birminghammail--2020-07-17--World famous fashion brand quits Mailbox - and Harvey Nichols is still not ready

One of Birmingham 's leading fashion stores is set to close its `` sartorial haven '' in the Mailbox Emporio Armani 's high profile international advertising campaigns have previously featured David and Victoria Beckham modelling together in their undies .
The company is part of the multi-layered Georgio Armani empire which also includes divisions like Armani Exchange - which itself quit the Bullring in May 2017 .
After closing the Emporio shop in the Mailbox , it 's thought the parent business will concentrate on running various Armani concessions inside stores belonging to other traders such as Selfridges and Scotts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Made.com - which was directly underneath Emporio Armani - has also today confirmed that it will not be reopening its Mailbox store in a statement below .
Meanwhile , although the government has announced it will hit shoppers with a £100 fine if they do n't wear a mask in shops from July 24 , Harvey Nichols has yet to confirm when it will reopen its flagship store at the Mailbox .
The 45,000 sq ft site remains closed at the back of the giant mixed-use centre even though it 's now more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great confidence in the Bullring on June 15 .
Harvey Nics has reopened stores in Knightsbridge , Edinburgh and Leeds , with Manchester next on August 1 .
Bristol , Dublin , Birmingham and Liverpool all simply say 'check back later for further information ' but there is nothing to suggest they will not reopen before long .
Emporio Armani 's decision to quit its position next to the Harvey Nichols entrance comes at another pivotal moment in the history of the Mailbox .
The site was taken over by new owners M7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be worth £190 million .
With a million square feet of space across 4.5 acres , The Mailbox brands itself as Birmingham 's 'Go to destination for style , dining and interiors ' .
It has just been given the green light to reinvent itself for the second time in five years .
Subject to the work beginning within three years , planning permission was granted in May to convert the lower retail area ( Level 1 ) into offices The move would see 'full height curtain wall glazing ' installed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to provide daylight .
Closing shops on Level 1 would allow some businesses to move up to Level 2 where Emporio Armani is currently still trading .
A statement issued on behalf of the Mailbox said : `` As part of a commercial process taken nationally , Emporio Armani is re-evaluating its portfolio and will be closing its store in Birmingham .
`` Harvey Nichols is reopening its regional stores on a phased basis over the coming months and we will update customers on the Birmingham store as soon as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a number of new occupiers for Autumn opening , with particularly strong interest from food and beverage brands looking to have a presence at the Mailbox , and we look forward to sharing news on these soon . ''
In March , BirminghamLive detailed the latest ambitious plans for Mailbox - conceived before Covid-19 - to convert the lower retail level into office spaces .
The idea was that some retailers could then move upstairs to keep the lounge level full .
Consultations regarding the planning application began with Level 1 retailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have decided to relocate to Level 2 but BirminghamLive has not been given a list .
The Mailbox statement added : `` As one of the largest mixed-use developments in the UK , the plans are designed to ensure that the Mailbox is as successful and vibrant as possible for office occupiers , leisure and retail brands , and that it is responsive to the changing needs of this prominent city centre location . ''
BirminghamLive has also asked for a full list of retailers that will not be returning after Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not reopened on the lower level .
No comment has been made on social media and the Made.com website now only lists showrooms in London and West Yorkshire .
But , in a statement , the company told us : “ As we navigate these uncertain times , we ’ re continuing to do all we can to keep our staff and customers safe .
`` Whilst our other showrooms will be reopening soon , the owners of The Mailbox , where our Birmingham showroom is located , have unfortunately decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around Birmingham can still shop online at Made.com and we ’ re working hard to ensure deliveries continue as normal in all regions of the UK.
” The last time the Mailbox posted a note on Facebook about its stores reopening was on June 15 - and that referred to its June 10 website update about shops reopening when no mention was made of Harvey Nichols or Made.com The list of companies on Level 1 of the Mailbox in March included Made.com homeware , Heal 's furniture , The Wedding Club bridalwear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store , BoConcept furniture , Fine & Country estate agents , Harvey Jones kitchens , iLite Lighting , Kitchen Gallery , Sofas & Stuff and Pall Mall Barbers .
In the Spring of 2019 , Castle Fine Art already relocated from Level 1 to a commanding Level 2 position at the front left of the building as you look from outside the main steps .
All but essential shops in Birmingham were closed by the government lockdown from June 23 until Sunday , June 14 .
Selfridges was at the forefront of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , June 15 when store manager and Retail BID Birmingham chair Mrs Sam Watson personally greeted every returning customer .
But not everyone has come back .
Cafe Rouge announced on July 2 that it was closing its Mailbox site overlooking the canal network where other nearby businesses like Côte Brasserie and Red Peppers have yet to reopen .
On the July 4 date dubbed 'Super Saturday ' , pubs and restaurants began to reopen as lockdown restrictions were eased but only one in four businesses in Southside felt ready to reopen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed in Grand Central On Thursday July 9 , John Lewis announced that its Grand Central flagship was one of eight stores to close permanently nationwide - even though the site above the busy New Street Station opened less than five years ago on September 24 , 2015 .
The giant building on Suffolk Street Queensway was originally a Royal Mail sorting centre , hence its Mailbox name and striking red frontage .
In 2000 the building began to open in phases as a mixed use centre - part residential , part retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened at the front of the building in late 2002 and in June 2004 the BBC downsized into the rear having decided to quit its famous BBC Pebble Mill studios which had opened in 1971 .
The open-plan nature of the original central shopping element made it noisy in the evenings for people living in the flats above and cold for shoppers in the winter months .
A £50 million redevelopment in 2015 saw the retail side go upmarket with the launch of a central lounge area which included a deli bar and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest plans will see the site 's number of 72 cycle bays remaining as capacity is currently running at around 50 per cent .
They have been approved after the city council 's Design Officer felt the changes would `` enhance the building by modernising it appropriately and improving the functionality of it too . ''
Even before businesses were being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic , the centre had a degree of flux .
Restaurant names like Paris and Strada came and went over the years and Harvey Nichols used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of the Mailbox to a much larger , grander unit at the back which opened on July 31 , 2015 But the Tom 's Kitchen restaurant announced on May 30 last year that it was pulling out and that unit has remained closed ever since on the opposite side of Level 2 to Emporio Armani .
Everything that seemed to be a good idea in Birmingham during the later months of 2015 when Grand Central and the ill-fated John Lewis store also opened is now being challenged again less than five years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same in Birmingham for long - even when its future seems to have been set in reinforced concrete .
The original Bull Ring Shopping Centre , which inspired similar developments around the world as well as in towns like Blackburn , was opened in May 1964 by the Duke of Edinburgh .
But by the turn of the century it was being mercilessly demolished ready to be replaced by the Bullring from September 4 , 2003 .
Although the Mailbox had a three-year head start , the Bullring 's subsequent success has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riddled with over capacity .
The Pavilions on High Street opened in 1987 and survived one major mind-term structural remodelling before closing in 2016 after 29 years .
The site was then totally gutted before reopening as the the world 's biggest Primark on April 11 , 2019 .
But Primark 's original three-floor , 40,000 square foot store remains closed on New Street , where one in five units were empty or not trading at the beginning of the last German Market in November , 2019 .
The City Plaza shopping centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was home to retailers including Jaeger .
But it never fully took off and was given a £2.5 million office facelift after being sold for £26 million in 2006 .
The Minories has also become marginalised in recent years by the demise of Bull Street and Priory Queensway as shopping areas of note .
The struggling Square Shopping Centre between Priory Queensway and Bull Street has been earmarked for redevelopment while most units have left Martineau place even closer to the heart of the city centre .
The giant WHSmith on High Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the small Union Street end of the former BHS , but its former store remains an empty shell .
The former Habitat turned into a Morrisons and then a My Local at the top of New Street , but has lain empty for four years .
Although independents continue to trade on Stephenson Street and in the Piccadilly and Great Western Arcades , the North Western Arcade and Union Arcade are both pale shadows of their former selves .
Earlier this year most of Smallbrook Queensway 's Southside row of shops was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mailbox , the giant AXIS office block next door is facing demolition pending redevelopment of the Holliday Street site .
In that context , the Mailbox plans to create more office space might be ambitious .
At least they are being designed to house more workers inside the building ready to spend more money on the local shops .
After the way Covid-19 has seen so many people suddenly working from home instead of in offices , with even the BBC cutting jobs and with the city 's ever-changing retail history such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting to see not just how Phase 3 transforms the Mailbox again ... but how long it lasts , too .

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From skyscrapers to HS2, get the latest on Birmingham's biggest developments as the city skyline continues to evolve
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One of Birmingham's leading fashion stores is set to close its "sartorial haven" in the Mailbox
Emporio Armani's high profile international advertising campaigns have previously featured David and Victoria Beckham modelling together in their undies.
The company is part of the multi-layered Georgio Armani empire which also includes divisions like Armani Exchange - which itself quit the Bullring in May 2017.
After closing the Emporio shop in the Mailbox, it's thought the parent business will concentrate on running various Armani concessions inside stores belonging to other traders such as Selfridges and Scotts in the Bullring
Level 1 furniture store Made.com - which was directly underneath Emporio Armani - has also today confirmed that it will not be reopening its Mailbox store in a statement below.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Meanwhile, although the government has announced it will hit shoppers with a £100 fine if they don't wear a mask in shops from July 24, Harvey Nichols has yet to confirm when it will reopen its flagship store at the Mailbox.
The 45,000 sq ft site remains closed at the back of the giant mixed-use centre even though it's now more than a month after Selfridges reopened with great confidence in the Bullring on June 15.
Harvey Nics has reopened stores in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh and Leeds, with Manchester next on August 1.
Bristol, Dublin, Birmingham and Liverpool all simply say 'check back later for further information' but there is nothing to suggest they will not reopen before long.
Emporio Armani's decision to quit its position next to the Harvey Nichols entrance comes at another pivotal moment in the history of the Mailbox.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
The site was taken over by new owners M7 in December 2019 in a deal thought to be worth £190 million.
With a million square feet of space across 4.5 acres, The Mailbox brands itself as Birmingham's 'Go to destination for style, dining and interiors'.
It has just been given the green light to reinvent itself for the second time in five years.
Subject to the work beginning within three years, planning permission was granted in May to convert the lower retail area (Level 1) into offices
The move would see 'full height curtain wall glazing' installed on the northern elevation (towards Broad Street) to provide daylight.
Closing shops on Level 1 would allow some businesses to move up to Level 2 where Emporio Armani is currently still trading.
A statement issued on behalf of the Mailbox said: "As part of a commercial process taken nationally, Emporio Armani is re-evaluating its portfolio and will be closing its store in Birmingham.
"Harvey Nichols is reopening its regional stores on a phased basis over the coming months and we will update customers on the Birmingham store as soon as possible.
"We are currently in advanced conversations with a number of new occupiers for Autumn opening, with particularly strong interest from food and beverage brands looking to have a presence at the Mailbox, and we look forward to sharing news on these soon."
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Mailbox plans
In March, BirminghamLive detailed the latest ambitious plans for Mailbox - conceived before Covid-19 - to convert the lower retail level into office spaces.
The idea was that some retailers could then move upstairs to keep the lounge level full.
Consultations regarding the planning application began with Level 1 retailers in January.
Some are said to have decided to relocate to Level 2 but BirminghamLive has not been given a list.
The Mailbox statement added: "As one of the largest mixed-use developments in the UK, the plans are designed to ensure that the Mailbox is as successful and vibrant as possible for office occupiers, leisure and retail brands, and that it is responsive to the changing needs of this prominent city centre location."
BirminghamLive has also asked for a full list of retailers that will not be returning after Covid-19.
Furniture store Made.com, for example, has not reopened on the lower level.
No comment has been made on social media and the Made.com website now only lists showrooms in London and West Yorkshire.
But, in a statement, the company told us: “As we navigate these uncertain times, we’re continuing to do all we can to keep our staff and customers safe.
"Whilst our other showrooms will be reopening soon, the owners of The Mailbox, where our Birmingham showroom is located, have unfortunately decided to close the space.
"Customers in and around Birmingham can still shop online at Made.com and we’re working hard to ensure deliveries continue as normal in all regions of the UK.”
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
The last time the Mailbox posted a note on Facebook about its stores reopening was on June 15 - and that referred to its June 10 website update about shops reopening when no mention was made of Harvey Nichols or Made.com
The list of companies on Level 1 of the Mailbox in March included Made.com homeware, Heal's furniture, The Wedding Club bridalwear, Ribbles Cycles, Calligaris Italian furniture store, BoConcept furniture, Fine & Country estate agents, Harvey Jones kitchens, iLite Lighting, Kitchen Gallery, Sofas & Stuff and Pall Mall Barbers.
In the Spring of 2019, Castle Fine Art already relocated from Level 1 to a commanding Level 2 position at the front left of the building as you look from outside the main steps.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Covid-19 complications
All but essential shops in Birmingham were closed by the government lockdown from June 23 until Sunday, June 14.
Selfridges was at the forefront of the Bullring's decision to reopen from Monday, June 15 when store manager and Retail BID Birmingham chair Mrs Sam Watson personally greeted every returning customer.
But not everyone has come back.
(Image: Tim Easthope / BirminghamLive)
Cafe Rouge announced on July 2 that it was closing its Mailbox site overlooking the canal network where other nearby businesses like Côte Brasserie and Red Peppers have yet to reopen.
On the July 4 date dubbed 'Super Saturday', pubs and restaurants began to reopen as lockdown restrictions were eased but only one in four businesses in Southside felt ready to reopen on that date and John Lewis noticeably remained closed in Grand Central
On Thursday July 9, John Lewis announced that its Grand Central flagship was one of eight stores to close permanently nationwide - even though the site above the busy New Street Station opened less than five years ago on September 24, 2015.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Mailbox manoeuvres
The giant building on Suffolk Street Queensway was originally a Royal Mail sorting centre, hence its Mailbox name and striking red frontage.
In 2000 the building began to open in phases as a mixed use centre - part residential, part retail and part business.
A Malmaison Hotel opened at the front of the building in late 2002 and in June 2004 the BBC downsized into the rear having decided to quit its famous BBC Pebble Mill studios which had opened in 1971.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
The open-plan nature of the original central shopping element made it noisy in the evenings for people living in the flats above and cold for shoppers in the winter months.
A £50 million redevelopment in 2015 saw the retail side go upmarket with the launch of a central lounge area which included a deli bar and piano all under a striking new roof.
The latest plans will see the site's number of 72 cycle bays remaining as capacity is currently running at around 50 per cent.
They have been approved after the city council's Design Officer felt the changes would "enhance the building by modernising it appropriately and improving the functionality of it too."
(Image: BirminghamLive)
Even before businesses were being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, the centre had a degree of flux.
Restaurant names like Paris and Strada came and went over the years and Harvey Nichols used the last remodelling to move from the front of the Mailbox to a much larger, grander unit at the back which opened on July 31, 2015
But the Tom's Kitchen restaurant announced on May 30 last year that it was pulling out and that unit has remained closed ever since on the opposite side of Level 2 to Emporio Armani.
Everything that seemed to be a good idea in Birmingham during the later months of 2015 when Grand Central and the ill-fated John Lewis store also opened is now being challenged again less than five years later.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Retail revolutions
Nothing ever seems to stay the same in Birmingham for long - even when its future seems to have been set in reinforced concrete.
The original Bull Ring Shopping Centre, which inspired similar developments around the world as well as in towns like Blackburn, was opened in May 1964 by the Duke of Edinburgh.
But by the turn of the century it was being mercilessly demolished ready to be replaced by the Bullring from September 4, 2003.
Although the Mailbox had a three-year head start, the Bullring's subsequent success has centralised shopping in a city now seemingly riddled with over capacity.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
The Pavilions on High Street opened in 1987 and survived one major mind-term structural remodelling before closing in 2016 after 29 years.
The site was then totally gutted before reopening as the the world's biggest Primark on April 11, 2019.
But Primark's original three-floor, 40,000 square foot store remains closed on New Street, where one in five units were empty or not trading at the beginning of the last German Market in November, 2019.
The City Plaza shopping centre opened off Cannon Street in 1989 and was home to retailers including Jaeger. But it never fully took off and was given a £2.5 million office facelift after being sold for £26 million in 2006.
The Minories has also become marginalised in recent years by the demise of Bull Street and Priory Queensway as shopping areas of note.
The struggling Square Shopping Centre between Priory Queensway and Bull Street has been earmarked for redevelopment while most units have left Martineau place even closer to the heart of the city centre.
The giant WHSmith on High Street closed down in March 2018 and moved into the small Union Street end of the former BHS, but its former store remains an empty shell.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
The former Habitat turned into a Morrisons and then a My Local at the top of New Street, but has lain empty for four years.
Although independents continue to trade on Stephenson Street and in the Piccadilly and Great Western Arcades, the North Western Arcade and Union Arcade are both pale shadows of their former selves.
Earlier this year most of Smallbrook Queensway's Southside row of shops was boarded up for redevelopment.
Back at the Mailbox, the giant AXIS office block next door is facing demolition pending redevelopment of the Holliday Street site.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
In that context, the Mailbox plans to create more office space might be ambitious.
At least they are being designed to house more workers inside the building ready to spend more money on the local shops.
After the way Covid-19 has seen so many people suddenly working from home instead of in offices, with even the BBC cutting jobs and with the city's ever-changing retail history such as it is, it will be interesting to see not just how Phase 3 transforms the Mailbox again... but how long it lasts, too.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--AVFC transfer news live - Newcastle linked with star as fans make Man Utd demand

Hello and welcome to Friday 's LIVE coverage of Aston Villa from BirminghamLive .
We will be keeping you up @ @ @ @ @ latest from Villa Park on Friday , July 17 2020 .
Dean Smith 's men @ @ @ @ @ shot in the arm when they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday but conceded a @ @ @ @ @ last night .
With two matches to go that puts Villa three points adrift but @ @ @ @ @ Watford up against one another tonight , things are looking bleak .
We will bring @ @ @ @ @ around the bottom in addition to all the latest transfer news on the blog below @ @ @ @ @ along for all the latest from B6 and beyond .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Ben Husband, Richard Cusack)

Hello and welcome to Saturday's LIVE coverage of Aston Villa from BirminghamLive.
We will be keeping you up to date with all the latest from Villa Park on Saturday, 25th July.
Dean Smith's men face West Ham United in a relegation decider that will determine their fate.
Everything hangs on the last game with Dean Smith's men needing to guarantee survival by matching Watford's result at Arsenal - unless Watford and Villa both lose and Bournemouth win at Everton.
Survival Sunday - as it's being billed - all kicks off at 4pm with Villa and Smith no doubt listening in to other results at the Emirates and on Merseyside.
We will bring you all the talk from around the bottom in addition to all the latest transfer news on the blog below.
Make sure you follow along for all the latest from B6 and beyond.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Leeds United fans are fuming with West Brom's goal vs Huddersfield

Leeds United fans are furious with the decision to allow West Brom 's equaliser vs Huddersfield Town .
The Baggies know they need to win to ensure their promotion fate remains in their hands , with Brentford just one point behind before this penultimate round of fixtures .
If Albion fail to win , it will also see Leeds ' promotion back to the top-flight confirmed , ending their near two-decade hiatus from the Premier League .
There 's a quick and easy way to stay on top of all the West Bromwich Albion news with our daily newsletter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , the bulletins will feature the latest Albion news , views , gossip and opinion .
All you have to do is punch your email in at the top of the article - it looks just like this ... 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slaven Bilic 's men got off to the worst possible start , with former loanee Chris Willock , poking the Terriers in front .
However , just before the break , Albion found a vital equaliser when Dara O'Shea nodded in a rebound from Huddersfield keeper Jonas Lossl .
The hosts were incensed with the goal , with several players screaming for the goal to be disallowed .
And replays showed they had every right to complain , with a number of players seemingly offside when the free-kick was struck .
With as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawthorns , Leeds fans are fuming with Albion being given their goal : @ C_Ellis92 : Offside , bloody typical !
West Brom will go onto win now ... @ SjDewar1990 : The level of officiating in the Football League is nearly as bad as Huddersfield ’ s squad @ GauchosARG : This is so # Leeds ... WBA scores on an offside play ... .
@ AdamOzzy : All 3 offside including the scorer , but it doesn ’ t matter , we are going up @ billywigwam13 : 2 off sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the keeper .
# EFL are desperate to keep us in this division at any cost .
Awful decision .
@ dwj66 : Clear offside for WBA goal - Huddersfield now look like folding - never been reliable - we ’ ll have to do it ourselves @ BrianEnosChinos : Offside .
That is all .

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Leeds United fans are furious with the decision to allow West Brom's equaliser vs Huddersfield Town.
The Baggies know they need to win to ensure their promotion fate remains in their hands, with Brentford just one point behind before this penultimate round of fixtures.
If Albion fail to win, it will also see Leeds' promotion back to the top-flight confirmed, ending their near two-decade hiatus from the Premier League.
West Brom daily newsletter. Free. To your inbox Why should you sign up? We'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and comment pieces in our daily Baggies bulletin, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Just type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up by clicking here. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest West Brom updates by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download via Google Play Store or the App Store. It is always up-to-date with the latest news .
But Slaven Bilic's men got off to the worst possible start, with former loanee Chris Willock, poking the Terriers in front.
However, just before the break, Albion found a vital equaliser when Dara O'Shea nodded in a rebound from Huddersfield keeper Jonas Lossl.
The hosts were incensed with the goal, with several players screaming for the goal to be disallowed. And replays showed they had every right to complain, with a number of players seemingly offside when the free-kick was struck.
With as much interest from Elland Road as the Hawthorns, Leeds fans are fuming with Albion being given their goal:
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
@C_Ellis92: Offside, bloody typical! West Brom will go onto win now...
@SjDewar1990: The level of officiating in the Football League is nearly as bad as Huddersfield’s squad
@LS19RobLufc: Ten players offside ffs
@GauchosARG: This is so #Leeds... WBA scores on an offside play....
@AdamOzzy: All 3 offside including the scorer, but it doesn’t matter, we are going up
@Rayroob: Is the ref a baggie?
@billywigwam13: 2 off sides and an interference in the eye line of the keeper. #EFL are desperate to keep us in this division at any cost. Awful decision.
@dwj66: Clear offside for WBA goal - Huddersfield now look like folding - never been reliable - we’ll have to do it ourselves
@BrianEnosChinos: Offside. That is all.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Newcastle United again linked with Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has again been linked with a reunion with John McGinn .
According to the latest reports , Bruce is keen on making a move for McGinn should Aston Villa be relegated .
Bruce bought McGinn from Hibernian while he was in charge of Villa two summers ago .
McGinn was a vital cog in Villa 's promotion campaign under Bruce 's replacement , Dean Smith , scoring six goals and registering ten assists .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League too until suffering an ankle injury in December .
The Daily Star are saying Bruce is keen on reuniting with the Scotland international and he would also like to make Danny Rose 's move to St James ' Park on loan from Tottenham Hotspur a permanent one .
McGinn is one of four new players Bruce would like to bring in , it is being reported , with Manchester United no longer keen with Paul Pogba about to sign a new contract .
The McGinn rumours have resurfaced - he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a backdrop of uncertainty on Tyneside .
Newcastle fans are still waiting for a takeover by a consortium backed by Saudi Arabia to be completed .
The buy-out of Mike Ashley would transform the club and make them one of the richest in world football .
Saudi Arabia 's Public investment Fund ( PiF ) agreed the deal in April but it is still awaiting Premier League approval .

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Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has again been linked with a reunion with John McGinn.
According to the latest reports, Bruce is keen on making a move for McGinn should Aston Villa be relegated.
Bruce bought McGinn from Hibernian while he was in charge of Villa two summers ago.
McGinn was a vital cog in Villa's promotion campaign under Bruce's replacement, Dean Smith, scoring six goals and registering ten assists.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
And he was doing well in the Premier League too until suffering an ankle injury in December.
The Daily Star are saying Bruce is keen on reuniting with the Scotland international and he would also like to make Danny Rose's move to St James' Park on loan from Tottenham Hotspur a permanent one.
McGinn is one of four new players Bruce would like to bring in, it is being reported, with Manchester United no longer keen with Paul Pogba about to sign a new contract.
The McGinn rumours have resurfaced - he was linked with Newcastle in April - amid a backdrop of uncertainty on Tyneside.
Newcastle fans are still waiting for a takeover by a consortium backed by Saudi Arabia to be completed.
The buy-out of Mike Ashley would transform the club and make them one of the richest in world football.
Saudi Arabia's Public investment Fund (PiF) agreed the deal in April but it is still awaiting Premier League approval.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Huge £100k cannabis farm uncovered after blaze at car repair shop

A fire at a makeshift car repair shop in Birmingham has led to the chance discovery of a huge cannabis factory .
Fire and police crews responded to a 999 call reporting a garage fire in Marsh Lane , Erdington shortly after 3.15pm on Wednesday ( July 15 ) .
On arrival emergency crews uncovered 100 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £100,000 .
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said : “ We had a 999 call reporting a garage fire in Marsh Lane , Erdington at 3.23pm on Wednesday ( July 15 ) .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a brigade response vehicle from Perry Barr , with a total of eight firefighters .
“ The incident involved a fire in a rear garage being used as a car repair workshop .
“ The small fire has affected electrics in a room being used to repair cars and also to grow cannabis .
“ One fire extinguisher has been used due to the electrics .
“ British Gas and Western Power were also in attendance .
The incident was left with the police.
” West Midlands Polic e ’ s Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stechford and Sutton attended a report of a fire at a residential address in Erdington , assistance from West Midlands Fire and Erdington Fire “ Fire located in the large garage area extinguished .
Search revealed more than bikes and cars being stored.
” West Midlands Police they attended an address in Marsh Lane on Wednesday ( July 15 ) .
A spokeswoman for the force said : “ We recovered about 100 cannabis plants .
No arrests have been made and enquiries continue .
“ Anyone with any information is asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 15 July or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.
” The find comes a day after a bin bag full of cannabis - some in smaller clear plastic pouches - was found in a residential street in Sutton Coldfield .

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A fire at a makeshift car repair shop in Birmingham has led to the chance discovery of a huge cannabis factory.
Fire and police crews responded to a 999 call reporting a garage fire in Marsh Lane, Erdington shortly after 3.15pm on Wednesday (July 15).
On arrival emergency crews uncovered 100 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £100,000.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: “We had a 999 call reporting a garage fire in Marsh Lane, Erdington at 3.23pm on Wednesday (July 15).
(Image: Force Response - West Midlands Police)
“We sent one fire engine from Erdington and a brigade response vehicle from Perry Barr, with a total of eight firefighters.
“The incident involved a fire in a rear garage being used as a car repair workshop.
“The small fire has affected electrics in a room being used to repair cars and also to grow cannabis.
“One fire extinguisher has been used due to the electrics.
“ British Gas and Western Power were also in attendance. The incident was left with the police.”
West Midlands Polic e’s Force Response team Tweeted: “C team Stechford and Sutton attended a report of a fire at a residential address in Erdington, assistance from West Midlands Fire and Erdington Fire
“Fire located in the large garage area extinguished. Search revealed more than bikes and cars being stored.”
(Image: Force Response - West Midlands Police)
West Midlands Police they attended an address in Marsh Lane on Wednesday (July 15).
A spokeswoman for the force said: “We recovered about 100 cannabis plants. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.
“Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 and quote log number 2889 of 15 July or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.”
The find comes a day after a bin bag full of cannabis - some in smaller clear plastic pouches - was found in a residential street in Sutton Coldfield.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--"Regret" ex-Derby man delivers West Brom promotion verdict

Former Derby County coach Chris Powell has insisted West Brom and Leeds United have been the best two teams across the course of the season despite Brentford 's pressure .
The Baggies hold a slender one-point advantage over the Bees , ahead of their clash with Huddersfield Town on Friday night .
With only one match remaining after their encounter with the Terriers , the promotion race is going down to the very wire .
Brentford have won all seven of their matches since returning from lockdown , including a 1-0 win over West Brom , which has catapulted them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the Bees ' impressive run , Powell has insisted that Leeds and West Brom have been the best sides throughout the entire campaign .
`` If you 're talking about after lockdown , the Brentford game is the key game , '' Powell said .
`` If they had taken a point from that , they 'd virtually be there if not already .
`` They have won , drawn a few but that game there made Brentford believe a bit more and maybe made West Brom doubt themselves a bit more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive way , they have kept this gap .
There will be a tinge of regret .
`` For me , Brentford have been playing outstanding but I 'd say over the course of the season Leeds and West Brom have been the best two teams . ''

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Former Derby County coach Chris Powell has insisted West Brom and Leeds United have been the best two teams across the course of the season despite Brentford's pressure.
The Baggies hold a slender one-point advantage over the Bees, ahead of their clash with Huddersfield Town on Friday night.
With only one match remaining after their encounter with the Terriers, the promotion race is going down to the very wire.
Brentford have won all seven of their matches since returning from lockdown, including a 1-0 win over West Brom, which has catapulted them into automatic promotion contention.
However, despite the Bees' impressive run, Powell has insisted that Leeds and West Brom have been the best sides throughout the entire campaign.
"If you're talking about after lockdown, the Brentford game is the key game," Powell said.
"If they had taken a point from that, they'd virtually be there if not already.
"They have won, drawn a few but that game there made Brentford believe a bit more and maybe made West Brom doubt themselves a bit more.
"They responded n a very positive way, they have kept this gap. There will be a tinge of regret.
"For me, Brentford have been playing outstanding but I'd say over the course of the season Leeds and West Brom have been the best two teams."


birminghammail--2020-07-17--'It's not about that now' - Pundit talks Anwar El Ghazi miss in Everton draw

Everton hero Tim Cahill has criticised Aston Villa 's Anwar El Ghazi for his glaring miss in last night 's game between the two teams at Goodison Park .
El Ghazi skied a gilt-edged chance with 11 minutes left to play and Villa already 1-0 up thanks to Ezri Konsa 's headed goal seven minutes earlier .
Theo Walcott equalised for Everton with three minutes left to play and leaves Villa three points from Premier League safety .
Had El Ghazi scored , Dean Smith 's side would likely have gone on to win the game and put themselves only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United who play tonight .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here And Cahill thinks El Ghazi should have been braver in his efforts to convert Jack Grealish 's centre , which he met at the back post .
`` Scared of getting hurt , '' Cahill said on Sky Sports ' coverage alongside former Villa striker Dion Dublin .
`` For me , in this situation , you have two strikers sitting here right now .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything in our path out with a purpose and with conviction , but he went into that a little bit afraid .
`` I know he has put himself in a good position but it 's not about that now .
`` If it 's between staying up or going down , it 's chances like that . ''
El Ghazi has scored four goals and registered the same amount of assists in 32 League matches this season .

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Everton hero Tim Cahill has criticised Aston Villa's Anwar El Ghazi for his glaring miss in last night's game between the two teams at Goodison Park.
El Ghazi skied a gilt-edged chance with 11 minutes left to play and Villa already 1-0 up thanks to Ezri Konsa's headed goal seven minutes earlier.
Theo Walcott equalised for Everton with three minutes left to play and leaves Villa three points from Premier League safety.
Had El Ghazi scored, Dean Smith's side would likely have gone on to win the game and put themselves only one point off Watford and West Ham United who play tonight.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
And Cahill thinks El Ghazi should have been braver in his efforts to convert Jack Grealish's centre, which he met at the back post.
"Scared of getting hurt," Cahill said on Sky Sports' coverage alongside former Villa striker Dion Dublin.
"For me, in this situation, you have two strikers sitting here right now.
"We take the ball, the goalkeeper and anything in our path out with a purpose and with conviction, but he went into that a little bit afraid.
"I know he has put himself in a good position but it's not about that now.
"If it's between staying up or going down, it's chances like that."
El Ghazi has scored four goals and registered the same amount of assists in 32 League matches this season.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Smethwick's coronavirus surge 'due to a number of households'

Smethwick 's 'sharp spike ' in coronavirus cases was sparked by a 'number of households ' and is not 'widespread ' , a health chief has announced .
Clive Wright , Covid-19 regional convenor for the West Midlands , said that the outbreak in the area was 'contained ' at a weekly briefing in Birmingham on Friday , July 17 .
He said that it is 'different ' from the problems seen in Leicester and other places and was limited to particular households .
In the past two weeks , the number of known positive tests has leaped up from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A local lockdown situation like the one in Leicester was not being considered but the situation is still being monitored closely .
Director of Public Health Dr Lisa McNally the rise is a sudden surge that has caused alarm bells to ring .
She said : `` The numbers are changing all the time .
We have seen 28 cases in the last 14 days which is significantly higher than we would expect based on previous figures and it is changing all the time so we expect it to rise again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection affecting higher numbers of people in a small number of properties , two , three and four people sometimes in one household – often in multi-generational households - rather than lots of single cases across a lot of households .
`` I know it isn ’ t easy but it ’ s very important that if someone is infected , they isolate themselves from the rest of their household as much as they possibly can , especially from elderly people .
`` This rise in cases reminds us that the virus hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t afford to drop our guard .
If we experience symptoms then we must self-isolate at home and get tested .
Anyone in the same household also needs to self-isolate .
Doing this saves lives .
`` We can protect ourselves and those we live with by keeping at least one metre apart from others .
Wearing a face covering when on public transport or when shopping also reduces the spread of the virus .
`` We are not at a point where we are looking at a 'lockdown ' situation like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the situation carefully and we really need everyone to follow the guidance.
” Sandwell Council Deputy Leader Councillor Maria Crompton added : `` We are working very hard , using our local knowledge , and getting in touch with local venues to remind them to be vigilant .
`` But we need everyone ’ s help , so please follow the advice from our public health experts .
`` Anyone needing urgent medical help should always contact 999 or NHS 111 .
”

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Jordan Coussins, Jane Haynes)

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Smethwick's 'sharp spike' in coronavirus cases was sparked by a 'number of households' and is not 'widespread', a health chief has announced.
Clive Wright, Covid-19 regional convenor for the West Midlands, said that the outbreak in the area was 'contained' at a weekly briefing in Birmingham on Friday, July 17.
He said that it is 'different' from the problems seen in Leicester and other places and was limited to particular households.
In the past two weeks, the number of known positive tests has leaped up from four to 28 in the Smethwick postcodes.
A local lockdown situation like the one in Leicester was not being considered but the situation is still being monitored closely.
Director of Public Health Dr Lisa McNally the rise is a sudden surge that has caused alarm bells to ring.
She said: "The numbers are changing all the time. We have seen 28 cases in the last 14 days which is significantly higher than we would expect based on previous figures and it is changing all the time so we expect it to rise again.
"A pattern is emerging showing the infection affecting higher numbers of people in a small number of properties, two, three and four people sometimes in one household – often in multi-generational households - rather than lots of single cases across a lot of households.
"I know it isn’t easy but it’s very important that if someone is infected, they isolate themselves from the rest of their household as much as they possibly can, especially from elderly people.
"This rise in cases reminds us that the virus hasn’t gone away. We can’t afford to drop our guard. If we experience symptoms then we must self-isolate at home and get tested. Anyone in the same household also needs to self-isolate. Doing this saves lives.
"We can protect ourselves and those we live with by keeping at least one metre apart from others. Wearing a face covering when on public transport or when shopping also reduces the spread of the virus.
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"We are not at a point where we are looking at a 'lockdown' situation like in Leicester. But we will keep monitoring the situation carefully and we really need everyone to follow the guidance.”
Sandwell Council Deputy Leader Councillor Maria Crompton added: "We are working very hard, using our local knowledge, and getting in touch with local venues to remind them to be vigilant.
"But we need everyone’s help, so please follow the advice from our public health experts.
"Anyone needing urgent medical help should always contact 999 or NHS 111.”


birminghammail--2020-07-17--200 job at risk as Rileys Sports Bars collapses and branches close

More than 200 jobs are at risk and a bar in Wolverhampton is closing for good after a well-known chain collapses into administration .
Bosses at Rileys Sports Bar has revealed that their Broad Street-based venue will not reopen again following the coronavirus pandemic .
The Milton Keynes-based chain had 21 sites with 208 staff but 44 redundancies have already been made and sites in Grays , Sheffield and Worcester have also been shut .
FRP has been appointed as administrators and is looking for a buyer for the chain .
It is hoped a buyer will keep the remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been in existence in the UK since 1878 , has had a troubled existence for the last few years , going into administration for the second time in two years in 2014 with the closure of a number of clubs across the country in a bid to survive .
As well as snooker and pool , the clubs also offer darts , table tennis as well as live sport on television .
Bars in Birmingham city centre , Solihull and Coventry are so far not earmarked to stay shut .
A statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with great sadness that yesterday we had to make the very difficult decision to permanently close our sites in Grays , Wolverhampton , Worcester and Sheffield .
`` The Covid-19 pandemic has had a far reaching effect on the business and the wider hospitality industry .
`` As such we have re-evaluated the business to ensure that we have a strong proposition to take forward into the post coronavirus world .
`` We can not thank our customers enough for their loyalty over the years '' We will miss you all greatly but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your closest Rileys when we reopen . ''

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More than 200 jobs are at risk and a bar in Wolverhampton is closing for good after a well-known chain collapses into administration.
Bosses at Rileys Sports Bar has revealed that their Broad Street-based venue will not reopen again following the coronavirus pandemic.
The Milton Keynes-based chain had 21 sites with 208 staff but 44 redundancies have already been made and sites in Grays, Sheffield and Worcester have also been shut.
FRP has been appointed as administrators and is looking for a buyer for the chain.
It is hoped a buyer will keep the remaining 17 sites open.
Rileys, which has been in existence in the UK since 1878, has had a troubled existence for the last few years, going into administration for the second time in two years in 2014 with the closure of a number of clubs across the country in a bid to survive.
As well as snooker and pool, the clubs also offer darts, table tennis as well as live sport on television.
Bars in Birmingham city centre, Solihull and Coventry are so far not earmarked to stay shut.
A statement from Rileys said: "It is with great sadness that yesterday we had to make the very difficult decision to permanently close our sites in Grays, Wolverhampton, Worcester and Sheffield.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has had a far reaching effect on the business and the wider hospitality industry.
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"As such we have re-evaluated the business to ensure that we have a strong proposition to take forward into the post coronavirus world.
"We can not thank our customers enough for their loyalty over the years
"We will miss you all greatly but your memberships will still be valid at your closest Rileys when we reopen."


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Teen runs onto busy Chester Road to escape knife-wielding robbers

A teenager stopped traffic on the busy Chester Road in Castle Bromwich as he fled from knife-wielding robbers on bikes .
The attempted robbery took place yesterday evening ( Thursday ) at around 6.30pm and police have now issued an appeal for information as they investigate the incident .
West Midlands Police say an 18-year-old man was approached by a group of men – some of whom were on bikes .
They are said to have threatened him , showed him a knife and asked him to hand over his property .
Police say the man managed to run away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic near to Portsea Drive to build up as the incident unfolded .
The full statement said : `` We are asking for information following an attempted robbery on Chester Road , Castle Bromwich yesterday evening ( Thursday 16 July ) .
`` At around 6.30pm last night , an 18-year-old man was approached by a group of men – some of whom were on bikes .
`` They threatened him , showed him a knife and asked him to hand over his property .
The man managed to run away and into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near to Portsea Drive to build up .
`` We need to hear from anyone who saw what happened and may have dash cam of the incident .
`` Please contact us via Live Chat on our website west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight , call 101 anytime or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .
Quote crime reference 20SH/166337A/20 . ''

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A teenager stopped traffic on the busy Chester Road in Castle Bromwich as he fled from knife-wielding robbers on bikes.
The attempted robbery took place yesterday evening (Thursday) at around 6.30pm and police have now issued an appeal for information as they investigate the incident.
West Midlands Police say an 18-year-old man was approached by a group of men – some of whom were on bikes.
They are said to have threatened him, showed him a knife and asked him to hand over his property.
Police say the man managed to run away and into the road which which caused traffic near to Portsea Drive to build up as the incident unfolded.
The full statement said: "We are asking for information following an attempted robbery on Chester Road, Castle Bromwich yesterday evening (Thursday 16 July).
"At around 6.30pm last night, an 18-year-old man was approached by a group of men – some of whom were on bikes.
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"They threatened him, showed him a knife and asked him to hand over his property. The man managed to run away and into the road however, which caused traffic near to Portsea Drive to build up.
"We need to hear from anyone who saw what happened and may have dash cam of the incident.
"Please contact us via Live Chat on our website west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote crime reference 20SH/166337A/20."


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Councillor loses seat after not attending meetings for six months

A Dudley councillor who did not attend any meetings in six months has lost his seat on the council .
Mike Attwood has been officially removed after breaching local government rules .
His Norton seat will now remain vacant until local elections in May next year .
The Labour councillor was originally voted onto the council in 2004 when he stood as a Conservative .
But in 2018 he switched to Labour , helping the party win control of the council from the Conservatives .
Explaining his defection at the time , he said he had become involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stourbridge Conservative group were not interested .
Mr Attwood was sacked from the council in April but his dismissal only came to light after a notice advertising his seat was vacant was posted on Dudley Council ’ s website .
It stated : “ Mike Attwood last attended a meeting of the borough council on October 7 , 2019 , when he attended the full council meeting .
“ Officers have undertaken thorough checks of attendance records and minutes of meetings .
There is no record of Mike Attwood attending a meeting between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
“ Within that period council has not given its approval to any reason for failure to attend and therefore Mike Attwood ceased to be a councillor by virtue of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.
” Labour councillors have said he was unable to attend the appeals committee in March after the council suspended all meetings during the coronavirus outbreak .

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A Dudley councillor who did not attend any meetings in six months has lost his seat on the council. Mike Attwood has been officially removed after breaching local government rules.
His Norton seat will now remain vacant until local elections in May next year. The Labour councillor was originally voted onto the council in 2004 when he stood as a Conservative.
But in 2018 he switched to Labour, helping the party win control of the council from the Conservatives.
Explaining his defection at the time, he said he had become involved in the council through community work and his local Stourbridge Conservative group were not interested.
Mr Attwood was sacked from the council in April but his dismissal only came to light after a notice advertising his seat was vacant was posted on Dudley Council’s website.
It stated: “Mike Attwood last attended a meeting of the borough council on October 7, 2019, when he attended the full council meeting.
“Officers have undertaken thorough checks of attendance records and minutes of meetings. There is no record of Mike Attwood attending a meeting between October 7, 2019 and April 7, 2020.
“Within that period council has not given its approval to any reason for failure to attend and therefore Mike Attwood ceased to be a councillor by virtue of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.”
Labour councillors have said he was unable to attend the appeals committee in March after the council suspended all meetings during the coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Attwood was unavailable for comment.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--No Covid hospital deaths in week as hard hit area has reprieve

Coronavirus death figures for Worcestershire confirm there have been no CoViD-19-related deaths in the county for a week .
The latest data from the Department of Health confirms there have been no deaths at the county 's two hospital trusts for seven days , up to 4pm on July 16 .
The last CoViD death occurred at a Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust site on July 9 .
While the last death at a Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust hospital was on June 1 .
In total there have been 315 CoViD deaths across all of Worcestershire ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been confirmed - 277 at the acute hospitals , and 28 and health and care trust hospitals .
The Office for National Statistics ’ also confirmed better news for the country 's area hit hardest by the pandemic - Bromsgrove .
The town and surrounding area has seen the highest number of CoViD-19 deaths in the county totalling 133 .
But it was the only area where no deaths linked to the deadly disease were recorded in the week to July 3 .
The statistics authority records deaths where there is any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just those with a positive test .
Figures released this week showed there were five more deaths in the week to July 3 .
This is a rise on the previous week where three deaths had been recorded .
Two deaths of Wychavon residents were recorded and , one each from Malvern Hills , Worcester and the Wychavon district , between June 27 and July 3 .
Each death was in a hospital .
Of note for the same corresponding week , two deaths were recorded at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents have occurred in hospitals outside t he county .
There were 112 deaths of Worcestershire residents in the week to July 3 from any cause , registered by July 11 .
Of the 133 Bromsgrove CoViD-19 registered deaths of residents – 74 in hospitals 54 in care homes , four ‘ elsewhere ’ and one in an ‘ other communal setting ’ .
Wyre Forest is next highest with 114 residents dying , where CoViD-19 is mentioned on the death certificate , with 64 in hospital , 39 in care homes nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communal ’ settings .
Wychavon has seen 108 residents lose their lives related to the disease caused by the viral pandemic .
Of those 49 were in hospital , 48 in care homes , four at home , four in an other communal setting , two in a hospice and one elsewhere .
Worcester has had 62 of its residents die with a link to CoViD-19 .
Of those 28 were in hospital , 27 in care homes , four at home , two in ‘ other communal ’ settings and one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents die where CoViD-19 is mentioned on their death certificate .
The vast majority of those – 48 – were in hospital , with eight in care homes , two at home and one in an other communal setting .
While Mavern Hills has seen the fewest number of residents of the Worcestershire ’ s six districts die with CoViD-19 highlighted .
Of those 24 were in hospital , 20 in care homes , twp at home and one in an other communal setting .
The national picture on CoViD-19 death rates continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for National Statistics confirmed that in Week 27 ( to July 3 ) the number of deaths was 0.5 per cent below the five-year average ( 43 fewer deaths ) in England and Wales .
There were 161 more deaths in that week than the previous week .
It was the third consecutive week where deaths were below the five-year average .
With care home and hospital deaths well below the average ( 88 and 634 deaths lower respectively ) but deaths in private homes was 755 higher in that week compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales week 27 saw 532 deaths mention CoviD-19 ( 5.8 per cent of all deaths ) – the lowest total in the past 15 weeks .
CoViD deaths in care homes was down to 9.2 per cent of all deaths in that setting .
Except for the East of England and London , the number of deaths involving COVID-19 continued to decrease or remained similar across all English regions , with five of the nine regions having fewer overall deaths than the five-year average in Week 27 .
But Wales saw a rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous week ) and the total deaths were above the five-year-average .
The number of deaths registered in the UK in the week ending July 3 , was 10,393 , which was fewer than the five-year average by 74 deaths .
Of the deaths registered in the UK in Week 27 , 560 deaths involved COVID-19 .

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Coronavirus death figures for Worcestershire confirm there have been no CoViD-19-related deaths in the county for a week.
The latest data from the Department of Health confirms there have been no deaths at the county's two hospital trusts for seven days, up to 4pm on July 16.
The last CoViD death occurred at a Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust site on July 9. While the last death at a Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust hospital was on June 1.
(Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
In total there have been 305 CoViD deaths across all of Worcestershire’s hospitals, where a positive CoViD-19 test has been confirmed - 277 at the acute hospitals, and 28 and health and care trust hospitals.
The Office for National Statistics’ also confirmed better news for the country's area hit hardest by the pandemic - Bromsgrove.
The town and surrounding area has seen the highest number of CoViD-19 deaths in the county totalling 133. But it was the only area where no deaths linked to the deadly disease were recorded in the week to July 3.
The statistics authority records deaths where there is any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate, not just those with a positive test.
Figures released this week showed there were five more deaths in the week to July 3. This is a rise on the previous week where three deaths had been recorded.
Two deaths of Wychavon residents were recorded and, one each from Malvern Hills, Worcester and the Wychavon district, between June 27 and July 3. Each death was in a hospital.
Of note for the same corresponding week, two deaths were recorded at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – so three deaths of country residents have occurred in hospitals outside t he county.
There were 112 deaths of Worcestershire residents in the week to July 3 from any cause, registered by July 11.
Of the 133 Bromsgrove CoViD-19 registered deaths of residents – 74 in hospitals 54 in care homes, four ‘elsewhere’ and one in an ‘other communal setting’.
Wyre Forest is next highest with 114 residents dying, where CoViD-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, with 64 in hospital, 39 in care homes nine at home and two in ‘other communal’ settings.
Wychavon has seen 108 residents lose their lives related to the disease caused by the viral pandemic. Of those 49 were in hospital, 48 in care homes, four at home, four in an other communal setting, two in a hospice and one elsewhere.
Worcester has had 62 of its residents die with a link to CoViD-19. Of those 28 were in hospital, 27 in care homes, four at home, two in ‘other communal’ settings and one in a hospice.
Redditch has had 59 residents die where CoViD-19 is mentioned on their death certificate. The vast majority of those – 48 – were in hospital, with eight in care homes, two at home and one in an other communal setting.
While Mavern Hills has seen the fewest number of residents of the Worcestershire’s six districts die with CoViD-19 highlighted. Of those 24 were in hospital, 20 in care homes, twp at home and one in an other communal setting.
The national picture on CoViD-19 death rates continues to look more positive.
The Office for National Statistics confirmed that in Week 27 (to July 3) the number of deaths was 0.5 per cent below the five-year average (43 fewer deaths) in England and Wales. There were 161 more deaths in that week than the previous week.
It was the third consecutive week where deaths were below the five-year average. With care home and hospital deaths well below the average (88 and 634 deaths lower respectively) but deaths in private homes was 755 higher in that week compared to the rolling average.
Across England and Wales week 27 saw 532 deaths mention CoviD-19 (5.8 per cent of all deaths) – the lowest total in the past 15 weeks. CoViD deaths in care homes was down to 9.2 per cent of all deaths in that setting.
Except for the East of England and London, the number of deaths involving COVID-19 continued to decrease or remained similar across all English regions, with five of the nine regions having fewer overall deaths than the five-year average in Week 27.
But Wales saw a rise in CoViD deaths to 35 (30 the previous week) and the total deaths were above the five-year-average.
The number of deaths registered in the UK in the week ending July 3, was 10,393, which was fewer than the five-year average by 74 deaths. Of the deaths registered in the UK in Week 27, 560 deaths involved COVID-19.


birminghammail--2020-07-17--Mourinho reveals what he’s told Spurs players - and warns Wolves

Jose Mourinho has said he believes Tottenham are just two games away from winning next season 's Europa League .
With two Premier League games remaining , Spurs are just one point behind Wolves , who currently occupy the final spot to definitely secure a spot in European football next term .
Nuno Espirito Santo 's side have Crystal Palace and Chelsea remaining , knowing two victories will guarantee them qualification for the second season on the spin .
Sign up for our Wolves newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side qualify for the tournament , they will win it - while suggesting the likes of Wolves and Arsenal will not be as motivated to end the season on a hhigh .
Speaking to FootballLondon , the Spurs boss said : “ In quite a funny way , I 'm telling the players , two more victories to win the Europa League .
That 's what I 'm telling the players .
“ I know it 's not like that , I know the Europa League is a long competition and of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams go from Champions League to Europa League in the knockout phase and makes it a really difficult competition .
“ But it 's just a feeling to try to motivate the boys because of course of level is Champions League .
“ It 's not possible that Sheffield United , Wolverhampton and Arsenal , it 's not possible they have more motivation than us to get one of these spots .
Europa League is good , you can rotate players , it 's a fantastic experience for younger people that maybe Champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it 's good , I think we have to try that .
”

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Jose Mourinho has said he believes Tottenham are just two games away from winning next season's Europa League.
With two Premier League games remaining, Spurs are just one point behind Wolves, who currently occupy the final spot to definitely secure a spot in European football next term.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have Crystal Palace and Chelsea remaining, knowing two victories will guarantee them qualification for the second season on the spin.
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But Mourinho has claimed that if his side qualify for the tournament, they will win it - while suggesting the likes of Wolves and Arsenal will not be as motivated to end the season on a hhigh.
Speaking to FootballLondon, the Spurs boss said: “In quite a funny way, I'm telling the players, two more victories to win the Europa League. That's what I'm telling the players.
“I know it's not like that, I know the Europa League is a long competition and of course some good teams, of course some teams go from Champions League to Europa League in the knockout phase and makes it a really difficult competition.
“But it's just a feeling to try to motivate the boys because of course of level is Champions League.
“It's not possible that Sheffield United, Wolverhampton and Arsenal, it's not possible they have more motivation than us to get one of these spots. Europa League is good, you can rotate players, it's a fantastic experience for younger people that maybe Champions League comes too early for them. I think it's good, I think we have to try that.”


birminghammail--2020-07-17--This is when Ankerside Shopping Centre’s toilets will reopen

Ankerside Shopping Centre ’ s toilets are set to re open next week having been closed since the beginning of lockdown .
Due to the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic they have been unable to be opened since the end of March but will be back from Tuesday .
Opening times will be from 10am until 3pm however not all facilities will be available .
There will be restricted access to allow for continued social distancing and there will be periodic closure to allow for regular cleaning and sanitising .
A centre spokesperson said : “ The Ankerside toilet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown on March 23 and despite the shopping centre being open to the public , as the government was particularly wary about the risk posed , the decision was made to keep the facilities closed .
“ The centre has been guided by these recommendations and advice as Ankerside worked through the ever changing Covid-19 pandemic situation .
“ We have now listened to our visitors and retailers , and having consulted with Tamworth Borough Council ’ s specialist ‘ shop safe ’ town centre business advisory team and the EHO , Ankerside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albeit in a scaled down offer , and with restricted opening times from Tuesday , July 21 .
“ The centre will be relying on visitors to respect the safety restrictions that have been put into place to protect our visitors using the facilities and respect centre staff who have , and continue to work tirelessly to provide a safe environment during the pandemic .
”

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Ankerside Shopping Centre’s toilets are set to re open next week having been closed since the beginning of lockdown.
Due to the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic they have been unable to be opened since the end of March but will be back from Tuesday.
Opening times will be from 10am until 3pm however not all facilities will be available. There will be restricted access to allow for continued social distancing and there will be periodic closure to allow for regular cleaning and sanitising.
A centre spokesperson said: “The Ankerside toilet facilities have been closed since the initial lockdown on March 23 and despite the shopping centre being open to the public, as the government was particularly wary about the risk posed, the decision was made to keep the facilities closed.
“The centre has been guided by these recommendations and advice as Ankerside worked through the ever changing Covid-19 pandemic situation.
“We have now listened to our visitors and retailers, and having consulted with Tamworth Borough Council’s specialist ‘shop safe’ town centre business advisory team and the EHO, Ankerside Centre management intend reopening the facility, albeit in a scaled down offer, and with restricted opening times from Tuesday, July 21.
“The centre will be relying on visitors to respect the safety restrictions that have been put into place to protect our visitors using the facilities and respect centre staff who have, and continue to work tirelessly to provide a safe environment during the pandemic.”


birminghammail--2020-07-17--'A serial offender' - Birmingham City slammed by Championship club chief

Barnsley co-chairman Paul Conway has slammed the English Football League ( EFL ) for what he believes to be a failure to punish teams for what he has called 'delinquent financials ' .
In June , Birmingham City were found guilty of failing to adhere to an agreed business plan by an independent panel after a charge was brought by the EFL .
The month before , an independent panel dismissed the EFL 's charge but the League appealed and Blues were found guilty and reprimanded .
Other clubs in the Championship like Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday are both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial misconduct .
Sign up for our Blues newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here Conway has been vocal about his thoughts on the EFL and has outlined his fears of Barnsley being relegated and a points deduction handed to another team after the season had finished that would have saved his side from the drop .
Barnsley are bottom of the Championship and four points adrift with four points left to play for .
Conway has branded Blues , who were docked nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play rules , a 'serial offender ' .
`` You have scam stadium deals , fake sponsorship contracts , delinquent financials , not paying players on time , huge debts and no action , '' Conway told The Telegraph .
`` It 's really not good for English football and not encouraging investment .
`` If little old Barnsley and its supporters have to lead the way to clean up English football then we 'll do it by any means necessary .
If that has to be litigation , so be it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ invested in four football clubs in four countries , and been at the highest level in the Champions League , and frankly England is the worst place to operate .
`` Many teams cheat and the league is so weak enforcing its own rules .
In most other leagues , not paying players on time is automatic relegation .
Administration in France and Spain is relegation by two divisions .
`` In England , teams like Derby and Wigan , maybe even Sheffield Wednesday , do n't pay their players ( on time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalties .
`` A serial offender in Birmingham were found guilty again and what was their punishment ?
Nothing .
`` The whole purpose of the league is to prevent sporting advantages that are unfair .
The division is incredibly close and any sporting advantage has a huge impact . ''

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Elliott Jackson, Richard Cusack)

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Barnsley co-chairman Paul Conway has slammed the English Football League (EFL) for what he believes to be a failure to punish teams for what he has called 'delinquent financials'.
In June, Birmingham City were found guilty of failing to adhere to an agreed business plan by an independent panel after a charge was brought by the EFL.
The month before, an independent panel dismissed the EFL's charge but the League appealed and Blues were found guilty and reprimanded.
Other clubs in the Championship like Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday are both being investigated by the EFL for alleged financial misconduct.
Sign up for our Blues newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
Conway has been vocal about his thoughts on the EFL and has outlined his fears of Barnsley being relegated and a points deduction handed to another team after the season had finished that would have saved his side from the drop.
Barnsley are bottom of the Championship and four points adrift with four points left to play for.
Conway has branded Blues, who were docked nine points last year for breaching financial fair play rules, a 'serial offender'.
"You have scam stadium deals, fake sponsorship contracts, delinquent financials, not paying players on time, huge debts and no action," Conway told The Telegraph.
"It's really not good for English football and not encouraging investment.
"If little old Barnsley and its supporters have to lead the way to clean up English football then we'll do it by any means necessary. If that has to be litigation, so be it."
He added: "We've invested in four football clubs in four countries, and been at the highest level in the Champions League, and frankly England is the worst place to operate.
"Many teams cheat and the league is so weak enforcing its own rules. In most other leagues, not paying players on time is automatic relegation. Administration in France and Spain is relegation by two divisions.
"In England, teams like Derby and Wigan, maybe even Sheffield Wednesday, don't pay their players (on time) and they don't receive any penalties.
"A serial offender in Birmingham were found guilty again and what was their punishment? Nothing.
"The whole purpose of the league is to prevent sporting advantages that are unfair. The division is incredibly close and any sporting advantage has a huge impact."


birminghammail--2020-07-18--The crucial Aston Villa calls Dean Smith must make for Arsenal

What 's gone on before are all ifs , buts and maybes but the truth of the matter is Aston Villa must rally one final time and look to beat Arsenal .
Thursday 's draw that felt like a defeat at Everton still stings knowing the two points dropped at the death could prove to be two nails already hammered into Villa 's relegation coffin .
Villa are n't done yet , though , with Sunday 's Bournemouth v Southampton fixture all set to provide a fresh relegation twist following West Ham 's victory over Watford .
Villa are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to catch Watford ( 34pts ) and the first team to do so will most-likely survive given the powerful sway of momentum .
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here And while Villa 's destiny remains in the hands of others , Dean Smith 's side can at least give themselves a puncher 's chance by picking up at least a point against Arsenal on Tuesday before what would be an all-or-nothing fixture with West Ham on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last home game in B6 , we look at the expected starting line-up tasked with beating the Gunners , a side who play this evening in the FA Cup semi-final against Man City - just 72 hours before facing a much-rested Villa .
Starting across the back and , despite their best efforts to keep what would have been a match-winning clean sheet , Pepe Reina and co will be kept in from the start at Arsenal .
Ahmed Elmohamady performed well at right back , and so did goal-scorer Ezri Konsa next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperately to clear Theo Walcott 's equaliser at the death but ended up knocking the ball over the goalline .
As for Konsa , he 's been one of the standouts during restart and looks more and more worth the price Villa forked out for him .
On Villa 's left-hand defensive side , the ever-vocal Tyrone Mings will make his 32nd Premier League start and he 'll have Matt Targett next to him who , after Everton , spoke of his frustrations after Villa failed to see out a 90-minute match yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was at fault for Walcott 's winner and did n't anticipate Andre Gomes crossing deep from the left with his weaker foot .
In midfield , Douglas Luiz looked a million bucks once again and marshaled the midfield well .
He 'll start once more .
As for his engine-room partners , supporters might have missed Smith confirming afterwards how he `` flipped the system a bit '' and played John McGinn as a No.10 ahead of Douglas Luiz and Conor Hourihane , the latter chalking up his fourth-consecutive assist .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` arrow '' to the midfield which explains McGinn 's advanced role as the tip , with Douglas Luiz and Hourihane as the base of the arrow shape .
Again , that midfield will no doubt start on Tuesday knowing Villa need goals .
Arsenal played 3-4-3 against Liverpool last time out , meaning McGinn could have ample opportunity to go right at the heart of the Gunners ' defence - like he did at the Emirates way back in September .
Across the forward line represents Smith 's and Villa 's by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't scored in 13 or assisted in his last 10 , though he should have had one at Everton but for Anwar El Ghazi 's crazy miss .
The skipper is yet to find his form since the restart and , if Villa are to survive , they need him now more than they ever did .
On the opposite right flank , Trezeguet went from 9/10 against Palace to 3 or 4/10 vs Everton .
The Egyptian could n't back up his two-goal showing the previous week and looked bereft of ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first of two crucial decisions Smith will have to make is stick with Trezeguet or go like-for-like to bring El Ghazi back in .
He could go left-field and drop either Mbwana Samatta or even Jota out there but that seems unlikely .
As for El Ghazi , you wonder how much that miss could affect him .
Trezeguet will remain the favourite to start on Tuesday , given his form in front of the posts .
Now , the second huge choice currently playing over and over in Smith 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keinan Davis , above .
The former was non-existent against Everton and drew criticism from his teammates for failing to hold the ball up , the total opposite of what Davis managed to do when he came on for the final 25 minutes .
As everyone knows , though , Davis carries less of a goal threat than Samatta but , even so , the pair have just one Premier League strike between them .
It 'll boil down to who Smith thinks will give David Luiz and Rob Holding more problems and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
When Davis has played , Villa have looked all too defensive knowing the rookie forward tends to drop too deep for the ball - only to leave a massive hole beyond him .
With Samatta , he tends to get in the right areas but he 's currently sapped of any confidence in front of goal .
You 're stuck between a rock and a hard place with these pair , you really are .
Since restart , Davis should have scored two against Sheffield United but did n't .
Samatta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while , in games since , the service has n't really been forthcoming - but for an Elmohamady penalty-spot cross against Palace .
It was counter-attacking football at Everton last time out , hence why it suited Davis more as he held the ball up to allow bodies to catch up around him .
The 22-year-old also won the foul which led to Konsa 's goal and that could well creep into Smith 's thinking for Arsenal , knowing Davis wins more fouls than the more slight Samatta .
On Tuesday , Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Wolves however , on second thinking , the boss might just look to unease Arsenal by chucking in Davis to rough 'em up , thus allowing the likes of Grealish , Hourihane and McGinn to feed off the scraps .
Our likely Aston Villa XI for Arsenal , 4-3-3 : Reina ; Elmohamady , Konsa , Mings , Targett ; Douglas Luiz , McGinn , Hourihane ; Trezeguet , Davis , Grealish .

It all comes down to this - just about. Aston Villa must rally one final time and look to beat Arsenal if they are to battle against the drop.
Depending on results elsewhere, the Villans could manage with a point heading into the last s - however a win would take the momentum into the hands of Dean Smith's side
Thursday's draw that felt like a defeat at Everton still stings knowing the two points dropped at the death could prove to be two nails already hammered into Villa's relegation coffin.
Villa aren't done yet, though, with Sunday's Bournemouth v Southampton fixture all set to provide a fresh relegation twist following West Ham's victory over Watford.
Villa are now scrapping with the Cherries (both 31pts) to catch Watford (34pts) and the first team to do so will most-likely survive given the powerful sway of momentum.
Sign up for our Villa newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
And while Villa's destiny remains in the hands of others, Dean Smith's side can at least give themselves a puncher's chance by picking up at least a point against Arsenal tonight before what would be an all-or-nothing fixture with West Ham on the final day.
Ahead of Villa's last home game in B6, we look at the expected starting line-up tasked with beating the Gunners, a side who beat Manchester City on the weekend - just 72 hours before facing a much-rested Villa.
Starting across the back and, despite their best efforts to keep what would have been a match-winning clean sheet, Pepe Reina and co will be kept in from the start at Arsenal. Ahmed Elmohamady performed well at right back, and so did goal-scorer Ezri Konsa next to him. The £12m defender tried desperately to clear Theo Walcott's equaliser at the death but ended up knocking the ball over the goalline. As for Konsa, he's been one of the standouts during restart and looks more and more worth the price Villa forked out for him.
On Villa's left-hand defensive side, the ever-vocal Tyrone Mings will make his 32nd Premier League start and he'll have Matt Targett next to him who, after Everton, spoke of his frustrations after Villa failed to see out a 90-minute match yet again when leading. Targett, though, was at fault for Walcott's winner and didn't anticipate Andre Gomes crossing deep from the left with his weaker foot.
In midfield, Douglas Luiz looked a million bucks once again and marshaled the midfield well. He'll start once more. As for his engine-room partners, supporters might have missed Smith confirming afterwards how he "flipped the system a bit" and played John McGinn as a No.10 ahead of Douglas Luiz and Conor Hourihane, the latter chalking up his fourth-consecutive assist. Another snippet you missed was Mings constantly shouting "arrow" to the midfield which explains McGinn's advanced role as the tip, with Douglas Luiz and Hourihane as the base of the arrow shape. Again, that midfield will no doubt start tonight knowing Villa need goals. Arsenal played 3-4-3 against Liverpool last time out, meaning McGinn could have ample opportunity to go right at the heart of the Gunners' defence - like he did at the Emirates way back in September.
Across the forward line represents Smith's and Villa's by far biggest problem. Jack Grealish hasn't scored in 13 or assisted in his last 10, though he should have had one at Everton but for Anwar El Ghazi's crazy miss. The skipper is yet to find his form since the restart and, if Villa are to survive, they need him now more than they ever did. On the opposite right flank, Trezeguet went from 9/10 against Palace to 3 or 4/10 vs Everton. The Egyptian couldn't back up his two-goal showing the previous week and looked bereft of ideas and conviction at Goodison Park. Now, the first of two crucial decisions Smith will have to make is stick with Trezeguet or go like-for-like to bring El Ghazi back in. He could go left-field and drop either Mbwana Samatta or even Jota out there but that seems unlikely. As for El Ghazi, you wonder how much that miss could affect him. Trezeguet will remain the favourite to start, given his form in front of the posts.
Now, the second huge choice currently playing over and over in Smith's mind is to start with Samatta or Keinan Davis, above . The former was non-existent against Everton and drew criticism from his teammates for failing to hold the ball up, the total opposite of what Davis managed to do when he came on for the final 25 minutes. As everyone knows, though, Davis carries less of a goal threat than Samatta but, even so, the pair have just one Premier League strike between them. It'll boil down to who Smith thinks will give David Luiz and Rob Holding more problems and how he'll want Villa to set up. When Davis has played, Villa have looked all too defensive knowing the rookie forward tends to drop too deep for the ball - only to leave a massive hole beyond him. With Samatta, he tends to get in the right areas but he's currently sapped of any confidence in front of goal. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place with these pair, you really are.
Since restart, Davis should have scored two against Sheffield United but didn't. Samatta had a golden chance up at Newcastle while, in games since, the service hasn't really been forthcoming - but for an Elmohamady penalty-spot cross against Palace. It was counter-attacking football at Everton last time out, hence why it suited Davis more as he held the ball up to allow bodies to catch up around him. The 22-year-old also won the foul which led to Konsa's goal and that could well creep into Smith's thinking for Arsenal, knowing Davis wins more fouls than the more slight Samatta. Tonight, Smith could well start both like he did against Wolves however, on second thinking, the boss might just look to unease Arsenal by chucking in Davis to rough 'em up, thus allowing the likes of Grealish, Hourihane and McGinn to feed off the scraps.
Our likely Aston Villa XI for Arsenal, 4-3-3 : Reina; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Davis, Grealish.
Subs : Nyland, Hause, Guilbert, Lansbury, Nakamba, Samatta, Vassilev, Jota, El Ghazi.


birminghammail--2020-07-18--West Brom fans all say the same thing ahead of Stoke City vs Brentford

Some West Bromwich Albion fans are hopeful that Stoke City do them a favour against Brentford today .
Former Baggie James McClean will be in action for the hosts at the bet365 Stadium and a positive result for Michael O'Neill 's men would greatly benefit Albion .
After yesterday 's 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town , West Brom boss Slaven Bilic was resigned to the play-offs with Brentford able to overtake his side in second place if they do n't lose today .
There is cause for hope with Stoke looking mightily improved under O'Neill and they will be looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
Sign up for our Albion newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here And with McClean in action for the club he joined Albion from , some of The Hawthorns faithful are hoping he can do them a favour .
`` McClean is going to score a hat-trick , '' one fan said .
`` McClean masterclass pending , '' added another .
`` McClean hat-trick , 3-0 Stoke incoming , '' a third fan said and another added : `` I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
And a fifth fan said : `` If Stoke do win tonight I will buy a McClean Stoke top . ''

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Some West Bromwich Albion fans are hopeful that Stoke City do them a favour against Brentford today.
Former Baggie James McClean will be in action for the hosts at the bet365 Stadium and a positive result for Michael O'Neill's men would greatly benefit Albion.
After yesterday's 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town, West Brom boss Slaven Bilic was resigned to the play-offs with Brentford able to overtake his side in second place if they don't lose today.
There is cause for hope with Stoke looking mightily improved under O'Neill and they will be looking to confirm their Championship safety with a win.
Sign up for our Albion newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page or click here
And with McClean in action for the club he joined Albion from, some of The Hawthorns faithful are hoping he can do them a favour.
"McClean is going to score a hat-trick," one fan said. "McClean masterclass pending," added another.
"McClean hat-trick, 3-0 Stoke incoming," a third fan said and another added: "I'll get a McClean tattoo if Stoke win."
And a fifth fan said: "If Stoke do win tonight I will buy a McClean Stoke top."