his own personal health , but said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my customers are students , especially overseas students , because I sell a lot of goods they need , but the numbers coming in has gone down a lot , '' he said .
`` There are fewer students walking past as most of their lectures are online so they do n't need to go to campus every day .
`` But the ones that come in are very good , stick to all the rules about face masks , hand sanitisers and keeping their distance .
I 've now switched to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be going ok. '' Times are hard , but I 'll stick with it because this pandemic wo n't last for ever and things will get back to normal one day . ''
Local people 'too scared ' to get their hair cut Also feeling the pinch is the Yedam Unisex Hair Salon , where owner Jin Chwa said Selly Oak 's title as a Covid hotspot was definitely affecting her trade .
She said they had been there for 16 years and had never known business be so dire .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but many more are local people who 've been coming here for years .
Many of them are cancelling appointments , saying they do n't feel safe visiting my salon anymore , '' she said .
`` Because I 'm from South Korea I get a lot of Asian students coming in as well , because I know how to cut their type of hair .
But because their lectures have gone online , many of them have n't even bothered to come to the UK this term and are studying from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off two of my stylists because normally I 'd get around 20 customers a day - at the moment I get just four . ''
At the Dream Grill House it was open , but only two tables were occupied .
Staff member Helen Hailu said bookings had plummeted , thanks to Covid .
`` During term time virtually all of our trade comes from students but we 've had a lot of bookings cancelled .
I do n't know why , but am guessing it could be because even the students do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialising , '' she said .
`` When the students are n't here , that 's when we get the local people come in , but that wo n't be until December and that will be interesting to see how many are put off by the high rates here .
`` I 'd say our trade is down by 70 per cent because of Covid . ''
At Mama Mia Pizza parlour , manager Ramazan Ahmaezi , said it was only deliveries and collections which were keeping his business afloat .
`` At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sit down to eat - now they either order delivery or nip in , collect their pizza and dash out , '' he said .
`` It 's a good job I have deliveries , otherwise I 'd be in trouble .
At one time , on Friday and Saturday nights this place would be filled with students having a late night snack , now thanks to the 10pm curfew and Covid , we 're deserted come 10pm . ''
The member of staff manning the door at the Bristol Pear pub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Footfall is down , but we do n't know if it 's because people are scared to come here because of the high Covid rate or because they 're just coming out anyway , '' he said .
`` Trade is down , but it has n't put everyone off and we still get customers in .
Who knows what will happen in the next few weeks though , if there 's a circuit-breaker mini lockdown then I dread to think what will happen . ''

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Traders in Birmingham's student village have spoken of how its title as the city's "Covid capital" is decimating their businesses.
The streets in and around the University of Birmingham where students live and mix currently has the highest coronavirus infection rate in the city.
Rates in Edgbaston South, the university and Selly Oak are between 803 and 885 cases per 100,000 people - the highest in Birmingham.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
Worried traders on the stretch of Bristol Road in Selly Oak say these statistics are making people scared to venture into the area and that's affecting their livelihoods.
Filled with pubs, bars, cafes, take-aways and shops, traders all depend heavily on the massive student population for their income. They said they had been hit twice by the pandemic: first by Government restrictions, and now a second time by the sky-high infection rates.
The rise is being blamed on the return of students to the University of Birmingham for the start of the new term.
But what is it like to be a shopkeeper or publican working in Birmingham's Covid capital? BirminghamLive spent an afternoon in the student village to find out....
Empty streets and closed shops
It's October and all the students are back. The sun is shining and it's quite mild for the time of year. This stretch of the Bristol Road - between the University and Selly Oak train station - is normally heaving, as students walk to and from campus for their lectures, stopping in at shops on the way.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
But today the pavements are noticeably emptier. There are people here, but much less than normally and most are wearing face masks and hurrying to get home to their digs.
Once the student village was filled with thriving cafes and bars - now all but the big chain outlets are closed, with signs in the door explaining that due to Covid restrictions they are shut.
It's the Government restrictions - not the students
The main pub is the Goose at the OVT. Normally on a sunny afternoon it would be busy, with students enjoying a cheeky pint as they relax after their lectures. But today there are just a handful of people inside. To get in you have to scan the NHS app QR code at the door, sanitise your hands and then wait for a member of staff to come and escort you to your table.
You are quizzed as to who the people in your group are, and if you are not from the same household or support bubble, you are either turned away or told to sit at different tables.
Nobody at the pub would speak to us. But The Goose's owners, Stonegate Pubs, did tell us trade had been impacted by the virus.
"Throughout the pub we have implemented clear safe socialising measures, enhanced cleaning regimes and providing customers with the opportunity to order food and drink via a range of apps. Single use menus, contactless payments and hand sanitiser stations complement the revised layout of our pubs and bars.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
“We have consistently worked within the Government guidelines to ensure we provide a safe and sustainable environment for our staff and customers in making our businesses Covid-19 compliant whilst maintaining the atmosphere our customers enjoy. However, the Government restrictions have had an impact on trade.
"The Public Health England figures show less than five per cent of all outbreaks are linked to hospitality, demonstrating there is little evidence to suggest hospitality venues are responsible for the spread of Covid-19.
“It continues to be a difficult time not just for our industry, but for our customers, with local lockdowns and tougher restrictions feeding feelings of uncertainty and worry.”
Fewer overseas students
At the Best Buy shop, owner Chaudhrey Naeem said he was not concerned about the high infection rates on his own personal health, but said it was bad for business.
"Most of my customers are students, especially overseas students, because I sell a lot of goods they need, but the numbers coming in has gone down a lot," he said.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
"There are fewer students walking past as most of their lectures are online so they don't need to go to campus every day.
"But the ones that come in are very good, stick to all the rules about face masks, hand sanitisers and keeping their distance. I've now switched to delivering more goods and that seems to be going ok.
"Times are hard, but I'll stick with it because this pandemic won't last for ever and things will get back to normal one day."
Local people 'too scared' to get their hair cut
Also feeling the pinch is the Yedam Unisex Hair Salon, where owner Jin Chwa said Selly Oak's title as a Covid hotspot was definitely affecting her trade.
She said they had been there for 16 years and had never known business be so dire.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
"A lot of my clients are students, but many more are local people who've been coming here for years. Many of them are cancelling appointments, saying they don't feel safe visiting my salon anymore," she said.
"Because I'm from South Korea I get a lot of Asian students coming in as well, because I know how to cut their type of hair. But because their lectures have gone online, many of them haven't even bothered to come to the UK this term and are studying from home.
"I've had to lay off two of my stylists because normally I'd get around 20 customers a day - at the moment I get just four."
Trade down 70 per cent
At the Dream Grill House it was open, but only two tables were occupied. Staff member Helen Hailu said bookings had plummeted, thanks to Covid.
"During term time virtually all of our trade comes from students but we've had a lot of bookings cancelled. I don't know why, but am guessing it could be because even the students don't want to risk coming out and socialising," she said.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
"When the students aren't here, that's when we get the local people come in, but that won't be until December and that will be interesting to see how many are put off by the high rates here.
"I'd say our trade is down by 70 per cent because of Covid."
Deliveries are keeping us afloat
At Mama Mia Pizza parlour, manager Ramazan Ahmaezi, said it was only deliveries and collections which were keeping his business afloat.
"At one time people used to come in and sit down to eat - now they either order delivery or nip in, collect their pizza and dash out," he said.
"It's a good job I have deliveries, otherwise I'd be in trouble. At one time, on Friday and Saturday nights this place would be filled with students having a late night snack , now thanks to the 10pm curfew and Covid, we're deserted come 10pm."
Dreading a circuit-breaker lockdown
The member of staff manning the door at the Bristol Pear pub told BirminghamLive trade was down.
"Footfall is down, but we don't know if it's because people are scared to come here because of the high Covid rate or because they're just coming out anyway," he said.
"Trade is down, but it hasn't put everyone off and we still get customers in. Who knows what will happen in the next few weeks though, if there's a circuit-breaker mini lockdown then I dread to think what will happen."


birminghammail--2020-10-18--The road once paved with racism - 55 years on from Malcolm's visit to Smethwick

This Smethwick street once caught national attention for its racism - but decades later it is far from that dark past .
In the 1960 's Marshall Street residents were calling for the council to buy up empty houses for white families only .
Some bars and pubs even had ‘ No Coloureds ' signs in their windows .
The racial tensions prompted one of America ’ s greatest civil rights activists Malcolm X to make his way to the Midlands in 1965 - just days before his assassination .
Tory MP Peter Griffiths , had won his seat a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ If you want a ****** for a neighbour , vote Labour ’ .
Malcolm X was was left shocked and appalled by the scenes he was used to in America .
But Bill Bailey , 77 , has lived on Marshall Street and the surrounding areas for 60 years .
The road may have been known for its division but now Marshall Street is a road like any other .
`` There were n't any black people on this street , he said.
`` But now it is a completely different scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this Smethwick road , but now it is worlds apart from its horrible history .
Bill has lived in his home on Marshall street for over 20 years .
Since migrating from Jamaica at 18 years-old he has always lived in Smethwick .
He has n't left the UK , not even for a holiday , for 60 years since arriving due to his fears of planes .
Smethwick is his home and he has no plans to leave it behind .
`` I 've lived in Smethwick a long time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now but , if you went into some pubs back then they would n't serve you , '' Bill said .
`` They would say you 're not welcome here .
You accepted it back then .
I could understand it , they did n't have to accept you .
It did n't make you feel good but you accepted it . ''
The area through Bill 's eyes was littered with racism and a segregated community .
`` In those Malcolm X days all these houses 99 per cent were all English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom .
There was a group called the Teddy Boys in those days .
They were like the Klu Klux Klan .
They did n't like black people .
`` If you were out late at night they would beat you up .
I was always weary of them . ''
Despite Marshall Street 's disreputable past , Bill believes there has been a huge over the years in society .
`` In the early 60s things were different .
It 's 100 per cent different now .
You have as much chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't know if the next generation is seeing differently but it is not as some people make it out to see .
`` If I go out on the street I do n't fear anything .
When I came here and over the years I have seen massive changes .
`` A lot of people who are protesting for Black Lives Matter do not have a clue .
`` I have seen a lot of improvements for West Indians .
There are big opportunities now .
It 's a different scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't injustice but it is n't as prevalent as before .
`` I think there are more chances for you to achieve if you apply yourself .
It is nowhere near .
I have seen big changes here . ''

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This Smethwick street once caught national attention for its racism - but decades later it is far from that dark past.
In the 1960's Marshall Street residents were calling for the council to buy up empty houses for white families only. Some bars and pubs even had ‘No Coloureds' signs in their windows.
The racial tensions prompted one of America’s greatest civil rights activists Malcolm X to make his way to the Midlands in 1965 - just days before his assassination.
Tory MP Peter Griffiths, had won his seat a year earlier with the campaign slogan: ‘If you want a ****** for a neighbour, vote Labour’.
Malcolm X was left shocked and appalled by the scenes he was used to in America.
But Bill Bailey, 77, has lived on Marshall Street and the surrounding areas for 60 years. The road may have been known for its division but now Marshall Street is a road like any other.
"There weren't any black people on this street, he said. " But now it is a completely different scenario."
Racial tensions once ran high in this Smethwick road, but now it is worlds apart from its horrible history.
(Image: Newsteam / SWNS Group)
Bill has lived in his home on Marshall street for over 20 years. Since migrating from Jamaica at 18 years-old he has always lived in Smethwick.
He hasn't left the UK, not even for a holiday, for 60 years since arriving due to his fears of planes. Smethwick is his home and he has no plans to leave it behind.
"I've lived in Smethwick a long time. It's a lovely place to live now but, if you went into some pubs back then they wouldn't serve you," Bill said.
"They would say you're not welcome here. You accepted it back then. I could understand it, they didn't have to accept you. It didn't make you feel good but you accepted it."
(Image: BirminghamLive)
The area through Bill's eyes was littered with racism and a segregated community.
"In those Malcolm X days all these houses 99 per cent were all English. The whole street from top to bottom. There was a group called the Teddy Boys in those days. They were like the Klu Klux Klan. They didn't like black people.
"If you were out late at night they would beat you up. I was always weary of them."
Despite Marshall Street's disreputable past, Bill believes there has been a huge over the years in society.
"In the early 60s things were different. It's 100 per cent different now. You have as much chance as anybody - not back then. I don't know if the next generation is seeing differently but it is not as some people make it out to see.
"If I go out on the street I don't fear anything. When I came here and over the years I have seen massive changes.
"A lot of people who are protesting for Black Lives Matter do not have a clue.
"I have seen a lot of improvements for West Indians. There are big opportunities now. It's a different scenario. I am not saying there isn't injustice but it isn't as prevalent as before.
"I think there are more chances for you to achieve if you apply yourself. It is nowhere near. I have seen big changes here."


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Adama 'delighted' to be at Wolves as club look to fight off interest

Nuno Espirito Santo believes Adama Traore is ‘ delighted ’ to be at Wolverhampton Wanderers as the club look to extend his contract .
Wolves are understood to be keen to tie Traore down to a new deal after Nuno , Conor Coady and Raul Jimenez committed their futures .
After initially taking time to settle at Molineux Traore has become a major player under Nuno and finished last season with in excess of 20 goal contributions across all competitions .
Traore was handed his first three Spain caps during the international break and that has reignited rumours of interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whom he started his career with .
But the 24-year-old returned to Compton Park on Friday with a beaming smile on his face and Nuno is adamant that he is loving life at Wolves .
“ Adama is delighted to be here , ” Nuno said of Traore , who has started three of Wolves ' four Premier League games so far .
“ You can see how happy he was just for us to be together again .
“ Things will happen naturally .
Speculation around our players does n't bother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do .
First of all you must be happy where you are.
” Traore joined Wolves from Middlesbrough in 2018 for what was a club-record £18million deal at the time .
His form was so good in his second season at Molineux that he was among just 15 players to receive votes for the coveted Football Writers ' Player of the Year award , which was won by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson .
He still has three years to run on his current contract but Wolves are desperate to keep him @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Nuno Espirito Santo believes Adama Traore is ‘delighted’ to be at Wolverhampton Wanderers as the club look to extend his contract.
Wolves are understood to be keen to tie Traore down to a new deal after Nuno, Conor Coady and Raul Jimenez committed their futures.
After initially taking time to settle at Molineux Traore has become a major player under Nuno and finished last season with in excess of 20 goal contributions across all competitions.
Traore was handed his first three Spain caps during the international break and that has reignited rumours of interest from the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona, whom he started his career with.
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But the 24-year-old returned to Compton Park on Friday with a beaming smile on his face and Nuno is adamant that he is loving life at Wolves.
“Adama is delighted to be here,” Nuno said of Traore, who has started three of Wolves' four Premier League games so far. “You can see how happy he was just for us to be together again.
“Things will happen naturally. Speculation around our players doesn't bother us.
“We know what we have to do. First of all you must be happy where you are.”
Traore joined Wolves from Middlesbrough in 2018 for what was a club-record £18million deal at the time.
His form was so good in his second season at Molineux that he was among just 15 players to receive votes for the coveted Football Writers' Player of the Year award, which was won by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
He still has three years to run on his current contract but Wolves are desperate to keep him at the club for even longer.


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Dean Smith makes Ross Barkley admission after Aston Villa heroics

Dean Smith lauded match-winner Ross Barkley and revealed how Villa ’ s loan ace was touch-and-go to play at Leicester after picking up a knee injury in training .
The 26-year-old struck a sweet 25-yard volley in the 90th-minute to win it at the King Power and helped maintain Villa ’ s perfect Premier League start .
Afterwards , Smith said of the Chelsea star : “ He ’ s a high-calibre player .
I ’ m thankful to Chelsea that they ’ ve loaned him to us and I sold him the project here and told him I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he ’ s going to try and help us win football games .
He ’ s certainly done that in his first couple .
“ The doc ( Ricky Shamji ) has looked after him the past week .
He ’ s had a bit of a knee injury and he was touch and go as to whether he was going to start .
He only trained on Saturday .
He ’ s done a lot of work with the Doc who nursed him through a 90-minute winner .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith added : “ Getting a goal as a Blue last week against the Reds and a goal tonight it couldn ’ t have gone any better for him .
It was a tough game today and that bit of quality shone through at the end .
”

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Dean Smith lauded match-winner Ross Barkley and revealed how Villa’s loan ace was touch-and-go to play at Leicester after picking up a knee injury in training.
The 26-year-old struck a sweet 25-yard volley in the 90th-minute to win it at the King Power and helped maintain Villa’s perfect Premier League start.
Afterwards, Smith said of the Chelsea star: “He’s a high-calibre player. I’m thankful to Chelsea that they’ve loaned him to us and I sold him the project here and told him I’ll get him in the Euros squad and he’s going to try and help us win football games. He’s certainly done that in his first couple.
“The doc (Ricky Shamji) has looked after him the past week. He’s had a bit of a knee injury and he was touch and go as to whether he was going to start. He only trained on Saturday. He’s done a lot of work with the Doc who nursed him through a 90-minute winner. I’ve certainly thanked the Doc as well.”
Smith added: “Getting a goal as a Blue last week against the Reds and a goal tonight it couldn’t have gone any better for him. It was a tough game today and that bit of quality shone through at the end.”


birminghammail--2020-10-18--'Better than O'Neill days' - Villa fans go nuts after Leicester win

Aston Villa are the only club in Europe ’ s top five divisions with a 100 % league record this season after they earned a fourth successive win at Leicester City on Sunday evening .
With the game appearing to be heading for an inevitable goalless draw , with little by the way of clear cut chances at either end throughout the encounter , Ross Barkley received the ball in space and proceeded to unleash a strike from all of 25 yards which beat Kasper Schmeichel and was tucked away into the far corner .
Added to the wins over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this means that Villa are already on 12 points and have a +10 goal difference , thanks in no small part to a third clean sheet of the campaign .
The Villa faithful , as to be expected , were in raptures by the end .
This is what they ’ ve been saying .
Aston Villa fans take in their fourth win in a row Jonathan Cherry : This feels even better than the glory O ’ Neill days Jason Wainwright : Seriously , not getting carried away but it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season it took us the first 13 matches to get to twelve points .
Graham G : This team is unrecognisable from the one that lost to Leicester pre-lockdown .
So solid defensively , added real quality to our attack .
Amazing team spirit and such likeable players .
Love it .
Sign up to our Villa newsletter for Ollie Watkins updates The former Brentford hotshot takes the mantle from Wesley Moraes , and big things are expected of the winger/striker at Villa Park .
He 's well known to Villa head coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know Watkins just as well by signing up to our free AVFC newsletter .
In our daily Aston Villa bulletin , we 'll be bringing you the latest breaking news , transfer features and comment pieces , as well as the key talking points for fans .
How do you sign up ?
It 's easy and only takes seconds .
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up .
And that 's it , you 're all set .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails , simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we do n't think you 'll want to .
And what 's more , it 's absolutely free !
If you fancy another present , we 've got plenty of prizes in our FPL league .
Ollie Watkins could help you fire your fantasy side to FPL glory .
In our Fantasy League , you could win £250 , a new replica 20/21 football shirt of your choice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trophy and certificate .
To enter , simply sign up here .
B6 Dave : Throughly deserved that .
Thought we were really good .
Proper , decent away performance .
2nd in the league , 100 % record .
We ’ re looking a well organised side .
well played lads Luke Collins : People laughed when I said villa could secure a top half finish this season .
4 in 4 including wins against Liverpool and Leicester .
WE ARE MASSIVE Dan : 12 points from our first 4 games Star-struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 games to go !
!
The rollercoaster that is supporting Aston Villa Karam Sohal : As a Villa fan , I ’ m going to say something I never thought I would for a long long long long time if ever again .
I love football Laith Zreigat : Already looking at Airbnb ’ s in Spain for next year ’ s Champions League group stage fixtures Paul Bond : Not very often I watch us and confident we ’ re not going to concede .
Any of them could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adamov : That ’ s the best away performance I ’ ve seen from Villa for many years .
Controlled the 2nd half and wanted it more .
12/12

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Aston Villa are the only club in Europe’s top five divisions with a 100% league record this season after they earned a fourth successive win at Leicester City on Sunday evening.
With the game appearing to be heading for an inevitable goalless draw, with little by the way of clear cut chances at either end throughout the encounter, Ross Barkley received the ball in space and proceeded to unleash a strike from all of 25 yards which beat Kasper Schmeichel and was tucked away into the far corner.
Added to the wins over Liverpool, Fulham and Sheffield United and this means that Villa are already on 12 points and have a +10 goal difference, thanks in no small part to a third clean sheet of the campaign.
The Villa faithful, as to be expected, were in raptures by the end. This is what they’ve been saying.
Aston Villa fans take in their fourth win in a row
Jonathan Cherry: This feels even better than the glory O’Neill days
Jason Wainwright: Seriously, not getting carried away but it’s all points in the bag and last season it took us the first 13 matches to get to twelve points.
Graham G: This team is unrecognisable from the one that lost to Leicester pre-lockdown. So solid defensively, added real quality to our attack. Amazing team spirit and such likeable players. Love it.
Sign up to our Villa newsletter for Michael Olise updates Aston Villa have the chance to strengthen their squad in the January window - and Reading winger Michael Olise is a reported target. In our daily Aston Villa bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest on any bid for Olise, as well as breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. And what's more, it's absolutely free!
B6 Dave: Throughly deserved that. Thought we were really good. Proper, decent away performance. 2nd in the league, 100% record. We’re looking a well organised side. well played lads
Luke Collins: People laughed when I said villa could secure a top half finish this season. 4 in 4 including wins against Liverpool and Leicester. WE ARE MASSIVE
Dan : 12 points from our first 4 games Star-struck and we were 7 points adrift with 4 games to go!! The rollercoaster that is supporting Aston Villa
Karam Sohal: As a Villa fan, I’m going to say something I never thought I would for a long long long long time if ever again. I love football
Laith Zreigat: Already looking at Airbnb’s in Spain for next year’s Champions League group stage fixtures
Paul Bond: Not very often I watch us and confident we’re not going to concede. Any of them could have been motm but Matty Cash - unreal.
Adamov : That’s the best away performance I’ve seen from Villa for many years. Controlled the 2nd half and wanted it more. 12/12


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Aston Villa player ratings as Barkley's beauty wins it at Leicester

Villa are now up to second in the table after winning four from their first four games .
Dean Smith 's side were bold , brave and resolute once more and rallied until the very end with Barkley striking home sweetly from 25 yards to win it .
After another outstanding victory against high-flying Leicester , here 's how we rated Villa 's players : Saved well to deny Castagne at the front post in the first half .
Showcased good distribution once more , pinging balls out to Targett on the left flank .
Kept encouraging from his area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clever stop to deny Tielemans ' deflected effort from range on the hour-mark .
Solid once more and another clean sheet .
7.5 Started brightly at right-back once more .
Looked to play inside whenever possible to spring a Villa attack .
Caught out when he attempted to shoulder-barge Harvey Barnes - only to get it all wrong before fouling the Leicester winger and was booked for doing so .
Always an out-ball in the second half and improved .
7 Cool as a cucumber yet again alongside Tyrone Mings .
Always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Premier League centre-half .
Went agonisingly close just after the break after heading inches wide from Grealish 's whipped corner .
7 Misplaced a couple of passes in the first 45 but made up for it by winning the majority of his aerial duels .
Allowed Iheanacho to drop deep at times , allowing the Nigerian to turn and run at Villa 's back four .
Again , the Villa man improved in the second half and shut Leicester out .
7 Found the ever-advancing Castagne a tough customer with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given opportunity .
Picked out Grealish well for Trezeguet 's chance in the first half .
Saw a few of his crosses fail to beat the first man , though .
7 Had Villa 's best chance of the opening half , ghosting in from the right to get something on Grealish 's cut-back .
James Justin did enough to put him off , though .
Worked hard once more before being replaced by Traore .
7 A tough first 45 for the Brazilian who was n't allowed to get on the ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lanes into him .
It meant Douglas failed to get a tempo going and it meant the likes of Ross Barkley and Grealish had to drop deep .
Booked for bringing down Maddison in the second half .
Did brilliant to block Perez 's goal-bound effort with a little over 10 to go .
7 Did well in the middle once more and pinged the odd cross-field pass out to Targett which got Villa up the pitch amid Leicester 's pressure .
Booked for bringing down Tielemans .
Wasteful when put through by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Watkins or Trezeguet .
Assisted Barkley .
7 Fresh from being the talk of the nation after his Nations League snub with England , Grealish produced moments of class including a cute back-heel to feed Targett down the left .
Grealish was the instigator for Trezeguet 's chance but the Egyptian failed to convert .
Enjoyed a really good battle with the game Castagne .
Grealish was by far Villa 's most-dangerous player and burst forward at every opportunity .
Almost assisted Konsa for his header which squirmed inches wide .
Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late breakaway .
An absolute wizard with the ball at his feet , showcased incredible close-control that bamboozled Leicester 's defenders .
Screamed the loudest inside the King Power when Barkley 's strike flew in .
Star man .
8.5* Initially struggled to live up to the standards set a fortnight ago - but he was n't the only one .
Barkley grew frustrated at the King Power in the first 45 and failed to maintain a rhythm playing as a No.10 - but boy did he announce himself in a Villa shirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range to win it at the death .
Barkley , 26 , grew as the game went on and oozed class with his powerful runs from deep in the second half .
Villa 's match-winner .
8.5 Definitely hurt his ankle inside the opening minutes and , after hobbling around , attempted to run it off .
The striker could n't get going and was n't given the service to do so .
Early knock affected his game .
Sliced at thin air from Targett 's deep delivery while , seconds later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An off-night .
6.5 Slotted in on the right-hand side in a like-for-like change as Smith looked for a bit of late magic .
Headed at Schmeichel on 89 minutes after being picked out at the back post .
N/A Next up : Leeds United at Villa Park ; Premier League , Friday , October 23 ( 8pm kick-off ) .

Ross Barkley powered home a 90th-minute winner at Leicester to maintain Aston Villa's perfect Premier League start.
Villa are now up to second in the table after winning four from their first four games. Dean Smith's side were bold, brave and resolute once more and rallied until the very end with Barkley striking home sweetly from 25 yards to win it.
After another outstanding victory against high-flying Leicester, here's how we rated Villa's players:
Starting formation
4-4-1-1
Emiliano Martinez
Saved well to deny Castagne at the front post in the first half. Showcased good distribution once more, pinging balls out to Targett on the left flank. Kept encouraging from his area. Always a reassuring voice. Made a clever stop to deny Tielemans' deflected effort from range on the hour-mark. Solid once more and another clean sheet. 7.5
Matty Cash
Started brightly at right-back once more. Looked to play inside whenever possible to spring a Villa attack. Caught out when he attempted to shoulder-barge Harvey Barnes - only to get it all wrong before fouling the Leicester winger and was booked for doing so. Always an out-ball in the second half and improved. 7
Ezri Konsa
Cool as a cucumber yet again alongside Tyrone Mings. Always makes the right decisions and has blossomed as a Premier League centre-half. Went agonisingly close just after the break after heading inches wide from Grealish's whipped corner. 7
Tyrone Mings
Misplaced a couple of passes in the first 45 but made up for it by winning the majority of his aerial duels. Allowed Iheanacho to drop deep at times, allowing the Nigerian to turn and run at Villa's back four. Again, the Villa man improved in the second half and shut Leicester out. 7
Matt Targett
Found the ever-advancing Castagne a tough customer with the Belgian bombing on from right-back at every given opportunity. Picked out Grealish well for Trezeguet's chance in the first half. Saw a few of his crosses fail to beat the first man, though. 7
Trezeguet
Had Villa's best chance of the opening half, ghosting in from the right to get something on Grealish's cut-back. James Justin did enough to put him off, though. Worked hard once more before being replaced by Traore. 7
Douglas Luiz
A tough first 45 for the Brazilian who wasn't allowed to get on the ball, Dennis Praet and Iheanacho blocking passing lanes into him. It meant Douglas failed to get a tempo going and it meant the likes of Ross Barkley and Grealish had to drop deep. Booked for bringing down Maddison in the second half. Did brilliant to block Perez's goal-bound effort with a little over 10 to go. 7
John McGinn
Did well in the middle once more and pinged the odd cross-field pass out to Targett which got Villa up the pitch amid Leicester's pressure. Booked for bringing down Tielemans. Wasteful when put through by Grealish with the Scot failing to pick out Watkins or Trezeguet. Assisted Barkley. 7
Jack Grealish
Fresh from being the talk of the nation after his Nations League snub with England, Grealish produced moments of class including a cute back-heel to feed Targett down the left. Grealish was the instigator for Trezeguet's chance but the Egyptian failed to convert. Enjoyed a really good battle with the game Castagne. Grealish was by far Villa's most-dangerous player and burst forward at every opportunity. Almost assisted Konsa for his header which squirmed inches wide. Should have slipped in Watkins earlier during a late breakaway. An absolute wizard with the ball at his feet, showcased incredible close-control that bamboozled Leicester's defenders. Screamed the loudest inside the King Power when Barkley's strike flew in. Star man. 8.5*
Ross Barkley
Initially struggled to live up to the standards set a fortnight ago - but he wasn't the only one. Barkley grew frustrated at the King Power in the first 45 and failed to maintain a rhythm playing as a No.10 - but boy did he announce himself in a Villa shirt once more with a stunning strike from range to win it at the death. Barkley, 26, grew as the game went on and oozed class with his powerful runs from deep in the second half. Villa's match-winner. 8.5
Ollie Watkins
Definitely hurt his ankle inside the opening minutes and, after hobbling around, attempted to run it off. The striker couldn't get going and wasn't given the service to do so. Early knock affected his game. Sliced at thin air from Targett's deep delivery while, seconds later, lacked conviction when picked out by Barkley. An off-night. 6.5
Bertrand Traore (on for Trezeguet, 80)
Slotted in on the right-hand side in a like-for-like change as Smith looked for a bit of late magic. Headed at Schmeichel on 89 minutes after being picked out at the back post. N/A
Subs not used: Steer, Engels, Elmohamady, Nakamba, Hourihane, El Ghazi.
The opposition
Leicester City, 4-1-4-1: Schmeichel; Castagne, Evans, Fofana, Justin; Mendy (Choudhury, 78); Perez, Tielemans, Praet (Maddison, 67), Barnes; Iheanacho (Slimani, 70). Subs: Morgan, Albrighton, Ward, Under.
Goals
Leicester City:
Aston Villa: Barkley (90)
The ref: Jon Moss
VAR: Graham Scott
Next up: Leeds United at Villa Park; Premier League, Friday, October 23 (8pm kick-off).


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Barkley strike at the death clinches Villa's fourth straight win

Villa maintained their perfect Premier League start thanks to a last-gasp beauty from loan ace Ross Barkley at Leicester .
It ’ s been exactly as fortnight since Dean Smith ’ s side ripped the champions to bits at Villa Park and , off the back of the international break , Villa proved once again that they ’ re no pushovers .
Brendan Rodgers ’ Foxes , of course , were without their talismanic striker Jamie Vardy for this one , scorer of five goals in his last four appearances against Villa .
The striker was one of three enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat to West Ham last time out .
As for Villa , Smith kept with the same XI that dismantled Liverpool and deployed match-winner Barkley as a No.10 behind Ollie Watkins once more .
The 26-year-old had a quieter game but came up trumps in the 90th minute to strike home a stunning long-range effort into the bottom right-hand corner from all of 25 yards out .
Smith ’ s side were pushing harder than the hosts to find the opener and it came in some style thanks to Barkley - scorer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Smith ’ s side - now upto second in the Premier League table after winning four from four - struggled to get to grips with the first half , though , and it wasn ’ t until the 26th minute until Villa carved out their first real chance .
It was birthday boy John McGinn with a trademark cross-field pass out to Matt Targett with the left-back finding Jack Grealish .
The Villa skipper then cleverly picked out Trezeguet but the Egyptian ’ s effort skewed just past the post after good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa ’ s opening chance stopper Emi Martinez had to be alert to thwart advancing full-back Timothy Castagne .
The Belgian raced through unopposed and struck a powerful drive at Martinez ’ s front post which the Argentine was equal to .
After the break it was Villa who came out the much sharper and they almost went ahead via Ezri Konsa ’ s header from a corner .
The centre-back rose highest and got in between Dennis Praet and Justin but couldn ’ t squeeze his header inside of the left-hand post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Villa goal and Youri Tielemans struck a long-range effort which nicked off Tyrone Mings but , thankfully , Villa keeper Martinez watched it all of the way .
With the game beginning to open up Rodgers brought on James Maddison with a little over 20 minutes to go and the Leicester No.10 look a threat .
However , it was Villa ’ s No.10 who kept plugging away and Grealish drove from deep time and time again but attacks kept petering out .
Villa ’ s skipper - who was fouled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but failed to pick out Watkins earlier and Leicester managed to clear away danger .
It must be said that Leicester battered a confidence-sapped Villa 8-1 on aggregate over the two league meetings last term including the last match that was played with a packed crowd prior to lockdown back in March .
As Smith alluded to in his pre-match before this one , Villa are much tougher to beat now and that showed throughout this ding-dong affair at the King Power Stadium .
Smith ’ s troops rallied until the very end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to - and it was Barkley who came up with a bit of magic that ’ s accustomed to players of that ilk .
After the final whistle the Villa players embraced and it remains to be seen now as to how far this group of talented players can go .
Next up : Leeds United at Villa Park ; Premier League , Friday , October 23 ( 8pm kick-off ) .

Villa maintained their perfect Premier League start thanks to a last-gasp beauty from loan ace Ross Barkley at Leicester.
It’s been exactly as fortnight since Dean Smith’s side ripped the champions to bits at Villa Park and, off the back of the international break, Villa proved once again that they’re no pushovers.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes, of course, were without their talismanic striker Jamie Vardy for this one, scorer of five goals in his last four appearances against Villa. The striker was one of three enforced changes to Leicester after their shock 3-0 defeat to West Ham last time out.
As for Villa, Smith kept with the same XI that dismantled Liverpool and deployed match-winner Barkley as a No.10 behind Ollie Watkins once more.
The 26-year-old had a quieter game but came up trumps in the 90th minute to strike home a stunning long-range effort into the bottom right-hand corner from all of 25 yards out.
Smith’s side were pushing harder than the hosts to find the opener and it came in some style thanks to Barkley - scorer of his second in two games for Villa.
Smith’s side - now upto second in the Premier League table after winning four from four - struggled to get to grips with the first half, though, and it wasn’t until the 26th minute until Villa carved out their first real chance.
It was birthday boy John McGinn with a trademark cross-field pass out to Matt Targett with the left-back finding Jack Grealish. The Villa skipper then cleverly picked out Trezeguet but the Egyptian’s effort skewed just past the post after good pressure from James Justin.
Prior to Villa’s opening chance stopper Emi Martinez had to be alert to thwart advancing full-back Timothy Castagne. The Belgian raced through unopposed and struck a powerful drive at Martinez’s front post which the Argentine was equal to.
After the break it was Villa who came out the much sharper and they almost went ahead via Ezri Konsa’s header from a corner. The centre-back rose highest and got in between Dennis Praet and Justin but couldn’t squeeze his header inside of the left-hand post.
Leicester then asked Martinez questions again in the Villa goal and Youri Tielemans struck a long-range effort which nicked off Tyrone Mings but, thankfully, Villa keeper Martinez watched it all of the way.
With the game beginning to open up Rodgers brought on James Maddison with a little over 20 minutes to go and the Leicester No.10 look a threat. However, it was Villa’s No.10 who kept plugging away and Grealish drove from deep time and time again but attacks kept petering out. Villa’s skipper - who was fouled umpteen times by Castagne - found space but failed to pick out Watkins earlier and Leicester managed to clear away danger.
It must be said that Leicester battered a confidence-sapped Villa 8-1 on aggregate over the two league meetings last term including the last match that was played with a packed crowd prior to lockdown back in March. As Smith alluded to in his pre-match before this one, Villa are much tougher to beat now and that showed throughout this ding-dong affair at the King Power Stadium.
Smith’s troops rallied until the very end and turned the screw when they needed to - and it was Barkley who came up with a bit of magic that’s accustomed to players of that ilk.
After the final whistle the Villa players embraced and it remains to be seen now as to how far this group of talented players can go.
ASTON VILLA, 4-4-1-1: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Trezeguet, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Grealish; Barkley; Watkins. Subs: Steer, Engels, Elmohamady, Nakamba, Hourihane, Traore, El Ghazi.
LEICESTER CITY, 4-1-4-1: Schmeichel; Castagne, Evans, Fofana, Justin; Mendy; Perez, Tielemans, Praet, Barnes; Iheanacho. Subs: Morgan, Maddison, Albrighton, Ward, Slimani, Under, Choudhury.
Goals
Leicester City:
Aston Villa: Barkley (90)
The ref: Jon Moss
VAR: Graham Scott
Next up: Leeds United at Villa Park; Premier League, Friday, October 23 (8pm kick-off).


birminghammail--2020-10-18--'Sensational' - The Albion loanee verdict which will excite fans

Ian Holloway dubbed Owen Windsor ‘ sensational ’ after the West Brom loanee ’ s impact in Grimsby Town ’ s win at Leyton Orient on Saturday .
Albion lent Windsor to Grimsby before the transfer window shut and he ’ s helped the club to seven points from the three matches since he arrived .
Windsor , who Albion signed from Cirencester Town , scored against Cheltenham in the week and then set up Town ’ s first goal at Orient .
Right at the end of the game in London this weekend , he burst from his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before winning a penalty which sealed the game .
Holloway was delighted that Albion permitted him to borrow Windsor , and is excited by the chance to work with him in the coming months .
“ I thought the run and the pass for the first goal was sensational .
The kid is a joy to have , I ’ m so delighted to have added him , ” he told the Grimsby Telegraph .
“ He ’ s like a maverick , he doesn ’ t care if someone hits him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
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Google Play Store and App Store “ He ’ s got so much ability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a centre-forward , you ’ ve also got to work hard without the ball these days , and he doesn ’ t stop chasing and running .
“ When the big lump smashed him in the first couple of minutes , I felt sorry for the big lump because you don ’ t want to wake him up !
He loves that sort of challenge .
“ I ’ m delighted for him , and I ’ m delighted West Brom have let me have him .
”

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Ian Holloway dubbed Owen Windsor ‘sensational’ after the West Brom loanee’s impact in Grimsby Town’s win at Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Albion lent Windsor to Grimsby before the transfer window shut and he’s helped the club to seven points from the three matches since he arrived.
Windsor, who Albion signed from Cirencester Town, scored against Cheltenham in the week and then set up Town’s first goal at Orient.
Right at the end of the game in London this weekend, he burst from his own half and beat a number of players before winning a penalty which sealed the game.
Holloway was delighted that Albion permitted him to borrow Windsor, and is excited by the chance to work with him in the coming months.
“I thought the run and the pass for the first goal was sensational. The kid is a joy to have, I’m so delighted to have added him,” he told the Grimsby Telegraph.
“He’s like a maverick, he doesn’t care if someone hits him, he just gets up and keeps bundling on.
West Brom daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox Why should you sign up? We'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and comment pieces in our daily Baggies bulletin, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Just type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up by clicking here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest West Brom updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download via Google Play Store or the App Store. It is always up-to-date with the latest news .
“He’s got so much ability, and the lads love him. As a centre-forward, you’ve also got to work hard without the ball these days, and he doesn’t stop chasing and running.
“When the big lump smashed him in the first couple of minutes, I felt sorry for the big lump because you don’t want to wake him up! He loves that sort of challenge.
“I’m delighted for him, and I’m delighted West Brom have let me have him.”


birminghammail--2020-10-18--'Not good' - Brighton suffer blow ahead of clash with West Brom

Brighton and Hove Albion will be without defender and captain Lewis Dunk when they host West Brom next Monday after he was sent off in the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace this weekend .
Moments after Alexis Mac Allister had cancelled out Wilfried Zaha ’ s penalty in the closing moments , Dunk ’ s attempts to nick a winner when he was in the Palace box for a corner kick only resulted in him lunging into fellow defender Gary Cahill .
That red card means that Dunk will now have to serve a three-match suspension , including all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; that immediately involves Albion , who visit the AMEX Stadium on Monday 26 October .
Indeed if it ’ s a blow to Brighton , then such an unavailability will be a boost to Albion .
Dunk , 28 , has been a regular in the Brighton side under Graham Potter this term , along with Adam Webster and Ben White in a defensive three .
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Google Play Store and App Store Albion host Burnley at The Hawthorns this Monday before they head south the Monday following .
Dunk will miss a meeting with the Baggies , the Clarets and Tottenham .
Potter said of the incident post match : “ We have to be honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge .
It was excessive force and it was a red card .
“ Knowing Lewis , he has just had a header from a corner and is just trying to follow through and block something , but it ’ s not a good challenge and we have to learn from that and be better .
”

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Brighton and Hove Albion will be without defender and captain Lewis Dunk when they host West Brom next Monday after he was sent off in the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace this weekend.
Moments after Alexis Mac Allister had cancelled out Wilfried Zaha’s penalty in the closing moments, Dunk’s attempts to nick a winner when he was in the Palace box for a corner kick only resulted in him lunging into fellow defender Gary Cahill.
The referee instantly showed Dunk his marching orders.
That red card means that Dunk will now have to serve a three-match suspension, including all of the Seagulls’ coming Premier League games; that immediately involves Albion, who visit the AMEX Stadium on Monday 26 October.
Indeed if it’s a blow to Brighton, then such an unavailability will be a boost to Albion.
Dunk, 28, has been a regular in the Brighton side under Graham Potter this term, along with Adam Webster and Ben White in a defensive three.
West Brom daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox Why should you sign up? We'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and comment pieces in our daily Baggies bulletin, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Just type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up by clicking here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest West Brom updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download via Google Play Store or the App Store. It is always up-to-date with the latest news .
Albion host Burnley at The Hawthorns this Monday before they head south the Monday following. Dunk will miss a meeting with the Baggies, the Clarets and Tottenham.
Potter said of the incident post match: “We have to be honest, I think it was a reckless challenge. It was excessive force and it was a red card.
“Knowing Lewis, he has just had a header from a corner and is just trying to follow through and block something, but it’s not a good challenge and we have to learn from that and be better.”


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Aston Villa team for Leicester - Barkley starts behind Watkins

Dean Smith has kept faith with the same XI that brutally dismantled champions Liverpool a fortnight ago for tonight 's match-up against Leicester .
Villa raced to a 4-1 lead over Liverpool before half-time two weeks back with Smith throwing Ross Barkley in from the get-go in a more advanced No.10 position .
The 26-year-old starts once again and is likely to play just behind Villa 's five-goal ace Ollie Watkins in a fluid 4-4-1-1 system .
Staying in attack , captain Jack Grealish will play from the left again while , over on the right , Egyptian workhorse Trezeguet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bounce .
In midfield , Douglas Luiz starts once more despite clocking up the air miles while on international duty with Neymar & Co out in Brazil .
The 22-year-old will have birthday boy John McGinn next to him in the engine room with the Scot also enjoying a successful 10 days with his national team .
At the back it 'll be the same back five with Emi Martinez in goal with Matty Cash and Matt Targett the two full-backs .
Resolute defensive duo Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line .
As far as the bench is concerned , Bjorn Engels makes the match-day squad for the first time since playing at the KP seven months ago .
The Belgian replaced Keinan Davis who has n't recovered from a calf injury in time .
As for Leicester , Brendan Rodgers has been forced to make three changes to his starting XI .
Jamie Vardy , scorer of five goals in his last four games against Villa , has been ruled out with a calf problem .
Kelechi Iheanacho starts in place of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in full , below : Follow our kick-by-kick match coverage of tonight 's game HERE .

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Dean Smith has kept faith with the same XI that brutally dismantled champions Liverpool a fortnight ago for tonight's match-up against Leicester.
Villa raced to a 4-1 lead over Liverpool before half-time two weeks back with Smith throwing Ross Barkley in from the get-go in a more advanced No.10 position.
The 26-year-old starts once again and is likely to play just behind Villa's five-goal ace Ollie Watkins in a fluid 4-4-1-1 system. Staying in attack, captain Jack Grealish will play from the left again while, over on the right, Egyptian workhorse Trezeguet starts for the 10th league game on the bounce.
In midfield, Douglas Luiz starts once more despite clocking up the air miles while on international duty with Neymar & Co out in Brazil. The 22-year-old will have birthday boy John McGinn next to him in the engine room with the Scot also enjoying a successful 10 days with his national team.
At the back it'll be the same back five with Emi Martinez in goal with Matty Cash and Matt Targett the two full-backs. Resolute defensive duo Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings will be at the heart of Villa's back line.
As far as the bench is concerned, Bjorn Engels makes the match-day squad for the first time since playing at the KP seven months ago. The Belgian replaced Keinan Davis who hasn't recovered from a calf injury in time.
As for Leicester, Brendan Rodgers has been forced to make three changes to his starting XI. Jamie Vardy, scorer of five goals in his last four games against Villa, has been ruled out with a calf problem. Kelechi Iheanacho starts in place of him.
Here are the two teams in full, below:
ASTON VILLA, 4-4-1-1: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Trezeguet, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Grealish; Barkley; Watkins. Subs: Steer, Engels, Elmohamady, Nakamba, Hourihane, Traore, El Ghazi.
LEICESTER CITY, 4-1-4-1: Schmeichel; Castagne, Evans, Fofana, Justin; Mendy; Perez, Tielemans, Praet, Barnes; Iheanacho. Subs: Morgan, Maddison, Albrighton, Ward, Slimani, Under, Choudhury.
Follow our kick-by-kick match coverage of tonight's game HERE.


birminghammail--2020-10-18--'100mph' - Wolves fans wary of Leeds United test

Wolverhampton Wanderers resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Elland Road on Monday evening .
Nuno ’ s boys responded to that hammering at the hands of West Ham United with a routine victory over struggling Fulham at Molineux prior to the international break , and now they face another newly promoted team - but one who appears to have hit the ground running in the top flight .
Leeds have taken Liverpool all the way and held Manchester City , while posting wins against Fulham and Sheffield United .
Their tails are up and their fans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with the old gold in Yorkshire on Monday .
This is what Wolves fans make of Leeds and the test that awaits .
Fenrir : We ’ ll be a couple of weeks closer to full match fitness now but Leeds will start at 100mph .
With that in mind I ’ d be tempted to go 3-5-2 , try to stifle and hit on the counter because Leeds will leave themselves wide open at the back .
WsWolf : We got ta go 3 in the middle whoever that is or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have attacking intent and press well .
They move th ball quickly and appear to have alot of running in their legs .
I fear this will be a heavy defeat similar to West Ham .
Im sure it wont be the last heavy defeat we have this year with our current squad .
Ponty : Leeds will press and if the back 8 do their job Traore could get a lot of space in which to run at Leeds .
Their defence is vulnerable and Traore could be the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being talked about as much as Adama Traore right now .
Traore initially took time to settle at Wolves and spent the vast majority of his first season on Nuno Espirito Santo 's bench , but he 's been a revelation in his second .
Traore 's form in 2019/20 makes the £18million fee Wolves paid Middlesbrough look like a snip and the club are guaranteed to make a profit should any of the reported interest amount to more .
Nuno bluntly told reporters that Traore would n't leave in January and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wolves are in a very strong position financially under Chinese owners Fosun and have the resources to hang onto Traore again in the summer window .
As always though , there are no guarantees in football - but if Traore is to leave Wolves , it will be on the club 's terms .
What we know so far about his future - READ Why Traore should stay at Wolves - READ Dan G : You can really hurt leeds on the break but you have to work hard off the ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for a counter attacking approach .
Let them throw everything at us and pick them off the break WeAreTheWolvesII : I ‘ m really fearing this game if we play how we have been .
We ’ re open , disjointed and don ’ t know our roles .
They ’ re the complete opposite and could absolute batter us if we don ’ t fix up .
I genuinely could see the West Ham game happening again in terms of the embarrassment , obviously it ’ s a different style from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a good team how do players of such a poor quality get in their team ?
The truth is they are a pretty average team playing well like Sheffield Utd did last year .

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Wolverhampton Wanderers resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Elland Road on Monday evening.
Nuno’s boys responded to that hammering at the hands of West Ham United with a routine victory over struggling Fulham at Molineux prior to the international break, and now they face another newly promoted team - but one who appears to have hit the ground running in the top flight.
Leeds have taken Liverpool all the way and held Manchester City, while posting wins against Fulham and Sheffield United. Their tails are up and their fans are confident ahead of what is an intriguing meeting with the old gold in Yorkshire on Monday.
This is what Wolves fans make of Leeds and the test that awaits.
Wolves fans preview Leeds challenge
Fenrir : We’ll be a couple of weeks closer to full match fitness now but Leeds will start at 100mph. With that in mind I’d be tempted to go 3-5-2, try to stifle and hit on the counter because Leeds will leave themselves wide open at the back.
WsWolf : We gotta go 3 in the middle whoever that is or Leeds will rip us a new one. They have attacking intent and press well. They move th ball quickly and appear to have alot of running in their legs. I fear this will be a heavy defeat similar to West Ham. Im sure it wont be the last heavy defeat we have this year with our current squad.
Ponty : Leeds will press and if the back 8 do their job Traore could get a lot of space in which to run at Leeds. Their defence is vulnerable and Traore could be the one to exploit it.
Adama Traore transfer latest Very few footballers are being talked about as much as Adama Traore right now. Traore initially took time to settle at Wolves and spent the vast majority of his first season on Nuno Espirito Santo's bench, but he's been a revelation in his second. Traore's form in 2019/20 makes the £18million fee Wolves paid Middlesbrough look like a snip and the club are guaranteed to make a profit should any of the reported interest amount to more. Nuno bluntly told reporters that Traore wouldn't leave in January and he was as good as his word. Wolves are in a very strong position financially under Chinese owners Fosun and have the resources to hang onto Traore again in the summer window. As always though, there are no guarantees in football - but if Traore is to leave Wolves, it will be on the club's terms. What we know so far about his future - READ Why Traore should stay at Wolves - READ
Dan G: You can really hurt leeds on the break but you have to work hard off the ball.
Royal Wolf : This game definitely calls for a counter attacking approach. Let them throw everything at us and pick them off the break
WeAreTheWolvesII : I‘m really fearing this game if we play how we have been. We’re open, disjointed and don’t know our roles. They’re the complete opposite and could absolute batter us if we don’t fix up. I genuinely could see the West Ham game happening again in terms of the embarrassment, obviously it’s a different style from Leeds.
DireWolf : if Leeds are such a good team how do players of such a poor quality get in their team? The truth is they are a pretty average team playing well like Sheffield Utd did last year.


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Orionids Meteor Shower set to peak in the UK this week

Stargazers are in for a real treat this week as the Orionids Meteor Shower is set to peak in the UK .
The Earth will pass through the debris left behind by Halley 's Comet - and it should be something you will not want to miss at all .
The spectacular event could see 20 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of Wednesday-Thursday , October 21-22 .
`` Orionid '' comes from the fact that the radiant point is just above Orion 's second brightest star .
And it 's because comets like Halley are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Orionids , reports CoventryLive .
Nasa said : “ The Orionids , which peak during mid-October each year , are considered to be one of the most beautiful showers of the year .
“ Orionid meteors are known for their brightness and for their speed .
These meteors are fast—they travel at about 148,000 mph ( 66 km/s ) into the Earth 's atmosphere .
“ Fast meteors can leave glowing `` trains '' ( incandescent bits of debris in the wake of the meteor ) which last for several seconds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes become fireballs .
“ Look for prolonged explosions of light when viewing the Orionid meteor shower.
” We intersect Halley ’ s orbit not once , but twice each year .
In early May , we see bits of this comet as the annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower .
The best viewing of the Orionids will be from a dark location , away from artificial lighting , shortly after midnight on Wednesday evening .
NASA advised : “ Find an area well away from city or street lights .
Come prepared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair .
“ Lie flat on your back with your feet facing southeast if you are in the Northern Hemisphere or northeast if you are in the Southern Hemisphere , and look up , taking in as much of the sky as possible .
“ In less than 30 minutes in the dark , your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors .
Be patient - the show will last until dawn , so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse .
”

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Daniel Smith, Chris  Harper)

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Stargazers are in for a real treat this week as the Orionids Meteor Shower is set to peak in the UK.
The Earth will pass through the debris left behind by Halley's Comet - and it should be something you will not want to miss at all.
The spectacular event could see 20 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of Wednesday-Thursday, October 21-22.
"Orionid" comes from the fact that the radiant point is just above Orion's second brightest star.
And it's because comets like Halley are so crumbly that we see annual meteor showers like the Orionids, reports CoventryLive.
Nasa said: “The Orionids, which peak during mid-October each year, are considered to be one of the most beautiful showers of the year.
“Orionid meteors are known for their brightness and for their speed. These meteors are fast—they travel at about 148,000 mph (66 km/s) into the Earth's atmosphere.
“Fast meteors can leave glowing "trains" (incandescent bits of debris in the wake of the meteor) which last for several seconds to minutes. Fast meteors can also sometimes become fireballs.
“Look for prolonged explosions of light when viewing the Orionid meteor shower.”
We intersect Halley’s orbit not once, but twice each year. In early May, we see bits of this comet as the annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower.
The best viewing of the Orionids will be from a dark location, away from artificial lighting, shortly after midnight on Wednesday evening.
NASA advised: “Find an area well away from city or street lights. Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair.
“Lie flat on your back with your feet facing southeast if you are in the Northern Hemisphere or northeast if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
“In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient - the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.”


birminghammail--2020-10-18--'We'll go above Liverpool!' - Leeds United fans on Wolves test

Wolverhampton Wanderers resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Elland Road on Monday evening .
Nuno ’ s boys responded to that hammering at the hands of West Ham United with a routine victory over struggling Fulham at Molineux prior to the international break , and now they face another newly promoted team - but one who appears to have hit the ground running in the top flight .
Leeds have taken Liverpool all the way and held Manchester City , while posting wins against Fulham and Sheffield United .
Their tails are up and their fans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with the old gold in Yorkshire on Monday .
This is what their fans have been saying about Wolves .
JT1919Prem : If # LUFC beat Wolves on Monday we go above Liverpool Leeds1000 : Wolves have a few solid PL seasons under their belt and have turned into a strong PL side with one of the best new managers around for me .
Wolves have lost a few key players in Doherty and especially Jota but have bought a couple of big expensive players in to replace them Cjay : Wolves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have faced , discovered quickly that the possession based style they used in the Championship did n't work so adapted .
However they apparently are trying to go back to that this season .
I hope they do against us because imo we will beat them if they do .
If they try and go toe to toe with us imo we would win .
Mothbanquet : they ’ re still obviously dangerous and will adapt as the season goes on .
I just don ’ t think they ’ ll do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve gone for us to win 3-1 but would still be happy with a draw .
They ’ re still a good side .
Irish Ian : For me our season really starts here .
First four were against either contenders for top four or relegation material .
We did well then came the International break .
It is against the likes of Wolves , Leicester and Villa we will need to test ourselves , which will reveal our true potential .
White Riot : I ‘ ve watched a bit of Wolves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me .
Koch has looked more comfortable and confident and Strujik is a really exciting prospect .
I think we ’ ll smash them .
Marc F : We may have injuries at CB which we will have to combat .
Respect Wolves Nuno is a top coach & will set Wolves up in a smart 3-4-3 formation that will challenge us at both ends of the pitch & it will likely mean we have to adjust .
Gary Frielick : Been out with an # LUFC fan tonight and he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t beat # Wolves on Monday !
!
WTF !
Can we settle down and be happy to stay up this season FFS !

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Wolverhampton Wanderers resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Elland Road on Monday evening.
Nuno’s boys responded to that hammering at the hands of West Ham United with a routine victory over struggling Fulham at Molineux prior to the international break, and now they face another newly promoted team - but one who appears to have hit the ground running in the top flight.
Leeds have taken Liverpool all the way and held Manchester City, while posting wins against Fulham and Sheffield United. Their tails are up and their fans are confident ahead of what is an intriguing meeting with the old gold in Yorkshire on Monday.
This is what their fans have been saying about Wolves.
Leeds United fans on Wolves test
JT1919Prem : If #LUFC beat Wolves on Monday we go above Liverpool
Leeds1000 : Wolves have a few solid PL seasons under their belt and have turned into a strong PL side with one of the best new managers around for me. Wolves have lost a few key players in Doherty and especially Jota but have bought a couple of big expensive players in to replace them
Cjay : Wolves are the first counter attacking side we have faced, discovered quickly that the possession based style they used in the Championship didn't work so adapted. However they apparently are trying to go back to that this season. I hope they do against us because imo we will beat them if they do. If they try and go toe to toe with us imo we would win.
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Mothbanquet : they’re still obviously dangerous and will adapt as the season goes on. I just don’t think they’ll do it in time for us. I’ve gone for us to win 3-1 but would still be happy with a draw. They’re still a good side.
Irish Ian: For me our season really starts here. First four were against either contenders for top four or relegation material. We did well then came the International break. It is against the likes of Wolves, Leicester and Villa we will need to test ourselves, which will reveal our true potential.
White Riot: I‘ve watched a bit of Wolves this season and they look decidedly average to me. Koch has looked more comfortable and confident and Strujik is a really exciting prospect. I think we’ll smash them.
(Image: Shaun Botterill/AFP via Getty Images)
Marc F: We may have injuries at CB which we will have to combat. Respect Wolves Nuno is a top coach & will set Wolves up in a smart 3-4-3 formation that will challenge us at both ends of the pitch & it will likely mean we have to adjust.
Gary Frielick : Been out with an #LUFC fan tonight and he said he’d be disappointed if we didn’t beat #Wolves on Monday !! WTF! Can we settle down and be happy to stay up this season FFS!


birminghammail--2020-10-18--'Horrendous' - reaction as family of nine told to leave pub over Covid rules

People have given their support to a father whose nine strong family was turned away from his regular boozer in Hall Green over the rule of six .
BirminghamLive readers have taken to Facebook airing their dismay and offering their support for Daniel Gough .
He had turned up with his girlfriend Helen and his seven children , all aged between 14 and five months when he visited the Baldwin Arms pub pub on the afternoon of Sunday , October 4 .
But he was turned away by staff over coronavirus rules .
The 39-year-old , who visits the pub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week , said he explained to staff how the family were all from the same household and asked if they could be seated on two separate tables .
But he said he was told they would n't accommodate him due to his family being too large for the Covid rule of six .
However , the Government makes exceptions to the rule when there are large families living under the same roof .
Stacey Kane took to Facebook and posted : `` This is why I won ’ t go out I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the same to us just won ’ t do it and be embarrassed like this the government need to do something about large families . ''
Mel Gregory backed Mr Gough and said : `` I hope they refuse to go back there .
It 's people like him and his family that are keeping the locals afloat , he must spend a pretty penny there and they will miss his custom . ''
Jean Fletcher said : `` Anybody with half a brain would be able to see that this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not a group of several adults .
Seems like the only confusion here is with the pub staff .
Annette Henry posted : `` Now this is going too far .
Absolutely horrendous for this family .
Discrimination comes to mind . ''
Julie Smith said : `` They should have put them on two tables miserable people . ''
A spokesperson for the Baldwin Arms said although they were aware of the government ruling on large households but said it could `` cause confusion with other guests '' .
The spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have encouraged all customers to pre-book their tables ahead of their visit .
`` Our booking system is set up to enable six people maximum to be booked onto a table and whilst we understand that a household plus support bubble may be more than six people , we have found that this can cause confusion with other guests and have taken the decision to limit table sizes to six in all circumstances .
“ Where a household or bubble group numbers more than six people we will do our best to seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not guarantee to always do this due to availability on the day .
”

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People have given their support to a father whose nine strong family was turned away from his regular boozer in Hall Green over the rule of six.
BirminghamLive readers have taken to Facebook airing their dismay and offering their support for Daniel Gough.
He had turned up with his girlfriend Helen and his seven children, all aged between 14 and five months when he visited the Baldwin Arms pub pub on the afternoon of Sunday, October 4.
But he was turned away by staff over coronavirus rules.
The 39-year-old, who visits the pub with his family up to three times a week, said he explained to staff how the family were all from the same household and asked if they could be seated on two separate tables.
But he said he was told they wouldn't accommodate him due to his family being too large for the Covid rule of six.
However, the Government makes exceptions to the rule when there are large families living under the same roof.
Stacey Kane took to Facebook and posted: "This is why I won’t go out I have six children and for someone to do the same to us just won’t do it and be embarrassed like this the government need to do something about large families."
(Image: Handout)
Mel Gregory backed Mr Gough and said: "I hope they refuse to go back there. It's people like him and his family that are keeping the locals afloat, he must spend a pretty penny there and they will miss his custom."
Jean Fletcher said: "Anybody with half a brain would be able to see that this is a simply a large family with children. Not a group of several adults. Seems like the only confusion here is with the pub staff.
Annette Henry posted: "Now this is going too far. Absolutely horrendous for this family. Discrimination comes to mind."
Julie Smith said: "They should have put them on two tables miserable people."
(Image: Handout)
A spokesperson for the Baldwin Arms said although they were aware of the government ruling on large households but said it could "cause confusion with other guests".
The spokesperson said: “Since reopening, we have encouraged all customers to pre-book their tables ahead of their visit.
"Our booking system is set up to enable six people maximum to be booked onto a table and whilst we understand that a household plus support bubble may be more than six people, we have found that this can cause confusion with other guests and have taken the decision to limit table sizes to six in all circumstances.
“Where a household or bubble group numbers more than six people we will do our best to seat them on adjacent tables, however we cannot guarantee to always do this due to availability on the day.”


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Thousands of people not contacted by £12bn Test and Trace system

It has been revealed that a quarter of a million people were not contacted by the Test and Trace system when they came close to someone who tested positive with coronavirus .
New figures have shows that 245,481 people in England over four months were failed to be contacted by private firms Serco and Sitel .
The Government has defended the system after Labour claim that it is `` on the verge of collapse '' and Downing Street says it has told 900,000 people to self-isolate .
The Chronicle reports that Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our efforts to tackle coronavirus , and these figures are a new low for a test and trace system on the verge of collapse .
“ The Government is wasting hundreds of millions on a system that doesn ’ t seem to function or even use basic common sense .
“ The Prime Minister must act now to reverse this trend .
That is why Labour is calling for a short , sharp circuit break to fix testing , protect the NHS and save lives.
” The figures showed that the private firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the data , May 28 to October 7 .
“ Complex ” cases – which include outbreaks linked to hospitals , care homes , prisons or schools – are handled by local health protection teams , which statistics show have far higher rates of success .
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said : “ We ’ re continuing to drive forward local contact tracing as part of our commitment to being locally-led , with more than 100 Local Tracing Partnerships now operating , and more to come.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 84 % of contacts had been traced “ where communication details were provided ” .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Simon Meechan, Chris  Harper)

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It has been revealed that a quarter of a million people were not contacted by the Test and Trace system when they came close to someone who tested positive with coronavirus.
New figures have shows that 245,481 people in England over four months were failed to be contacted by private firms Serco and Sitel.
The Government has defended the system after Labour claim that it is "on the verge of collapse" and Downing Street says it has told 900,000 people to self-isolate.
The Chronicle reports that Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said: “We are at a decisive moment in our efforts to tackle coronavirus, and these figures are a new low for a test and trace system on the verge of collapse.
“The Government is wasting hundreds of millions on a system that doesn’t seem to function or even use basic common sense.
“The Prime Minister must act now to reverse this trend. That is why Labour is calling for a short, sharp circuit break to fix testing, protect the NHS and save lives.”
(Image: Darren Quinton)
The figures showed that the private firms did reach 372,458 contacts in the period of the data, May 28 to October 7.
“Complex” cases – which include outbreaks linked to hospitals, care homes, prisons or schools – are handled by local health protection teams, which statistics show have far higher rates of success.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We’re continuing to drive forward local contact tracing as part of our commitment to being locally-led, with more than 100 Local Tracing Partnerships now operating, and more to come.”
He added that, when including local teams, 84% of contacts had been traced “where communication details were provided”.


birminghammail--2020-10-18--How the land lies with Nottingham Forest, Albion and Grosicki

Chris Hughton has revealed that Nottingham Forest , Kamil Grosicki and West Brom face a waiting game to see if the winger ’ s proposed move to the City Ground on deadline day beat the clock .
New Forest boss Hughton , who led his side to a victory at Blackburn in his first game in charge on Saturday , was asked after the match about the situation and where Forest stood on the matter .
Albion and Forest agreed a deal , believed to be on loan , for Grosicki on Friday but with the move in a race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authorities who were awaiting to ratify the relevant paperwork .
That means that , even now at the time of writing on Sunday , it ’ s still unclear as to whether the transfer was green lighted and whether Grosicki will be free to head for the East Midlands .
“ What I ’ ve been made aware of is that the paperwork has gone in .
They are reviewing it at this moment , ” Hughton told NottinghamshireLive .
“ As a manager and a club we hope that is successful.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ In our daily Baggies bulletin , we 'll be bringing you the latest breaking news , transfer features and comment pieces , as well as the key talking points for fans .
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Google Play Store and App Store Reports in Grosicki ’ s native Poland this weekend suggested that the move might ’ ve missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hasn ’ t been confirmed .
Grosicki has played just an hour of football for Albion this term , that coming in the EFL Cup against Harrogate Town , and he didn ’ t appear to be a part of Slaven Bilic ’ s plans for the forthcoming season after Albion sanctioned his exit .
The winger , who netted a hat-trick for Poland during the international break , is out of contract at The Hawthorns next summer .

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Chris Hughton has revealed that Nottingham Forest, Kamil Grosicki and West Brom face a waiting game to see if the winger’s proposed move to the City Ground on deadline day beat the clock.
New Forest boss Hughton, who led his side to a victory at Blackburn in his first game in charge on Saturday, was asked after the match about the situation and where Forest stood on the matter.
Albion and Forest agreed a deal, believed to be on loan, for Grosicki on Friday but with the move in a race against time, nothing was confirmed by the authorities who were awaiting to ratify the relevant paperwork.
That means that, even now at the time of writing on Sunday, it’s still unclear as to whether the transfer was green lighted and whether Grosicki will be free to head for the East Midlands.
“What I’ve been made aware of is that the paperwork has gone in. They are reviewing it at this moment,” Hughton told NottinghamshireLive.
“As a manager and a club we hope that is successful.”
West Brom daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox Why should you sign up? We'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and comment pieces in our daily Baggies bulletin, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Just type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up by clicking here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest West Brom updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download via Google Play Store or the App Store. It is always up-to-date with the latest news .
Reports in Grosicki’s native Poland this weekend suggested that the move might’ve missed the deadline by 21 seconds, though that hasn’t been confirmed.
Grosicki has played just an hour of football for Albion this term, that coming in the EFL Cup against Harrogate Town, and he didn’t appear to be a part of Slaven Bilic’s plans for the forthcoming season after Albion sanctioned his exit.
The winger, who netted a hat-trick for Poland during the international break, is out of contract at The Hawthorns next summer.


birminghammail--2020-10-18--Alleged robber caught brandishing sledgehammer in Stechford

An alleged robber was caught brandishing a sledge hammer while causing criminal damage in Stechford .
Police officers were called @ @ @ @ @ ( Sunday , October 18 ) where they discovered the man causing criminal damage in @ @ @ @ @ him with a taser and managed to arrest him without it being deployed .
He @ @ @ @ @ of robbery and criminal damage .
They tweeted : `` Stechford A Unit Officers responded @ @ @ @ @ brandishing a sledge hammer in the street causing criminal damage with it and committing a @ @ @ @ @ quickly located and officers had to draw taser for compliance to effect a successful arrest @ @ @ @ @ was approached for further information .
People with information about the incident should ring West @ @ @ @ @ Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 .

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An alleged robber was caught brandishing a sledge hammer while causing criminal damage in Stechford.
Police officers were called to the incident this morning (Sunday, October 18) where they discovered the man causing criminal damage in the street.
They threatened him with a taser and managed to arrest him without it being deployed.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and criminal damage.
West Midlands Police Force Response labelled it a "successful arrest."
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They tweeted: "Stechford A Unit Officers responded to reports of a male brandishing a sledge hammer in the street causing criminal damage with it and committing a robbery. The male was quickly located and officers had to draw taser for compliance to effect a successful arrest."
West Midlands Police was approached for further information.
People with information about the incident should ring West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.