birminghammail--2020-10-29--Crooked Birmingham charity boss in plot to smuggle illegal immigrants into UK

The boss of a lottery-funded Birmingham charity has been jailed after a plot to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK .
Pranvera Smith , 47 , launched Freedom to Stay on Hagley Road in 2014 to supposedly help vulnerable people from her home country Albania gain asylum .
Instead , the greedy crook and partner Flamur Daka , 44 , used the Big Lottery-funded charity as a cover for helping people smugglers .
Victims were charged up to £10,000 to be illegally brought into the UK by smuggling gangs .
Once here they were persuaded and 'intimidated ' into paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration advice - a free service .
Smith described herself as ‘ La Nonna ’ - an Albanian mafia ‘ Grandmother ’ – to scare men and women into paying up , with fears some were forced to work in cannabis farms to find the cash .
Now she has been jailed for five years four months at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting breaching UK immigration law .
Daka was sentenced to four years for the same offence .
Smith had also admitted supplying cannabis after officers recovered a kilo of the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine .
Both received six month sentences for the drugs offences , to run concurrently .
The pair were brought to justice after an investigation by West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit ( ROCU ) which began last March .
Detective Chief Inspector Will Henley led the team which began looking at Smith following concerns raised by other charities .
A surveillance operation eventually led officers to bust a people trafficking operation arranged by Smith in Ghent , Belgium , where a 21-year-old man was rescued from the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charity were raided plus Daka 's home address in Pell Crescent , Oldbury , and Smith 's council house in Princethorpe Road , Weoley Castle .
Detectives discovered that in the first six months of 2020 Freedom to Stay had represented more than 130 victims , charging them a total of £130,000 .
They also found Smith owned a never-opened Mediterranean restaurant in Bearwood High Street , which detectives believe she renovated at great cost as a means to launder money .
Despite living in a council house and declaring no income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned homes and land in Turkey and Albania .
DCI Henley told how the couple were responsible for “ cynical , calculating crimes ” with Smith being an ‘ enabler ’ for people smuggling gangs .
He said : “ Once these asylum seekers or refugees land in this country , the final stage of the trafficking process is them gaining status .
And she was the professional enabler around that .
“ Smith and Daka positioned themselves as big hearted charitable people who wanted to help very vulnerable people .
In reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They knew migrants would be paying up to £10,000 to traffickers to gain illegal entry to the UK – and Smith would then charge each asylum seeker upwards of £1,000 for their ‘ charity ’ services .
“ Smith liked to describe herself as ‘ La Nonna ’ to ensure people knew she wasn ’ t a person to be messed with .
If they couldn ’ t pay up she would withhold important personal and immigration documents.
” Smith - also known as Pam - often liaised with council , immigration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sometimes even turning up at custody blocks to represent them .
Her outwardly respectable reputation also saw her once win £10,000 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund for her charity .
DCI Henley said : “ She was a very , very sophisticated , very intelligent lady who was able to manipulate a lot of partner agencies , the police on occasions , ( with ) a very detailed , intrinsic knowledge of the benefits system and the asylum process.
” Once in the UK , the smuggling victims were often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the £1,000 for Smith to allow them to stay - forcing many to take desperate measures .
“ I ’ ve no doubt some of them were involved in low paid car washing , cannabis growers , ” said DCI Henley .
“ We haven ’ t found any specifics around females being involved in the sex industry , but it ’ s something we can ’ t discount , that in order to pay back any debt that they had to do that .
`` She had every intention , we think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people a month , once this first ( smuggling ) event had happened , she was comfortable she was going to do that . ''
And it was not only people smuggling that Smith was involved in .
During one surveillance operation , officers spotted her buying a wedding dress for a suspected bogus marriage in Birmingham Registry Office .
“ There were very few people at the actual ceremony but Pranvera Smith and Flamur Daka were present , acting as guests , ” said DCI Henley .
“ So that obviously concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sham marriage that she ’ d orchestrated .
“ We didn ’ t actually get so far as to put that evidence to her , because the investigation had taken a more serious steer around the human trafficking element .
“ We linked in with immigration and worked out who she was representing , and started a chain of information sharing with immigration , whenever her name cropped up.
” The investigation saw the ROCU team up with Belgian cops who busted Smith ’ s own smuggling attempt in Ghent in July - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of trafficked victims .
DCI Henley , who led the operation , said : “ The rescued man would have been expected to hide in a lorry trailer for the entire duration of the trip from Belgium . ''
The senior officer said Smith had been under no illusions that what she was doing was illegal .
He said : `` Sue Walton of the Office of Immigration Services Commission ( OISC ) conducted an investigation in early 2019 and interviewed Pam Smith about providing unlawful immigration advice .
`` As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15/05/2019 for committing an offence under Section 91 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which is valid for 3 years .
`` The OISC have supported ROCU with the post enforcement investigation along with Immigration .
This OISC reprimand does not involve any court process . ''
Smith had spent £30,000 on renovating her restaurant and on properties and land in Turkey and Albania , which will now be subject of a Proceeds of Crime investigation .
DCI Henley added : “ I ’ d like to thank the East Flanders Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence ; I have no doubt that together we have prevented a large number people being trafficked into the UK.
” Smith was also made subject of a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order which , upon her prison release , bans her from offering any immigration advice service .

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The boss of a lottery-funded Birmingham charity has been jailed after a plot to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK.
Pranvera Smith, 47, launched Freedom to Stay on Hagley Road in 2014 to supposedly help vulnerable people from her home country Albania gain asylum.
Instead, the greedy crook and partner Flamur Daka, 44, used the Big Lottery-funded charity as a cover for helping people smugglers.
Victims were charged up to £10,000 to be illegally brought into the UK by smuggling gangs. Once here they were persuaded and 'intimidated' into paying Smith a further £1-4,000 for benefit and immigration advice - a free service.
(Image: WMP)
Smith described herself as ‘La Nonna’ - an Albanian mafia ‘Grandmother’ – to scare men and women into paying up, with fears some were forced to work in cannabis farms to find the cash.
Now she has been jailed for five years four months at Birmingham Crown Court after admitting breaching UK immigration law. Daka was sentenced to four years for the same offence.
Smith had also admitted supplying cannabis after officers recovered a kilo of the drug during the investigation, while Daka had pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine. Both received six month sentences for the drugs offences, to run concurrently.
The pair were brought to justice after an investigation by West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) which began last March.
Detective Chief Inspector Will Henley led the team which began looking at Smith following concerns raised by other charities.
(Image: WMP)
A surveillance operation eventually led officers to bust a people trafficking operation arranged by Smith in Ghent, Belgium, where a 21-year-old man was rescued from the back of a lorry.
The offices of the charity were raided plus Daka's home address in Pell Crescent, Oldbury, and Smith's council house in Princethorpe Road, Weoley Castle.
Detectives discovered that in the first six months of 2020 Freedom to Stay had represented more than 130 victims, charging them a total of £130,000.
They also found Smith owned a never-opened Mediterranean restaurant in Bearwood High Street, which detectives believe she renovated at great cost as a means to launder money.
(Image: WMP)
Despite living in a council house and declaring no income for six years, detectives discovered Smith owned homes and land in Turkey and Albania.
DCI Henley told how the couple were responsible for “cynical, calculating crimes” with Smith being an ‘enabler’ for people smuggling gangs.
He said: “Once these asylum seekers or refugees land in this country, the final stage of the trafficking process is them gaining status. And she was the professional enabler around that.
“Smith and Daka positioned themselves as big hearted charitable people who wanted to help very vulnerable people. In reality they were traffickers and abusers.
“They knew migrants would be paying up to £10,000 to traffickers to gain illegal entry to the UK – and Smith would then charge each asylum seeker upwards of £1,000 for their ‘charity’ services.
“Smith liked to describe herself as ‘La Nonna’ to ensure people knew she wasn’t a person to be messed with. If they couldn’t pay up she would withhold important personal and immigration documents.”
Smith - also known as Pam - often liaised with council, immigration and even police over her ‘clients’, sometimes even turning up at custody blocks to represent them.
Her outwardly respectable reputation also saw her once win £10,000 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund for her charity.
DCI Henley said: “She was a very, very sophisticated, very intelligent lady who was able to manipulate a lot of partner agencies, the police on occasions, (with) a very detailed, intrinsic knowledge of the benefits system and the asylum process.”
Once in the UK, the smuggling victims were often intimidated into thinking they had to raise the £1,000 for Smith to allow them to stay - forcing many to take desperate measures.
“I’ve no doubt some of them were involved in low paid car washing, cannabis growers,” said DCI Henley.
“We haven’t found any specifics around females being involved in the sex industry, but it’s something we can’t discount, that in order to pay back any debt that they had to do that.
"She had every intention, we think, to bring in 20 to 30 people a month, once this first (smuggling) event had happened, she was comfortable she was going to do that."
And it was not only people smuggling that Smith was involved in. During one surveillance operation, officers spotted her buying a wedding dress for a suspected bogus marriage in Birmingham Registry Office.
“There were very few people at the actual ceremony but Pranvera Smith and Flamur Daka were present, acting as guests,” said DCI Henley.
“So that obviously concerned us, that this is potentially a sham marriage that she’d orchestrated.
“We didn’t actually get so far as to put that evidence to her, because the investigation had taken a more serious steer around the human trafficking element.
“We linked in with immigration and worked out who she was representing, and started a chain of information sharing with immigration, whenever her name cropped up.”
The investigation saw the ROCU team up with Belgian cops who busted Smith’s own smuggling attempt in Ghent in July - the first of what may have been dozens of trafficked victims.
DCI Henley, who led the operation, said: “The rescued man would have been expected to hide in a lorry trailer for the entire duration of the trip from Belgium."
The senior officer said Smith had been under no illusions that what she was doing was illegal.
He said: "Sue Walton of the Office of Immigration Services Commission (OISC) conducted an investigation in early 2019 and interviewed Pam Smith about providing unlawful immigration advice.
"As a result Smith was given a reprimand on 15/05/2019 for committing an offence under Section 91 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which is valid for 3 years.
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"The OISC have supported ROCU with the post enforcement investigation along with Immigration. This OISC reprimand does not involve any court process."
Smith had spent £30,000 on renovating her restaurant and on properties and land in Turkey and Albania, which will now be subject of a Proceeds of Crime investigation.
DCI Henley added: “I’d like to thank the East Flanders Human Trafficking Unit who helped us collect vital evidence; I have no doubt that together we have prevented a large number people being trafficked into the UK.”
Smith was also made subject of a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order which, upon her prison release, bans her from offering any immigration advice service.


birminghammail--2020-10-29--Punters 'at risk' at club facing closure over Covid rule breaks

A Wolverhampton nightclub accused of breaking a number of Covid safety regulations will find out its fate next week .
Blossoms in North Street was slapped with a Covid closure order following its reopening on August Bank Holiday weekend , amid concerns the venue posed an imminent threat to public safety .
Police and public health officers made several visits on August 28 and 29 and allege the club had failed to implement measures to manage social distancing , exceeded the seated capacity deemed safe , increased noise levels and a failure to advise staff of requirements of the Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
But Johnny Jones , director of Blossoms , strongly defended the measures the venue had in place and said he had offered to voluntarily close before the order was placed on them to address any concerns the authorities had .
He also questioned why they had not been closed down on the first visit , if the police and public protection officers had concerns about people 's safety .
Blossoms opened in December 2018 and features DJs playing mostly drill , grime and R & B music and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its busiest nights .
It was closed as a result of Covid lockdown in March this year and the August Bank Holiday weekend was the first reopening on a pre-booked table basis .
The order placed on the club following the concerns raised meant a mandatory three-week closure but Mr Jones said he chose not to reopen until the matter is resolved .
A City of Wolverhampton Council licensing committee hearing will take place on Wednesday where the toughest sanction could see the licence revoked .
In evidence , police said music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were stood around the tables drinking on their first visit on the Friday .
Similar issues were noted the following night while PC Marc Bullas said on the Sunday ( August 30 ) he saw around 60 people queuing up outside the club and not observing social distancing rules .
On the same night , he said he was told there were 148 people in the club - when he expected a limit of 125 .
The licence review application said : `` There has been a flagrant disregard by the premises licence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comply with the conditions of licence and ensure that the premises were Covid-secure .
Mr Jones said they had followed the risk assessment that had been agreed with officers beforehand and acted when there were breaches of Covid rules - such as turning off the music when patrons were getting up and dancing .
He said the queue had been caused by people turning up on speck or arriving late for their booked tables after word got they were reopening .
Mr Jones said they were told they could n't come in but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to maintain social distancing as they stood outside .
Blossoms has a capacity of around 300 but was operating at a third of that for safety reasons and budget constraints meant six door staff were hired instead of the normal 15 .
Mr Jones said : `` There 's been some extremely confusing mixed messages .
`` We had a fully comprehensive risk assessment in place that ( the council officer ) signed off and we stuck to that but it still was n't good enough .
`` I 'm not saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , there were people getting up and dancing and yes , there were people walking around with drinks .
`` But the police told us they were impressed we were turning off the music and operating it in quite a regimented way .
`` My team and I on the Monday team meeting felt we had done well because the police were happy , we were n't closed down .
`` As far as we were concerned , we 'd done the right thing .
But they came in on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure order .
`` It really felt like a political play .
We offered to have a voluntary closure and work with the authorities to get it right .
`` But the point is , they said we were an imminent threat to public safety and yet , they let us carry on for the whole weekend .
`` So if we were doing something that was causing such a threat , why were we not closed that first evening ?
`` Why were we allowed to trade on in that same manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures we were taking only to then be told it was completely wrong ?
`` This is n't fun for me .
I 've been closed seven months , opened once and had very little support .
It 's tough for me and my staff .
`` We want to be able to move on after this . ''

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A Wolverhampton nightclub accused of breaking a number of Covid safety regulations will find out its fate next week.
Blossoms in North Street was slapped with a Covid closure order following its reopening on August Bank Holiday weekend, amid concerns the venue posed an imminent threat to public safety.
Police and public health officers made several visits on August 28 and 29 and allege the club had failed to implement measures to manage social distancing, exceeded the seated capacity deemed safe, increased noise levels and a failure to advise staff of requirements of the Covid 19 premises risk assessment to prevent the spread of the virus.
But Johnny Jones, director of Blossoms, strongly defended the measures the venue had in place and said he had offered to voluntarily close before the order was placed on them to address any concerns the authorities had.
He also questioned why they had not been closed down on the first visit, if the police and public protection officers had concerns about people's safety.
Blossoms opened in December 2018 and features DJs playing mostly drill, grime and R&B music and employs up to 33 members of staff on its busiest nights.
It was closed as a result of Covid lockdown in March this year and the August Bank Holiday weekend was the first reopening on a pre-booked table basis.
The order placed on the club following the concerns raised meant a mandatory three-week closure but Mr Jones said he chose not to reopen until the matter is resolved.
A City of Wolverhampton Council licensing committee hearing will take place on Wednesday where the toughest sanction could see the licence revoked.
In evidence, police said music was being played very loud and people were stood around the tables drinking on their first visit on the Friday.
Similar issues were noted the following night while PC Marc Bullas said on the Sunday (August 30) he saw around 60 people queuing up outside the club and not observing social distancing rules.
On the same night, he said he was told there were 148 people in the club - when he expected a limit of 125.
The licence review application said: "There has been a flagrant disregard by the premises licence holder to uphold the licensing objectives, comply with the conditions of licence and ensure that the premises were Covid-secure.
"Patrons were unnecessarily put at risk."
Mr Jones said they had followed the risk assessment that had been agreed with officers beforehand and acted when there were breaches of Covid rules - such as turning off the music when patrons were getting up and dancing.
He said the queue had been caused by people turning up on speck or arriving late for their booked tables after word got they were reopening.
Mr Jones said they were told they couldn't come in but they ignored stickers on the floor telling them to maintain social distancing as they stood outside.
Blossoms has a capacity of around 300 but was operating at a third of that for safety reasons and budget constraints meant six door staff were hired instead of the normal 15.
Mr Jones said: "There's been some extremely confusing mixed messages.
"We had a fully comprehensive risk assessment in place that (the council officer) signed off and we stuck to that but it still wasn't good enough.
"I'm not saying we were perfectly Covid safe that weekend. Yes, there were people getting up and dancing and yes, there were people walking around with drinks.
"But the police told us they were impressed we were turning off the music and operating it in quite a regimented way.
"My team and I on the Monday team meeting felt we had done well because the police were happy, we weren't closed down.
"As far as we were concerned, we'd done the right thing. But they came in on the Tuesday and hit us with a Covid closure order.
"It really felt like a political play. We offered to have a voluntary closure and work with the authorities to get it right.
"But the point is, they said we were an imminent threat to public safety and yet, they let us carry on for the whole weekend.
"So if we were doing something that was causing such a threat, why were we not closed that first evening?
"Why were we allowed to trade on in that same manner with the police congratulating us for the measures we were taking only to then be told it was completely wrong?
"This isn't fun for me. I've been closed seven months, opened once and had very little support. It's tough for me and my staff.
"We want to be able to move on after this."


birminghammail--2020-10-29--Appalled Aston Villa fans rage at Arsenal PPV fixture change

Aston Villa 's fixture at Arsenal has been moved for box-office coverage - Villa 's fourth pay-per-view game in as many matches .
Villa supporters will once again be billed £14.95 to watch Dean Smith 's men in action at the Emirates with the fixture confirmed for Sunday , November 8 .
Kick-off in north London will be 7.15pm with the match Villa 's fourth on the spin behind a pay wall after Leicester City , Leeds and this weekend 's game with Southampton at Villa Park .
Sunday 's encounter with Saints is on Sky Sports Box Office and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , Villa will be in Sky Sports Box Office action again at Arsenal .
The TV selection means supporters paying for matches would have had to fork out £59.80 so far - that 's despite already having a BT Sport and/or a Sky Sports TV subscription .
Here 's how the Villa supporters have reacted to the Premier League 's latest PPV update : Ty Bracey : What a shambles ... is this the 4th one in a row ?
!
Villa Ridders09 : This is an absolute disgrace .
4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to step in here and do something !
Boycott PPV .
Villa Jayne : Another trip to the pub then .
I would like to watch a game this year on my TV using the subscription I have already paid for .
Dan Jukes : So many late Sundays , ca n't really enjoy a beer .
As it stands , Villa 's run of fixtures next month is as follows : Villa supporters can continue to boycott PPV and donate the £14.95 charge to the Aston & Nechells Foodbank HERE .

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Aston Villa's fixture at Arsenal has been moved for box-office coverage - Villa's fourth pay-per-view game in as many matches.
Villa supporters will once again be billed £14.95 to watch Dean Smith's men in action at the Emirates with the fixture confirmed for Sunday, November 8.
Kick-off in north London will be 7.15pm with the match Villa's fourth on the spin behind a pay wall after Leicester City, Leeds and this weekend's game with Southampton at Villa Park.
Sunday's encounter with Saints is on Sky Sports Box Office and kicks-off at 12pm. A week later, though, Villa will be in Sky Sports Box Office action again at Arsenal.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The TV selection means supporters paying for matches would have had to fork out £59.80 so far - that's despite already having a BT Sport and/or a Sky Sports TV subscription.
Here's how the Villa supporters have reacted to the Premier League's latest PPV update:
Tom Morgan: 4 in a row. Absolute joke.
Ty Bracey: What a shambles... is this the 4th one in a row?!
Nick Price-Thompson: Outrageous.
Villa Ridders09: This is an absolute disgrace. 4 PPV in a row! Aston Villa needs to step in here and do something! Boycott PPV.
Villa Jayne: Another trip to the pub then. I would like to watch a game this year on my TV using the subscription I have already paid for.
Harry Blissett: No surprise there.
Ben Smith: £60 for 4 consecutive games. Give us Villa fans a break.
Dan Jukes: So many late Sundays, can't really enjoy a beer.
Lucia Grace: Sky really don’t like Villa.
Nick Jones: Joke.
As it stands, Villa's run of fixtures next month is as follows:
Sunday, November 1: Southampton (h) 12pm kick-off - Sky Sports Box Office
Sunday, November 8: Arsenal (a) 7.15pm kick-off - Sky Sports Box Office
Saturday, November 21: Brighton (h) 3pm kick-off
Monday, November 30: West Ham United (a) 8pm kick-off - Sky Sports
Villa supporters can continue to boycott PPV and donate the £14.95 charge to the Aston & Nechells Foodbank HERE.


birminghammail--2020-10-29--Oldbury Toys 'R' Us could be transformed into new retail park

A former Toys ‘ R ’ Us store which has stood empty for almost two years could be transformed into a new retail park .
Sandwell council ’ s planning committee is being asked to grant permission of the development on Wolverhampton Road which could include , a 24-hour gym , shops , garden centre and a drive-thru restaurant .
Councillors have been recommended to approve the plans by New Street LLP which will see the frontage of the existing store being demolished and the building of an extension and standalone food outlet .
Despite the site being earmarked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme saying it will bring jobs and investment into the town .
In a report to the committee , they argue : ” The development proposed would meet certain other Development Plan objectives , such as those for renewable energy , job creation , reuse of previously developed land , bringing vacant land back into beneficial use , securing investment in the borough and adding to the range of facilities in the local area.
” Oldbury Toys ' R ' Us closed in April 2018 following the collapse of the national toy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across 100 stores .
The site is shared by a McDonald 's drive-thru which will continue to operate as part of the new retail park .
The application will be discussed at the next meeting of the planning committee on November 4 .

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A former Toys ‘R’ Us store which has stood empty for almost two years could be transformed into a new retail park.
Sandwell council’s planning committee is being asked to grant permission of the development on Wolverhampton Road which could include, a 24-hour gym, shops, garden centre and a drive-thru restaurant.
Councillors have been recommended to approve the plans by New Street LLP which will see the frontage of the existing store being demolished and the building of an extension and standalone food outlet.
Despite the site being earmarked for high-quality jobs, planning officers have backed the scheme saying it will bring jobs and investment into the town.
In a report to the committee, they argue: ”The development proposed would meet certain other Development Plan objectives, such as those for renewable energy, job creation, reuse of previously developed land, bringing vacant land back into beneficial use, securing investment in the borough and adding to the range of facilities in the local area.”
Oldbury Toys 'R' Us closed in April 2018 following the collapse of the national toy chain with a loss of 3,000 jobs across 100 stores.
The site is shared by a McDonald's drive-thru which will continue to operate as part of the new retail park.
The application will be discussed at the next meeting of the planning committee on November 4.


birminghammail--2020-10-29--Pizza Express cutting 1,300 jobs as demand plummets amid lockdown

Pizza Express expects to cut around 1,300 jobs after the number of people eating in its restaurants has fallen since September as pandemic restrictions harden .
The company said the roles will be cut from its 370 UK restaurants through both compulsory and voluntary redundancies .
It said the decision will help it manage the challenges this winter and beyond as it expects footfall to remain lower than usual .
In August , Pizza Express said that around 1,100 jobs were at risk and the new losses come on top of this .
It adds to more than 200,000 job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pizza Express last month said it will push forward with plans to close 73 restaurants .
PizzaExpress managing director Zoe Bowley said : `` Our aim throughout these extremely challenging times has been to keep our team members and customers safe , and to retain jobs for as long as possible .
`` As a leading employer in our sector , we see every day how this pandemic is having a profound impact on our industry , our business and on people 's lives .
`` Unfortunately , the recent increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline across the UK .
As this is expected to continue for some months , we sadly need to make changes that will impact more of our team members .
`` Our people remain at the heart of our business and we are doing what we can to support those who are affected .
`` We believe that this difficult decision will give us more resilience through the next six months and help us to continue serving our customers in our restaurants and at home in the years ahead . ''
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans were approved by creditors .
It has become the latest dining chain to shut sites after revenues dived following the enforced closure of its restaurants in March .
The group currently has 355 sites open , with more than 30 other sites set to reopen in the coming weeks .
Pizza Express will shut two Birmingham eateries , in Corporation Street and the Mailbox , as well as a restaurant in Merry Hill , Shirley and Walsall .

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Pizza Express expects to cut around 1,300 jobs after the number of people eating in its restaurants has fallen since September as pandemic restrictions harden.
The company said the roles will be cut from its 370 UK restaurants through both compulsory and voluntary redundancies.
It said the decision will help it manage the challenges this winter and beyond as it expects footfall to remain lower than usual.
In August, Pizza Express said that around 1,100 jobs were at risk and the new losses come on top of this.
It adds to more than 200,000 job losses since the start of the pandemic.
Pizza Express last month said it will push forward with plans to close 73 restaurants.
PizzaExpress managing director Zoe Bowley said: "Our aim throughout these extremely challenging times has been to keep our team members and customers safe, and to retain jobs for as long as possible.
"As a leading employer in our sector, we see every day how this pandemic is having a profound impact on our industry, our business and on people's lives.
"Unfortunately,the recent increase in Covid-19 cases is again causing footfall to decline across the UK. As this is expected to continue for some months, we sadly need to make changes that will impact more of our team members.
"Our people remain at the heart of our business and we are doing what we can to support those who are affected.
"We believe that this difficult decision will give us more resilience through the next six months and help us to continue serving our customers in our restaurants and at home in the years ahead."
The move from the Italian chain comes after restructuring plans were approved by creditors.
It has become the latest dining chain to shut sites after revenues dived following the enforced closure of its restaurants in March.
The group currently has 355 sites open, with more than 30 other sites set to reopen in the coming weeks.
Pizza Express will shut two Birmingham eateries, in Corporation Street and the Mailbox, as well as a restaurant in Merry Hill, Shirley and Walsall.
Moseley's restaurant will also close.


birminghammail--2020-10-29--16 parts of England will enter tier 2 lockdown from Saturday - FULL LIST

The Department of Health and Social Care said 16 areas are moving to Tier 2 from 0001 on Saturday .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country , and it is clear decisive action is needed .
`` We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the high local Covid alert level this week .
`` These restrictions are challenging for us all , but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage .
`` I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country .
`` We will beat this virus , but we must stick together as we enter the winter months . ''
• Yorkshire and the Humber : East Riding of Yorkshire , Kingston-Upon-Hull , North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire ; • East Midlands : Amber Valley , Bolsover , Derbyshire Dales , Derby City , South Derbyshire , the whole of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country , and it is clear decisive action is needed .
`` We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the High Local Covid Alert Level this week .
`` These restrictions are challenging for us all , but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection .
A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country .
We will beat this virus , but we must stick together as we enter the winter months . ''
He said all other areas currently in High will remain at that level until the next review in 14 days .

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The Department of Health and Social Care said 16 areas are moving to Tier 2 from 0001 on Saturday.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country, and it is clear decisive action is needed.
"We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the high local Covid alert level this week.
"These restrictions are challenging for us all, but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection.
"A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage.
"I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country.
"We will beat this virus, but we must stick together as we enter the winter months."
Yorkshire and the Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston-Upon-Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire;
West Midlands: Dudley, Staffordshire, Telford and the Wrekin;
East Midlands: Amber Valley, Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales, Derby City, South Derbyshire, the whole of High Peak; Charnwood;
East of England: Luton; and
South East: Oxford City.
Health and Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country, and it is clear decisive action is needed.
"We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the High Local Covid Alert Level this week.
"These restrictions are challenging for us all, but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection. A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage. I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country. We will beat this virus, but we must stick together as we enter the winter months."
He said all other areas currently in High will remain at that level until the next review in 14 days.


birminghammail--2020-10-29--Dudley, Staffordshire, and Telford moving into 'tier two' local lockdown

Dudley is to move into `` tier two '' local lockdown on Saturday , the Government has announced .
The same is happening in Staffordshire and the Telford and Wrekin local authority area .
It means that the following measures will be in place : The same rules are already in place in Birmingham , Walsall , Solihull , Wolverhampton , Sandwell and Coventry .
Today 's announcement means the entire Black Country will be in tier two .
The travel advice is only guidance , although everyone is urged to follow it .
The other restrictions are laws that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been reported that some `` tier two '' areas such as Birmingham could also move up into tier three next week - but this has not been confirmed .
The Department for Education has , however , issued a statement confirming that Dudley , Staffordshire and the Telford and Wrekin will move from Local COVID Alert Level medium , also known as Tier one , to Local COVID Alert Level High , known as tier two , from 00.01 Saturday 31 October .
The same will also happen in Luton , Oxford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire .
And the same is happening in parts of the East Midlands including Amber Valley , Bolsover , Derbyshire Dales , Derby City , South Derbyshire , the whole of High Peak and Charnwood .
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country , and it is clear decisive action is needed .
`` “ We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the High Local Covid Alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are challenging for us all , but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection .
A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage .
I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country .
We will beat this virus , but we must stick together as we enter the winter months . ''

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Dudley is to move into "tier two" local lockdown on Saturday, the Government has announced.
The same is happening in Staffordshire and the Telford and Wrekin local authority area.
It means that the following measures will be in place:
People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. This includes pubs, restaurants or other indoor venues.
People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space; and
People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.
The same rules are already in place in Birmingham, Walsall, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Coventry. Today's announcement means the entire Black Country will be in tier two.
The travel advice is only guidance, although everyone is urged to follow it. The other restrictions are laws that can be enforced by police.
It's been reported that some "tier two" areas such as Birmingham could also move up into tier three next week - but this has not been confirmed.
The Department for Education has, however, issued a statement confirming that Dudley, Staffordshire and the Telford and Wrekin will move from Local COVID Alert Level medium, also known as Tier one, to Local COVID Alert Level High, known as tier two, from 00.01 Saturday 31 October.
The same will also happen in Luton, Oxford, East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston-Upon-Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.
And the same is happening in parts of the East Midlands including Amber Valley, Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales, Derby City, South Derbyshire, the whole of High Peak and Charnwood.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country, and it is clear decisive action is needed.
"“We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the High Local Covid Alert Level this week.
“These restrictions are challenging for us all, but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection. A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage. I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country. We will beat this virus, but we must stick together as we enter the winter months."
Areas included in today's announcement include Stoke-on-Trent; Cannock Chase; Newcastle-Under-Lyme; Staffordshire Moorlands; Stafford; Lichfield, and Tamworth.


birminghammail--2020-10-30--How did Halloween start? This is the true origin of the celebrations

As you 're making Halloween fancy dress costumes with the kids or scooping the flesh out of a pumpkin , you may well be wondering where all the celebrations started .
Dressing up as scary supernatural characters such as witches , vampires and ghouls does n't suggest any obvious connections to Christian events like those at the heart of Easter and Christmas .
And there does n't seem to be any obvious person behind it all like the saints at the root of St Patrick 's Day and Valentine 's Day .
We 've been doing all this dressing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we probably have no idea where it all originated .
So what 's it all about and how did it start ?
When is Halloween and why is it called that ?
Halloween is always on October 31 .
Unlike some other festivals such as Easter , Lent , Eid and Diwali , the date does not vary each year .
The name is a shortened version of All Hallows Evening , which refers to the Christian festival of All Hallows ' Eve or All Saints ' Eve .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or All Saints ' Day ( November 1 ) when worshippers say prayers to saints , martyrs and `` all the faithful departed . ''
Hallows is an old word for saints or holy men .
Originally , the saints were commemorated on May 13 but this was moved to November 1 by the Pope in the 8th century .
While the Roman Catholic Church insists that Halloween only has its roots in Christianity , it 's widely believed it was moved to the new date to combine it with the old pagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Easter and Christmas have also merged with earlier pagan rituals .
Samhain - pronounced sah-wen - was when the Celts celebrated the end of summer and the start of winter .
It might have also been the end of their year .
So while it 's thought to be the origin of Halloween , for the Celts it was possibly the equivalent of New Year .
It was one of the main celebrations on the Celtic calendar .
The Celts originated in central Europe during the Iron Age and migrated west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Roman Empire spread , they ended up confined to Ireland , Wales , Scotland , and Cornwall , along with the Isle of Man and Brittany .
The Samhain festival is known to have taken place in Ireland , Scotland and the Isle of Man , with a similar event in Wales , Cornwall and Brittany .
We know from historical records that the Celts celebrated Samhain from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1 , halfway between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice .
Celtic peoples in areas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these pagan traditions until the arrival of Christianity .
It was seen as the end of the harvest and the start of winter .
Villagers brought the livestock back from the summer pastures and lit large fires for rituals .
The Celts are thought to have believed that during Samhain the souls of the dead as well as the pagan gods of nature were more easily able to cross over from the supernatural 'otherworld ' into the land of the living .
At this time , human souls were said to revisit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that villagers also dressed up as the pagan deities and visited homes for food , in what looks like an ancient origin of today 's trick-or-treating .
Big fires of sacred oak wood were lit to protect people from any spirits that were particularly harmful or vengeful .
Appeasing the spirits with food meant the people and their livestock were given special protection so they survived the winter .
Modern pagans still refer to Halloween as Samhain .
And it might be even older than that These festivals may well have started even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the Stone Age .
A Neolithic burial mound in County Meath , Ireland , built between 3000BC and 2500BC , has a doorway that is aligned with the sunrise on October 31 .
This suggests it was at that time that the dead were expected to return to the land of the living .
So such events could have their roots in the times when prehistoric people used the sun as a clock and a calendar to determine their activities .
By the Middle Ages , the old pagan ways had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were stuck in purgatory - a limbo before heaven or hell - would return to earth on Halloween in the form of witches , goblins and ghouls .
Today , Halloween is seen mostly as a time of fun and these supernatural beings are the inspiration for kids ' costumes .
So what have pumpkins got to do with it ?
For centuries , people have carved pumpkins into eerie faces lit by a candle inside the hollowed-out shell .
These are called jack o'lanterns .
In the UK and Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at first .
The origin of all this is the Irish legend of Stingy Jack , a character who twice tricked the Devil and was not allowed into either heaven or hell when he died .
His spirit was left to roam the earth with only a burning coal in a hollow turnip to light the way .
So he became known as Jack O'Lantern .
Families in Ireland began to make their own versions of the lantern to keep away Jack and any other evil spirits on Halloween .
In the USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is native to north America , was much easier to carve into a lantern and it 's now the preferred choice for this occasion .

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As you're making Halloween fancy dress costumes with the kids or scooping the flesh out of a pumpkin, you may well be wondering where all the celebrations started.
Dressing up as scary supernatural characters such as witches, vampires and ghouls doesn't suggest any obvious connections to Christian events like those at the heart of Easter and Christmas.
And there doesn't seem to be any obvious person behind it all like the saints at the root of St Patrick's Day and Valentine's Day.
We've been doing all this dressing up and trick or treating all our lives, but we probably have no idea where it all originated.
So what's it all about and how did it start?
When is Halloween and why is it called that?
Halloween is always on October 31. Unlike some other festivals such as Easter, Lent, Eid and Diwali, the date does not vary each year.
The name is a shortened version of All Hallows Evening, which refers to the Christian festival of All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve.
This is the day before All Hallows' Day or All Saints' Day (November 1) when worshippers say prayers to saints, martyrs and "all the faithful departed."
Hallows is an old word for saints or holy men.
Originally, the saints were commemorated on May 13 but this was moved to November 1 by the Pope in the 8th century.
While the Roman Catholic Church insists that Halloween only has its roots in Christianity, it's widely believed it was moved to the new date to combine it with the old pagan festival of Samhain.
Other Christian dates such as Easter and Christmas have also merged with earlier pagan rituals.
How did Halloween start?
Samhain - pronounced sah-wen - was when the Celts celebrated the end of summer and the start of winter. It might have also been the end of their year.
So while it's thought to be the origin of Halloween, for the Celts it was possibly the equivalent of New Year.
It was one of the main celebrations on the Celtic calendar.
The Celts originated in central Europe during the Iron Age and migrated west to other areas including Britain.
As the Roman Empire spread, they ended up confined to Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Cornwall, along with the Isle of Man and Brittany.
The Samhain festival is known to have taken place in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, with a similar event in Wales, Cornwall and Brittany.
We know from historical records that the Celts celebrated Samhain from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1, halfway between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.
Celtic peoples in areas that were not conquered by the Romans carried on these pagan traditions until the arrival of Christianity.
It’s thought that Samhain means summer’s end.
It was seen as the end of the harvest and the start of winter. Villagers brought the livestock back from the summer pastures and lit large fires for rituals.
The Celts are thought to have believed that during Samhain the souls of the dead as well as the pagan gods of nature were more easily able to cross over from the supernatural 'otherworld' into the land of the living.
At this time, human souls were said to revisit their former homes. It's thought that villagers also dressed up as the pagan deities and visited homes for food, in what looks like an ancient origin of today's trick-or-treating.
Big fires of sacred oak wood were lit to protect people from any spirits that were particularly harmful or vengeful.
Appeasing the spirits with food meant the people and their livestock were given special protection so they survived the winter.
Modern pagans still refer to Halloween as Samhain.
And it might be even older than that
These festivals may well have started even earlier - as far back as the end of the Stone Age.
A Neolithic burial mound in County Meath, Ireland, built between 3000BC and 2500BC, has a doorway that is aligned with the sunrise on October 31.
This suggests it was at that time that the dead were expected to return to the land of the living.
So such events could have their roots in the times when prehistoric people used the sun as a clock and a calendar to determine their activities.
By the Middle Ages, the old pagan ways had turned into a Christian superstition that souls who were stuck in purgatory - a limbo before heaven or hell - would return to earth on Halloween in the form of witches, goblins and ghouls.
Today, Halloween is seen mostly as a time of fun and these supernatural beings are the inspiration for kids' costumes.
So what have pumpkins got to do with it?
For centuries, people have carved pumpkins into eerie faces lit by a candle inside the hollowed-out shell. These are called jack o'lanterns.
In the UK and Ireland, turnips, beets or potatoes were used at first.
The origin of all this is the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a character who twice tricked the Devil and was not allowed into either heaven or hell when he died.
His spirit was left to roam the earth with only a burning coal in a hollow turnip to light the way. So he became known as Jack O'Lantern.
Families in Ireland began to make their own versions of the lantern to keep away Jack and any other evil spirits on Halloween.
In the USA, Irish immigrants found the pumpkin, which is native to north America, was much easier to carve into a lantern and it's now the preferred choice for this occasion.


birminghammail--2020-10-30--Pub staff offer to pay so kids can eat free this half term

A Brownhills pub has stepped up to stop kids from going hungry this half term .
The Crown , on Watling Street , is offering free meals for kids all day , everyday , during the holiday .
It comes after Walsall Council decided not to follow suit with other local authorities in providing support and keeping kids fed during the school break .
Council leader Mike Bird claims that the money to fund free school meals in the holidays 'is n't available ' .
Staff at the Marstons run pub have kindly offered to foot the bill of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers to donate a £1 if they wish - which covers the cost of kids meal during the week .
Manger of The Crown Daniel Crew said : `` In these difficult times communities and families all need to look after each .
`` It ’ s important to all the staff here at the Crown that the younger generations have the opportunity and foundations to succeed in the future .
`` It wasn ’ t a question of are we going to help it was more of a question of how can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marston ’ s said : `` Pubs are at the heart of the community and lots of our teams are working and supporting their local area to offer free packed lunches for children and young people during half term .
`` This is a challenging time for everybody and we understand the struggles people and families are facing , so we love seeing our team members help any way they can . ''
Cllr Bird told Black Country Live : `` Unfortunately , I have to be the gate keeper for Walsall Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The only way we could face it would be to rise council tax payments and these people would suffer in the long run .
`` We have done everything we can to make sure we have looked after local businesses and kept people 's jobs .
`` The money is not available and as a result that is the decision of Walsall Council . ''

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A Brownhills pub has stepped up to stop kids from going hungry this half term.
The Crown, on Watling Street, is offering free meals for kids all day, everyday, during the holiday.
It comes after Walsall Council decided not to follow suit with other local authorities in providing support and keeping kids fed during the school break.
Council leader Mike Bird claims that the money to fund free school meals in the holidays 'isn't available'.
Staff at the Marstons run pub have kindly offered to foot the bill of what the meals will cost and have asked customers to donate a £1 if they wish - which covers the cost of kids meal during the week.
Manger of The Crown Daniel Crew said: "In these difficult times communities and families all need to look after each.
"It’s important to all the staff here at the Crown that the younger generations have the opportunity and foundations to succeed in the future.
"It wasn’t a question of are we going to help it was more of a question of how can we help."
A spokesman for Marston’s said: "Pubs are at the heart of the community and lots of our teams are working and supporting their local area to offer free packed lunches for children and young people during half term.
"This is a challenging time for everybody and we understand the struggles people and families are facing, so we love seeing our team members help any way they can."
Cllr Bird told Black Country Live: "Unfortunately, I have to be the gate keeper for Walsall Council because we have not got the money.
"The only way we could face it would be to rise council tax payments and these people would suffer in the long run.
Black Country Bugle Annual 2021 The Black Country Bugle Annual 2021 is going on sale from October 26, right up until March 2021. It provides a colourful and memorable look back at all aspects of Black Country life, from much-loved characters to much-missed iconic buildings, from the sports and pastimes that united the community to the firms and workplaces that provided jobs for thousands. It’s all here in compelling stories and features and fascinating, rare photographs. The Black Country Bugle Annual 2021 Get your copy here.
"We have done everything we can to make sure we have looked after local businesses and kept people's jobs.
"The money is not available and as a result that is the decision of Walsall Council."


birminghammail--2020-10-30--Murder suspect Anthony Russell arrested in Staffordshire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of three people .
Two police forces launched a manhunt to find 38-year-old Anthony Russell following the discovery of the bodies of Julia Williams and her son David , who were found in separate flats in Coventry earlier this week .
A woman ’ s body , found yesterday in woodland in Newbold Comyn near Leamington , has also been linked to the other two deaths .
The woman has now been formally identified as 31-year-old Nichola McGregor from Leamington .
Warwickshire Police said they have now arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rolleston-on-Dove at 4am on Friday , October 30 .
Officers on patrol discovered a man in a red Ford C-Max car , stolen in a car-jacking in Leamington on Wednesday afternoon , in a country lane in the village .
West Midlands Police said he has been arrested on suspicion of murder and robbery in relation to the car .
He is in custody and will be questioned later today .
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Payne from West Midlands Police said : “ The deaths of three people in the Midlands region this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the families involved .
`` Our thoughts remain with them as they come to terms with the tragic circumstances of their deaths .
“ We are grateful to everyone who has assisted with our appeals for information , but although we have a suspect in custody , our investigation must now establish exactly what has happened.
” Police are still appealing for information from the public to assist their investigation .
Anyone who can help is asked to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat , by phoning 101 , or anonymously via @ @ @ @ @ @

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of three people.
Two police forces launched a manhunt to find 38-year-old Anthony Russell following the discovery of the bodies of Julia Williams and her son David, who were found in separate flats in Coventry earlier this week.
A woman’s body, found yesterday in woodland in Newbold Comyn near Leamington, has also been linked to the other two deaths.
The woman has now been formally identified as 31-year-old Nichola McGregor from Leamington.
Warwickshire Police said they have now arrested a man in the Staffordshire village of Rolleston-on-Dove at 4am on Friday, October 30.
Officers on patrol discovered a man in a red Ford C-Max car, stolen in a car-jacking in Leamington on Wednesday afternoon, in a country lane in the village.
West Midlands Police said he has been arrested on suspicion of murder and robbery in relation to the car. He is in custody and will be questioned later today.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Payne from West Midlands Police said: “The deaths of three people in the Midlands region this week have been shocking and devastating for the families involved.
"Our thoughts remain with them as they come to terms with the tragic circumstances of their deaths.
“We are grateful to everyone who has assisted with our appeals for information, but although we have a suspect in custody, our investigation must now establish exactly what has happened.”
Police are still appealing for information from the public to assist their investigation.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat, by phoning 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


birminghammail--2020-10-30--Tom Heaton comeback outlined & latest Aston Villa injury news

Dean Smith spoke to the media today with Aston Villa looking to bounce back against Southampton this upcoming Sunday ( November 1 ) .
The head coach reiterated just how impressed he 's been with his group of players despite last week 's 3-0 humbling at home to Leeds United .
As far as team news is concerned Smith provided a key update surrounding Tom Heaton who - despite pushing for a return in a behind-closed-doors friendly with West Bromwich Albion in midweek - is still a little off following his knee ligament tear .
The 34-year-old has been out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with new signing Emiliano Martinez taking Villa 's No.1 shirt after his £16 million arrival .
Ahead of Southampton , here 's the very latest in terms of Villa 's injured stars and those who have returned to training : Injury : Knee ligament damage sustained in the 2-1 victory at Burnley on January 1 , 2020 .
Target return date : November 9 in under-23 action .
Was n't risked for Wednesday 's friendly with Albion at Bodymoor Heath with Jed Steer and Lovre Kalinic getting minutes instead .
Heaton is back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first-team group , though .
He will play for Villa 's under-23s in the upcoming weeks with Burnley ( a ) on November 9 a likely return .
What Smith said : `` He 's back working with Neil Cutler now .
His progress is ahead of Wesley 's who had a more sustained injury than Tom .
Tom 's was more straightforward .
He 's back with Neil Cutler and we 'll be looking at getting him some games . ''
Injury : Knee ligament damage sustained in the 2-1 victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Target return date : January 2021 .
Wesley is continuing his rehabilitation back at Bodymoor Heath .
Has been named in Villa 's 25-man Premier League squad and was photographed with the first-team group earlier this week .
What Smith said : `` He 's working hard in rehabilitation at the moment .
He 's working one-on-one with the physio but he 's out with his boots on and running and kicking .
He 's a little way off from being with the group but it 's a gradual process with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on 57 minutes against Stoke in the Carabao Cup on October 1 and hobbled back to the treatment room at Villa Park .
Target return date : Finally back after a month-long lay-off .
Believed to have featured against West Brom in the behind-closed-doors match .
Pushing to make Smith 's Premier League squad again but he joins Bjorn Engels as the pair wait for an opening with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa Villa 's first-choice pairing .
Injury : Calf .
Sustained the knock during the behind-closed-doors friendly with Coventry during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Back now and made his return to the bench in last week 's defeat against Leeds .
Scored against Albion in the friendly on Wednesday and will be on the bench against Southampton this weekend .

Aston Villa take on Leeds United in the Premier League on Friday night as they look to put right the wrongs of their last outing.
It was an evening to forget at Villa Park last weekend as Unai Emery's side fell out of the FA Cup at the third round stage again thanks to defeat by League Two side Stevenage. Villa looked to be control of the game at 1-0 up. but two late goals turned the game on it's head.
Villa have had a boost this week with the news that full-back Alex Moreno has completed a transfer from Real Betis, and it seems that he could make his debut in the clash against Leeds. The club are looking to bring more players in before the end of the transfer window.
READ MORE: Sinisterra, Bamford, Forshaw - Leeds United injury news and updates for Aston Villa
READ MORE: 'Horrible' - Pundits disagree on Aston Villa vs Leeds United prediction
The squad however did have a couple of blows against Stevenage with Matty Cash and Ludwig Augustinsson picking up injuries, while Leander Dendoncker's red card means that he will serve a suspension. Three other Villa players in Tyrone Mings, Aaron Ramsey and Leon Bailey are also walking a suspension tightrope against Leeds.
Here is a look at the latest around the Villa squad ahead of the visit of Jesse Marsch's side:
Alex Moreno
Possible reason for absence: International clearance
The left-back completed his move from Real Betis this week, but it now seems that he will be available to make his debut against Leeds, with the club that confirming on their website.
What Emery has said: "Not sure. Not sure yet. Hopefully we have some news about him and maybe it's a positive."
John McGinn
Reason for absence: Hamstring
McGinn has missed the last three games in all competitions due to a hamstring strain, and is set to be on the sidelines again vs Leeds.
What Emery has said: “John is continuing his progress."
Possible return date: Vs Leicester City (Feb 4)
Matty Cash
Reason for absence: Groin
The full-back hobbled off in the defeat against Stevenage last weekend.
What Emery has said: "Matty Cash is a doubt for tomorrow."
Possible return date: Vs Southampton (Jan 21)
Leander Dendoncker
Reason for absence: Suspension
The defender will serve his one-match suspension against Leeds after being shown a red card in the loss against Stevenage.
Possible return date: Vs Southampton (Jan 21)
Ludwig Augustinsson
Injury: Ankle
The full-back has been told he can find another club in January, but will miss the game against Leeds after being forced off the pitch with an ankle injury vs Stevenage.
Possible return date: Vs Southampton (Jan 21)
Jed Steer
Injury: Achilles tendon
Possible return date: N/A
What Emery has said: "Jed is starting to train with us in one or two weeks."
Diego Carlos
Injury: Achilles
Possible return date: N/A
What Emery has said: "Diego is getting better, but it will be a month or two before he is with us."
What starting XI would you select vs Leeds? Tell us in the comments section
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birminghammail--2020-10-30--Meet the unsung heroes who have helped others during the pandemic

A young lad who penned postcards to lonely pensioners and a food bank started from residents ' homes are among the Solihull people and projects honoured for their efforts during the Covid crisis .
More than 200 individuals and organisations were nominated as part of the council 's Solihull Says Thank You scheme .
This was launched to celebrate those who have shown courage , kindness and community spirit during the pandemic .
All those singled out have received a personal note from the Mayor of Solihull , with public exhibitions due to be launched at Touchwood and Chelmsley Wood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service ( LDRS ) spoke to some of those who have been honoured .
A lifeline for those in urgent need of help Two friends from Fordbridge started a food bank from their own homes to help those struggling during the crisis .
Sara Kelly and Diane Hayes , who were both shielders , were worried about the sheer number of residents in need and had set up the service .
The project has proven a lifeline to huge numbers of local people and has since moved into an empty unit in Chelmsley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides essentials to as many as 80 to 100 residents in an average week .
`` It 's become more in demand in the last three weeks/four weeks , '' said mum-of-three Sara .
`` We have had a lot of people coming through the door who have been made redundant or are being put on zero hours contracts , for example .
`` Or they have been put on Universal Credit and are waiting for their first payment . ''
The 36-year-old said there have a massive outpouring of support from residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have been really , really helpful .
People have come together amazingly '' , Sara said .
The friends are keen for the project to stay open as long as possible - they have a lease until next March - but are taking things `` month by month '' .
Sara was nominated for the honour by sister Jennifer , who said : `` She does this in her own time and does not get paid for it .
It is purely from her heart . ''
The food bank is open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10am-1pm ) .
To find out more about accessing services or making donations go to the Facebook page .
Eight-year-old Jaedon Hughes has become pen friends with several residents at a Solihull care home , after worrying they would be lonely during lockdown .
Mum Nicola said her son was concerned that the elderly and vulnerable might feel isolated because of strict restrictions on visitors .
He sent his good wishes to those living at Chelmund 's Court , Chelmsley Wood , and now exchanges messages with a number of the residents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes and that they would n't have anyone going to visit , '' said Nicola , aged 32 .
`` He had seen it on the news and was a bit upset at the time and had come up with the idea of writing to them .
`` Several of them have said how grateful they were to receive the letters .
`` Lockdown was hard for everyone .
He was n't in school , he could n't see his family ...
I think doing this was good for him too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an avid football player , also used the extra weeks at home to raise £1,070 for Acorns Children 's Hospice .
He had set himself the challenge of doing 500 `` keepy-ups '' a day for ten days and raised a handsome sum for the local charity .
Nicola said that her son was `` adamant he was going to be a footballer '' ; he plays for local side Marston Green and recently signing on the books with Birmingham City .
Although he is a passionate Villa supporter !
A Knowle man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community '' has been praised for the help he gave to a well-known war veteran , who passed away in the spring .
Paul Weale had prepared meals and helped provide daily care for fellow villager Alan Knightley , who lived alone and was in increasingly poor health .
During the lockdown , Mr Knightley , 94 , had been confined to his small maisonette and Paul had visited regularly to check on him .
When the pensioner had passed away in May , his friend had also set to work setting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until relatives could be contacted .
Paul , who is 78 himself , had described his friend as `` a great mate '' .
`` When his wife died about 12 months ago we took him under our wing , '' said the retired Arden School caretaker .
The Good Samaritan said the pandemic had been hard on many older people , who were unable to get out to their usual social events and meet-ups .
But he had been heartened by the fact that neighbours had helped each other .
In normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knowle Village Hall 's weekly coffee morning .
`` I have got quite a loud voice - it 's useful for shouting out raffle numbers . ''
Keith Williams , who nominated Paul for the award , described him as a `` humble , caring man '' who often looked out for others .
`` Paul is a man of large stature , with an equally large heart , easily recognisable when walking in the village , greeting all he meets with a ready smile and kind word . ''
Solihull Says Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lieu of the usual Civic Honours .
It had become apparent that the traditional awards ceremony would not be able to go-ahead because of Covid-19 restrictions , so it was decided to have a special scheme to pay tribute to unsung heroes .
Cllr Alison Rolf , cabinet member for stronger and safer communities , said the council had been delighted to receive details of `` the brilliant work '' that had gone on through a very difficult period .

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A young lad who penned postcards to lonely pensioners and a food bank started from residents' homes are among the Solihull people and projects honoured for their efforts during the Covid crisis.
More than 200 individuals and organisations were nominated as part of the council's Solihull Says Thank You scheme.
This was launched to celebrate those who have shown courage, kindness and community spirit during the pandemic.
All those singled out have received a personal note from the Mayor of Solihull, with public exhibitions due to be launched at Touchwood and Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to some of those who have been honoured.
A lifeline for those in urgent need of help
Two friends from Fordbridge started a food bank from their own homes to help those struggling during the crisis.
Sara Kelly and Diane Hayes, who were both shielders, were worried about the sheer number of residents in need and had set up the service.
The project has proven a lifeline to huge numbers of local people and has since moved into an empty unit in Chelmsley Wood town centre.
The voluntary venture provides essentials to as many as 80 to 100 residents in an average week.
(Image: Sara Kelly)
"It's become more in demand in the last three weeks/four weeks," said mum-of-three Sara.
"We have had a lot of people coming through the door who have been made redundant or are being put on zero hours contracts, for example.
"Or they have been put on Universal Credit and are waiting for their first payment."
The 36-year-old said there have a massive outpouring of support from residents and businesses to provide donations.
"They have been really, really helpful. People have come together amazingly", Sara said.
The friends are keen for the project to stay open as long as possible - they have a lease until next March - but are taking things "month by month".
Sara was nominated for the honour by sister Jennifer, who said: "She does this in her own time and does not get paid for it. It is purely from her heart."
The food bank is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (from 10am-1pm). To find out more about accessing services or making donations go to the Facebook page.
Schoolboy's kindly acts during lockdown
Eight-year-old Jaedon Hughes has become pen friends with several residents at a Solihull care home, after worrying they would be lonely during lockdown.
Mum Nicola said her son was concerned that the elderly and vulnerable might feel isolated because of strict restrictions on visitors.
He sent his good wishes to those living at Chelmund's Court, Chelmsley Wood, and now exchanges messages with a number of the residents.
(Image: Nicola Hughes)
"He had worried about people in care homes and that they wouldn't have anyone going to visit," said Nicola, aged 32.
"He had seen it on the news and was a bit upset at the time and had come up with the idea of writing to them.
"Several of them have said how grateful they were to receive the letters.
"Lockdown was hard for everyone. He wasn't in school, he couldn't see his family ... I think doing this was good for him too."
The big-hearted youngster, who is an avid football player, also used the extra weeks at home to raise £1,070 for Acorns Children's Hospice.
He had set himself the challenge of doing 500 "keepy-ups" a day for ten days and raised a handsome sum for the local charity.
Nicola said that her son was "adamant he was going to be a footballer"; he plays for local side Marston Green and recently signing on the books with Birmingham City. Although he is a passionate Villa supporter!
(Image: Nicola Hughes)
Humble hero who helped WWII veteran
A Knowle man described as "a tower of the community" has been praised for the help he gave to a well-known war veteran, who passed away in the spring.
Paul Weale had prepared meals and helped provide daily care for fellow villager Alan Knightley, who lived alone and was in increasingly poor health.
During the lockdown, Mr Knightley, 94, had been confined to his small maisonette and Paul had visited regularly to check on him.
When the pensioner had passed away in May, his friend had also set to work setting his affairs in order and organising the funeral until relatives could be contacted.
Paul, who is 78 himself, had described his friend as "a great mate".
"When his wife died about 12 months ago we took him under our wing," said the retired Arden School caretaker.
The Good Samaritan said the pandemic had been hard on many older people, who were unable to get out to their usual social events and meet-ups.
But he had been heartened by the fact that neighbours had helped each other.
In normal times he is also a regular at Knowle Village Hall's weekly coffee morning.
"I have got quite a loud voice - it's useful for shouting out raffle numbers."
Keith Williams, who nominated Paul for the award, described him as a "humble, caring man" who often looked out for others.
"Paul is a man of large stature, with an equally large heart, easily recognisable when walking in the village, greeting all he meets with a ready smile and kind word."
Solihull Says Thank You had been launched in August in lieu of the usual Civic Honours.
It had become apparent that the traditional awards ceremony would not be able to go-ahead because of Covid-19 restrictions, so it was decided to have a special scheme to pay tribute to unsung heroes.
Cllr Alison Rolf, cabinet member for stronger and safer communities, said the council had been delighted to receive details of "the brilliant work" that had gone on through a very difficult period.


birminghammail--2020-10-30--Preston boss Alex Neil makes 'crap' admission ahead of Blues clash

Preston North End manager Alex Neil admits his side are desperate to fix their 'crap ' home form against Birmingham City this weekend .
While Blues returned to winning ways against Huddersfield Town midweek , Preston were beaten 2-0 by Gary Rowett 's Millwall at Deepdale .
That result means Neil 's men are still searching for their first Championship points - and goal - of the season on home soil after four straight defeats .
Preston , however , go into Saturday 's clash above Blues in the table on goal difference having won three of their four away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can assure you , nobody is more disappointed than me and the lads , '' Neil told LancsLive .
`` We have n't scored a goal at home which is crap and we have n't won which is crap .
`` Creativity has been an issue for us and I 'm not sitting here saying we have been great . ''
Several players in the Preston squad have been feeling ill this week and defender Patrick Bauer was forced to come off at half-time on Wednesday night .
`` We got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because obviously we have got a bug going about , '' Neil said .
`` The lads had the day off yesterday to try and recover .
`` We 'll see how they are this morning , they have done a lot of games and it 's a really intense period - I 've never really known anything like it .
It is naturally a concern but we will just have to see how they are when they come in .
`` I did n't even realise with Patrick , I just went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half time and heard somebody retching in the background .
`` And I thought a lot of the other lads who had declared themselves fit , their energy levels in the second half dipped .
`` The illness we had spread through the guys that have been playing because they do everything together and they 're also seated next to each other in the changing room - 16 , 18 , 19 and 20 I think or something .
That 's how it transmitted throughout that group . ''

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Preston North End manager Alex Neil admits his side are desperate to fix their 'crap' home form against Birmingham City this weekend.
While Blues returned to winning ways against Huddersfield Town midweek, Preston were beaten 2-0 by Gary Rowett's Millwall at Deepdale.
That result means Neil's men are still searching for their first Championship points - and goal - of the season on home soil after four straight defeats.
Preston, however, go into Saturday's clash above Blues in the table on goal difference having won three of their four away matches and drawn the other.
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"I can assure you, nobody is more disappointed than me and the lads," Neil told LancsLive. "We haven't scored a goal at home which is crap and we haven't won which is crap.
"Creativity has been an issue for us and I'm not sitting here saying we have been great."
Several players in the Preston squad have been feeling ill this week and defender Patrick Bauer was forced to come off at half-time on Wednesday night.
"We got a deep clean of the training ground yesterday because obviously we have got a bug going about," Neil said. "The lads had the day off yesterday to try and recover.
"We'll see how they are this morning, they have done a lot of games and it's a really intense period - I've never really known anything like it. It is naturally a concern but we will just have to see how they are when they come in.
"I didn't even realise with Patrick, I just went in to do my team talk at half time and heard somebody retching in the background.
"And I thought a lot of the other lads who had declared themselves fit, their energy levels in the second half dipped.
"The illness we had spread through the guys that have been playing because they do everything together and they're also seated next to each other in the changing room - 16, 18, 19 and 20 I think or something. That's how it transmitted throughout that group."


birminghammail--2020-10-30--Tier 4 lockdown could be introduced as minister refuses to rule it out

A leading Government minster has refused to rule out Tier 4 restrictions as he appeared on TV earlier today .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke to the BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme and said that the Government was n't ruling anything out according to reports that Tier 4 or Tier 3-plus are being considered .
The stricter restrictions reportedly being discussed could mean that restaurants and non-essential retail such as clothes shops could also be forced to close .
Mr Raab also said the public would find it “ desperately unfair ” to impose a national lockdown while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WalesOnline .
He told BBC Breakfast : “ I think intuitively as well as scientifically if you look at what we ’ re trying to achieve is to focus on where the virus is the strongest or where the uptick is the greatest .
“ Also I think in areas where the virus is not picking up I think people would feel it was not only counterproductive or ineffective but desperately unfair for measures to be imposed across the board.
” A decision on Tier 4 could be made by mid-November , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how effective the three tier system has been , a Whitehall source told iNews at the weekend .
Matt Hancock previously said the Government would “ rule nothing out ” on the prospect of a new fourth tier of restrictions .
The Health Secretary told BBC Breakfast : “ We ’ ve always said all along that we take nothing off the table . ''
He added : “ We rule nothing out but at the moment the three-tier system is what we ’ re working to and it ’ s effective in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hasn ’ t brought this curve to a halt .
”

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Victoria Jones, Chris  Harper)

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A leading Government minster has refused to rule out Tier 4 restrictions as he appeared on TV earlier today.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and said that the Government wasn't ruling anything out according to reports that Tier 4 or Tier 3-plus are being considered.
The stricter restrictions reportedly being discussed could mean that restaurants and non-essential retail such as clothes shops could also be forced to close.
Mr Raab also said the public would find it “desperately unfair” to impose a national lockdown while rates vary across the country, reports WalesOnline.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I think intuitively as well as scientifically if you look at what we’re trying to achieve is to focus on where the virus is the strongest or where the uptick is the greatest.
“Also I think in areas where the virus is not picking up I think people would feel it was not only counterproductive or ineffective but desperately unfair for measures to be imposed across the board.”
A decision on Tier 4 could be made by mid-November, when there will be enough data to assess how effective the three tier system has been, a Whitehall source told iNews at the weekend.
Matt Hancock previously said the Government would “rule nothing out” on the prospect of a new fourth tier of restrictions.
The Health Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “We’ve always said all along that we take nothing off the table."
He added: “We rule nothing out but at the moment the three-tier system is what we’re working to and it’s effective in slowing the growth of this virus but it hasn’t brought this curve to a halt.”


birminghammail--2020-10-30--135 homes set for site of Ministry of Defence building

A Ministry of Defence building in Sutton Coldfield could be replaced with 135 new homes , if planning permission for the site is granted .
Planning permission is being sought for the demolition of the headquarters of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation ( DIO ) along Kingston Road/Rectory Road , to be replaced with a range of residential dwellings .
The DIO is responsible for enabling defence people to live , work , train and deploy at home and overseas , providing services such as accommodation and infrastructure for military personnel and their families .
However , the organisation is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Whittington , meaning proposals have been submitted for its future use .
The surrounding area has already been converted from military use , with the former St George ’ s Barracks and the Territorial Army Enclave Site being transformed into homes .
And now it is proposed that the same is done with the DIO building , with the plans including the provision of 35 per cent affordable housing .
`` The proposed development would seek to achieve a maximum of 135 dwellings on the application site , with 35 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered on site , '' papers from next week 's planning committee state .
`` The majority of houses would be two or two and a half storey , though it is considered there is potentially scope for three storey development , given the built form currently present at the site .
`` It is anticipated at this stage the mix would consist of one and two bedroom apartments ; and two , three and four bedroom houses . ''
Nine objections have been received to the proposals , with concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential increase in traffic to the site and the impact on local amenities such as schools and GPs .
However the council 's planning committee have recommended the plans for approval nonetheless , with councillors set to make a decision on the site next Thursday .

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A Ministry of Defence building in Sutton Coldfield could be replaced with 135 new homes, if planning permission for the site is granted.
Planning permission is being sought for the demolition of the headquarters of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) along Kingston Road/Rectory Road, to be replaced with a range of residential dwellings.
The DIO is responsible for enabling defence people to live, work, train and deploy at home and overseas, providing services such as accommodation and infrastructure for military personnel and their families.
However, the organisation is now looking to leave the site for one in Whittington, meaning proposals have been submitted for its future use.
The surrounding area has already been converted from military use, with the former St George’s Barracks and the Territorial Army Enclave Site being transformed into homes.
And now it is proposed that the same is done with the DIO building, with the plans including the provision of 35 per cent affordable housing.
"The proposed development would seek to achieve a maximum of 135 dwellings on the application site, with 35 per cent of the proposed dwellings comprising affordable housing to be delivered on site," papers from next week's planning committee state.
"The majority of houses would be two or two and a half storey, though it is considered there is potentially scope for three storey development, given the built form currently present at the site.
"It is anticipated at this stage the mix would consist of one and two bedroom apartments; and two, three and four bedroom houses."
Nine objections have been received to the proposals, with concerns including the type of housing proposed, the potential increase in traffic to the site and the impact on local amenities such as schools and GPs.
However the council's planning committee have recommended the plans for approval nonetheless, with councillors set to make a decision on the site next Thursday.