birminghammail--2020-10-17--Marc Albrighton's compelling tale of growing up at Aston Villa

It 's clearly an 'Aston Villa fan thing ' to want more of Marc Albrighton .
There 's a moment 45 minutes into Claret & Blue 's epic Zoom chat with Alrighton when we stop to ask if he would mind hanging around for another half an hour .
He generously agrees and we proceed to keep him for another hour .
And then some .
Perhaps we 're trying to make up for lost time by preventing him from going too early again .
Albrighton infamously left Villa when his boyhood club failed to offer him a new contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners medal with Leicester City helped him get over it - so there 's so much to talk about when we catch up with him over a video hangout for our Claret & Blue podcast and You Tube channel .
So much , in fact , that we 're splitting this interview into a two-parter as there 's too many brilliant memories and insights to cram into one .
From being shellshocked by a swearing superstar to sending secret toilet cubicle text messages , Albrighton is compelling company and a great story-teller and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that triumph in the face of such professional and personal adversity in Part Two .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here This claret and blue boy is now 30 years old , but let 's take him way back to the beginning .
To help us picture those humble beginnings , Albrighton drops us a message on WhatsApp a short while after we talk to share some brilliant never-before-seen photos from the time he fell in love with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carol took the time and trouble ( it coincided with Mrs Albrighton returning to her teaching job after lockdown ) to dig out the pics is a tribute to the everyman qualities of the player and the down-to-earth nature of his family .
Before we go on though- how massive and heavy does that football look at the feet of the young Albrighton in the picture above ?
!
To the uninitiated , Albrighton grew up in Tamworth in a very claret and blue household indeed .
Football was his life from as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad Terry immersed him in the game , his father was never a pushy parent .
“ He ’ s not competitive in the slightest , he always just wanted what I wanted , '' Albrighton says .
`` He never had to be competitive because it was always my decision and it was everything I wanted to do .
There were times where he ’ d have to pull me in from outside because it was pitch black and I had school the next day .
`` He never pushed me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go along with everything I wanted to do .
Don ’ t get me wrong , he wanted me to make it as a footballer , because football was his life as well .
He didn ’ t really have to do too much pushing . ''
If anything , Albrighton senior had to rein his mini-kicker in a little bit as the family lawn took a battering .
“ I was in the garden constantly , '' he smiles .
`` I can just remember my mum and dad ’ s garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a strip of mud right down the middle of the garden .
At the time , my dad obviously went ‘ You need to get off the grass !
You ’ re ruining the grass !
’ “ Now I ’ ve got my own grass and my own kids , I know how he feels .
`` I remember going to one of the local schools and they did a ‘ Mini Kickers ’ type thing over on the field .
`` It was one of my dad ’ s mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember getting to the sidelines and looking in awe .
All I wanted to do was to get out there .
“ There were two groups - an older group and a younger group .
I remember being in the younger group for probably five minutes and the guy who ran it said ‘ You need to go in the older group , because no-one else is getting a touch ’ .
I headed over to the older group , and physically , it was obviously difficult but I held my own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Everton ... . ''
It 's at this stage that Claret & Blue does a double take .
Our Marc , the boyhood Villa fan , being promised an 'Everton ' anything puts us on a state of high alert .
`` I remember my dad promising me an Everton mint every time I scored a goal , '' he continues .
`` I think we got in the car one day , and I ’ d score like eight or nine goals , and he said , ‘ We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating eight or nine Everton mints every week !
’ .
” When he was n't wrecking lawns or rotting teeth , Albrighton had short stints for a number of junior clubs in the Tamworth area and has particularly fond memories of playing for Mile Oak Monarchs on a pitch behind the landmark hotel , especially the post match chip butties and friendly family vibe .
West Bromwich Albion were the first to come knocking , but any slight disappointment he had about an unsuccessful trial with the Baggies subsided when Villa arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a seven-year-old .
“ I can ’ t remember , really , how it ended at West Brom , '' he says .
`` There were reports I got released , but I never signed anything there .
`` They asked me to go for a six or an eight-week trial .
Me and another lad from Mile Oak .
The other lad was a goalkeeper , we travelled there together twice a week .
`` There was no games at the time , we were only seven .
There was no games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on what seemed like a massive astroturf pitch .
`` There must have been like 300 kids there .
I stuck it out for a bit , but I just didn ’ t enjoy it .
I think my mum and dad knew I didn ’ t enjoy it , it just didn ’ t feel right , I ’ d rather go and train or go and play in the garden .
`` I never enjoyed it .
I don ’ t really know how it ended , if I stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d seen enough .
I remember it being a close period between stopping that and Villa coming in for me . ''
By then Marc , just like his old man , was Villa through and through .
Signing for a professional club , his club , did cut him a bit of slack with teachers who would take an interest in his football and excuse him occasionally drifting off in lessons into daydreams about playground kickabouts .
It was Villa , Villa and more Villa .
One of the pictures he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him hunting down Phil King 's autograph at Bodymoor Heath in the mid-90s .
It 's accompanied by a brilliant Birmingham Mail cutting talking up the talent of Albrighton and another kid called Daniel Sturridge .
“ It started with my dad - he was Villa through and through , '' he beams .
`` He tells me about the times when Villa won the league at Arsenal , and he was there .
`` He went to the European Cup final and he ’ s got all of the photos .
Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa quilt , Villa wallpaper .
`` To then go to the training ground , I literally had no idea that academies existed , or that you could be signed by clubs .
I was just naive to it all .
It was the best thing that could have ever happened.
” Before joining Villa , Albrighton and his Dad used to watch Villa from the Witton Lane Stand and switching to the Trinity Road stand behind the old brick dugouts when he was on the club 's books .
`` John Gregory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had the loudest whistle in football , ” he recalls before sharing a fascinating tale of another time when he could n't believe his ears .
It was on November 22 2003 , that a 14-year-old Albrighton realised he was well and truly in the presence of the big boys when one of his heroes turned the air ( claret and ) blue .
“ When we were younger , it was a much smaller training ground , '' he explains .
`` You had no option other than to be around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve got was the Rugby World Cup final against Australia , and as the academy , we had the option whether to go in or not .
`` I didn ’ t take an interest in rugby , but I went in and there were three of us in the end .
We went into the building after for food , and I remember going into the Parents ’ Lounge and the first-team were in there watching the end of the game .
I remember looking around , and there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like eight or nine foot tall .
`` I couldn ’ t believe I was in the same room as them .
They were talking about the game and the camera was panning onto the Australian players and they were swearing at each other , and when I was that age , I thought , ‘ Oh my god !
Dion Dublin swears ’ .
” Seeing Dublin , all 6ft something of him , might have convinced the spindly youngster that he was n't cut out to carry on playing as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not already come to that conclusion on his behalf .
“ I was a centre-forward , a striker for the majority of my time growing up .
I didn ’ t really grow as much when I was younger .
Everyone else seemed to take the shoot , but I missed it .
I was coming up against defenders that were six-foot already .
I remember playing Coventry and they had a centre-half , who was probably double my size .
`` From then on , it was just , ‘ Do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
You ’ ll get more space out there and won ’ t have to play with your back to goal the whole time.
’ .
I tried that , and it went on from there.
” You can watch our Marc Albrighton exclusive in full here Reserved rather than shy , the work ethic instilled in Albrighton by Terry and Carol continued to shine through as he strived to impress on and off the Bodymoor Heath practice pitches .
Over the course of our Claret & Blue interviews , several former Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barry Bannan and Lee Hendrie - have extolled the virtues of training ground chores for character-building and making the transition from youth team to first team dressing room .
Albrighton agrees , but he acknowledges that he drew the short straw when they were handing out boot-cleaning duties .
`` I got John Carew ’ s boots , which as you can imagine , weren ’ t the smallest boots , '' he laughs .
`` They were quite large .
`` The youth team had to wear black leather boots , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted .
They had red and yellow material , all different colours .
I ’ d never cleaned these boots before , I ’ m just used to scrubbing them .
With material boots , you can ’ t do that .
You can ’ t get them too wet because the players don ’ t like it .
That was a difficult baptism . ''
Not only that but some of the first team squad players would take great delight in making the young lads lives even tougher 0 including former academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d finished , we had to hang around and collect all of the balls that could have been everywhere , '' recalls Albrighton .
`` I remember Craig Gardner used to do shooting practice every session , and on their last shot , they ’ d deliberately shoot it into the quarry and we 'd be fetching them .
With the kitman at the time , he was quite intimidating for a young player .
If you didn ’ t have a full set of balls to bring back to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was quite a tough time.
” Albrighton was his own worst critic as he came through the ranks at Bodymoor .
His impressive progress had the youth team coaches purring about him in excited whispers , but his own self confidence took a little more convincing even when boss Martin O'Neill called him up to train with the senior squad for the first time .
“ I remember it being a really sunny day , '' he says .
`` I got the call , I was in the gym at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured .
I remember coming out of the fire exit doors at the gym and it was really sunny , the pitch was absolutely immaculate , there was fresh water on it , the white Premier League balls .
I remember walking over there - there were players like Gareth Barry - who I was just in awe of .
For the first year , I couldn ’ t get to grips with the fact I was training with these players every day .
“ I was probably a bit reserved .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , it gets in my head and affects the rest of my game .
This was the same in the training .
Some of the drills we were doing , it was one-touch , and you wouldn ’ t get the time you get in the reserve league and in the youth league .
`` The day before every game , we ’ d do two 10-minute games , or three 10-minute games , and the last 10-minute game would always be one-touch .
I was lost .
The ball was coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the rest of the players on the pitch knew exactly where they were going to put it , but I didn ’ t know what to do with it .
It took some getting used to.
” The Peace Cup was a breakthrough fortnight for Albrighton in the summer of 2009 .
Called up to attend the summer pre-season tournament , the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal and also claimed a couple of assists as Villa won the trophy in Spain .
It was a time when Albrighton finally felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spent his life preparing for deserved to be stamped on his passport - professional footballer .
By then he had already made his competitve debut , in , much colder conditions than Andulucia in August .
Albrighton 's claret and blue bow came in controversial circumstances five months earlier on a freezing Moscow night as Villa crashed out of the UEFA Cup to CSKA Moscow .
All of the post match fall out was dominated by fans venting their anger at O'Neill for the wholesale changes that caused the costly 2-0 defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
Before he played the entire 90 minutes in a second string side , he made sure he sneaked off to send a secret message to his folks .
`` Martin O ’ Neill used to read the team out in the dressing room an hour beforehand , '' he remembers .
`` There was talk that I might be playing , might not be , but you ’ re never sure until the team ’ s read out .
I knew we ’ d taken such a young squad out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance .
`` As soon as he named the team , I sneaked my phone back into my pocket , went into one of the cubicles to text my dad , and my mum , to tell them I was playing but it wasn ’ t on the TV , so there was somewhere that was showing it that we knew about .
`` They said if you ’ re playing to let them know so they could watch it .
I sneakily had to do that in the toilets and then went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were a few fans at the airport on the way back that showed they weren ’ t happy towards the manager for taking all the players but there were a few that came up to us and said well done , which was great at the time.
” The decision to charge fans £14.95 per match to watch their teams on PPV ( in addition to their existing TV subscriptions ) has generated plenty of debate .
We think it 's an insult too far .
What do you think ?
Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you agree then please add your name to it .
Whether it was because of the claret and blue backlash , whether he had a dressing room full of Premier League experience , or whether he thought Albrighton was n't quite ready for more , O'Neill would only use Albrighton sparingly from that moment onwards .
“ For the first part of it , I was just happy to be around that squad , '' he adds .
`` As time went on , there was a bit of me thinking I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit more .
I ’ m ready to take somebody ’ s place , if you like .
`` At that time , though , we had such a good side .
We were finishing sixth in the league .
It was difficult and a lot of the time , you would go into the dressing room , and Martin O ’ Neill would go , ‘ Right , same team , same subs ’ , that was you in the stand again .
`` It was good in the fact that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-hand where I ’ d usually be in the crowd anyway , it was good in that sense .
`` But from my point-of-view because I had that little carrot dangling , I was so close to it , that I just wanted to make some appearances and put my name out there.
” ( With thanks to Bobby Vincent for his transcription services ) .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Mat Kendrick, Bobby Vincent)

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It's clearly an 'Aston Villa fan thing' to want more of Marc Albrighton.
There's a moment 45 minutes into Claret & Blue's epic Zoom chat with Alrighton when we stop to ask if he would mind hanging around for another half an hour.
He generously agrees and we proceed to keep him for another hour. And then some.
Perhaps we're trying to make up for lost time by preventing him from going too early again.
Albrighton infamously left Villa when his boyhood club failed to offer him a new contract back in 2014.
A Premier League winners medal with Leicester City helped him get over it - so there's so much to talk about when we catch up with him over a video hangout for our Claret & Blue podcast and You Tube channel.
Flick through Marc Albrighton's brilliant Aston Villa photo album here
So much, in fact, that we're splitting this interview into a two-parter as there's too many brilliant memories and insights to cram into one.
From being shellshocked by a swearing superstar to sending secret toilet cubicle text messages, Albrighton is compelling company and a great story-teller and that's even before he touches upon that triumph in the face of such professional and personal adversity in Part Two.
All in good time.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
This claret and blue boy is now 30 years old, but let's take him way back to the beginning.
To help us picture those humble beginnings, Albrighton drops us a message on WhatsApp a short while after we talk to share some brilliant never-before-seen photos from the time he fell in love with football.
That he and his mom Carol took the time and trouble (it coincided with Mrs Albrighton returning to her teaching job after lockdown) to dig out the pics is a tribute to the everyman qualities of the player and the down-to-earth nature of his family.
Before we go on though- how massive and heavy does that football look at the feet of the young Albrighton in the picture above?!
Anyway, we digress.
To the uninitiated, Albrighton grew up in Tamworth in a very claret and blue household indeed.
Football was his life from as early as he can remember and while dad Terry immersed him in the game, his father was never a pushy parent.
“He’s not competitive in the slightest, he always just wanted what I wanted," Albrighton says.
"He never had to be competitive because it was always my decision and it was everything I wanted to do. There were times where he’d have to pull me in from outside because it was pitch black and I had school the next day.
"He never pushed me to do anything. He was happy to go along with everything I wanted to do. Don’t get me wrong, he wanted me to make it as a footballer, because football was his life as well. He didn’t really have to do too much pushing."
If anything, Albrighton senior had to rein his mini-kicker in a little bit as the family lawn took a battering.
Claret & Blue podcast Have you tried our Claret & Blue podcast out? Claret & Blue is our expanded look at everything Aston Villa - and you can find it on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube, as well as your podcast service of choice. Our writers will bring you the latest from Villa Park in their own unique style, taking a deeper look at the Villans while having a lot of fun along the way. What can you expect? Well,analysis, news, interviews and debate along with, yes, a fair amount of nonsense! That's not all though, you can find the podcast on Twitter here, and as a newsletter which you can subscribe to here. In our newsletter you'll get original articles like this and exclusive interviews before anyone else has access. What are you waiting for?
“I was in the garden constantly," he smiles. "I can just remember my mum and dad’s garden.
"All of the pictures just have a strip of mud right down the middle of the garden. At the time, my dad obviously went ‘You need to get off the grass! You’re ruining the grass!’
“Now I’ve got my own grass and my own kids, I know how he feels.
"I remember going to one of the local schools and they did a ‘Mini Kickers’ type thing over on the field.
"It was one of my dad’s mates that was running it, and I remember getting to the sidelines and looking in awe. All I wanted to do was to get out there.
“There were two groups - an older group and a younger group. I remember being in the younger group for probably five minutes and the guy who ran it said ‘You need to go in the older group, because no-one else is getting a touch’. I headed over to the older group, and physically, it was obviously difficult but I held my own.
"I remember my dad promising me an Everton...."
It's at this stage that Claret & Blue does a double take. Our Marc, the boyhood Villa fan, being promised an 'Everton' anything puts us on a state of high alert.
Phew, we needn't have worried.
"I remember my dad promising me an Everton mint every time I scored a goal," he continues.
"I think we got in the car one day, and I’d score like eight or nine goals, and he said, ‘We need to amend this, you can't be eating eight or nine Everton mints every week!’.”
When he wasn't wrecking lawns or rotting teeth, Albrighton had short stints for a number of junior clubs in the Tamworth area and has particularly fond memories of playing for Mile Oak Monarchs on a pitch behind the landmark hotel, especially the post match chip butties and friendly family vibe.
West Bromwich Albion were the first to come knocking, but any slight disappointment he had about an unsuccessful trial with the Baggies subsided when Villa arrived on the scene to sign him as a seven-year-old.
“I can’t remember, really, how it ended at West Brom," he says. "There were reports I got released, but I never signed anything there.
"They asked me to go for a six or an eight-week trial. Me and another lad from Mile Oak. The other lad was a goalkeeper, we travelled there together twice a week.
"There was no games at the time, we were only seven. There was no games at that age then. I remember going on what seemed like a massive astroturf pitch.
"There must have been like 300 kids there. I stuck it out for a bit, but I just didn’t enjoy it. I think my mum and dad knew I didn’t enjoy it, it just didn’t feel right, I’d rather go and train or go and play in the garden.
"I never enjoyed it. I don’t really know how it ended, if I stopped going, or if they said they’d seen enough. I remember it being a close period between stopping that and Villa coming in for me."
By then Marc, just like his old man, was Villa through and through. Signing for a professional club, his club, did cut him a bit of slack with teachers who would take an interest in his football and excuse him occasionally drifting off in lessons into daydreams about playground kickabouts.
It was Villa, Villa and more Villa.
One of the pictures he sends us is an adorable snap of him hunting down Phil King's autograph at Bodymoor Heath in the mid-90s. It's accompanied by a brilliant Birmingham Mail cutting talking up the talent of Albrighton and another kid called Daniel Sturridge.
“It started with my dad - he was Villa through and through," he beams. "He tells me about the times when Villa won the league at Arsenal, and he was there.
"He went to the European Cup final and he’s got all of the photos. Everything was Villa, my room was a Villa quilt, Villa wallpaper.
"To then go to the training ground, I literally had no idea that academies existed, or that you could be signed by clubs. I was just naive to it all. It was the best thing that could have ever happened.”
Before joining Villa, Albrighton and his Dad used to watch Villa from the Witton Lane Stand and switching to the Trinity Road stand behind the old brick dugouts when he was on the club's books.
"John Gregory was the manager at the time and he had the loudest whistle in football,” he recalls before sharing a fascinating tale of another time when he couldn't believe his ears.
It was on November 22 2003, that a 14-year-old Albrighton realised he was well and truly in the presence of the big boys when one of his heroes turned the air (claret and) blue.
“When we were younger, it was a much smaller training ground," he explains.
"You had no option other than to be around each other. The first real memory I’ve got was the Rugby World Cup final against Australia, and as the academy, we had the option whether to go in or not.
"I didn’t take an interest in rugby, but I went in and there were three of us in the end. We went into the building after for food, and I remember going into the Parents’ Lounge and the first-team were in there watching the end of the game. I remember looking around, and there were players like Dion Dublin, they seemed like eight or nine foot tall.
"I couldn’t believe I was in the same room as them. They were talking about the game and the camera was panning onto the Australian players and they were swearing at each other, and when I was that age, I thought, ‘Oh my god! Dion Dublin swears’.”
Seeing Dublin, all 6ft something of him, might have convinced the spindly youngster that he wasn't cut out to carry on playing as a centre forward, had his Bodymoor coaches not already come to that conclusion on his behalf.
“I was a centre-forward, a striker for the majority of my time growing up. I didn’t really grow as much when I was younger. Everyone else seemed to take the shoot, but I missed it. I was coming up against defenders that were six-foot already. I remember playing Coventry and they had a centre-half, who was probably double my size.
"From then on, it was just, ‘Do you want to go out to the wing? You’ll get more space out there and won’t have to play with your back to goal the whole time.’. I tried that, and it went on from there.”
You can watch our Marc Albrighton exclusive in full here
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Reserved rather than shy, the work ethic instilled in Albrighton by Terry and Carol continued to shine through as he strived to impress on and off the Bodymoor Heath practice pitches.
Over the course of our Claret & Blue interviews, several former Villa youth teamers, - Gabby Agbonlahor, Barry Bannan and Lee Hendrie - have extolled the virtues of training ground chores for character-building and making the transition from youth team to first team dressing room.
Albrighton agrees, but he acknowledges that he drew the short straw when they were handing out boot-cleaning duties.
"I got John Carew’s boots, which as you can imagine, weren’t the smallest boots," he laughs. "They were quite large.
"The youth team had to wear black leather boots, but the first-team could wear whatever boots they wanted. They had red and yellow material, all different colours. I’d never cleaned these boots before, I’m just used to scrubbing them. With material boots, you can’t do that. You can’t get them too wet because the players don’t like it. That was a difficult baptism."
Not only that but some of the first team squad players would take great delight in making the young lads lives even tougher 0 including former academy graduate Craig Gardner.
"Once they’d finished, we had to hang around and collect all of the balls that could have been everywhere," recalls Albrighton.
"I remember Craig Gardner used to do shooting practice every session, and on their last shot, they’d deliberately shoot it into the quarry and we'd be fetching them. With the kitman at the time, he was quite intimidating for a young player. If you didn’t have a full set of balls to bring back to him, he’d go crazy at you. It was quite a tough time.”
Albrighton was his own worst critic as he came through the ranks at Bodymoor. His impressive progress had the youth team coaches purring about him in excited whispers, but his own self confidence took a little more convincing even when boss Martin O'Neill called him up to train with the senior squad for the first time.
“I remember it being a really sunny day," he says. "I got the call, I was in the gym at the time, someone must have got injured. I remember coming out of the fire exit doors at the gym and it was really sunny, the pitch was absolutely immaculate, there was fresh water on it, the white Premier League balls. I remember walking over there - there were players like Gareth Barry - who I was just in awe of. For the first year, I couldn’t get to grips with the fact I was training with these players every day.
“I was probably a bit reserved. If I do a couple of bad things wrong, it gets in my head and affects the rest of my game. This was the same in the training. Some of the drills we were doing, it was one-touch, and you wouldn’t get the time you get in the reserve league and in the youth league.
"The day before every game, we’d do two 10-minute games, or three 10-minute games, and the last 10-minute game would always be one-touch. I was lost. The ball was coming to me at a real quick pace and the rest of the players on the pitch knew exactly where they were going to put it, but I didn’t know what to do with it. It took some getting used to.”
The Peace Cup was a breakthrough fortnight for Albrighton in the summer of 2009. Called up to attend the summer pre-season tournament, the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal and also claimed a couple of assists as Villa won the trophy in Spain. It was a time when Albrighton finally felt like he belonged, that the profession he had spent his life preparing for deserved to be stamped on his passport - professional footballer.
By then he had already made his competitve debut, in ,much colder conditions than Andulucia in August.
Albrighton's claret and blue bow came in controversial circumstances five months earlier on a freezing Moscow night as Villa crashed out of the UEFA Cup to CSKA Moscow.
All of the post match fall out was dominated by fans venting their anger at O'Neill for the wholesale changes that caused the costly 2-0 defeat.
Not that Albrighton got distracted by that. Before he played the entire 90 minutes in a second string side, he made sure he sneaked off to send a secret message to his folks.
"Martin O’Neill used to read the team out in the dressing room an hour beforehand," he remembers.
"There was talk that I might be playing, might not be, but you’re never sure until the team’s read out. I knew we’d taken such a young squad out there, so I knew there was a chance.
"As soon as he named the team, I sneaked my phone back into my pocket, went into one of the cubicles to text my dad, and my mum, to tell them I was playing but it wasn’t on the TV, so there was somewhere that was showing it that we knew about.
"They said if you’re playing to let them know so they could watch it. I sneakily had to do that in the toilets and then went to get ready for the game. There were a few fans at the airport on the way back that showed they weren’t happy towards the manager for taking all the players but there were a few that came up to us and said well done, which was great at the time.”
The decision to charge fans £14.95 per match to watch their teams on PPV (in addition to their existing TV subscriptions) has generated plenty of debate. We think it's an insult too far. What do you think? Have a read of open letter and if you agree then please add your name to it.
Whether it was because of the claret and blue backlash, whether he had a dressing room full of Premier League experience, or whether he thought Albrighton wasn't quite ready for more, O'Neill would only use Albrighton sparingly from that moment onwards.
“For the first part of it, I was just happy to be around that squad," he adds.
"As time went on, there was a bit of me thinking I was ready to move on and play a bit more. I’m ready to take somebody’s place, if you like.
"At that time, though, we had such a good side. We were finishing sixth in the league. It was difficult and a lot of the time, you would go into the dressing room, and Martin O’Neill would go, ‘Right, same team, same subs’, that was you in the stand again.
"It was good in the fact that I was travelling and I got to see first-hand where I’d usually be in the crowd anyway, it was good in that sense.
"But from my point-of-view because I had that little carrot dangling, I was so close to it, that I just wanted to make some appearances and put my name out there.”
(With thanks to Bobby Vincent for his transcription services).


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Wolves striker Raul Jimenez responds to transfer rumours

Raul Jimenez admits it was impossible not to pay attention to rumours linking him with a move away from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer .
The Mexico striker was the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent months having excelled in the Premier League since his move to Molinuex .
Manchester United and Liverpool were both linked with interest in the 29-year-old , while there was also reports Real Madrid and Juventus were keen .
Jimenez put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with Wolves earlier this month .
When asked about the rumours , he told Sky Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , on holiday , and every day that I woke up I was at a new club .
It was just rumours , that ’ s it .
I ’ m happy here and happy to stay here .
“ You always have to keep doors open for everything but never lose your mind .
It ’ s going to be like this for all the transfer windows .
“ If I stay , I ’ m very happy and I ’ m going to keep playing the same .
If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be part of it .
We are professional football players and it is part of our life.
” Jimenez has netted 46 goals in 104 appearances for Wolves since initially arriving on loan from Benfica in 2018 before the move was made permanent for £32.6million .
“ I think so , ” he said when asked if Nuno Espirito Santo 's side can break into the top four .
“ If we continue working like we are doing in the last two seasons , we did very good .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The last games we didn ’ t get want we want but we are a great team , a great family and if we stay together we can do it .
”

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Raul Jimenez admits it was impossible not to pay attention to rumours linking him with a move away from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.
The Mexico striker was the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent months having excelled in the Premier League since his move to Molinuex.
Manchester United and Liverpool were both linked with interest in the 29-year-old, while there was also reports Real Madrid and Juventus were keen.
Jimenez put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with Wolves earlier this month.
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When asked about the rumours, he told Sky Sports: “I was on my days off, on holiday, and every day that I woke up I was at a new club. It was just rumours, that’s it. I’m happy here and happy to stay here.
“You always have to keep doors open for everything but never lose your mind. It’s going to be like this for all the transfer windows.
“If I stay, I’m very happy and I’m going to keep playing the same. If I have to leave, well it’s going to be part of it. We are professional football players and it is part of our life.”
Jimenez has netted 46 goals in 104 appearances for Wolves since initially arriving on loan from Benfica in 2018 before the move was made permanent for £32.6million.
“I think so,” he said when asked if Nuno Espirito Santo's side can break into the top four. “If we continue working like we are doing in the last two seasons, we did very good.
“Last season I think we deserved more. The last games we didn’t get want we want but we are a great team, a great family and if we stay together we can do it.”


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Aston Villa transfer news and updates live after deadline day

Hello and welcome to Saturday 's LIVE coverage of Aston Villa from BirminghamLive .
We will be keeping you up @ @ @ @ @ transfer news and gossip after domestic deadline day .
Dean Smith decided against adding to @ @ @ @ @ , yet Villa have enjoyed some window .
Josh King at AFC Bournemouth has been @ @ @ @ @ to Villa while Said Benrahma - a player Smith knows well - completed a late @ @ @ @ @ Ham United .
It was all quiet on the outgoings front , too ; Jacob @ @ @ @ @ loan move , has impressed Smith and Villa in the early stages of the season @ @ @ @ @ It 's all eyes on the January window , now , which is only two @ @ @ @ @ !
Join our team throughout the day to keep up to date with all the @ @ @ @ @ .

Hello and welcome to Monday's LIVE coverage of Aston Villa from BirminghamLive.
We will be keeping you up to date with the latest Villa news and gossip after a fourth win of the season.
A stoppage-time strike from Ross Barkley gave Dean Smith's men a valuable 1-0 win over Midland rivals Leicester City as they maintained their winning start to the season.
There will be plenty of reaction to that game and news ahead of the next Premier League encounter with Leeds United on Friday night.
After the summer transfer window, It's also all eyes on the January window, now, which is only two and a half months away!
Join our team throughout the day to keep up to date with all the latest eaction and gossip on the blog below.


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Lotto results LIVE: Winning numbers for Saturday, October 17 2020

Another night and another chance for you to win a huge amount of money thanks to the lottery .
Every week , people 's lives are changed after they win massive prizes on the National Lottery from just a couple hundred pounds to millions of pounds .
And tonight , you could be one of them because there 's a lot of cash up for grabs so you will not want to miss out .
Tonight 's jackpot is a massive £3.8m .
Can you imagine what you could do with that huge amount of dosh ?
Maybe buy a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few holidays away ?
Or quit your job entierly .
In order to play , all you have to do is pay £2 to give you the chance to win millons .
Simple , right ?
The winning numbers for today are 26 , 32 ,38 , 41,49 , 51 and the bonus ball is 46 Even if you only match three numbers , you could win £30 which could buy you a nice meal out with your family .
But be quick , you have until 7.30pm to buy a ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8pm .
If you want to buy a ticket , you can do so here .
We are covering this event live so keep an eye on our updates below and we 'll let you know the results when they happen .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Chris  Harper)

Another night and another chance for you to win a huge amount of money thanks to the lottery.
Every week, people's lives are changed after they win massive prizes on the National Lottery from just a couple hundred pounds to millions of pounds.
And tonight, you could be one of them because there's a lot of cash up for grabs so you will not want to miss out.
Tonight's jackpot is a massive £3.8m. Can you imagine what you could do with that huge amount of dosh? Maybe buy a mansion with a butler? Perhaps take a few holidays away? Or quit your job entierly.
In order to play, all you have to do is pay £2 to give you the chance to win millons. Simple, right?
The winning numbers for today are 26, 32 ,38, 41,49, 51 and the bonus ball is 46
Even if you only match three numbers, you could win £30 which could buy you a nice meal out with your family.
But be quick, you have until 7.30pm to buy a ticket and the draw will take place at 8pm. If you want to buy a ticket, you can do so here.
We are covering this event live so keep an eye on our updates below and we'll let you know the results when they happen.


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Villa sent clear message over Milot Rashica transfer in January

Aston Villa 's pursuit of Milot Rashica was one of the transfer sagas of the summer .
The Kosovo international was regularly touted for a move to Villa Park before the international window closed last Monday having first been linked with Dean Smith 's side in January .
Villa were reported to have met Werder 's asking price for the winger earlier in the window but nothing materialised , while a potential move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig fell through because the two clubs could not agree on a fee .
Werder 's head of professional football and scouting Clemens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24-year-old in September - but it is understood his wage demands were a sticking point .
`` They got in touch , yes , I can confirm that , '' he said .
Speaking to Deichstube , Fritz added : `` There is nothing concrete .
There are a couple of requests for him .
We are in intensive and close communication with his management . ''
But Rashica , who had n't been involved for Werder until Saturday 's 1-1 draw against Freiburg , failed to secure a move before the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive Klaus Filbry said the player 's departure would aid the club during the coronavirus pandemic as he hinted at a potential transfer in January .
`` Due to the situation , we have a shortfall in our income of around €30m over both seasons , '' Filbry told Bild .
`` In this respect , a transfer for Milot would have been important for us to get back in the right direction financially . ''
New reports in Germany are now claiming Rashica has already decided on his next club ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is an agreement in place for the former Vitesse attacker to sign a five-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen in a move that will become official in January .
And Villa fans on social media appear to be pleased Rashica is moving elsewhere , with one saying : `` We did n't need him anyway . ''
`` Would have been a bad signing anyway , '' posted another .
A third said : `` Whoever gets him he won ’ t be satisfied , clearly a mercenary who I ’ m glad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Never wanted him anyway , '' wrote one supporter .
While a fifth mused : `` His big move was Leverkusen ?
Something tells me he 'll be getting a new agent . ''

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Aston Villa's pursuit of Milot Rashica was one of the transfer sagas of the summer.
The Kosovo international was regularly touted for a move to Villa Park before the international window closed last Monday having first been linked with Dean Smith's side in January.
Villa were reported to have met Werder's asking price for the winger earlier in the window but nothing materialised, while a potential move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig fell through because the two clubs could not agree on a fee.
Werder's head of professional football and scouting Clemens Fritz confirmed Villa's interest in the 24-year-old in September - but it is understood his wage demands were a sticking point.
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"They got in touch, yes, I can confirm that," he said. Speaking to Deichstube, Fritz added: "There is nothing concrete. There are a couple of requests for him. We are in intensive and close communication with his management."
But Rashica, who hadn't been involved for Werder until Saturday's 1-1 draw against Freiburg, failed to secure a move before the deadline passed.
Last week, Bremen's chief executive Klaus Filbry said the player's departure would aid the club during the coronavirus pandemic as he hinted at a potential transfer in January.
"Due to the situation, we have a shortfall in our income of around €30m over both seasons," Filbry told Bild. "In this respect, a transfer for Milot would have been important for us to get back in the right direction financially."
New reports in Germany are now claiming Rashica has already decided on his next club ahead of the window reopening.
Bild say there is an agreement in place for the former Vitesse attacker to sign a five-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen in a move that will become official in January.
And Villa fans on social media appear to be pleased Rashica is moving elsewhere, with one saying: "We didn't need him anyway."
"Would have been a bad signing anyway," posted another.
A third said: "Whoever gets him he won’t be satisfied, clearly a mercenary who I’m glad we aren’t signing."
"Never wanted him anyway," wrote one supporter.
While a fifth mused: "His big move was Leverkusen? Something tells me he'll be getting a new agent."


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Karanka on Jutkiewicz, Toral and Blues' defeat to Sheff Wed

Aitor Karanka admits his Birmingham City side did not approach today ’ s loss to Sheffield Wednesday as he would have liked .
The Blues boss saw his side struggle to match the Owls for threequarters of Saturday ’ s 1-0 defeat , which came courtesy of Barry Bannan ’ s second half penalty .
He also admitted his team missed the absent Lukas Jutkiewicz and Jon Toral .
“ We have chosen today different players to try to be more offensive , ” Karanka said .
“ But with the lack of intensity in the first half it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because when you are not with the intensity you need it is difficult to do anything .
“ We have to approach the game in a better way , like we did at the beginning of the season .
“ When we had that intensity we have created more chances in ten minutes than we have created in the last three or four games in a row .
“ We are almost the same as we were three or four weeks ago when we approached the games really well .
It is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know if it will be about the players , about the warm-up , about the meetings but I need to check it because it is true in the last two games we didn ’ t approach the games in the way we have to approach it.
” “ This morning the doctor called me and told me he didn ’ t feel well .
I don ’ t know anything more because now the doctor is with the players treating them for Tuesday .
I will speak with her now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsletter here “ We have been tested the last time we had to be , I don ’ t remember if it was last week , I don ’ t remember now – but everyone was tested .
“ We missed him a lot .
Lukas and Jon Toral because he got injured [ groin ] on Thursday or Friday .
That can be another explanation when the players who are playing look at the bench and they don ’ t see anybody who can make an impact on the game and maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But it is true we have to take good things from the game today and the best two things are Jonathan Leko and Riley McGree .
”

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Aitor Karanka admits his Birmingham City side did not approach today’s loss to Sheffield Wednesday as he would have liked.
The Blues boss saw his side struggle to match the Owls for threequarters of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat, which came courtesy of Barry Bannan’s second half penalty.
He also admitted his team missed the absent Lukas Jutkiewicz and Jon Toral.
“We have chosen today different players to try to be more offensive,” Karanka said.
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“But with the lack of intensity in the first half it was difficult to attack, difficult to defend because when you are not with the intensity you need it is difficult to do anything.
“We have to approach the game in a better way, like we did at the beginning of the season.
“When we had that intensity we have created more chances in ten minutes than we have created in the last three or four games in a row.
“We are almost the same as we were three or four weeks ago when we approached the games really well. It is something I have to check.
“I don’t know if it will be about the players, about the warm-up, about the meetings but I need to check it because it is true in the last two games we didn’t approach the games in the way we have to approach it.”
Karanka also addressed questions about Jutkiewicz’s fitness
“This morning the doctor called me and told me he didn’t feel well. I don’t know anything more because now the doctor is with the players treating them for Tuesday. I will speak with her now.
“We have been tested the last time we had to be, I don’t remember if it was last week, I don’t remember now – but everyone was tested.
“We missed him a lot. Lukas and Jon Toral because he got injured [groin] on Thursday or Friday. That can be another explanation when the players who are playing look at the bench and they don’t see anybody who can make an impact on the game and maybe they are a little bit more relaxed.
“But it is true we have to take good things from the game today and the best two things are Jonathan Leko and Riley McGree.”


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Birmingham City fans are all making the same Jonathan Leko point

Birmingham City slipped to their first defeat of the Championship season with Sheffield Wednesday taking all three points .
In what was without doubt the flattest league display of the Aitor Karanka era so far , a penalty from St Andrew 's villain Barry Bannan was enough to secure a win for Garry Monk 's side .
Blues struggled to create any meaningful openings despite Dan Crowley being handed his first Championship start this term and Scott Hogan coming in for Lukas Jutkiewicz , who had been feeling unwell .
Hogan saw a goal chalked off for offside in stoppage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having recorded just one shot on target when Jeremie Bela tried to trouble Cameron Dawson in the Owls goal .
On an afternoon of few positives , the introduction of Jonathan Leko was without doubt a highlight for Aitor Karanka .
The attacker made his debut from the bench following his summer move from West Bromwich Albion and livened up proceedings in the final 25 minutes .
Leko was hungry for the ball on his return to action from a lengthy injury lay-off with his pace and direct running a threat to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help fashion an equaliser , fans were encouraged by what they saw from the 21-year-old .
Here 's a selection of responses to the defeat on social media : Sign up to our Birmingham City newsletter for the latest transfer news and comment Why should you sign up ?
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Google Play Store and App Store @ JMbcfc_ : Things to take from that game : Leko HAS to start next game .
Seems there could be a really good partnership formed with him and Hogan .
Sunjic is too vital for our midfield .
Players like Crowley , Bela & Sanchez are irrelevant when you don ’ t have a ball winning midfielder .
@ Gergz1875 : Desperately needed Juke for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being bullied out the game .
Leko looks promising though .
Hopefully back to the Sunjic with Clayton combo for the next game .
@ BlueTone65 : Terrible game , currently lack know how if we fall behind .
Until closing stages we really looked reluctant to push players forward .
Leko really looks as if he could make a difference when fully fit .
@ 1ParaKirby : Just my opinion , but that was as bad as or if not worse than last season .
So negative , lots of passing backwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm really worried about the striker situation .
It could be a very tough season .
@ Dan_starmz : Disappointing performance first half but Leko came on and looked bright .
Ultimately the referee has cost us as has been the norm this season .
@ bcfcextra : First defeat of the season then , disappointing and didn ’ t really get going until the last 10 minutes .
However , on the positive side it ’ s still early days and still have more players to come in to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he came on too .
@ DominicR26 : Missed Sunjic , Leko has to start if he ’ s fit enough .
Whole team needs a mentality switch , just seem to lack urgency .
We switched it on in the 85th minute so it ’ s definitely there .
@ _Tom1875 : Terrible performance , hopefully put it right on Tuesday .
Leko was a positive but McGree , Crowley , Clayton looked well off the pace .
@ DrNeilJMurray : Disappointing performance that , apart from Leko , but Karanka needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out about the squad in actual games , so I suppose it is not surprising we 'll get some of these performances and results at this stage .

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Birmingham City slipped to their first defeat of the Championship season with Sheffield Wednesday taking all three points.
In what was without doubt the flattest league display of the Aitor Karanka era so far, a penalty from St Andrew's villain Barry Bannan was enough to secure a win for Garry Monk's side.
Blues struggled to create any meaningful openings despite Dan Crowley being handed his first Championship start this term and Scott Hogan coming in for Lukas Jutkiewicz, who had been feeling unwell.
Hogan saw a goal chalked off for offside in stoppage time but the hosts ended the match having recorded just one shot on target when Jeremie Bela tried to trouble Cameron Dawson in the Owls goal.
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On an afternoon of few positives, the introduction of Jonathan Leko was without doubt a highlight for Aitor Karanka.
The attacker made his debut from the bench following his summer move from West Bromwich Albion and livened up proceedings in the final 25 minutes.
Leko was hungry for the ball on his return to action from a lengthy injury lay-off with his pace and direct running a threat to the Owls defence.
Although he couldn't help fashion an equaliser, fans were encouraged by what they saw from the 21-year-old.
Here's a selection of responses to the defeat on social media:
Sign up to our Birmingham City newsletter for the latest news and comment Why should you sign up? In our daily Birmingham City 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 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! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
@JMbcfc_: Things to take from that game: Leko HAS to start next game. Seems there could be a really good partnership formed with him and Hogan. Sunjic is too vital for our midfield. Players like Crowley, Bela & Sanchez are irrelevant when you don’t have a ball winning midfielder.
@Gergz1875: Desperately needed Juke for that one, so many players isolated and being bullied out the game. Leko looks promising though. Hopefully back to the Sunjic with Clayton combo for the next game.
@BlueTone65: Terrible game, currently lack know how if we fall behind. Until closing stages we really looked reluctant to push players forward. Leko really looks as if he could make a difference when fully fit.
@1ParaKirby: Just my opinion, but that was as bad as or if not worse than last season. So negative, lots of passing backwards and Leko should have come on earlier. I'm really worried about the striker situation. It could be a very tough season.
@Dan_starmz: Disappointing performance first half but Leko came on and looked bright. Ultimately the referee has cost us as has been the norm this season.
@bcfcextra: First defeat of the season then, disappointing and didn’t really get going until the last 10 minutes. However, on the positive side it’s still early days and still have more players to come in to the team, Leko looked very good when he came on too.
@DominicR26: Missed Sunjic, Leko has to start if he’s fit enough. Whole team needs a mentality switch, just seem to lack urgency. We switched it on in the 85th minute so it’s definitely there.
@_Tom1875: Terrible performance, hopefully put it right on Tuesday. Leko was a positive but McGree, Crowley, Clayton looked well off the pace.
@DrNeilJMurray: Disappointing performance that, apart from Leko, but Karanka needed to try some different things to find out about the squad in actual games, so I suppose it is not surprising we'll get some of these performances and results at this stage.


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Birmingham City 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1 - Report and ratings

Birmingham City turned in a drab performance and rightly lost their unbeaten record at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday .
Barry Bannan 's 49th minute penalty was all it took to give Garry Monk 's men all three points against utterly toothless Blues .
Aitor Karanka made three changes to the team which drew at Stoke , with Gary Gardner and Dan Crowley coming in for their first league starts this season - and Scott Hogan back up front .
In truth Blues struggled to make any impact as an attacking force in the first half , fashioning just one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that tame 14th minute effort was straight at Cameron Dawson .
There was far more aimed at Neil Etheridge ’ s goal and Blues had their goalkeeper to thank for tipping over Adam Reach ’ s rising drive .
Etheridge was then grateful to see Josh Windass ’ 18th minute free kick smack off his right hand post and elude Kadeem Harris as he closed .
Midway through the period Callum Paterson flashed a header from Moses Odubajo ’ s inswinging cross past the upright .
And Wednesday were aggrieved when Windass went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but his the deck after tangling with the Dane .
The Owls got the benefit of Graham Scott ’ s whistle soon after the restart , though , when Paterson came in on Adam Clayton ’ s blindside and was clipped by the midfielder .
The referee pointed to the spot , from where Bannan fired low past Etheridge ’ s left hand .
That came just seconds after the Scot had tested Etheridge with a curling shot from the edge of the area .
Blues sent Jonathan Leko and Riley McGree on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was some late pressure Dawson was pretty much untroubled .
He should have been beaten with nine minutes to go though when Friend flicked Ivan Sanchez ’ s free kick wide from ten yards .
Leko came even closer in the closing stages when Joost van Aken blocked his touch to Scott Hogan 's cross .
Blues needed their goalkeeper early in the game when he produced an excellent save to tip over from Adam Reach .
Got close to the penalty - but not close enough .
Tidied up some awkward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very little influence going forward though .
It was his neat flicked pass that freed Bela for Blues ' only meaningful shot of the first half .
Competed well against Callum Paterson .
Solid enough .
Vital sliding interception after Windass looked as though Crowley 's loose pass had put him clean through .
Looked assured for the most part but missed a good late chance .
Sent a couple of decent first half crosses into the Wednesday box - without finding a team-mate .
Showed some urgency when Blues chase the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ingenuinty .
Back in the starting line-up and looked off the pace for most of the game .
Became frustrated and involved with Barry Bannan , which ended in a booking .
Felt hard done by on the penalty but in truth caught Paterson , which characterised a lacklustre performance that produced little of quality .
His worst performance in a Blues shirt .
Some very sloppy touches in the first half and precious little quality into the box .
He did improve in the final half hour though .
Rarely anything other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and failed to make the most of his first start of the season .
Not that the team performance gave him a platform to create anything .
Had Blues ' only shot on target in the first half , a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper .
Got in behind once in the second - when Hogan took his cross off Gardner 's head - but overall a guileless display .
Felt for him , he had little support and even less service but he nearly crafted a late equaliser for Leko and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Had the ball in the net from an offside position .

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Birmingham City turned in a drab performance and rightly lost their unbeaten record at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
Barry Bannan's 49th minute penalty was all it took to give Garry Monk's men all three points against utterly toothless Blues.
Aitor Karanka made three changes to the team which drew at Stoke, with Gary Gardner and Dan Crowley coming in for their first league starts this season - and Scott Hogan back up front.
In truth Blues struggled to make any impact as an attacking force in the first half, fashioning just one Jeremie Bela shot on target.
Even that tame 14th minute effort was straight at Cameron Dawson.
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There was far more aimed at Neil Etheridge’s goal and Blues had their goalkeeper to thank for tipping over Adam Reach’s rising drive.
Etheridge was then grateful to see Josh Windass’ 18th minute free kick smack off his right hand post and elude Kadeem Harris as he closed.
Midway through the period Callum Paterson flashed a header from Moses Odubajo’s inswinging cross past the upright.
And Wednesday were aggrieved when Windass went one-on-one with Kristian Pedersen through the middle but his the deck after tangling with the Dane.
The Owls got the benefit of Graham Scott’s whistle soon after the restart, though, when Paterson came in on Adam Clayton’s blindside and was clipped by the midfielder.
The referee pointed to the spot, from where Bannan fired low past Etheridge’s left hand.
That came just seconds after the Scot had tested Etheridge with a curling shot from the edge of the area.
Blues sent Jonathan Leko and Riley McGree on to liven their attack – and while there was some late pressure Dawson was pretty much untroubled.
He should have been beaten with nine minutes to go though when Friend flicked Ivan Sanchez’s free kick wide from ten yards.
Leko came even closer in the closing stages when Joost van Aken blocked his touch to Scott Hogan's cross.
STARTING FORMATION
4-2-3-1
ETHERIDGE 6.5
Blues needed their goalkeeper early in the game when he produced an excellent save to tip over from Adam Reach. Got close to the penalty - but not close enough.
COLIN 6
Tidied up some awkward first half situations really well. Had very little influence going forward though.
DEAN 7*
It was his neat flicked pass that freed Bela for Blues' only meaningful shot of the first half. Competed well against Callum Paterson. Solid enough.
(Image: Birmingham Live)
FRIEND 6.5
Vital sliding interception after Windass looked as though Crowley's loose pass had put him clean through. Looked assured for the most part but missed a good late chance.
PEDERSEN 5.5
Sent a couple of decent first half crosses into the Wednesday box - without finding a team-mate. Showed some urgency when Blues chase the game but it was all engine and no ingenuinty.
GARDNER 5
Back in the starting line-up and looked off the pace for most of the game. Became frustrated and involved with Barry Bannan, which ended in a booking.
CLAYTON 5
Felt hard done by on the penalty but in truth caught Paterson, which characterised a lacklustre performance that produced little of quality.
SANCHEZ 5.5
His worst performance in a Blues shirt. Some very sloppy touches in the first half and precious little quality into the box. He did improve in the final half hour though.
(Image: Getty Images)
CROWLEY 5
Rarely anything other than on the fringes of the game and failed to make the most of his first start of the season. Not that the team performance gave him a platform to create anything.
BELA 5
Had Blues' only shot on target in the first half, a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper. Got in behind once in the second - when Hogan took his cross off Gardner's head - but overall a guileless display.
HOGAN 5.5
Felt for him, he had little support and even less service but he nearly crafted a late equaliser for Leko and had one himself from McGree's flick. Had the ball in the net from an offside position.
SUBSTITUTES
McGree (for Crowley, 58) Found some good space 5.5
Leko ( for Bela, 67) Looked bright 6
Roberts (for Gardner, 82) N/A
Not used: Prieto, Dacres-Cogley, Sunjic, San Jose,
OPPOSITION
SHEFF WED (3-5-2): Dawson, Luongo, Flint, Van Aken; Odubajo, Banna, Reach, Kachunga (Dele-Bashiru 84), Harris; Windass (Marriott 77), Paterson (Pelupesssy 90+1). Subs: Wildsmith, Penney, Borner, Rhodes
GOALS
SHEFF WED: Bannan (pen 49)
NEXT UP: Norwich City (a), Tuesday, October 20, 7.45pm kick-off


birminghammail--2020-10-17--House builder forced to stop work on 300 homes for breaching rules

A large homes development in a Worcestershire town has been stopped after developers were found to have broken planning conditions .
Building work at the former QinetiQ site off St Andrews Road has been stopped after Persimmon Homes was found to have breached a number of planning conditions set out by Malvern Hills District Council in September 2019 .
The authority had given the go ahead for the 310-home development but placed a number of conditions before work could take place .
Clearance of the site and demolition works , which were allowed , began earlier this year .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had started before 13 conditions on a range of technical and environmental matters had been addressed .
Tree protection measures also need to be put in place .
Hardstanding is also required to be removed to allow 'tree soil cells ' .
Enforcement and temporary stop notices were served on Persimmon Homes on October 8 .
The notices require any work on the land , excluding site clearance and demolition , to stop immediately .
Work can only begin again once certain conditions of the planning permission have been approved in writing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notices were issued , work on the site has stopped and Persimmon Homes is in discussion with the council to resolve the situation .
Cllr David Harrison , portfolio holder for Planning , Infrastructure and Flooding at Malvern Hills District Council , said : “ The district council takes all breaches of planning control very seriously especially breaches of planning conditions .
“ It is not acceptable for a well-established housebuilder or indeed any other developer- that should be aware of planning procedures and understand the importance of planning conditions- to carry out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met .
“ I hope this sends out a strong message to all developers operating in our area that we will not hesitate to take formal action where it is in the public interest to do so ” .
A spokesman for Persimmon Homes South Midlands confirmed that work on the site had stopped .
The company is liaising closely with the council to resolve all issues .

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A large homes development in a Worcestershire town has been stopped after developers were found to have broken planning conditions.
Building work at the former QinetiQ site off St Andrews Road has been stopped after Persimmon Homes was found to have breached a number of planning conditions set out by Malvern Hills District Council in September 2019.
The authority had given the go ahead for the 310-home development but placed a number of conditions before work could take place. Clearance of the site and demolition works, which were allowed, began earlier this year.
But the council became aware that construction work had started before 13 conditions on a range of technical and environmental matters had been addressed. Tree protection measures also need to be put in place. Hardstanding is also required to be removed to allow 'tree soil cells'.
Enforcement and temporary stop notices were served on Persimmon Homes on October 8.
The notices require any work on the land, excluding site clearance and demolition, to stop immediately.
Work can only begin again once certain conditions of the planning permission have been approved in writing by Malvern Hills District Council.
Since the notices were issued, work on the site has stopped and Persimmon Homes is in discussion with the council to resolve the situation.
Cllr David Harrison, portfolio holder for Planning, Infrastructure and Flooding at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The district council takes all breaches of planning control very seriously especially breaches of planning conditions.
“It is not acceptable for a well-established housebuilder or indeed any other developer- that should be aware of planning procedures and understand the importance of planning conditions- to carry out a development before conditions have properly been met.
“I hope this sends out a strong message to all developers operating in our area that we will not hesitate to take formal action where it is in the public interest to do so”.
A spokesman for Persimmon Homes South Midlands confirmed that work on the site had stopped. The company is liaising closely with the council to resolve all issues.


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Aston Villa fans all make the same point after Everton vs Liverpool

A draw in the Merseyside derby means Aston Villa are no longer able to go top of the Premier League by beating Leicester City on Sunday .
But Villa supporters are cheekily adopting a more long-term outlook as they bask in an incredible start to the season for Dean Smith 's side .
Villa were three points behind table-topping Everton with a superior goal difference before Saturday 's fixtures having won all three of their opening top-flight matches .
The memorable 7-2 mauling of Liverpool before the international break came after wins against Fulham and Sheffield United .
Those results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league leaders inside the opening month of the season and they would have been in with a shout of taking top spot had Liverpool beaten Everton on Saturday .
Although a win for the Reds would have put Jurgen Klopp 's side three points ahead of Villa , their goal difference is vastly inferior .
Instead the rivals drew 2-2 in an action-packed encounter at Goodison Park with Everton twice coming from behind before Liverpool saw a stoppage-time winner chalked out by the video assistant referee .
The result means Villa are unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away at fifth-placed Leicester tomorrow but fans all made the same point on social media .
@ Dalyvilla : Two possible title challengers taking points of each other is good for us long run .
@ Terrytini99 : In the long run two of our rivals for the title drawing is no bad thing .
@ GHVilla : We can [ go top ] next Friday night though by beating Leeds .
@ Wesleyboyle51 : Superb !
Paved the way for # avfc to win the league now .
An Everton win would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the driving seat for the title now .
@ Kristiantwarbu1 : Top of the league here we come # avfc .
@ Awab_nawari : Draw was the best result for us .
The title charge is on lads .
@ TheVillaVision : Decent result for Villa that .
two of our title rivals dropping points .

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A draw in the Merseyside derby means Aston Villa are no longer able to go top of the Premier League by beating Leicester City on Sunday.
But Villa supporters are cheekily adopting a more long-term outlook as they bask in an incredible start to the season for Dean Smith's side.
Villa were three points behind table-topping Everton with a superior goal difference before Saturday's fixtures having won all three of their opening top-flight matches.
The memorable 7-2 mauling of Liverpool before the international break came after wins against Fulham and Sheffield United.
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Those results mean Villa are keeping pace with the league leaders inside the opening month of the season and they would have been in with a shout of taking top spot had Liverpool beaten Everton on Saturday. Although a win for the Reds would have put Jurgen Klopp's side three points ahead of Villa, their goal difference is vastly inferior.
Instead the rivals drew 2-2 in an action-packed encounter at Goodison Park with Everton twice coming from behind before Liverpool saw a stoppage-time winner chalked out by the video assistant referee.
The result means Villa are unable to claim top spot with a win away at fifth-placed Leicester tomorrow but fans all made the same point on social media.
@Dalyvilla: Two possible title challengers taking points of each other is good for us long run.
@Terrytini99: In the long run two of our rivals for the title drawing is no bad thing.
@GHVilla: We can [go top] next Friday night though by beating Leeds.
@Wesleyboyle51: Superb! Paved the way for #avfc to win the league now. An Everton win would have been nice though. Think we are in the driving seat for the title now.
@Kristiantwarbu1: Top of the league here we come #avfc.
@Awab_nawari: Draw was the best result for us. The title charge is on lads.
@TheVillaVision: Decent result for Villa that. two of our title rivals dropping points.
@DavidBraley90: Advantage @AVFCOfficial in the title race!


birminghammail--2020-10-17--City centre protests spark fury and incredulity from outraged Brummies

Protesters in Birmingham city centre have been condemned after a large number gathered at the height of the coronavirus crisis today .
17 new deaths were recorded in Birmingham and Midlands hospitals as the UK death tally rose by 108 today .
In England , 86 deaths were reported by health authorities .
But in Birmingham city centre , demonstrators gathered to protest outside a city centre branch of Primark .
BirminghamLive readers reacted with incredulity at their actions - despite having sympathy with their cause .
The large number gathered as part of global protests against police brutality in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the entrance to the Bullring on Saturday lunchtime ( October 17 ) , waving placards demanding an end to police misconduct and reform in Nigeria .
They held placards saying ‘ EndSARS ’ which stands for Special Anti-Robbery Squad .
The protest was met with raised eyebrows by some , with Simon writing on Facebook : `` During a pandemic ? ''
`` Fgs were in the middle of a crisis , '' Anne added .
`` Okay so I can ’ t meet out doors with family if there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can go and wave a placard in the air with hundreds of people huddled together ? ''
asked Tammy .
But Alan had sympathy , saying : `` At least it was over a real issue tbh , as against the regular protests in Victoria Square about how space lizard 5G waves `` really '' cause Covid-19 or whatever . ''
`` I can ’ t see any point in lockdown measures when they are openly broken , '' Michael argued .
A global wave of protest started at the beginning of October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with various hashtags , including # EndSARS .

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Protesters in Birmingham city centre have been condemned after a large number gathered at the height of the coronavirus crisis today.
17 new deaths were recorded in Birmingham and Midlands hospitals as the UK death tally rose by 108 today.
In England, 86 deaths were reported by health authorities.
But in Birmingham city centre, demonstrators gathered to protest outside a city centre branch of Primark.
BirminghamLive readers reacted with incredulity at their actions - despite having sympathy with their cause.
The large number gathered as part of global protests against police brutality in Nigeria.
Crowds were seen outside Primark near the entrance to the Bullring on Saturday lunchtime (October 17), waving placards demanding an end to police misconduct and reform in Nigeria.
They held placards saying ‘EndSARS’ which stands for Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The protest was met with raised eyebrows by some, with Simon writing on Facebook: "During a pandemic?"
"Fgs were in the middle of a crisis," Anne added.
"Okay so I can’t meet out doors with family if there’s more than 6 of us but I can go and wave a placard in the air with hundreds of people huddled together?" asked Tammy.
But Alan had sympathy, saying: "At least it was over a real issue tbh, as against the regular protests in Victoria Square about how space lizard 5G waves "really" cause Covid-19 or whatever."
"I can’t see any point in lockdown measures when they are openly broken," Michael argued.
A global wave of protest started at the beginning of October with support gathering on social media Twitter, with various hashtags, including #EndSARS.


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Woman arrested after man's body is found

A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found dead at a house in Bartley Green .
Paramedics were called to an address in Dover Close at around 6.20pm last night ( Friday ) where a man was discovered in cardiac arrest .
Police were then called to the scene by ambulance crews where the 36-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene .
West Midlands Police said a forensic post-mortem will take place to find out exactly how he died .
A 48-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this afternoon ( Saturday ) as detectives and a forensic team in white suits investigated the incident .
Detective Inspector Stuart Mobberley , from the force homicide team , said : “ Our investigation continues to establish the circumstances surrounding this man ’ s death .
“ Every bit of information is vital to our investigation and I would urge anyone who can help to get in touch . ''
`` Anyone with information is asked to get in contact via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight , or call 101 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .
Please quote log number 3970 of 16 October . ''

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A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found dead at a house in Bartley Green.
Paramedics were called to an address in Dover Close at around 6.20pm last night (Friday) where a man was discovered in cardiac arrest.
Police were then called to the scene by ambulance crews where the 36-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
West Midlands Police said a forensic post-mortem will take place to find out exactly how he died.
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
A 48-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
A police cordon was around the property this afternoon (Saturday) as detectives and a forensic team in white suits investigated the incident.
Detective Inspector Stuart Mobberley, from the force homicide team, said: “Our investigation continues to establish the circumstances surrounding this man’s death.
“Every bit of information is vital to our investigation and I would urge anyone who can help to get in touch."
"Anyone with information is asked to get in contact via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or call 101 anytime.
"To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote log number 3970 of 16 October."


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Rodgers sends message to England over 'exceptional' Jack Grealish

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers believes England boss Gareth Southgate is 'fortunate ' to have a player like Jack Grealish at his disposal .
Grealish , who made his international debut in September , put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 3-0 win against Wales last week .
The Aston Villa captain shone on his first start for the Three Lions , setting up Dominic Calvert-Lewin 's opening goal with a teasing cross from the right wing .
But the 25-year-old was dropped to the bench for the Nations League clashes against Belgium and Denmark and did n't feature in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out altogether puzzled pundits and supporters alike and remains a hot topic going into this weekend 's Premier League fixtures .
Dean Smith acknowledged his skipper would naturally be disappointed at missing out on representing his country , but the head coach said the rest he got is a positive for Villa heading into Sunday 's clash at the King Power Stadium .
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers was also asked for his opinion and made it clear how highly he rates the midfielder .
`` England have so many good players , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think England are very fortunate to have Jack 's talent .
I 've seen the improvements in him as he 's grown as a young player .
`` His personality on the field is absolutely fantastic .
He 's got a real in-built brain for football .
`` When he carries the ball , his awareness of his space really shows me the talent he is .
He understands where space is , he gets tackled a lot , he stays on the ball a bit longer than other people and draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
His weight of pass is exceptional .
`` He 's a marvellous player and one of a number of players with England that are very talented .
He 's a bit like James ( Maddison , the Leicester midfielder ) , although they are not the same position . ''
Northern Irishman Rodgers added : `` They [ Villa ] have players who can give you a problem if you are not at the top of your game .
They scored seven [ against Liverpool ] and maybe felt they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It showed you 've got to have that full concentration at this level or any team can punish you .
No one sees the results coming - it was like us the week before at Manchester City .
If you 're not quite at the top of your game at this level , then you can come unstuck . ''

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Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers believes England boss Gareth Southgate is 'fortunate' to have a player like Jack Grealish at his disposal.
Grealish, who made his international debut in September, put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 3-0 win against Wales last week.
The Aston Villa captain shone on his first start for the Three Lions, setting up Dominic Calvert-Lewin's opening goal with a teasing cross from the right wing.
But the 25-year-old was dropped to the bench for the Nations League clashes against Belgium and Denmark and didn't feature in either.
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The decision to leave Grealish out altogether puzzled pundits and supporters alike and remains a hot topic going into this weekend's Premier League fixtures.
Dean Smith acknowledged his skipper would naturally be disappointed at missing out on representing his country, but the head coach said the rest he got is a positive for Villa heading into Sunday's clash at the King Power Stadium.
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers was also asked for his opinion and made it clear how highly he rates the midfielder.
"England have so many good players," he told Sky Sports. "But I think England are very fortunate to have Jack's talent. I've seen the improvements in him as he's grown as a young player.
"His personality on the field is absolutely fantastic. He's got a real in-built brain for football.
"When he carries the ball, his awareness of his space really shows me the talent he is. He understands where space is, he gets tackled a lot, he stays on the ball a bit longer than other people and draws fouls but also draws people out of position. His weight of pass is exceptional.
"He's a marvellous player and one of a number of players with England that are very talented. He's a bit like James (Maddison, the Leicester midfielder), although they are not the same position."
Northern Irishman Rodgers added: "They [Villa] have players who can give you a problem if you are not at the top of your game. They scored seven [against Liverpool] and maybe felt they could have had got one or two more.
"It showed you've got to have that full concentration at this level or any team can punish you. No one sees the results coming - it was like us the week before at Manchester City. If you're not quite at the top of your game at this level, then you can come unstuck."


birminghammail--2020-10-17--City artist slams Banksy over mural claim and says he has stencil to prove it

A Sutton Coldfield artist has doubled down on his claim that he is the man behind the new 'Bansky ' artwork in the East Midlands .
Itchers , from Birmingham , has slammed the mysterious Bristol-based graffiti legend .
Instead , the artist says he created the new hula hooping girl in Nottingham .
After Banksy shared an image of the artwork on his official Instagram page , Itchers has spoken to NottinghamshireLive , our sister title .
The artist , who hails from the West Midlands , even reckons he has the stencil to prove it .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure what he is doing to be honest , '' the 28 year old said .
`` I do n't know what to think about it , whether he is trying to help me out and show support or completely take credit for it .
`` I was a bit disappointed when I saw he is trying to claim my work , people I spoke to said I should take it as a compliment .
`` I just want answers from him , and I want to know why he is trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the copy of the stencil I used - it 's clearly mine .
`` But once someone that big puts it on Instagram I suppose people just assume that means it 's his , even when it 's not .
`` It 's all going to come out in the end , I 'm just trying to get in touch with the right people , to speak to them and get it sorted and cleared up . ''
The Birmingham-based artist says there has `` been some beef '' between himself and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It centred around Itchers painting a red nose on to a reindeer Banksy had drawn in Birmingham .
`` There has been some beef with us in the past , '' Itchers said .
`` To be honest it was to do with the red nose I drew on his reindeer in Birmingham but it is art , things evolve and it 's nice to have additions to your work . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Andrew Topping, James Rodger)

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A Sutton Coldfield artist has doubled down on his claim that he is the man behind the new 'Bansky' artwork in the East Midlands.
Itchers, from Birmingham, has slammed the mysterious Bristol-based graffiti legend.
Instead, the artist says he created the new hula hooping girl in Nottingham.
After Banksy shared an image of the artwork on his official Instagram page, Itchers has spoken to NottinghamshireLive, our sister title.
The artist, who hails from the West Midlands, even reckons he has the stencil to prove it.
"It's definitely mine, I'm not sure what he is doing to be honest," the 28 year old said.
(Image: Nottingham Post/Marie Wilson)
"I'm flabbergasted.
"I don't know what to think about it, whether he is trying to help me out and show support or completely take credit for it.
"I was a bit disappointed when I saw he is trying to claim my work, people I spoke to said I should take it as a compliment.
"I just want answers from him, and I want to know why he is trying to claim my work.
"I've got the copy of the stencil I used - it's clearly mine.
"But once someone that big puts it on Instagram I suppose people just assume that means it's his, even when it's not.
"It's all going to come out in the end, I'm just trying to get in touch with the right people, to speak to them and get it sorted and cleared up."
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The Birmingham-based artist says there has "been some beef" between himself and the anonymous Banksy in the past.
It centred around Itchers painting a red nose on to a reindeer Banksy had drawn in Birmingham.
"There has been some beef with us in the past," Itchers said.
"To be honest it was to do with the red nose I drew on his reindeer in Birmingham but it is art, things evolve and it's nice to have additions to your work."


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Murder investigation launched as man's body found in house

Police have launched a murder investigation after finding a man 's body in a house in Bartley Green .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ by paramedics to an address in Dover Close at around 6.20pm last night ( Friday @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead at the scene .
A forensic post-mortem will take place to find out @ @ @ @ @ A 48-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody @ @ @ @ @ are appealing for witnesses or people with information about the incident to contact them .
@ @ @ @ @ updates .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Andy Richardson,  birminghammail.co.uk)

Police have launched a murder investigation after finding a man's body in a house in Bartley Green.
Officers were called after being alerted by paramedics to an address in Dover Close at around 6.20pm last night (Friday).
The 36-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
A forensic post-mortem will take place to find out exactly how he died.
A 48-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody at this time.
Police are appealing for witnesses or people with information about the incident to contact them.
Stay with us for live updates.


birminghammail--2020-10-17--Dudley coronavirus hotspots mapped by area

Dudley 's coronavirus infection rates have doubled in a fortnight , sparking concern the borough could be hit by tougher restrictions .
The borough is currently in tier one - the lowest tier , which represents a 'medium ' risk .
Current restrictions in place mean residents must follow the rule of six and pubs , bars and restaurants must close at 10pm .
But as cases have continued to rise , doubling every two weeks , and there are fears increased formal restrictions could be introduced in the borough within the next week .
To try and stem the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on a voluntary basis , to avoid socialising in other people 's homes .
Councillor Patrick Harley , leader of the council , said : `` With a heavy heart , we are asking all our residents to stop meeting in homes and gardens wherever possible as evidence shows this method of social contact could have increased transmission risks .
“ We must not be complacent and need to stay alert as the stark reality is that we could be less than a week away from joining neighbouring areas with further restrictions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for every part of Dudley for the seven days up to October 11 , according to the latest Public Health England data .
The figures are for the number of people with a lab-confirmed positive test result for Covid-19 .
Bal Kaur , Dudley 's acting director of public health , said : `` Coronavirus cases are continuing to rise across the country , as is the case here in Dudley borough , so we need to act now to slow the spread .
`` There is strong evidence that people visiting other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that is why we are asking people to avoid visiting one another ’ s homes unless it is absolutely essential .
`` People should now avoid visiting other households , wash hands regularly , keep a safe distance from others , limit contact with others wherever possible and wear a face covering .
Anyone who has symptoms must self-isolate and get tested . ''

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Dudley's coronavirus infection rates have doubled in a fortnight, sparking concern the borough could be hit by tougher restrictions.
The borough is currently in tier one - the lowest tier, which represents a 'medium' risk.
Current restrictions in place mean residents must follow the rule of six and pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm.
But as cases have continued to rise, doubling every two weeks, and there are fears increased formal restrictions could be introduced in the borough within the next week.
To try and stem the spread, Dudley Council has asked residents, on a voluntary basis, to avoid socialising in other people's homes.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: "With a heavy heart, we are asking all our residents to stop meeting in homes and gardens wherever possible as evidence shows this method of social contact could have increased transmission risks.
“We must not be complacent and need to stay alert as the stark reality is that we could be less than a week away from joining neighbouring areas with further restrictions.”
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Below are the number of cases for every part of Dudley for the seven days up to October 11, according to the latest Public Health England data.
The figures are for the number of people with a lab-confirmed positive test result for Covid-19.
New Dock and Eve Hill - 15
Dibdale - 14
Hawne - 13
Brierley Hill - 12
West Coseley - 12
Amblecote West and Stambermill - 10
Coseley Wallbrook - 10
Halesowen Town - 10
Kates Hill - 10
Lye and Wynall - 9
Halesowen East - 8
Hayley Green - 8
Netherton - 8
(Image: Public Health England/Gov.uk)
Pedmore Fields - 8
Russells Hall - 8
Brockmoor and Woodside - 7
Norton South - 6
Oldswinford and Pedmore - 6
Quarry Bank - 6
Withymoor Village - 6
Wollaston - 6
Wordsley and Buckpool - 6
Amblecote East - 5
Dudley Wood and Saltwells - 5
Norton North - 3
Pensnett and Kingswinford East - 3
Stourbridge Town and Old Quarter - 3
Bal Kaur, Dudley's acting director of public health, said: "Coronavirus cases are continuing to rise across the country, as is the case here in Dudley borough, so we need to act now to slow the spread.
"There is strong evidence that people visiting other households is a common source of transmission and that is why we are asking people to avoid visiting one another’s homes unless it is absolutely essential.
"People should now avoid visiting other households, wash hands regularly, keep a safe distance from others, limit contact with others wherever possible and wear a face covering. Anyone who has symptoms must self-isolate and get tested."