birminghammail--2020-02-20--Police chief vows to tackle cannabis factory drug wars after two men killed in Brierley Hill

The head of West Midlands Police has vowed to tackle cannabis factory drug dealer wars after an alleged robbery left two men dead in Dudley .
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said the force is battling a rise in cannabis factory operations across Birmingham and the Black Country , with 400 busted last year .
He spoke out after two men died from knife injuries in what ’ s believed to have been a robbery at a cannabis factory in Brierley Hill .
Mr Thompson told BirminghamLive that officers had seen a trend in plant cultivators targeting rivals to steal their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the things that has changed is the volume of cannabis farm cultivation .
The UK market has changed considerably .
`` The value of individual cannabis plants is potentially quite significant and has risen over the last few years .
The force does a lot of work in this area and last year we raided around 400 cannabis farms across the West Midlands .
`` There have been a number of cases where other cannabis growers will attack other people for their cannabis grows and we try to look at the organised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen today is very tragic and we are carrying an investigation around that .
But we have seen other occasions where people have sought to attack other cannabis farms . ''
Police received several 999 calls just after 3.30am this morning ( February 20 ) from members of the public reporting a group of young men trying to force entry to a house Pensnett Road , Brierley Hill .
A fight spilled out into the street during which two men suffered stab wounds and a car crashed into parked vehicles .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a second man , who was driven to hospital , later died from stab injuries .
A cannabis factory was later found inside a property in Pensnett Road .
Detectives have arrested one man on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and enquiries are underway to identify other men involved .
Homicide Unit Inspector Nick Barnes , said : “ We believe this property was deliberately targeted by a group of men who knew it was being used to cultivate cannabis .
`` Witnesses have reported the property being attacked , windows broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In the ensuing disorder two men have suffered fatal knife wounds . ''
He added : “ We ’ re appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the disorder or people or vehicles leaving the scene to get in touch .
“ I ’ d also like to hear from any motorists who were in the area at the time and have dash cam footage as they also may have recorded something important .
`` Anyone with information is urged to message us via Live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 101 .
Alternatively they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 ; callers won ’ t be asked for their names and calls can not be traced . ''

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The head of West Midlands Police has vowed to tackle cannabis factory drug dealer wars after an alleged robbery left two men dead in Dudley.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said the force is battling a rise in cannabis factory operations across Birmingham and the Black Country, with 400 busted last year.
He spoke out after two men died from knife injuries in what’s believed to have been a robbery at a cannabis factory in Brierley Hill.
Mr Thompson told BirminghamLive that officers had seen a trend in plant cultivators targeting rivals to steal their plants.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
He said: "One of the things that has changed is the volume of cannabis farm cultivation. The UK market has changed considerably.
"The value of individual cannabis plants is potentially quite significant and has risen over the last few years. The force does a lot of work in this area and last year we raided around 400 cannabis farms across the West Midlands.
"There have been a number of cases where other cannabis growers will attack other people for their cannabis grows and we try to look at the organised crime route involved.
"What we have seen today is very tragic and we are carrying an investigation around that. But we have seen other occasions where people have sought to attack other cannabis farms."
Police received several 999 calls just after 3.30am this morning (February 20) from members of the public reporting a group of young men trying to force entry to a house Pensnett Road, Brierley Hill.
A fight spilled out into the street during which two men suffered stab wounds and a car crashed into parked vehicles.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene while a second man, who was driven to hospital, later died from stab injuries.
A cannabis factory was later found inside a property in Pensnett Road.
Detectives have arrested one man on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and enquiries are underway to identify other men involved.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
Homicide Unit Inspector Nick Barnes, said: “We believe this property was deliberately targeted by a group of men who knew it was being used to cultivate cannabis.
"Witnesses have reported the property being attacked, windows broken, and men running away carrying plants.
“In the ensuing disorder two men have suffered fatal knife wounds."
He added: “We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the disorder or people or vehicles leaving the scene to get in touch.
“I’d also like to hear from any motorists who were in the area at the time and have dash cam footage as they also may have recorded something important.
"Anyone with information is urged to message us via Live Chat at our website or call us on 101. Alternatively they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111; callers won’t be asked for their names and calls cannot be traced."


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Soldier leaves Army to become Babestation model after 10-year military career

A soldier has turned her back on her 10-year Army career to become a model - on Babestation .
Joanna Kitson , 27 , signed up aged just 17 and rose to the rank of corporal before growing tired of Army rations and conditions on deployments .
While on leave Joanna was spotted by a glamour modelling agency and then a Brazilian butt lift gave her the confidence to start working in adult entertainment .
She quit the army in September last year and now she works 15 hours-a-week on adult TV station Babestation .
Glamorous Joanna , from Leeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money chatting to men about anything from anything to the washing up to foot fetishes .
Joanna said : `` I absolutely made the right decision .
It 's great !
I enjoy being able to do my nails , put my lashes on and wearing underwear .
`` I hated having to wear uniform in the army .
Now I love being able to feel sexy and feel like a woman .
`` During the day shifts you get people phoning up asking about your day and you have a normal chat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how their wife is doing their head in and they just want to chill .
`` At night you have the perv cams and I get to do stuff with other girls like spanking .
It 's really fun .
There 's no sex involved just a lot of teasing . ''
Joanna joined the Army in 2010 , hoping to follow in the footsteps of her role-model Dame Kelly Holmes - who was a soldier before she entered the world of athletics .
She served with the assault regiment and rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed to Germany several times .
While Joanna admits she enjoyed making new friends and learning new skills , she soon became disillusioned with the forces .
Joanna said : `` It 's quite unfair in the army .
If your face does n't fit then you can find yourself struggling .
`` I remember having to plait my hair and it was just really frowned upon and I was n't taken seriously .
The food was absolutely disgusting .
`` You 'd get your breakfast out of this metal tin and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other meals during the day .
`` If you think of a stew you 'd imagine it to be really flavoursome but it was just disgusting .
`` When you get deployed somewhere you could find yourself out there from somewhere between two weeks and six months .
Obviously during that time you 're going to come on your period .
`` There 's no showers and you 're expected to wash with baby wipes .
How are you going to get clean doing that when you 're on your period ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 Joanna paid £4,300 for a breast reduction and uplift , reducing her 32DD chest to a 32D , to make them more perky .
She was approached by a modelling agency while on leave in September 2018 which got her thinking about a career change .
Eighteen months later - and in the same month she quit the army - she flew over to Turkey for a £3,100 Brazilian butt lift , carving her path into adult entertainment .
She spent the next four months as a personal assistant but said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was when she went to a glamour modelling shoot in January this year that she was told about a possible opening on adult TV station Babestation .
Joanna said : `` It was great .
As soon as I did my first stint they signed me up and got me to sign a contract .
`` I do n't regret being in the army as it 's what I wanted to do at the time .
But now I 'm able to do my own thing .
`` In the army you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behave like an adult .
It 's really restricting .
Life is just too short to do something you do n't enjoy .
I 'm so much happier now . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Olive Loveridge-Greene, James Rodger)

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A soldier has turned her back on her 10-year Army career to become a model - on Babestation.
Joanna Kitson, 27, signed up aged just 17 and rose to the rank of corporal before growing tired of Army rations and conditions on deployments.
While on leave Joanna was spotted by a glamour modelling agency and then a Brazilian butt lift gave her the confidence to start working in adult entertainment.
She quit the army in September last year and now she works 15 hours-a-week on adult TV station Babestation.
Glamorous Joanna, from Leeds, now finally feels sexy and earns money chatting to men about anything from anything to the washing up to foot fetishes.
(Image: Joanna Kitson / SWNS)
Joanna said: "I absolutely made the right decision. It's great! I enjoy being able to do my nails, put my lashes on and wearing underwear.
"I hated having to wear uniform in the army. Now I love being able to feel sexy and feel like a woman.
"During the day shifts you get people phoning up asking about your day and you have a normal chat.
"Some just want a chat about how their wife is doing their head in and they just want to chill.
"At night you have the perv cams and I get to do stuff with other girls like spanking. It's really fun. There's no sex involved just a lot of teasing."
Joanna joined the Army in 2010, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her role-model Dame Kelly Holmes - who was a soldier before she entered the world of athletics.
She served with the assault regiment and rose to the rank of Corporal and was deployed to Germany several times.
While Joanna admits she enjoyed making new friends and learning new skills, she soon became disillusioned with the forces.
(Image: Joanna Kitson / SWNS)
Joanna said: "It's quite unfair in the army. If your face doesn't fit then you can find yourself struggling.
"I remember having to plait my hair and it was just really frowned upon and I wasn't taken seriously. The food was absolutely disgusting.
"You'd get your breakfast out of this metal tin and they'd just re-use it for all the other meals during the day.
"If you think of a stew you'd imagine it to be really flavoursome but it was just disgusting.
"When you get deployed somewhere you could find yourself out there from somewhere between two weeks and six months. Obviously during that time you're going to come on your period.
"There's no showers and you're expected to wash with baby wipes. How are you going to get clean doing that when you're on your period? I just hated it."
(Image: Joanna Kitson / SWNS)
In March 2018 Joanna paid £4,300 for a breast reduction and uplift, reducing her 32DD chest to a 32D, to make them more perky.
She was approached by a modelling agency while on leave in September 2018 which got her thinking about a career change.
Eighteen months later - and in the same month she quit the army - she flew over to Turkey for a £3,100 Brazilian butt lift, carving her path into adult entertainment.
She spent the next four months as a personal assistant but said she didn't enjoy it.
But it was when she went to a glamour modelling shoot in January this year that she was told about a possible opening on adult TV station Babestation.
(Image: Joanna Kitson / SWNS)
Joanna said: "It was great. As soon as I did my first stint they signed me up and got me to sign a contract.
"I don't regret being in the army as it's what I wanted to do at the time. But now I'm able to do my own thing.
"In the army you're treated like a kid but expected to behave like an adult. It's really restricting. Life is just too short to do something you don't enjoy. I'm so much happier now."


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Nuno sends brilliant message to Wolves fans after stunning Espanyol win

Nuno Espirito Santo has told Wolverhampton Wanderers fans to keep on dreaming of Europa League glory after their stunning win over Espanyol .
Wolves routed Espanyol 4-0 in the first leg of their last-32 tie at Molineux thanks to Diogo Jota ’ s hat-trick and Ruben Neves ’ stupendous volley .
There ’ s still a second leg to play in Barcelona next week but Wolves have one foot in the next round and fans are dreaming of a fairytale ending in Gdansk .
And while Nuno 's focus is solely on the Premier League clash with Norwich on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from getting excited after another remarkable European night .
“ They ( fans ) know me , '' he said .
`` I think , and honestly , now we have to recover and rest because we play Sunday .
Then we are going to think about these things .
But dreaming is for free.
” Wolves led through Jota 's first goal at half-time before a superb second half performance all but finished the tie .
Nuno added : `` I think it was a good performance , better in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so good because Espanyol created a lot of problems for us in possession .
I think we adjusted for the second half and scored beautiful goals .
It was a very good evening for us . ''

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Nuno Espirito Santo has told Wolverhampton Wanderers fans to keep on dreaming of Europa League glory after their stunning win over Espanyol.
Wolves routed Espanyol 4-0 in the first leg of their last-32 tie at Molineux thanks to Diogo Jota’s hat-trick and Ruben Neves’ stupendous volley.
There’s still a second leg to play in Barcelona next week but Wolves have one foot in the next round and fans are dreaming of a fairytale ending in Gdansk.
And while Nuno's focus is solely on the Premier League clash with Norwich on Sunday, he isn't discouraging jubilant supporters from getting excited after another remarkable European night.
“They (fans) know me," he said. "I think, and honestly, now we have to recover and rest because we play Sunday. Then we are going to think about these things. But dreaming is for free.”
Wolves led through Jota's first goal at half-time before a superb second half performance all but finished the tie.
Nuno added: "I think it was a good performance, better in the second half. The first half was not so good because Espanyol created a lot of problems for us in possession. I think we adjusted for the second half and scored beautiful goals. It was a very good evening for us."


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Dean Smith explains why Danny Drinkwater gets the nod for Aston Villa

Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith has leapt to the defence of on-loan midfielder Danny Drinkwater .
The 29-year-old has averaged 65 minutes in a Villa shirt from his four starts to date after admitting he arrived in B6 just short of match fitness .
That has n't stopped Smith picking Drinkwater from the start in four of Villa 's last five matches ever since he arrived from Chelsea last month .
Drinkwater has been the go-to man for Smith in the absence of John McGinn and , when asked about the Premier League winner 's fitness concerns , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s working really hard and he ’ s getting to where we want him to be .
`` The only way you can work on your fitness is by working hard every day in training , which he does , and play matches , and he ’ s come in and his pass completion stat last week was 91 per cent , and probably the most forward passes in a game as well , so he was a big part of our build-up .
Where he ’ s working to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drinkwater was taken off on the hour-mark against Spurs last Sunday - but did attempt 50 passes in that time , only Douglas Luiz ( 51 ) , Harry Winks ( 59 ) and Kortney Hause attempted more ( 67 ) in their 94 minutes .
`` There ’ s certainly more to come from him , '' Smith explained , `` and he ’ s getting to where we want him to be .
That takes time when you haven ’ t played an awful lot of games this season . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than impressed with the performances of Marvelous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz against Bournemouth in Villa 's last away match .
Drinkwater was ruled out of the 2-1 defeat with a tight calf , but was immediately recalled for Tottenham last week to give Villa an impetus going forward .
Smith said : `` He ’ s not been starting every week – he did n't play against Bournemouth and the two in there did n't play well and I thought Danny should come back in last week .
`` If Marvelous and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danny doesn ’ t get back in , so that ’ s how it ’ s always worked with me .
`` We know what he can do passing the ball forwards and we probably missed a bit of that , but now it ’ s down to the other lads .
`` If they replace him , it ’ s down to them to keep the shirt off him .
That ’ s what I want within any part of our squad with players fighting to grab a shirt . ''

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Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith has leapt to the defence of on-loan midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
The 29-year-old has averaged 65 minutes in a Villa shirt from his four starts to date after admitting he arrived in B6 just short of match fitness.
That hasn't stopped Smith picking Drinkwater from the start in four of Villa's last five matches ever since he arrived from Chelsea last month.
Drinkwater has been the go-to man for Smith in the absence of John McGinn and, when asked about the Premier League winner's fitness concerns, said: "His fitness is OK, he’s working really hard and he’s getting to where we want him to be.
"The only way you can work on your fitness is by working hard every day in training, which he does, and play matches, and he’s come in and his pass completion stat last week was 91 per cent, and probably the most forward passes in a game as well, so he was a big part of our build-up. Where he’s working to get better is without the ball."
Drinkwater was taken off on the hour-mark against Spurs last Sunday - but did attempt 50 passes in that time, only Douglas Luiz (51), Harry Winks (59) and Kortney Hause attempted more (67) in their 94 minutes.
"There’s certainly more to come from him," Smith explained, "and he’s getting to where we want him to be. That takes time when you haven’t played an awful lot of games this season."
As for the gaffer, he was less than impressed with the performances of Marvelous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz against Bournemouth in Villa's last away match. Drinkwater was ruled out of the 2-1 defeat with a tight calf, but was immediately recalled for Tottenham last week to give Villa an impetus going forward.
Smith said: "He’s not been starting every week – he didn't play against Bournemouth and the two in there didn't play well and I thought Danny should come back in last week.
"If Marvelous and Douglas played really well at Bournemouth, Danny doesn’t get back in, so that’s how it’s always worked with me.
"We know what he can do passing the ball forwards and we probably missed a bit of that, but now it’s down to the other lads.
"If they replace him, it’s down to them to keep the shirt off him. That’s what I want within any part of our squad with players fighting to grab a shirt."


birminghammail--2020-02-20--'Conserve' - Wolves old boy sends Europa League message after Espanyol win

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Matt Jarvis says head coach Nuno Espirito Santo can afford to shuffle his pack for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-32 tie with Espanyol next week following their 4-0 win at Molineux on Thursday night .
Wolves produced a dominant and rampant display to put one foot in the last-16 thanks to a hat-trick from Diogo Jota and a stunning strike from Ruben Neves .
After such an impressive result , which will leave Espanyol needing to score five goals in Spain next Thursday night , Wolves can afford to rotate the squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur a week on Sunday , according to Jarvis .
`` I think it is much better than what he will have wanted , '' Jarvis told BT Sport .
`` It gives him the chance to go into the next leg next week and change his team .
`` He has done the job tonight .
The team has been very impressive , scored some great goals and it is a fantastic first part of the knockout stage .
`` They will look to conserve energy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can go there and control the game at their own tempo . ''
With Wolves ' tally of fixtures played this season now standing at 43 , for Espirito Santo to get the opportunity to rotate his pack and rest some of his more senior stars could be key in their efforts to try and force their way into the top-four of the Premier League table .

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Former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Matt Jarvis says head coach Nuno Espirito Santo can afford to shuffle his pack for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-32 tie with Espanyol next week following their 4-0 win at Molineux on Thursday night.
Wolves produced a dominant and rampant display to put one foot in the last-16 thanks to a hat-trick from Diogo Jota and a stunning strike from Ruben Neves.
After such an impressive result, which will leave Espanyol needing to score five goals in Spain next Thursday night, Wolves can afford to rotate the squad and focus one eye on the huge Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur a week on Sunday, according to Jarvis.
"I think it is much better than what he will have wanted," Jarvis told BT Sport. "It gives him the chance to go into the next leg next week and change his team.
"He has done the job tonight. The team has been very impressive, scored some great goals and it is a fantastic first part of the knockout stage.
"They will look to conserve energy in the second leg and believe that they can go there and control the game at their own tempo."
With Wolves' tally of fixtures played this season now standing at 43, for Espirito Santo to get the opportunity to rotate his pack and rest some of his more senior stars could be key in their efforts to try and force their way into the top-four of the Premier League table.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--'Wow' - Wolves player ratings as Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves destroy Espanyol

Diogo Jota netted a hat-trick as Wolverhampton Wanderers thumped Espanyol 4-0 at Molineux to all but secure passage to the Europa League last-16 .
There ’ s still a second leg to play in Barcelona next week but a dominant performance from Nuno Espirito Santo ’ s side looks impossible to retrieve for the La Liga club .
Amidst Jota ’ s brilliance midfielder Ruben Neves scored the goal of the evening with an outrageous volley from 25 yards .
Here are our ratings from another brilliant night at Molineux : A swing with the left foot , an attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brilliant save with his right hand showed Patricio at his worst and best .
Thankfully , the Portuguese has far more good moments than bad and that save from Espanyol striker Ferreyra was one of three excellent pieces of goalkeeping in the first half .
There was one occasion where Vargas stood Boly up in the box early in the second half and attempted to dart past him only for the imperious defender to nonchalantly snatch the ball from him and set Wolves away .
That ’ s three clean sheets in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Frenchman is one of the very best centre-backs in Europe .
Coady and his colleagues knew a clean sheet was crucial on home turf and , aside from a few glimpses of goal for Lei , they were excellent at the back .
He lost Lei a couple of times but Wolves weren ’ t punished .
Other than that , Saiss was very solid on the left side of defence .
Doherty has struggled of late but he was able to showcase his undoubted talents going forward with an excellent one-two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s second .
Words will never do a Neves special justice .
Very few players are capable of striding onto a ball , killing it on the chest and lashing it into the top corner on the volley - but Neves is .
The midfielder has been sensational since Wolves reverted to 3-4-3 in November and would have grabbed himself another man-of-the-match had it not been for Jota 's clinical finishing .
Wolves ’ other Portuguese maestro didn ’ t put a foot wrong either in what was an outstanding midfield display .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any given moment and , alongside Neves , pushed Wolves forward to kill the tie in the second half .
Jonny was relentless down the left , bounding forward at every opportunity to offer Jota assistance .
He also defended adeptly against Vargas and Lei when he needed to .
Some of Traore ’ s wing play was breathtaking but he was n't able to produce the final ball on this occasion .
He did play a part in Neves ’ stunning second with a rapid run down the right and cross which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jimenez grabbed himself a nice assist for Jota ’ s first with a flick-on at the near post and his link-up was outstanding as per usual .
Wolves have now scored four goals in each of their last two European fixtures and top scorer Jimenez hasn ’ t notched any of them .
Wow .
Jota ’ s position in Wolves ’ attack has come under threat recently from Neto but this performance signalled a return to his brilliant best .
Jota was in Espanyol faces from the get-go and gave Wolves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a slight deflection off Victor Sanchez .
And he made the game safe in the second half with two excellent finishes , the first rifled past Prieto at his near post , and the second struck into the corner from outside the box .
That ’ s back-to-back hat-tricks in the Europa League for Jota after his treble against Besiktas in December .
Added steel to Wolves ’ midfield and allowed Jota to move inside to devastating effect .
Smacked the post with one scorching effort from distance on another bright cameo @

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Diogo Jota netted a hat-trick as Wolverhampton Wanderers thumped Espanyol 4-0 at Molineux to all but secure passage to the Europa League last-16.
There’s still a second leg to play in Barcelona next week but a dominant performance from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side looks impossible to retrieve for the La Liga club.
Amidst Jota’s brilliance midfielder Ruben Neves scored the goal of the evening with an outrageous volley from 25 yards.
Here are our ratings from another brilliant night at Molineux:
Rui Patricio 8
A swing with the left foot, an attempted back-heel with the right, but a brilliant save with his right hand showed Patricio at his worst and best.
Thankfully, the Portuguese has far more good moments than bad and that save from Espanyol striker Ferreyra was one of three excellent pieces of goalkeeping in the first half.
Willy Boly 8
There was one occasion where Vargas stood Boly up in the box early in the second half and attempted to dart past him only for the imperious defender to nonchalantly snatch the ball from him and set Wolves away.
That’s three clean sheets in three matches since Boly’s return. The Frenchman is one of the very best centre-backs in Europe.
Conor Coady 8
Coady and his colleagues knew a clean sheet was crucial on home turf and, aside from a few glimpses of goal for Lei, they were excellent at the back.
Romain Saiss 8
He lost Lei a couple of times but Wolves weren’t punished. Other than that, Saiss was very solid on the left side of defence.
Matt Doherty 8
Doherty has struggled of late but he was able to showcase his undoubted talents going forward with an excellent one-two and precise through ball for Jota’s second.
Ruben Neves 9
Words will never do a Neves special justice. Very few players are capable of striding onto a ball, killing it on the chest and lashing it into the top corner on the volley - but Neves is.
The midfielder has been sensational since Wolves reverted to 3-4-3 in November and would have grabbed himself another man-of-the-match had it not been for Jota's clinical finishing.
(Image: PA)
Joao Moutinho 8
Wolves’ other Portuguese maestro didn’t put a foot wrong either in what was an outstanding midfield display. Moutinho knows exactly what to do in any given moment and, alongside Neves, pushed Wolves forward to kill the tie in the second half.
Jonny Otto 7
Jonny was relentless down the left, bounding forward at every opportunity to offer Jota assistance. He also defended adeptly against Vargas and Lei when he needed to.
Adama Traore 7
Some of Traore’s wing play was breathtaking but he wasn't able to produce the final ball on this occasion. He did play a part in Neves’ stunning second with a rapid run down the right and cross which was cleared before being returned with interest.
Raul Jimenez 8
Jimenez grabbed himself a nice assist for Jota’s first with a flick-on at the near post and his link-up was outstanding as per usual. Wolves have now scored four goals in each of their last two European fixtures and top scorer Jimenez hasn’t notched any of them.
Diogo Jota 10
Wow. Jota’s position in Wolves’ attack has come under threat recently from Neto but this performance signalled a return to his brilliant best.
Jota was in Espanyol faces from the get-go and gave Wolves the lead with an instinctive finish which took a slight deflection off Victor Sanchez.
And he made the game safe in the second half with two excellent finishes, the first rifled past Prieto at his near post, and the second struck into the corner from outside the box.
That’s back-to-back hat-tricks in the Europa League for Jota after his treble against Besiktas in December.
SUBS
Leander Dendoncker (for Traore, 61) 7
Added steel to Wolves’ midfield and allowed Jota to move inside to devastating effect.
Pedro Neto (for Jimenez, 75) 6
Smacked the post with one scorching effort from distance on another bright cameo.
Daniel Podence (for Jota, 84) N/A
Not used: Ruddy, Kilman, Jordao, Campana


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Wolves 4-0 Espanyol REPORT: Nuno reacts as Diogo Jota bags another hat-trick

A Diogo Jota inspired Wolves thumped Espanyol 4-0 to effectively seal their place in the Europa League last 16 .
A second-successive hattrick in the competition for Jota , and a Ruben Neves wondergoal , has given Wolves , what looks , an unassailable first leg lead .
Nuno Espirito Santo named a full strength starting XI , with Joao Moutinho and Adama Traore coming back in for Leander Dendoncker and Pedro Neto .
And despite a terrific noise generated by the home support , Wolves had to be patient with their Spanish opponents seeing much of the ball .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a grip on the tie when Jota turned home from a Joao Moutinho corner .
There was a major flashpoint just before the break when after a brief scuffle , Espanyol midfielder Ander Iturraspe appeared to shove his head into the face of Jota .
Even with the use of VAR , the decision was made that it was only worthy of a yellow card .
After starting the second half quite poorly , Neves took centre stage .
Sparking memories of his wondergoal against Derby County in 2018 , he took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing a ferocious volley into the top corner to double Wolves ’ advantage .
Jota then got his second and Wolves ’ third after 67 minutes to effectively kill the tie after being teed up by Matt Doherty .
As the clock wound down , Jota completed another , stunning European treble , following on from his performance vs Besiktas in the group stage .
Wolves will now have the luxury of using their squad for the second leg next week , with vital league encounters against Norwich and Spurs in the next @ @ @

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Alex Dicken, Ben Husband)

A Diogo Jota inspired Wolves thumped Espanyol 4-0 to effectively seal their place in the Europa League last 16.
A second-successive hattrick in the competition for Jota, and a Ruben Neves wondergoal, has given Wolves, what looks, an unassailable first leg lead.
Nuno Espirito Santo named a full strength starting XI, with Joao Moutinho and Adama Traore coming back in for Leander Dendoncker and Pedro Neto.
And despite a terrific noise generated by the home support, Wolves had to be patient with their Spanish opponents seeing much of the ball.
But after just 15 minutes, Wolves took a grip on the tie when Jota turned home from a Joao Moutinho corner.
There was a major flashpoint just before the break when after a brief scuffle, Espanyol midfielder Ander Iturraspe appeared to shove his head into the face of Jota. Even with the use of VAR, the decision was made that it was only worthy of a yellow card.
After starting the second half quite poorly, Neves took centre stage. Sparking memories of his wondergoal against Derby County in 2018, he took the ball down on his chest before firing a ferocious volley into the top corner to double Wolves’ advantage.
Jota then got his second and Wolves’ third after 67 minutes to effectively kill the tie after being teed up by Matt Doherty.
As the clock wound down, Jota completed another, stunning European treble, following on from his performance vs Besiktas in the group stage.
Wolves will now have the luxury of using their squad for the second leg next week, with vital league encounters against Norwich and Spurs in the next 10 days.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Aston Villa old boy opens up about off-the-field struggles

Former Aston Villa player Ashley Westwood has opened up on the struggles he endured during his time spent at Villa Park .
Westwood admitted that it almost became too much during his final year at the Villa , before he moved to Burnley .
A highly-rated Crewe Alexandra academy graduate , Westwood moved to Villa in 2012 in a £2 million transfer .
While some of his performances earned acclaim - Westwood was a mobile and sensible passer from a fairly young age in the middle of the park for the Villa , he could n't escape the quagmire that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his professional attitude , Villa were unable to push forward and sank into the Championship - shortly before Villa sold Westwood to Burnley .
He made 137 appearances for the club and it is during the more recent of those that the player fell into depression , struggling with the comments he was receiving from fans .
As part of Villa 's midfield , he came in for many of the same criticisms aimed at his successors in the role - namely Conor Hourihane , Danny Drinkwater and Douglas Luiz .
Westwood realised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move from Villa , noticing that he was drinking more , and hiding away from the public eye , fearing Villa supporters .
“ It was only when I joined Burnley that I realised how bad a place I was in , ” said Westwood , speaking to the Telegraph “ I ’ d keep it all inside , locked away , trying to show a hard face but my wife knew I was unhappy .
“ We had a little group of us who ’ d have a drink after a game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of red wine but it ’ d end up being two bottles .
I wouldn ’ t say I was turning into an alcoholic but I was never really a player who ’ d drink .
`` I ’ d never drink in the house but now I didn ’ t want to go out .
I ’ d get home after getting beat and didn ’ t want to be seen out because fans would turn on you and I ’ d end up drinking red wine at home .
`` Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She ’ d ask : ‘ Are you all right ?
’ .
And I ’ d just say : ‘ Yeah , I ’ m fine ’ .
But I wasn ’ t .
`` It was an instant release coming to Burnley.
” Westwood is happier at Burnley , and is doing well .
He 's also scored two goals directly from corner kicks - ironically .
A common criticism of his abilities at Villa were aimed at his set-piece accuracy .
Westwood 's admission that he feared the retribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further indication of the vocal power and presence that fanbases hold - as well as the press - over the wellbeing of players .

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Former Aston Villa player Ashley Westwood has opened up on the struggles he endured during his time spent at Villa Park.
Westwood admitted that it almost became too much during his final year at the Villa, before he moved to Burnley.
A highly-rated Crewe Alexandra academy graduate, Westwood moved to Villa in 2012 in a £2 million transfer.
While some of his performances earned acclaim - Westwood was a mobile and sensible passer from a fairly young age in the middle of the park for the Villa, he couldn't escape the quagmire that the club became involved in.
Despite his professional attitude, Villa were unable to push forward and sank into the Championship - shortly before Villa sold Westwood to Burnley.
He made 137 appearances for the club and it is during the more recent of those that the player fell into depression, struggling with the comments he was receiving from fans.
As part of Villa's midfield, he came in for many of the same criticisms aimed at his successors in the role - namely Conor Hourihane, Danny Drinkwater and Douglas Luiz.
Westwood realised how affected he was after making the move from Villa, noticing that he was drinking more, and hiding away from the public eye, fearing Villa supporters.
“It was only when I joined Burnley that I realised how bad a place I was in,” said Westwood, speaking to the Telegraph“I’d keep it all inside, locked away, trying to show a hard face but my wife knew I was unhappy.
“We had a little group of us who’d have a drink after a game. I’d have a carafe of red wine but it’d end up being two bottles. I wouldn’t say I was turning into an alcoholic but I was never really a player who’d drink.
"I’d never drink in the house but now I didn’t want to go out. I’d get home after getting beat and didn’t want to be seen out because fans would turn on you and I’d end up drinking red wine at home.
"Rebecca was really worried about me at times. She’d ask: ‘Are you all right?’. And I’d just say: ‘Yeah, I’m fine’. But I wasn’t.
"It was an instant release coming to Burnley.”
Westwood is happier at Burnley, and is doing well. He's also scored two goals directly from corner kicks - ironically.
A common criticism of his abilities at Villa were aimed at his set-piece accuracy.
Westwood's admission that he feared the retribution of fans, should perhaps be a further indication of the vocal power and presence that fanbases hold - as well as the press - over the wellbeing of players.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--'Good enough to get something' - Aston Villa did themselves proud against Tottenham

For so long , it was looking so good .
Aston Villa were worth a point against Tottenham Hotspur , but a gutting last-minute mistake by Bjorn Engels allowed Spurs in to score a 3-2 winner .
After a largely positive performance , all it took was a second-long misjudgement to cause Villa major problems .
A bright performance suddenly became a negative .
Still , Villa kept Spurs on their toes and can take a lot from that .
In the video above , BirminghamLive 's Aston Villa podcast Claret & Blue come to terms with Villa 's largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of three points .
There 's also a transcript below , in case you are unable to watch .
James Rushton : I ’ m more worried about , not the performances or the defence or anything , I ’ m worried about the mentality .
I guess they ’ re going to think now ‘ We played so well and even then we lost ’ I want them to think ‘ you were class , you made Tottenham fight to the last second to win ’ Ashley Preece : They looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winter break helped that too .
Dan Rolinson : Yeah they did look fresh .
I saw a few people complaining about the defeat saying “ if they ’ d not flown off to Dubai and stayed behind for extra training that wouldn ’ t have happened ” they wouldn ’ t have looked so fresh and probably would have lost anyway , so allow the winter break , it ’ s fine .
We said a while ago about the game at home to Liverpool and how the last minute goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was different as Liverpool deserved to win anyway .
Against Tottenham , we were good enough to get something , so surely you have to take encouragement from it .
AP : That ’ s Liverpool and Tottenham .
Champions League Final them pair , so come on , we ’ ve come up against really good sides there .
Where were we last year ?
DR : We were barely good enough for the Championship at times .
AP : There ’ s got to be some perspective there for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to someone around us in the league , fair enough .
I know Dean Smith has made a big deal about beating the sides around us , when Bournemouth have taken six points off us .
Our record against the Top 10 is that we ’ ve taken four points off them - which is pretty bad isn ’ t it ?
- A win against Everton and a draw against Man United .
That ’ s the only points we ’ ve got from the Top 10 , which is scary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be disappointed by the last minute defeat - and naturally the players will be disappointed - however surely as players and staff they can look at the first 85 minutes or so and say ‘ let ’ s take encouragement from that ’ and not throw it all away and be disappointed .
We ’ ve gone toe to toe with Tottenham there so we can with anybody .
AP : Look , if Son didn ’ t score that goal , we ’ re looking at 2-2 and the mood would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buzzing with that “ What a great point that was !
” DR : Then you go to Southampton and get something there… AP : It ’ s mad isn ’ t it how it all changes just like that .
DR : Flip side of that , we go to Southampton and lose and then face Man City at Wembley and get battered and everyone ’ s going “ ooh , Villa are done here ” AP : Yeah it ’ s just how you look at things isn ’ t it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode - including a full run-down of the Tottenham match - on YouTube HERE , while audio feeds are below : Claret and Blue is BirminghamLive 's Aston Villa podcast , and audio/video versions of the podcast are usually released weekly on Mondays .

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For so long, it was looking so good. Aston Villa were worth a point against Tottenham Hotspur, but a gutting last-minute mistake by Bjorn Engels allowed Spurs in to score a 3-2 winner.
After a largely positive performance, all it took was a second-long misjudgement to cause Villa major problems. A bright performance suddenly became a negative.
Still, Villa kept Spurs on their toes and can take a lot from that.
In the video above, BirminghamLive's Aston Villa podcast Claret & Blue come to terms with Villa's largely impressive performance against Spurs - despite the lack of three points.
There's also a transcript below, in case you are unable to watch.
James Rushton: I’m more worried about, not the performances or the defence or anything, I’m worried about the mentality. I guess they’re going to think now ‘We played so well and even then we lost’
I want them to think ‘you were class, you made Tottenham fight to the last second to win’
Ashley Preece: They looked on it didn’t they, the winter break helped that too.
Dan Rolinson: Yeah they did look fresh. I saw a few people complaining about the defeat saying “if they’d not flown off to Dubai and stayed behind for extra training that wouldn’t have happened” they wouldn’t have looked so fresh and probably would have lost anyway, so allow the winter break, it’s fine.
We said a while ago about the game at home to Liverpool and how the last minute goal knocks the stuffing out of you, that was different as Liverpool deserved to win anyway. Against Tottenham, we were good enough to get something, so surely you have to take encouragement from it.
AP: That’s Liverpool and Tottenham. Champions League Final them pair, so come on, we’ve come up against really good sides there. Where were we last year?
DR: We were barely good enough for the Championship at times.
(Image: PA)
AP: There’s got to be some perspective there for me. Okay, if we lose at home to someone around us in the league, fair enough.
I know Dean Smith has made a big deal about beating the sides around us, when Bournemouth have taken six points off us.
Our record against the Top 10 is that we’ve taken four points off them - which is pretty bad isn’t it? - A win against Everton and a draw against Man United. That’s the only points we’ve got from the Top 10, which is scary.
DR: As much as you can be disappointed by the last minute defeat - and naturally the players will be disappointed - however surely as players and staff they can look at the first 85 minutes or so and say ‘let’s take encouragement from that’ and not throw it all away and be disappointed.
We’ve gone toe to toe with Tottenham there so we can with anybody.
AP: Look, if Son didn’t score that goal, we’re looking at 2-2 and the mood would be so good. Everybody would be buzzing with that “What a great point that was!”
DR: Then you go to Southampton and get something there…
AP: It’s mad isn’t it how it all changes just like that.
DR: Flip side of that, we go to Southampton and lose and then face Man City at Wembley and get battered and everyone’s going “ooh, Villa are done here”
AP: Yeah it’s just how you look at things isn’t it.
You can watch the full podcast episode - including a full run-down of the Tottenham match - on YouTube HERE, while audio feeds are below:
Acast
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Claret and Blue is BirminghamLive's Aston Villa podcast, and audio/video versions of the podcast are usually released weekly on Mondays.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Phillip Schofield takes wife Stephanie Lowe and daughters to Paris on family holiday

Phillip Schofield is making the most of his half-term break - by whisking his family off to Paris .
The This Morning presenter has been off our screens all week , alongside Holly Willoughby , with the pair replaced by Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford .
Phil , 57 , is enjoying a trip to Paris , in France , alongside his loved ones - just a fortnight after he revealed to the world he was gay .
Silver-haired Schofe posted several snaps from the French city , including selfies with his wife of 27 years , Steph , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Phil posted a photo of the Eiffel Tower lit up , glittering in the dark .
The Dancing on Ice presenter also shared a snap of the family standing in front of a large red love heart emblazoned with lights .
Earlier this month , Schofe described his wife as 'incredible ' and 'astonishing ' before being overcome with emotion .
He said : `` We 've been honest and open ... Steph…I ca n't write in any statement what I feel about that woman .
She 's amazing , she 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my life who would have supported me the way…as a wife , as the way she 's supported me .
She 's astonishing , literally astonishing . ''
The questioning came to an end when Holly called Phil over to her side where they embraced .
Holly said : `` Whatever happens in the future I will be sat by your side - in fact come and sit here here , where you should be .
It feels too weird .
`` And I will be by your side forever , ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she gave Phil a big hug .
The high-profile presenter revealing his sexuality has been hailed as 'brave and powerful , including by LGBT charity Stonewall .

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Phillip Schofield is making the most of his half-term break - by whisking his family off to Paris.
The This Morning presenter has been off our screens all week, alongside Holly Willoughby, with the pair replaced by Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford.
Phil, 57, is enjoying a trip to Paris, in France, alongside his loved ones - just a fortnight after he revealed to the world he was gay.
Silver-haired Schofe posted several snaps from the French city, including selfies with his wife of 27 years, Steph, and their children.
Taking to Instagram, Phil posted a photo of the Eiffel Tower lit up, glittering in the dark.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The Dancing on Ice presenter also shared a snap of the family standing in front of a large red love heart emblazoned with lights.
Earlier this month, Schofe described his wife as 'incredible' and 'astonishing' before being overcome with emotion.
He said: " We've been honest and open...Steph…I can't write in any statement what I feel about that woman. She's amazing, she's incredible.
(Image: Phillip Schofield/Instagram)
"There is no one in my life who would have supported me the way…as a wife, as the way she's supported me. She's astonishing, literally astonishing."
The questioning came to an end when Holly called Phil over to her side where they embraced.
Holly said: "Whatever happens in the future I will be sat by your side - in fact come and sit here here, where you should be. It feels too weird.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"And I will be by your side forever, ever and ever," she added as she gave Phil a big hug.
The high-profile presenter revealing his sexuality has been hailed as 'brave and powerful, including by LGBT charity Stonewall.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Driver Louis Bond who seriously injured OAP after dog distracted him jailed

A driver who knocked down and seriously injured an elderly pedestrian after his dog distracted him by jumping on to the car 's front seat has been jailed for 15 months , according to police .
Louis Bond drove through a red light before hitting the 78-year-old woman causing her to suffer two broken legs , a break to her right shoulder and a bleed to the brain .
The pensioner spent more than three months in hospital and can no longer walk without a frame following the crash in Mulfords Hill Tadley , Hampshire , on January 17 last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tadley , was jailed at Winchester Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving .
He has also been banned from driving for two years after his release from prison .
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said : `` Louis Bond was arrested after his BMW collided with a pedestrian when he went through a red light .
`` His dog had jumped from the back of the vehicle on to the passenger seat , causing Bond to turn around to put the dog in the back seat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ force 's roads policing unit , said : `` This case should serve as a warning to dog owners about just how dangerous not securing your dog in the car can be .
`` The victim was left with extremely serious injuries and it is lucky that she was not killed .
`` I want to remind people about the serious consequences that come with distractions when you 're behind the wheel .
`` The Highway Code says that all animals must be kept suitably restrained in a vehicle so they do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen here that failure to do so can be so dangerous .
`` Please make sure your pets are secured , not just for their safety but for yours and other people 's safety as well . ''

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A driver who knocked down and seriously injured an elderly pedestrian after his dog distracted him by jumping on to the car's front seat has been jailed for 15 months, according to police.
Louis Bond drove through a red light before hitting the 78-year-old woman causing her to suffer two broken legs, a break to her right shoulder and a bleed to the brain.
The pensioner spent more than three months in hospital and can no longer walk without a frame following the crash in Mulfords Hill Tadley, Hampshire, on January 17 last year.
Bond, 24, from Tadley, was jailed at Winchester Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He has also been banned from driving for two years after his release from prison.
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "Louis Bond was arrested after his BMW collided with a pedestrian when he went through a red light.
"His dog had jumped from the back of the vehicle on to the passenger seat, causing Bond to turn around to put the dog in the back seat."
Pc Chris Brown, of the force's roads policing unit, said: "This case should serve as a warning to dog owners about just how dangerous not securing your dog in the car can be.
"The victim was left with extremely serious injuries and it is lucky that she was not killed.
"I want to remind people about the serious consequences that come with distractions when you're behind the wheel.
"The Highway Code says that all animals must be kept suitably restrained in a vehicle so they do not distract or injure you, and we have seen here that failure to do so can be so dangerous.
"Please make sure your pets are secured, not just for their safety but for yours and other people's safety as well."


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Barclays scraps ‘Big Brother’ spyware tracking how long workers spend at desks

Barclays has scrapped a `` Big Brother style '' system that tracked how long employees spent at their desks and sent warnings if they spent too long on breaks .
The bank has now stopped its use of the spyware following criticism from HR experts and privacy campaigners .
Barclays introduced the technology during a pilot scheme last week , which was first reported by City AM .
Whistleblowers told the newspaper that the system provides staff with daily updates if they are not deemed active enough and told them to `` avoid breaks '' .
The firm said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as `` tackle overworking '' .
The software , called Sapience , monitors workers ' productivity and claims to create `` unprecedented transparency '' within companies .
A Barclays spokesman said : `` We always intended to listen to colleague feedback as part of this limited pilot which was intended to tackle issues such as individual over-working as well as raise general productivity .
`` In response to that colleague feedback we have taken steps to ensure that no individual data is visible to managers . ''
The bank 's use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' groups and privacy campaigners .
The TUC union described the use of the system as `` dystopian Big Brother tactics that show a total disregard for hardworking staff '' .

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Barclays has scrapped a "Big Brother style" system that tracked how long employees spent at their desks and sent warnings if they spent too long on breaks.
The bank has now stopped its use of the spyware following criticism from HR experts and privacy campaigners.
Barclays introduced the technology during a pilot scheme last week, which was first reported by City AM.
Whistleblowers told the newspaper that the system provides staff with daily updates if they are not deemed active enough and told them to "avoid breaks".
The firm said the pilot had been intended to improve productivity as well as "tackle overworking".
The software, called Sapience, monitors workers' productivity and claims to create "unprecedented transparency" within companies.
A Barclays spokesman said: "We always intended to listen to colleague feedback as part of this limited pilot which was intended to tackle issues such as individual over-working as well as raise general productivity.
"In response to that colleague feedback we have taken steps to ensure that no individual data is visible to managers."
The bank's use of the system received scorn from workers' groups and privacy campaigners.
The TUC union described the use of the system as "dystopian Big Brother tactics that show a total disregard for hardworking staff".


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Harrowing story of how twisted dad Daniel Ashurst killed 14-month-old daughter Hollie

A father has been convicted of killing his 14-month-old daughter who suffered a catalogue of injuries .
Daniel Ashurst , 33 , was cleared by a jury at Manchester Crown Court of murdering Hollie Ashurst but found guilty of her manslaughter .
Hollie sustained bruises and abrasions to the head and neck area , bleeding on the brain and in the eyes , a broken ankle and two possible bite marks to her hand and thigh .
Daniel Ashurst , 33 , was said to have shaken her in a violent temper while alone with the youngster at the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in hospital the following day .
Ashurst told medics his daughter had tumbled down two steps on the stairs at the family home in Fleming Court on February 28 but in a defence statement seven months later he claimed a series of unfortunate accidents had befallen his daughter .
In a rush to get her to hospital he said she fell further down the staircase when he slipped and lost grip of her as his shorts pocket snagged something on the way down .
Ashurst then claimed Hollie flew out of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a set of traffic lights .
The Crown said his explanation for the injuries was `` nonsense '' and was fabricated in a bid to fit the medical evidence .
Jurors were told they could only convict Ashurst of murder if they found he had assaulted her and intended to cause her death or serious injury .
Instead they unanimously agreed he intended to cause her some harm short of serious injury or he realised some harm was likely to be caused .
Unemployed Ashurst was on medication for anxiety and depression and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lager nightly - and took cocaine two or three times a week to help him relax .
He used cocaine on the evening before the fatal injuries were said to have happened , the court was told , but he said it had no effect on him the next day after `` a good night 's sleep '' .
The defendant was remanded in custody until sentencing on February 26 .

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A father has been convicted of killing his 14-month-old daughter who suffered a catalogue of injuries.
Daniel Ashurst, 33, was cleared by a jury at Manchester Crown Court of murdering Hollie Ashurst but found guilty of her manslaughter.
Hollie sustained bruises and abrasions to the head and neck area, bleeding on the brain and in the eyes, a broken ankle and two possible bite marks to her hand and thigh.
Daniel Ashurst, 33, was said to have shaken her in a violent temper while alone with the youngster at the family home in Shevington, Wigan. Hollie died in hospital the following day.
Ashurst told medics his daughter had tumbled down two steps on the stairs at the family home in Fleming Court on February 28 but in a defence statement seven months later he claimed a series of unfortunate accidents had befallen his daughter.
(Image: (Image: PA))
In a rush to get her to hospital he said she fell further down the staircase when he slipped and lost grip of her as his shorts pocket snagged something on the way down.
Ashurst then claimed Hollie flew out of her car seat as he braked heavily at a set of traffic lights.
The Crown said his explanation for the injuries was "nonsense" and was fabricated in a bid to fit the medical evidence.
(Image: (Image: PA))
Jurors were told they could only convict Ashurst of murder if they found he had assaulted her and intended to cause her death or serious injury.
Instead they unanimously agreed he intended to cause her some harm short of serious injury or he realised some harm was likely to be caused.
Unemployed Ashurst was on medication for anxiety and depression and admitted he drank three of four cans of lager nightly - and took cocaine two or three times a week to help him relax.
He used cocaine on the evening before the fatal injuries were said to have happened, the court was told, but he said it had no effect on him the next day after "a good night's sleep".
Ashurst denied ever harming her.
The defendant was remanded in custody until sentencing on February 26.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--The best action from Wolves' Europa League clash with Espanyol

The best action from Wolves ' Europa League clash with Espanyol Nuno Espirito Santo 's men were in action at @ @ @ @ @ of their last 32 tie

Sport gallery
The best action from Wolves' Europa League clash with Espanyol
Nuno Espirito Santo's men were in action at Molineux in the first leg of their last 32 tie


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Caroline Flack's death: Met Police referred to watchdog over role in tragedy

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over the contact it had with Caroline Flack before her death , the force said .
Scotland Yard ’ s directorate of professional standards reviewed all previous contact with Love Island presenter Flack , 40 , before making the referral on Wednesday .
It is standard practice for a referral to be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct ( IOPC ) when a person who has had recent contact with police dies , the force said .
A statement said : “ No notice of investigation has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues have been identified by the DPS .
No officer is on restricted duties or suspended.
” An IOPC spokesman said : “ We will make a decision on the level of our involvement after carefully assessing the information we have received .
Receipt of a referral does not mean an investigation will necessarily follow.
” Flack was found dead on Saturday after taking her own life as she awaited trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton , 27 .
An inquest opening heard that the television personality was found `` lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hanging on February 15 .
In a statement , the Met said : “ As is standard practice when a member of the public dies or is seriously injured and has had recent contact with police , the Directorate of Professional Standards has reviewed all previous police contact with Ms Flack .
“ Following the review , the MPS made a mandatory referral to the IOPC on Wednesday , 19 February to allow for an independent assessment .
“ No notice of investigation has been served on any officer and no conduct issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No officer is on restricted duties or suspended .
”

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The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over the contact it had with Caroline Flack before her death, the force said.
Scotland Yard’s directorate of professional standards reviewed all previous contact with Love Island presenter Flack, 40, before making the referral on Wednesday.
It is standard practice for a referral to be made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) when a person who has had recent contact with police dies, the force said.
A statement said: “No notice of investigation has been served on any officer and no conduct issues have been identified by the DPS. No officer is on restricted duties or suspended.”
(Image: PA)
An IOPC spokesman said: “We will make a decision on the level of our involvement after carefully assessing the information we have received. Receipt of a referral does not mean an investigation will necessarily follow.”
Flack was found dead on Saturday after taking her own life as she awaited trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.
An inquest opening heard that the television personality was found "lying on her back" after an apparent hanging on February 15.
In a statement, the Met said: “As is standard practice when a member of the public dies or is seriously injured and has had recent contact with police, the Directorate of Professional Standards has reviewed all previous police contact with Ms Flack.
“Following the review, the MPS made a mandatory referral to the IOPC on Wednesday, 19 February to allow for an independent assessment.
“No notice of investigation has been served on any officer and no conduct issues have been identified by the DPS. No officer is on restricted duties or suspended.”


birminghammail--2020-02-20--'Writing on the wall' - Aston Villa fans react to Gabby Agbonlahor tell-all interview

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor met up with radio station talkSPORT to discuss the finer details of his Villa career .
Gabby discussed life under Paul Lambert and Remi Garde , the Lerner regime and Jack Grealish .
The interviews revealed a number of details , and Villa fans were impressed with Gabby 's openness .
His involvement in a number of poor Villa squads was noted - and Gabby himself could n't totally avoid criticism .
James : Afraid of the hard work that Remi expected .
Andy : Never the players fault is it .
Brian : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth of what it was like in them dark days at Villa .
@ Thumperclub : Still ca n't believe Lambert kept us up .
Towards the end of one season we were playing with Bowery , Baker , Sylla and Bennett .
Rob : He 's got a point though .
Kevin MacDonald would have been better than that wet wipe .
The writing was on the wall when we got so many French players .
Did n't help Newcastle a few years before when they got relegated .
@ ComesFootball : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - sticking with Sherwood would prob have been better but may still have sunk .
Rotten but started at board level and spread throughout after years of lacking clear strategy & culture .
@ Zeus_AVFC : Nice interview with Gabby but this does not excuse him being 2-3 stone overweight for 4 years .
Tom : Gabby , Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott did more damage to us that season than Remi Garde .
Three more decent French players in place of them and we 'd have been fine .
@ myworditslongy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say about Garde yet it was all Gabby ’ s fault for how it all went south .

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Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor met up with radio station talkSPORT to discuss the finer details of his Villa career.
Gabby discussed life under Paul Lambert and Remi Garde, the Lerner regime and Jack Grealish.
The interviews revealed a number of details, and Villa fans were impressed with Gabby's openness.
His involvement in a number of poor Villa squads was noted - and Gabby himself couldn't totally avoid criticism.
Here's how Villa fans reacted to Gabby's tell-all.
DAP7478: Garde was a joke appointment.
James: Afraid of the hard work that Remi expected.
Andy: Never the players fault is it.
Brian: Love hearing Gabby speak & tell the truth of what it was like in them dark days at Villa.
@Thumperclub: Still can't believe Lambert kept us up. Towards the end of one season we were playing with Bowery, Baker, Sylla and Bennett.
Rob: He's got a point though. Kevin MacDonald would have been better than that wet wipe. The writing was on the wall when we got so many French players. Didn't help Newcastle a few years before when they got relegated.
@ComesFootball: No wonder Villa went down so badly - sticking with Sherwood would prob have been better but may still have sunk. Rotten but started at board level and spread throughout after years of lacking clear strategy & culture.
@Zeus_AVFC: Nice interview with Gabby but this does not excuse him being 2-3 stone overweight for 4 years.
Tom: Gabby, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott did more damage to us that season than Remi Garde. Three more decent French players in place of them and we'd have been fine.
@myworditslongy: Not a single player has anything good to say about Garde yet it was all Gabby’s fault for how it all went south.
Alex: Gabby on Talksport HAMMERING Remi Garde.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--A great start and 'shockwaves sent' - the Louie Barry story at Aston Villa so far

Louie Barry has yet to start , or feature , in a senior match for Aston Villa after joining from Barcelona in January .
Despite that , he 's one of Villa 's great hopes for the future .
Barry is an example of the policy that Villa will pursue going forward - developing the best youth talent outside of Manchester and London , and ensuring opportunities to recruit others are exploited .
Barry has n't been at Villa a long time at all , but it 's been an eventful month or so for the youngster .
Here 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's latest signing got off to the best possible start to life at the club .
Louie Barry , who joined from Barcelona for around £1 million in initial fees , has already made an impression on Villa 's coaching While waiting to 'officially ' become a Villa player , Barry got off to the best possible start by scoring a goal for the club in front of two of the people who will decide his future at the club .
ESPN report that last month in a training friendly against Cardiff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He scored an equalising goal after playing in the last half-an-hour at Bodymoor Heath .
Villa won 2-1 , but more importantly the striker made an impression on head coach Dean Smith and his assistant John Terry .
Christian Purslow has hailed Aston Villa ’ s capture of Louie Barry as a ‘ marquee development ’ for the club ’ s academy .
The England starlet quit Barcelona for Bodymoor Heath in January to link up with Mark Harrison who he worked with at West Bromwich Albion .
Barry left The Hawthorns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been compensated by Barcelona .
But Villa are chuffed with their new signing and Purslow believes it will send shockwaves around the country .
Speaking at this week ’ s Villa Supporters Trust AGM , Purslow said : “ The signing of Louie Barry from Barcelona was… sometimes in business and in sport , sometimes you need a marquee development to signal to the rest of the marketplace that we ’ re back in business .
“ We wanted to signal to 14 , 15 and 16-year-olds and their parents that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football .
So we take the only British 16-year-old to ever be transferred to Spain . ''
Louie Barry is doing the business for Aston Villa 's youth sides .
In a match at Bodymoor Heath 's academy facility , the young lion pounced to score an excellent volleyed finish .
Taking advantage of a quickly taken-throw in , Villa 's Charlie Farr rushed to the corner before arcing in a cross .
Barry beat his man to finish first-time and add another goal to his increasing highlight reel .
Aston Villa ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spoken for the first time on why he left European giants Barcelona to join his boyhood team , his ‘ love ’ for rivals West Brom and his ambition to become a first teamer by the end of the season .
Speaking to BirminghamLive after picking up the Elite Junior Sports Person of the Year honour at the Sutton Coldfield Sports Awards held at the Ramada Hotel at the end of January – 16-year-old Barry spoke of everything coming together at the right time for his dream move to Aston Villa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to come home and live in Sutton , where his girlfriend is also based .
Barry seemed happy to have secured a move ‘ home ’ during the January transfer window – having only joined Barça from West Bromwich Albion last summer .
He also had sympathy with Baggies fans ’ frustrations with his move to their Midlands rivals .
The club are owed a flat £235,000 compensation fee for overseas youngsters .
While Barcelona are set to make £1million which could rise to £3 million with add-ons .
He said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired up about it .
“ I loved West Brom as a club .
I was there from the age of six to 15 .
I will always have love for them and will never say a bad word against them .
“ I came to Aston Villa to work with Mark Harrison .
I just wanted to come back .
I really enjoyed it at Barcelona .
“ I am coming back home – but I wasn ’ t homesick .
I was born in Aston .
I have supported Villa all @ @ @ @

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Louie Barry has yet to start, or feature, in a senior match for Aston Villa after joining from Barcelona in January.
Despite that, he's one of Villa's great hopes for the future. Barry is an example of the policy that Villa will pursue going forward - developing the best youth talent outside of Manchester and London, and ensuring opportunities to recruit others are exploited.
Barry hasn't been at Villa a long time at all, but it's been an eventful month or so for the youngster.
Here's his story so far.
The Start
Aston Villa's latest signing got off to the best possible start to life at the club.
Louie Barry, who joined from Barcelona for around £1 million in initial fees, has already made an impression on Villa's coaching
While waiting to 'officially' become a Villa player, Barry got off to the best possible start by scoring a goal for the club in front of two of the people who will decide his future at the club.
ESPN report that last month in a training friendly against Cardiff, Barry featured for Villa's U23 squad. He scored an equalising goal after playing in the last half-an-hour at Bodymoor Heath. Villa won 2-1, but more importantly the striker made an impression on head coach Dean Smith and his assistant John Terry.
Full Story
Purslow
Christian Purslow has hailed Aston Villa’s capture of Louie Barry as a ‘marquee development’ for the club’s academy.
The England starlet quit Barcelona for Bodymoor Heath in January to link up with Mark Harrison who he worked with at West Bromwich Albion.
Barry left The Hawthorns in the summer and Albion still haven’t been compensated by Barcelona.
But Villa are chuffed with their new signing and Purslow believes it will send shockwaves around the country.
Speaking at this week’s Villa Supporters Trust AGM, Purslow said: “The signing of Louie Barry from Barcelona was… sometimes in business and in sport, sometimes you need a marquee development to signal to the rest of the marketplace that we’re back in business.
“We wanted to signal to 14, 15 and 16-year-olds and their parents that Aston Villa is deadly serious about youth football. So we take the only British 16-year-old to ever be transferred to Spain."
Full Story
Highlight Reel
Louie Barry is doing the business for Aston Villa's youth sides.
In a match at Bodymoor Heath's academy facility, the young lion pounced to score an excellent volleyed finish.
Taking advantage of a quickly taken-throw in, Villa's Charlie Farr rushed to the corner before arcing in a cross. Barry beat his man to finish first-time and add another goal to his increasing highlight reel.
Full Story
On Villa
Aston Villa’s new teenage striking sensation Louie Barry has spoken for the first time on why he left European giants Barcelona to join his boyhood team, his ‘love’ for rivals West Brom and his ambition to become a first teamer by the end of the season.
Speaking to BirminghamLive after picking up the Elite Junior Sports Person of the Year honour at the Sutton Coldfield Sports Awards held at the Ramada Hotel at the end of January – 16-year-old Barry spoke of everything coming together at the right time for his dream move to Aston Villa.
Boyhood coach, boyhood club and a chance to come home and live in Sutton, where his girlfriend is also based.
Barry seemed happy to have secured a move ‘home’ during the January transfer window – having only joined Barça from West Bromwich Albion last summer.
He also had sympathy with Baggies fans’ frustrations with his move to their Midlands rivals. The club are owed a flat £235,000 compensation fee for overseas youngsters. While Barcelona are set to make £1million which could rise to £3 million with add-ons.
He said: “I understand they’re quite fired up about it.
“I loved West Brom as a club. I was there from the age of six to 15. I will always have love for them and will never say a bad word against them.
“I came to Aston Villa to work with Mark Harrison. I just wanted to come back. I really enjoyed it at Barcelona.
“I am coming back home – but I wasn’t homesick. I was born in Aston. I have supported Villa all my life.”
Full Story


birminghammail--2020-02-20--'Any chance of an extra block?' - Aston Villa fans react as Carabao Cup final tickets sell out

Aston Villa have sold out their allocation of tickets for the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium .
The final will be Villa 's third trip to the national stadium in three years , and that has not stopped fans snapping up tickets .
Following a rush for cup final tickets , Villa have today issued a final announcement regarding the availability of tickets - and there are no more left .
The club has sold out their full allocation of 33,666 tickets , but Club Wembley season ticket seats remain available .
Some fans will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocation had next to no chance of hitting general sale , but the fanbase in general is pleased at the show of support for the club .
Here 's some of the reaction from Villans .
@ TorontoLions : Like this was ever going to get close to general sale .
Callum : Loads in City end if you didn ’ t get one .
Ethan : Now go to the EFL because Man City can ’ t and we will have some of there ticket .
Dan : Best support in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyone got a Man City booking history they can hook me up with ?
James : Aston Villa : Sold out to members who have been to 5+ games this season .
Man City : Still 2000+ tickets on sale to anyone who has ever owned or worn a light blue top Mike : Anyone got history to secure me a ticket in the City end ?
Luke : Any chance of a few extra blocks , Man City ?
Louie : And City still haven ’ t sold out even with this @ @

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Aston Villa have sold out their allocation of tickets for the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
The final will be Villa's third trip to the national stadium in three years, and that has not stopped fans snapping up tickets.
Following a rush for cup final tickets, Villa have today issued a final announcement regarding the availability of tickets - and there are no more left.
The club has sold out their full allocation of 33,666 tickets, but Club Wembley season ticket seats remain available.
Some fans will have to miss out, as Villa's allocation had next to no chance of hitting general sale, but the fanbase in general is pleased at the show of support for the club.
Here's some of the reaction from Villans.
@TorontoLions: Like this was ever going to get close to general sale.
Callum: Loads in City end if you didn’t get one.
Ethan: Now go to the EFL because Man City can’t and we will have some of there ticket.
Bhavik: Never in doubt!
Dan: Best support in the land, bar none.
Tom: Anyone got a Man City booking history they can hook me up with?
James: Aston Villa: Sold out to members who have been to 5+ games this season. Man City: Still 2000+ tickets on sale to anyone who has ever owned or worn a light blue top
Mike: Anyone got history to secure me a ticket in the City end?
Luke: Any chance of a few extra blocks, Man City?
Louie: And City still haven’t sold out even with this criteria.


birminghammail--2020-02-20--Who is Leonardo Campana? The exciting Wolves talent involved vs Espanyol

Nuno Espirito Santo has handed Leonardo Campana a place in his Wolverhampton Wanderers squad for tonight 's Europa League clash with Espanyol .
Thanks to his talent and the faith of football ’ s most powerful agent Jorge Mendes , Campana has fled Ecuador for the Premier League at just 19 .
Nuno had initially earmarked Campana for a place in Wolves ’ under-23s , but the club ’ s failure to land a senior deputy to Raul Jimenez has put the Ecuadorian in pole position .
His first training session at Compton Park came with Nuno ’ s squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ever since .
The foundations for Campana ’ s rise were laid in Guayaquil , a coastal city in Ecuador where his family are extremely influential .
“ Leonardo was born with a football , ” one source told BirminghamLive .
“ From a very young age he started playing football and I do n't remember seeing him doing anything else.
” Campana - who idolises Ronaldo , Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robert Lewandowski - has developed a habit for winning , too .
He helped his school , Torremar College , win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hadn ’ t previously achieved .
He would also train regularly at Guayaquil Tennis Club ’ s soccer schools .
One of his mentors said : “ From a very young age , he stood out for his competitiveness , physicality , speed and technique with the ball , which made us hope he would be one of the best players in the world .
“ They say that to be great in sports and in football , you have to be hungry for glory , disciplined , have technical skills , talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything Leo has.
” Campana ’ s journey from talented schoolboy to prolific goal-getter accelerated once he joined Ecuador ’ s premier football club .
He debuted for Barcelona SC at under-16 level with 15 goals in 16 matches and proceeded to make light work of under-18s football the following year with 20 goals in 19 games .
Campana top scored at the South American Championships in Chile this time last year as Ecuador won an unprecedented U20 title .
The Wolves striker was also a key member of the Ecuador squad which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U20 World Cup .
Those statistics attracted Mendes to Campana and Nuno has been entrusted to develop Ecuador ’ s future No.9 on the training ground .
Campana is now 10,000 kilometres away from his family home - but he is n't be alone in Wolverhampton .
One of his three siblings , Pablo Jr , has joined him in the Black Country and will finish the final year of his studies at university in England .
And the rest of the Campana clan will be regular visitors to support the latest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talents .
Father Pablo was an elite tennis player and has turned his hand to politics and business since retiring .
He was instrumental in Ecuador striking a trade agreement with the UK .
Campana ’ s mother Isabel Romero Noboa , meanwhile , is the daughter of former Barcelona SC president Isidro Romero Carbo and Isabel Noboa Pontón , who is Ecuador ’ s most recognisable businesswoman .
She has also been incredibly successful in the business world .
But Campana has taken the path of his great grandfather Gabriel , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football championship in the early 1900s .
“ For Leo , football is his passion and his head is 100 % focused on football , ” a separate source explained .
“ Leo is a young man who likes to be with his family and is very disciplined in his schedules , meals , hours of sleep , training and in his day to day .
“ He has a lot of confidence in Wolves , in his coach Nuno Espirito Santo , in his agent Jorge Mendes and his work team whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire career.
” Genetically and professionally , everything is geared up for Campana to succeed at Molineux .

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Nuno Espirito Santo has handed Leonardo Campana a place in his Wolverhampton Wanderers squad for tonight's Europa League clash with Espanyol.
Thanks to his talent and the faith of football’s most powerful agent Jorge Mendes, Campana has fled Ecuador for the Premier League at just 19.
Nuno had initially earmarked Campana for a place in Wolves’ under-23s, but the club’s failure to land a senior deputy to Raul Jimenez has put the Ecuadorian in pole position.
His first training session at Compton Park came with Nuno’s squad, and he’s remained with them ever since.
(Image: stuartmanleyphotography/Wolves)
The foundations for Campana’s rise were laid in Guayaquil, a coastal city in Ecuador where his family are extremely influential.
“Leonardo was born with a football,” one source told BirminghamLive. “From a very young age he started playing football and I don't remember seeing him doing anything else.”
Campana - who idolises Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robert Lewandowski - has developed a habit for winning, too. He helped his school, Torremar College, win two intercollegiate championships - a feat they hadn’t previously achieved. He would also train regularly at Guayaquil Tennis Club’s soccer schools.
One of his mentors said: “From a very young age, he stood out for his competitiveness, physicality, speed and technique with the ball, which made us hope he would be one of the best players in the world.
“They say that to be great in sports and in football, you have to be hungry for glory, disciplined, have technical skills, talent and be strong in the head, everything Leo has.”
Campana’s journey from talented schoolboy to prolific goal-getter accelerated once he joined Ecuador’s premier football club.
He debuted for Barcelona SC at under-16 level with 15 goals in 16 matches and proceeded to make light work of under-18s football the following year with 20 goals in 19 games.
Campana top scored at the South American Championships in Chile this time last year as Ecuador won an unprecedented U20 title.
The Wolves striker was also a key member of the Ecuador squad which finished third at last summer’s U20 World Cup.
Those statistics attracted Mendes to Campana and Nuno has been entrusted to develop Ecuador’s future No.9 on the training ground.
Campana is now 10,000 kilometres away from his family home - but he isn't be alone in Wolverhampton. One of his three siblings, Pablo Jr, has joined him in the Black Country and will finish the final year of his studies at university in England.
And the rest of the Campana clan will be regular visitors to support the latest in their bloodline’s long line of talents.
Father Pablo was an elite tennis player and has turned his hand to politics and business since retiring. He was instrumental in Ecuador striking a trade agreement with the UK.
Campana’s mother Isabel Romero Noboa, meanwhile, is the daughter of former Barcelona SC president Isidro Romero Carbo and Isabel Noboa Pontón, who is Ecuador’s most recognisable businesswoman. She has also been incredibly successful in the business world.
But Campana has taken the path of his great grandfather Gabriel, a six-time winner of Ecuador’s national football championship in the early 1900s.
(Image: stuartmanleyphotography/Wolves)
“For Leo, football is his passion and his head is 100% focused on football,” a separate source explained.
“Leo is a young man who likes to be with his family and is very disciplined in his schedules, meals, hours of sleep, training and in his day to day.
“He has a lot of confidence in Wolves, in his coach Nuno Espirito Santo, in his agent Jorge Mendes and his work team whom he trusts for the planning of his entire career.”
Genetically and professionally, everything is geared up for Campana to succeed at Molineux.