birminghammail--2020-08-14--John Lewis city closure - store reveal why they are shutting in new statement

John Lewis confirmed the news today that its flagship Grand Central site will never reopen - due to the ongoing 'financial challenges ' the city centre site had been facing before lockdown .
In a regional briefing this afternoon ( August 14 ) Mayor Andy Street revealed that despite recent efforts to reverse the decision made in July , the group was `` pressing ahead with the closure '' .
The Grand Central store - which cost £35million - has closed alongside seven other sites around the UK .
In a statement today a John Lewis spokesman said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one we never thought was imaginable when we first opened these shops .
`` Our expectation was that we would trade in these locations for many years to come , but they were financially challenged before the pandemic and we have not been able to find a way that would allow us to turn that around .
“ We are grateful to those who have expressed their support since announcing the proposed closure last month , and for the incredible professionalism our Partners have shown - they remain our absolute priority and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” John Lewis announced in July it would close eight John Lewis stores including Tamworth , Croydon and Watford .
It said the decision has been made to `` secure the business 's long-term future and respond to customers ' shopping needs ' .
The chain estimated that between 60 % and 70 % of John Lewis sales are set to be made online this year and next , compared with 40 % before the coronavirus crisis .
John Lewis Birmingham opened in 2015 as part of the much anticipated Grand Central £750m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new era for Birmingham shoppers .
In 2017 BirminghamLive spoke to small independents at the centre who said the levels of footfall were not what they expected .
At the time Hammerson who have owned Grand Central since January 2016 said : “ We don ’ t disclose individual centre footfall , but footfall at Grand Central is up year on year and continues to outperform the national benchmark.
`` After John Lewis 's bombshell news in July that it was vacating the complex , a spokesperson for Bullring and Grand Central said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading retail and leisure destination with shoppers and brands including Selfridges , which has been a draw for Birmingham for the past 17 years .
`` Grand Central ’ s location in New Street Station attracts over 20m visitors a year as part of the busiest train station outside of London ... the strong city centre and high footfall location of the current John Lewis space lends itself to future alternative uses , which we will explore.
” At the time of the shock news , West Midlands Mayor Andy Street , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would be meeting with store bosses to discuss other alternatives to closure branding it a 'dreadful mistake ' .
He added : `` There is no question the coronavirus pandemic has caused severe economic damage and uncertainty , but I still have enormous faith in Birmingham as a place to do business .
`` The city is one of the top three in the whole of the UK for retail , with high footfall and many other retailers thriving in recent years .
Against this backdrop it is extremely disappointing that John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make a success of its flagship Birmingham store . ''
This September will mark Grand Central 's fifth birthday .

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John Lewis confirmed the news today that its flagship Grand Central site will never reopen - due to the ongoing 'financial challenges' the city centre site had been facing before lockdown.
In a regional briefing this afternoon (August 14) Mayor Andy Street revealed that despite recent efforts to reverse the decision made in July, the group was "pressing ahead with the closure".
The Grand Central store - which cost £35million - has closed alongside seven other sites around the UK.
In a statement today a John Lewis spokesman said: "This is a very sad occasion and one we never thought was imaginable when we first opened these shops.
"Our expectation was that we would trade in these locations for many years to come, but they were financially challenged before the pandemic and we have not been able to find a way that would allow us to turn that around.
(Image: Google)
“We are grateful to those who have expressed their support since announcing the proposed closure last month, and for the incredible professionalism our Partners have shown - they remain our absolute priority and will be fully supported over the coming weeks.”
John Lewis announced in July it would close eight John Lewis stores including Tamworth, Croydon and Watford. It said the decision has been made to "secure the business's long-term future and respond to customers' shopping needs'.
The chain estimated that between 60% and 70% of John Lewis sales are set to be made online this year and next, compared with 40% before the coronavirus crisis.
(Image: Jonathan Hipkiss / BirminghamLive)
John Lewis Birmingham opened in 2015 as part of the much anticipated Grand Central £750m regeneration project - heralding as a bright new era for Birmingham shoppers.
In 2017 BirminghamLive spoke to small independents at the centre who said the levels of footfall were not what they expected.
At the time Hammerson who have owned Grand Central since January 2016 said:“We don’t disclose individual centre footfall, but footfall at Grand Central is up year on year and continues to outperform the national benchmark. "
After John Lewis's bombshell news in July that it was vacating the complex, a spokesperson for Bullring and Grand Central said: "The Bullring Estate is a leading retail and leisure destination with shoppers and brands including Selfridges, which has been a draw for Birmingham for the past 17 years.
"Grand Central’s location in New Street Station attracts over 20m visitors a year as part of the busiest train station outside of London... the strong city centre and high footfall location of the current John Lewis space lends itself to future alternative uses, which we will explore.”
At the time of the shock news, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, a former John Lewis Managing Director - said he would be meeting with store bosses to discuss other alternatives to closure branding it a 'dreadful mistake'.
He added: "There is no question the coronavirus pandemic has caused severe economic damage and uncertainty, but I still have enormous faith in Birmingham as a place to do business.
"The city is one of the top three in the whole of the UK for retail, with high footfall and many other retailers thriving in recent years. Against this backdrop it is extremely disappointing that John Lewis & Partners has not been able to make a success of its flagship Birmingham store."
This September will mark Grand Central's fifth birthday.


birminghammail--2020-08-14--'Severe' fire at Cadbury Club in Bournville as people warned to avoid area.

'Severe ' fire at Cadbury Club in Bournville as people warned to avoid area .
Firefighters are currently battling a @ @ @ @ @ West Midlands Fire Service are currently at the scene of the huge fire as people @ @ @ @ @ local area .
There are currently restrictions in place on Bournville Lane and Mary Vale @ @

'Severe' fire at Cadbury Club in Bournville as people warned to avoid area.
Firefighters are currently battling a severe blaze in Bournville. West Midlands Fire Service are currently at the scene of the huge fire as people are warned to avoid the local area. There are currently restrictions in place on Bournville Lane and Mary Vale Road.
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birminghammail--2020-08-14--Aston Villa fans make Rashica point as Werder Bremen 'agree' deal

Aston Villa fans are convinced Milot Rashica is on the move as Werder Bremen close in on signing a new winger .
Rashica , the Kosovo international , has been heavily linked with Villa for several months having impressed in the Bundesliga .
The 24-year-old was a target both last summer and in January but a transfer never came to fruition and he ended the season with eight goals and seven assists in 28 appearances for Werder , who narrowly avoided relegation .
But a deal could finally come off with reports in Rashica 's homeland stating Villa are leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from RB Leipzig .
Sign up to our Villa newsletter for Milot Rashica transfer updates Why should you sign up ?
Villa have been strongly linked with a move for the Werder Bremen star , with fans excitedly awaiting his possible arrival .
With that in mind , we will bring you all the news around the Albanian winger 's future .
In our daily Aston Villa bulletin , we 'll be bringing you the latest breaking news , transfer features and comment pieces , as well as the key talking points for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It 's easy and only takes seconds .
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up .
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You can also sign up here .
If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails , simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we do n't think you 'll want to .
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You can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us on social media here Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store Rashica was left out of a friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig at the weekend and his head coach Florian Kohfeldt said afterwards : `` We mutually decided not to use Rashica due to the possible situation of a transfer . ''
Now , Werder are close to completing the signing of Manchester United winger Tahith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to fly to Germany in the next 48 hours having 'agreed ' a season-long loan move , according to Sky Sports .
That deal has set Villa tongues wagging and you can see a selection of the responses from fans below : Rashica has scored 24 goals in 72 appearances across three seasons as Werder finished eighth , 11th and 16th .
He has played 27 times for Kosovo , scoring on four occasions , having made his international debut in 2016 .

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Villa have been strongly linked with a move for the Marseille star, with fans excitedly awaiting his possible arrival. With that in mind, we will bring you all the news around the French midfielder's future.
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birminghammail--2020-08-14--Recap - 'severe' fire at Cadbury Club in Bournville

West Midlands Fire Service are currently at the scene of the huge fire as people are warned to avoid the @ @ @ @ @ currently restrictions in place on Bournville Lane and Mary Vale Road .
The building affected @ @ @ @ @ to be the historic Cadbury Club .
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said @ @ @ @ @ KingsNortonFire @ Bournbrookfire @ Northfieldfire @ BillesleyFire @ HighgateFire @ Woodgatefire @ Smethwickfire @ Oldburyfire @ @ @ @ @ severe fire in Bournville .
4 main jets are in use .
Please avoid Bournville @ @ @ @ @ and the surrounding Follow our blog below , as we bring you live updates

West Midlands Fire Service is continuing to investigate the cause of a huge fire which ravaged a much-loved historic building.
Fifty firefighters battled the large blaze as it engulfed the Cadbury Club, Bournville on Friday evening, August 14 - with smoke seen from miles away.
Members of the public were told to avoid Bournville Lane, Mary Vale Road and the surrounding areas while fire crews battled to salvage the venue and its 100-year-old roof.
Twelve firefighters remained on scene on Saturday morning as a couple spoke of their devastation over the loss of their wedding reception venue.
The major incident has also caused sadness with the club's 400 members and wider community.
This is a live blog, we will be bringing you updates.


birminghammail--2020-08-14--Latest winners in Lichfield Camera Club's lockdown competition

Lichfield Camera Club ’ s lockdown photo competition is still in full swing .
Photographers at the club have found a way of keeping themselves active while they can ’ t hold physical meetings and have formed a photography league which allows them to enter their images .
The leagues aim to keep members ’ photographic skills ticking over until normal meetings can be resumed .
Each participating member enters one image each week which is judged by fellow members with points being awarded .
In addition , to liven things up , they are promoting and relegating members in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round .
And the top three images in each league for week two of round five have been announced , as judged by members from the other two leagues .
In league one , Anne Anderson took the top spot with ‘ Old Fashioned Hearts and Flowers ’ .
A club spokesperson said : “ This is a well-deserved first place .
Anne has created a wonderful still life , full of atmosphere .
She used an unusual technique to achieve this stunning image.
” Ann added : “ I wanted to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light ’ , so I set up the still life with some flowers ( from ASDA ) and bits and pieces from my ‘ prop box ’ .
`` The image was taken in total darkness using a long exposure of about 50 seconds and illuminated with a small torch which is played around the scene very quickly to produce detail and give a three dimensional effect . ''
Taking second place is ‘ Winters Morning ’ by Darron Matthews .
Darron has given us a beautifully evocative image of winter .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the covering of snow , really convey the coldness of the season .
Darron explained : `` My image was taken back in December 2010 , near Oswestry .
I feel that the lines in the ploughed field lead you to the first hedgerow , and then the gap in the trees follows you through to the distant trees .
Also , by turning it to monochrome makes the image feel colder . ''
Third place is ‘ Bright Spark ’ by Joe Anderson .
This is a superbly inventive image by Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the dark background .
Joe explained : “ This image was created using an antique style light bulb and indoor sparklers , both of which were positioned on a black glossy floor tile and held upright with Blu Tac .
“ After pre-focusing on the bulb filament , in an otherwise pitch black room I lit the sparkler , then I took a series of pictures .
“ I also took an extra picture whilst illuminating the front of the bulb base cap with a flickering candle .
“ I then built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to produce a composite image showing a more even spread of sparks and then tidied up by removing the extraneous sparks and trails .
Finally I created the reflection using an inverted copy of the bulb image which I blurred and darkened slightly , to complete the image to which I added a trim line using a colour picked from the bulb filament .
“ Personally I liked the simplicity of the image , and the glow of the glass and light trails from the sparklers against the black background . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Dean Borgazzi took first place .
A club spokesperson said : “ Dean has given us a wonderfully creative image , a worthy winner , with a truly ghostly atmosphere.
” Dean explained : `` I love creating composites ( two different pictures blended together ) .
I recently visited Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and while wandering around its interesting to find staircases and arches which are not always seen as you explore .
“ The background was taken as a low exposure image as I knew I would increase the brightness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you get the opportunity to take photos of girls before their Prom Night they often wear dresses which can appear timeless .
“ The final step is to combine the girl into the background , by adjusting the blend or opacity it will make the figure appear semi-transparent .
It does take some practice . ''
Second was ‘ The Matterhorn ’ by Sandra Morgan .
A club spokesperson said : “ This is a stunning photograph of The Matterhorn taken by Sandra .
The strong diagonal leads the eye first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of scale , then up to the iconic mountain peak.
” Sandra added : `` The Matterhorn is often shrouded in cloud , so I was fortunate on this day that the mountain was clear with just a little soft banner cloud which contrasted nicely with the sharpness of the summit .
I was pleased to have the opportunity to photograph the mountain in the clear light which revealed the details in the layers of rock . ''
‘ Loch Garten ’ by Sue Freeman took third .
This is a beautifully peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very picturesque Scottish loch .
Sue explained : `` It was a lovely calm evening .
The loch was so still , giving some wonderful reflections . ''
In League three , ‘ Devon Coastline ’ by Liz Thomas took the top spot .
A club spokesperson said : “ Liz is a worthy winner with this excellent example of a panoramic landscape .
The winding channels of water lead through the image , and the figure on the left is perfectly placed , giving a sense of scale .
White fluffy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the distance complete this lovely coastal scene .
Liz added : `` This is a panoramic image taken on an iPhone .
I felt this type of photo captured the sheer drama of the scene , with its rocky outcrops , expanses of sand and reflections .
“ The striking cloud formations added to the drama , along with the waves in the distance and I was fortunate in the direction of the sun at the time .
Right time , right place , wonderful technology ! ''
Second was ‘ Fountains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a dramatic monochrome image by Steve .
He has used a wide range of light and shadow to create some lovely detail in the arches and brickwork .
Steve explained : “ I thought the strong geometric shapes of the support pillars and vaulted ceilings below Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire , combined with the shadows from the strong outside sunlight created an interesting and pleasing pattern .
“ The depth of the vault and the strong perspective lead the eye to the small illuminated window at the far end .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Late Summer ’ A club spokesperson said : “ A striking image from David , using strong side lighting to illuminate the flowers , allowing them to really stand out against the dark background.
” Next week ’ s theme is Shadows and Silhouettes .
To view all entries in the Lichfield Camera Club League ’ s go to www.lichfieldcameraclub.org

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Lichfield Camera Club’s lockdown photo competition is still in full swing.
Photographers at the club have found a way of keeping themselves active while they can’t hold physical meetings and have formed a photography league which allows them to enter their images. The leagues aim to keep members’ photographic skills ticking over until normal meetings can be resumed.
Each participating member enters one image each week which is judged by fellow members with points being awarded. In addition, to liven things up, they are promoting and relegating members in each league at the end of each round.
And the top three images in each league for week two of round five have been announced, as judged by members from the other two leagues.
In league one, Anne Anderson took the top spot with ‘Old Fashioned Hearts and Flowers’.
A club spokesperson said: “This is a well-deserved first place. Anne has created a wonderful still life, full of atmosphere. She used an unusual technique to achieve this stunning image.”
Ann added: “I wanted to try out a technique of ‘painting with light’, so I set up the still life with some flowers (from ASDA) and bits and pieces from my ‘prop box’.
"The image was taken in total darkness using a long exposure of about 50 seconds and illuminated with a small torch which is played around the scene very quickly to produce detail and give a three dimensional effect."
Taking second place is ‘Winters Morning’ by Darron Matthews.
Darron has given us a beautifully evocative image of winter. The bare trees and mist, together with the covering of snow, really convey the coldness of the season.
Darron explained: "My image was taken back in December 2010, near Oswestry. I feel that the lines in the ploughed field lead you to the first hedgerow, and then the gap in the trees follows you through to the distant trees. Also, by turning it to monochrome makes the image feel colder."
Third place is ‘Bright Spark’ by Joe Anderson.
This is a superbly inventive image by Joe, the light bulb really jumps out against the dark background.
Joe explained: “This image was created using an antique style light bulb and indoor sparklers, both of which were positioned on a black glossy floor tile and held upright with Blu Tac.
“After pre-focusing on the bulb filament, in an otherwise pitch black room I lit the sparkler, then I took a series of pictures.
“I also took an extra picture whilst illuminating the front of the bulb base cap with a flickering candle.
“I then built up the image in layers in Photoshop to produce a composite image showing a more even spread of sparks and then tidied up by removing the extraneous sparks and trails. Finally I created the reflection using an inverted copy of the bulb image which I blurred and darkened slightly, to complete the image to which I added a trim line using a colour picked from the bulb filament.
“Personally I liked the simplicity of the image, and the glow of the glass and light trails from the sparklers against the black background."
In league 2, ‘Bamburgh Ghost’ by Dean Borgazzi took first place.
A club spokesperson said: “Dean has given us a wonderfully creative image, a worthy winner, with a truly ghostly atmosphere.”
Dean explained: "I love creating composites (two different pictures blended together). I recently visited Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and while wandering around its interesting to find staircases and arches which are not always seen as you explore.
“The background was taken as a low exposure image as I knew I would increase the brightness later.
“The Ghost! Well if you get the opportunity to take photos of girls before their Prom Night they often wear dresses which can appear timeless.
“The final step is to combine the girl into the background, by adjusting the blend or opacity it will make the figure appear semi-transparent. It does take some practice."
Second was ‘The Matterhorn’ by Sandra Morgan.
A club spokesperson said: “This is a stunning photograph of The Matterhorn taken by Sandra. The strong diagonal leads the eye first to the buildings, which give a sense of scale, then up to the iconic mountain peak.”
Sandra added: "The Matterhorn is often shrouded in cloud, so I was fortunate on this day that the mountain was clear with just a little soft banner cloud which contrasted nicely with the sharpness of the summit. I was pleased to have the opportunity to photograph the mountain in the clear light which revealed the details in the layers of rock."
‘Loch Garten’ by Sue Freeman took third.
This is a beautifully peaceful scene, captured by Sue, of a very picturesque Scottish loch.
Sue explained: "It was a lovely calm evening. The loch was so still, giving some wonderful reflections."
In League three, ‘Devon Coastline’ by Liz Thomas took the top spot.
A club spokesperson said: “Liz is a worthy winner with this excellent example of a panoramic landscape. The winding channels of water lead through the image, and the figure on the left is perfectly placed, giving a sense of scale. White fluffy clouds, blue sky and crashing waves in the distance complete this lovely coastal scene.
Liz added: "This is a panoramic image taken on an iPhone. I felt this type of photo captured the sheer drama of the scene, with its rocky outcrops, expanses of sand and reflections.
“The striking cloud formations added to the drama, along with the waves in the distance and I was fortunate in the direction of the sun at the time. Right time, right place, wonderful technology!"
Second was ‘Fountains below the Abbey’ by Steve Dingley.
This is a dramatic monochrome image by Steve. He has used a wide range of light and shadow to create some lovely detail in the arches and brickwork.
Steve explained: “I thought the strong geometric shapes of the support pillars and vaulted ceilings below Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, combined with the shadows from the strong outside sunlight created an interesting and pleasing pattern.
“The depth of the vault and the strong perspective lead the eye to the small illuminated window at the far end."
David Eaton took third place with ‘Late Summer’
A club spokesperson said: “A striking image from David, using strong side lighting to illuminate the flowers, allowing them to really stand out against the dark background.”
Next week’s theme is Shadows and Silhouettes.
To view all entries in the Lichfield Camera Club League’s go to www.lichfieldcameraclub.org


birminghammail--2020-08-14--'No hangover' - why the Lambs are getting it right this summer

Andrew Danylyszyn admits there could easily have been a hangover from the squad after last season ’ s frustrating end .
But he says the group have instead responded with a positive mindset which augurs well for the season ahead .
The Lambs saw their hopes of promotion from the Southern Premier central dashed earlier this year when their campaign was declared null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic .
They are now back in training , looking to replicate last season ’ s efforts and started with a pre-season win over Quorn on Saturday .
And Danylyszyn said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group like ‘ winners do more ’ and ‘ when you get knocked down , you get back up ’ .
“ And now we have this ‘ unfinished business ’ one .
“ It mind sound cheesy but sometimes you generate a culture and focus at a club .
“ There could have been a hangover from last season , ” he added .
“ We could have had that case of ‘ wait a minute , we have worked so well here and we have had no rewards ’ .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming back .
“ There ’ s a hunger and desire – it ’ s been there to be seen in the whole group .
“ We have lads here who have shown , year in , year out , they can churn out results .
They have done that through their careers .
The time frame of missing football , with all that ’ s been going on , they just want to play the game .
“ What ’ s going on in the world , it ’ s put football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people realise how much they love the game .
“ So we have come back in and the lads have really bought into what we are doing .
They are all enjoying training .
It was obviously good keeping the majority of the squad from last year because it gave us the foundations .
I think it makes it easier for the new lads to come in and do well because the structure is there already.
” Danylyszyn was pleased with his side ’ s start to pre-season as they defeated Quorn 5-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first game against Quorn , ” he said .
“ From minute one we dominated the ball and then we got players like Shaq McDonald , whose runs in behind were tremendous .
“ Lindon Meikle was the same .
His experience has already shown and he ’ s picked up what we are doing really well .
“ I was just really surprised at how well all the lads carried the transition from training into the game , if I am being honest .
We were 4-0 at half-time and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight , we created that many chances .
“ The second half , their manager got into them and Quorn changed their shape .
They were more organised but we still won that 1-0 and never looked like conceding .
“ It ’ s a good , solid start , without ripping up trees and going overboard with it .
It ’ s something to build off but there will be tougher tests to come which will tell us a lot more .
“ The good thing is that winning generates a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aim of pre-season is to gel together and get fitness and get back into the swing of things , we do have that winning mentality here and so we want to keep that in the team .
”

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Andrew Danylyszyn admits there could easily have been a hangover from the squad after last season’s frustrating end.
But he says the group have instead responded with a positive mindset which augurs well for the season ahead.
The Lambs saw their hopes of promotion from the Southern Premier central dashed earlier this year when their campaign was declared null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They are now back in training, looking to replicate last season’s efforts and started with a pre-season win over Quorn on Saturday.
And Danylyszyn said: “We have sayings in our group like ‘winners do more’ and ‘when you get knocked down, you get back up’.
“And now we have this ‘unfinished business’ one.
“It mind sound cheesy but sometimes you generate a culture and focus at a club.
“There could have been a hangover from last season,” he added. “We could have had that case of ‘wait a minute, we have worked so well here and we have had no rewards’.
“But the lads have been buoyant since coming back.
“There’s a hunger and desire – it’s been there to be seen in the whole group.
“We have lads here who have shown, year in, year out, they can churn out results. They have done that through their careers. The time frame of missing football, with all that’s been going on, they just want to play the game.
“What’s going on in the world, it’s put football into perspective but it has also made people realise how much they love the game.
“So we have come back in and the lads have really bought into what we are doing. They are all enjoying training. It was obviously good keeping the majority of the squad from last year because it gave us the foundations. I think it makes it easier for the new lads to come in and do well because the structure is there already.”
Danylyszyn was pleased with his side’s start to pre-season as they defeated Quorn 5-0.
“The players took training into the first game against Quorn,” he said.
“From minute one we dominated the ball and then we got players like Shaq McDonald, whose runs in behind were tremendous.
“Lindon Meikle was the same. His experience has already shown and he’s picked up what we are doing really well.
“I was just really surprised at how well all the lads carried the transition from training into the game, if I am being honest. We were 4-0 at half-time and it could have been six, seven or eight, we created that many chances.
“The second half, their manager got into them and Quorn changed their shape. They were more organised but we still won that 1-0 and never looked like conceding.
“It’s a good, solid start, without ripping up trees and going overboard with it. It’s something to build off but there will be tougher tests to come which will tell us a lot more.
“The good thing is that winning generates a good morale within pre-season.
“Even thought the aim of pre-season is to gel together and get fitness and get back into the swing of things, we do have that winning mentality here and so we want to keep that in the team.”


birminghammail--2020-08-14--Aitor Karanka sets out his criteria for Birmingham City signings

Aitor Karanka has already spoken to his Birmingham City employers about the players he intends to bring to St Andrew 's - and made it clear he only wants signings who buy into his 'project ' .
Karanka , 46 , was officially unveiled as Blues head coach on Friday , a fortnight after being appointed as Pep Clotet 's successor .
The former Nottingham Forest and Middelsbrough boss has somewhat of a rebuild on his hands with Blues having sold Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund , seen Jake Clarke-Salter and Scott Hogan return to their parent clubs and released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should you sign up ?
In our daily Birmingham City bulletin , we 'll be bringing you the latest breaking news , transfer features and comment pieces , as well as the key talking points for fans .
How do you sign up ?
It 's easy and only takes seconds .
Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up .
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You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter .
We also have a free app which you can download .
It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store The new Championship campaign gets underway in under a month and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window , Karanka said : `` I 'm sure that you 'd like to hear that .
We 've spoken briefly about players , because I think we need to settle in first .
`` We know what we want for the present , and for the future .
We need to be really , really sure that the players who are coming here - that they want to be here .
That they know the project .
`` We 're going to sign players as we have big names that need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good players here - I need to get to know them first , then we will bring in the players who really do want to join up with us . ''
Chief executive Xuandong Ren said Karanka will be backed with funds after Blues banked more than £20m from the sale of 17-year-old Bellingham .
Top of the new manager 's list of priorities is to sign at least one new goalkeeper after Lee Camp and David Stockdale were let go and Connal Trueman joined AFC Wimbledon on loan .

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Aitor Karanka has already spoken to his Birmingham City employers about the players he intends to bring to St Andrew's - and made it clear he only wants signings who buy into his 'project'.
Karanka, 46, was officially unveiled as Blues head coach on Friday, a fortnight after being appointed as Pep Clotet's successor.
The former Nottingham Forest and Middelsbrough boss has somewhat of a rebuild on his hands with Blues having sold Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, seen Jake Clarke-Salter and Scott Hogan return to their parent clubs and released a number of senior players.
Sign up to our Birmingham City newsletter for the latest news and comment Why should you sign up? In our daily Birmingham City bulletin, we'll be bringing you the latest breaking news, transfer features and comment pieces, as well as the key talking points for fans. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit sign up. And that's it, you're all set. You can also sign up here. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. And what's more, it's absolutely free! You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and Twitter. We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest news from across the region. Google Play Store and App Store
The new Championship campaign gets underway in under a month and asked about potential targets in the transfer window, Karanka said: "I'm sure that you'd like to hear that. We've spoken briefly about players, because I think we need to settle in first.
"We know what we want for the present, and for the future. We need to be really, really sure that the players who are coming here - that they want to be here. That they know the project.
"We're going to sign players as we have big names that need to be replaced. We know we have good players here - I need to get to know them first, then we will bring in the players who really do want to join up with us."
Chief executive Xuandong Ren said Karanka will be backed with funds after Blues banked more than £20m from the sale of 17-year-old Bellingham.
Top of the new manager's list of priorities is to sign at least one new goalkeeper after Lee Camp and David Stockdale were let go and Connal Trueman joined AFC Wimbledon on loan.


birminghammail--2020-08-14--Aitor Karanka press conference as new Blues boss unveiled

Hello and welcome to St Andrew 's for today 's exciting unveiling of Birmingham City 's new head coach Aitor Karanka .
The former Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough boss will speak to the media for the very first time after settling into his new surroundings over the past fortnight .
Karanka has been getting to know his staff and players this past week as training kick-started at Wast Hills once more ahead of the Championship campaign which starts in just four weeks ' time ( September 12 ) .
As we 're amidst the summer transfer window , Blues banked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jude Bellingham to Dortmund and recruits are in desperate need given the offloads of the likes of Lee Camp , Jacques Maghoma and Kerim Mrabti .
Scott Hogan has headed back to Aston Villa , too , while understudy stopper Connal Trueman has departed to AFC Wimbledon on a season-long loan .
As for Karanka , the boss signed a three-year deal on August 1 and we 'll hear from the ex-Real Madrid man on all aspects , from his aspirations for the year ahead , playing style and transfer targets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-winger Ivan Sanchez , 27 , who 's set to arrive on a free transfer .
Karanka is due to be unveiled by Birmingham City CEO Xuandong Ren from 2pm onwards at St Andrew 's .
You can keep up to date with everything that 's said with our dedicated live press conference blog , below , which updates automatically .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Shane Ireland, Ashley Preece, James Rushton)

Hello and welcome to St Andrew's for today's exciting unveiling of Birmingham City 's new head coach Aitor Karanka.
The former Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough boss will speak to the media for the very first time after settling into his new surroundings over the past fortnight.
Karanka has been getting to know his staff and players this past week as training kick-started at Wast Hills once more ahead of the Championship campaign which starts in just four weeks' time (September 12).
As we're amidst the summer transfer window, Blues banked more than £20 million from the sale of Jude Bellingham to Dortmund and recruits are in desperate need given the offloads of the likes of Lee Camp, Jacques Maghoma and Kerim Mrabti. Scott Hogan has headed back to Aston Villa, too, while understudy stopper Connal Trueman has departed to AFC Wimbledon on a season-long loan.
As for Karanka, the boss signed a three-year deal on August 1 and we'll hear from the ex-Real Madrid man on all aspects, from his aspirations for the year ahead, playing style and transfer targets, including a possible update on Elche's left-winger Ivan Sanchez, 27, who's set to arrive on a free transfer.
Karanka is due to be unveiled by Birmingham City CEO Xuandong Ren from 2pm onwards at St Andrew's. You can keep up to date with everything that's said with our dedicated live press conference blog, below , which updates automatically.


birminghammail--2020-08-14--Metal defences to protect Solihull park after "mindless" car arsons

Beefed-up security measures have been installed at a Solihull park , after a car was set alight on a footbridge .
Residents were dismayed last month when a vehicle was once again torched on a bridge spanning the stream in Elmdon Park .
The blazing Nissan Micra had left the walkway near the children 's playground badly scorched , with the council having to check the safety of the structure .
The late-night arson , on July 13 , followed a very similar incident over the Christmas period last year .
Separate to this there have also been concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woodland , where mounds of earth have recently been moved about .
Solihull councillor Laura McCarthy said : `` These incidents have been so disappointing to see as Elmdon Park is a beautiful place and we really want to protect it . ''
Residents had been quick to condemn the damage done by the burned-out car on a Facebook page run by the park 's support group .
`` And why a bridge - to destroy park users ' enjoyment ?
`` Could they not have found a quiet lane somewhere if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act ? ''
Following the second arson attack , the council rapidly reviewed the existing security measures and installed metal bollards in an attempt to prevent vehicles getting onto the Green Flag-winning parkland .
Its parks team has also been investigating the mounds of earth which have been moved in a nearby copse , and where damage to trees has been reported .
While the site is described as being of `` archaeological importance '' , it has been suggested that the soil was being scooped out to create a makeshift bike track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since stopped and some suspected it could have been the work of kids who did n't realise the site 's importance .
`` Elmdon is really lacking in provision for young people and I think this has really highlighted just how desperately it is needed , '' she said .
In a statement last month , the council 's parks team said : `` We have been made aware of damage caused to areas of a woodland at Elmdon Park .
`` This unauthorised activity will not be tolerated in any of Solihull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the police have been informed . ''

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Beefed-up security measures have been installed at a Solihull park, after a car was set alight on a footbridge.
Residents were dismayed last month when a vehicle was once again torched on a bridge spanning the stream in Elmdon Park.
The blazing Nissan Micra had left the walkway near the children's playground badly scorched, with the council having to check the safety of the structure.
The late-night arson, on July 13, followed a very similar incident over the Christmas period last year.
Separate to this there have also been concerns about mysterious excavations in the park's historic woodland, where mounds of earth have recently been moved about.
Solihull councillor Laura McCarthy said: "These incidents have been so disappointing to see as Elmdon Park is a beautiful place and we really want to protect it."
Residents had been quick to condemn the damage done by the burned-out car on a Facebook page run by the park's support group.
Janice Partridge branded the actions "mindless".
"And why a bridge - to destroy park users' enjoyment?
"Could they not have found a quiet lane somewhere if they really had to carry out this crazy act?"
(Image: Henry Iskhakov.)
Following the second arson attack, the council rapidly reviewed the existing security measures and installed metal bollards in an attempt to prevent vehicles getting onto the Green Flag-winning parkland.
Its parks team has also been investigating the mounds of earth which have been moved in a nearby copse, and where damage to trees has been reported.
While the site is described as being of "archaeological importance", it has been suggested that the soil was being scooped out to create a makeshift bike track.
Cllr McCarthy said the activity had since stopped and some suspected it could have been the work of kids who didn't realise the site's importance.
"Elmdon is really lacking in provision for young people and I think this has really highlighted just how desperately it is needed," she said.
In a statement last month, the council's parks team said: "We have been made aware of damage caused to areas of a woodland at Elmdon Park.
"This unauthorised activity will not be tolerated in any of Solihull MBC’s parks and open spaces and the police have been informed."


birminghammail--2020-08-14--Old Walsall housing office set to make way for new homes

Offices that once belonged to a housing association on a Walsall estate are set to be demolished - to make way for new homes .
Taylor French Developments and Keystone Developments are looking to build 12 affordable houses on the Beechdale Community Housing Association building on Stephenson Avenue .
The premises have been vacant since the association relocated and are currently boarded up .
But , if these plans are given the thumbs up by Walsall Council 's planning committee on Thursday , this would be replaced by a dozen new two-bedroom properties .
In their application , the developers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing in the area .
Agents RG & P said : `` It is concluded that the development could deliver 12 residential dwellings and 15 car parking spaces .
`` The proposal will consist of two bed dwellings and will be grant funded , providing much needed places to live to people who need it .
`` Careful consideration has been made to the design to positively enhance both the site and its surroundings , with detailing designed to a high standard .
`` The massing of the proposed scheme is appropriate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report to the planning committee said : `` The principle of residential development and the design are considered acceptable .
`` The proposed residential development would not unduly harm the amenities of the neighbouring residential and commercial occupiers .
The parking and access arrangement are considered acceptable .
`` Taking into account the above factors it is considered that the application should be recommended for approval . ''
Members of the committee are recommended to grant permissions subject to a number of conditions .

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Offices that once belonged to a housing association on a Walsall estate are set to be demolished - to make way for new homes.
Taylor French Developments and Keystone Developments are looking to build 12 affordable houses on the Beechdale Community Housing Association building on Stephenson Avenue.
The premises have been vacant since the association relocated and are currently boarded up.
But, if these plans are given the thumbs up by Walsall Council's planning committee on Thursday, this would be replaced by a dozen new two-bedroom properties.
In their application, the developers said the proposal would help provide much-needed housing in the area.
Agents RG&P said: "It is concluded that the development could deliver 12 residential dwellings and 15 car parking spaces.
"The proposal will consist of two bed dwellings and will be grant funded, providing much needed places to live to people who need it.
"Careful consideration has been made to the design to positively enhance both the site and its surroundings, with detailing designed to a high standard.
"The massing of the proposed scheme is appropriate to the existing surrounding buildings."
A report to the planning committee said: "The principle of residential development and the design are considered acceptable.
"The proposed residential development would not unduly harm the amenities of the neighbouring residential and commercial occupiers. The parking and access arrangement are considered acceptable.
"Taking into account the above factors it is considered that the application should be recommended for approval."
Members of the committee are recommended to grant permissions subject to a number of conditions.


birminghammail--2020-08-14--Travel rules for France, Malta, Netherlands - what it means for your holiday

The Government 's announcement to extend its travel ban to France and several other countries has left many Brits shocked and confused over holiday plans .
But what does it actually mean ?
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says only essential travel is permitted to France , The Netherlands , Monaco , Malta , Turks & Caicos and the island of Aruba .
Brits who are already on holiday in those places will have to isolate for two weeks if they return to the UK after 4am on Saturday , August 15 .
It applies to people returning to England , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision to add France to the quarantine list was made in response to the spread of the virus , with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France , compared with 18.5 in the UK .
Mr Shapps said the countries were placed in the quarantine list to keep Covid-19 infection rates down in the UK .
The Association of British Insurers ( ABI ) said travel insurance will remain valid for people who are already in the quarantined countries until they return home .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries after the FCO advice has changed would `` likely '' find their insurance invalid , the ABI said .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab previously said no worker following quarantine guidance should be penalised by employers , including by being put onto sick pay .
He said that if someone is following the law in relation to quarantine and self-isolating , `` they ca n't have penalties taken against them '' .
What if your flight is cancelled ?
Emma Coulthurst , travel commentator from holiday price comparison site , TravelSupermarket , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) or ferry is cancelled as a result of this latest announcement , you are legally entitled to your money back within seven days .
If it 's not cancelled , you could change it to a different future date , when you can hope the rules will have changed ( see below for more info on this ) .
For anyone with a train , plane or ferry ticket to one of these countries , most travel providers are being flexible this summer and not charging fees if your plans need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to pay fees closer to the date of departure .
For Eurostar and easyJet you can change your booking up to a fortnight before departure date , without any fees ; for Ryanair , you can make changes up to a week before , without any fees .
As fares have been low this summer , it might not be worth changing the date if you have two weeks or less before you had been planning to travel , because of the fees and fare differences you may have to pay .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ £50 return for a flight but now be facing £90 change fees to change it a new flight which costs more - and that means you would also need to pay the fare difference .
So people are likely to give up and end up losing their money , Emma says .
Package holidays provide much greater consumer protection than booking your holiday elements separately , says Emma .
She explained : `` Consumers with package holidays booked to any of the affected destinations ( most likely to be to Malta rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear from their travel provider and the options will be to rebook to a different date ( ask about incentives to do that ) or you are entitled to cancel your package under the Package Travel Regulations and get your money back .
`` Many travel agents are struggling to pay back the money under the 14 day requirement since the rules were not set up for a pandemic such as this and many say that they are not getting the money back from the airlines quickly .
`` If your provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know when it expects to pay you back by , my advice would be to bear with them if you can .
If you are currently abroad on a package holiday , presume that your return flight is going ahead as scheduled unless you hear otherwise from the holiday provider . ''
What travel experts say should be done instead Emma said : `` These blunt changes by the UK Government to travel rules are having a devastating impact on holidaymakers and the outbound and inbound travel industry in the UK .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test some days later would enable people to get back to work quicker .
Testing is what other countries such as Germany are doing successfully .
`` Also , a more regional approach to countries where there have been outbreaks , rather than a blanket 'only essential travel ' approach and quarantine requirement would help balance health risks but also enable people to travel to those areas where there are n't outbreaks . ''
What effect is this having on holiday deals ?
She added : `` On the back of this announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift in demand for Turkey , Greece and Italy .
`` The pay-off of lowering consumer demand is great value holiday prices .
Package holiday prices to Turkey and to Greece have fallen around 28 per cent on average in the last couple of weeks , on the back of consumer uncertainty following the rule changes to Spain and to Italy by as much as half .
`` It is resorts close to Dalaman , Antalya , Bodrum and to Crete and Corfu and Rhodes and to Rome , which are the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turkey is also popular due to the plummeting lira and how far your money stretches there at the moment .
`` We 've also seen that people are searching for much more imminent departures than they normally would .
Looking at 1st to 12th August 2020 vs 2019 searches , we ’ ve seen a 9 % uplift year on year in people searching for holidays departing during this month .
`` Conversely , less people are searching during this period for departures in October , than they did during the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still seeing people looking and booking for next year ; there are good prices in the market for next summer and people are banking on things changing and booking something to look forward to . ''
Top tips if you 're planning a holiday in the next few weeks Emma has this advice if you are looking to go away in the next few weeks : • Look at coronavirus rates for the country which you are thinking of visiting – worldometer is a good site .
• Check and double check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are looking to travel to .
Don ’ t rely on the Government exemption lists .
• Book a package .
Although some providers have been struggling to pay back refunds in time , things are getting better .
With a package , you know that you cancel if FCO advice changes to essential travel only .
If you have a package already booked and are concerned about rules changing while you are away e.g .
a quarantine requirement which would n't be possible with your job , speak to the provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday to a future date when things may hopefully be very different .
• Speak to your employer in advance about what would happen if the UK was to change its advice for the country which you are going to .
Know that you can work from home if you end up having to quarantine , for example • Take your free EHIC card to Europe ( make sure it is up to date ) – you can use it up to December 31 .
• Get good travel insurance in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you contract coronavirus whilst abroad .
• Be aware of terms and conditions for the company you are signing up to .
If you change your mind , can you get your money back ?
Can you switch to a different date ?
Do you have to switch by a certain time , to ensure that you don ’ t have to incur fees ?
Be happy with what they are suggesting .

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The Government's announcement to extend its travel ban to France and several other countries has left many Brits shocked and confused over holiday plans.
But what does it actually mean?
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says only essential travel is permitted to France, The Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and the island of Aruba.
Brits who are already on holiday in those places will have to isolate for two weeks if they return to the UK after 4am on Saturday, August 15.
It applies to people returning to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
(Image: PA)
The decision to add France to the quarantine list was made in response to the spread of the virus, with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.
Mr Shapps said the countries were placed in the quarantine list to keep Covid-19 infection rates down in the UK.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said travel insurance will remain valid for people who are already in the quarantined countries until they return home.
However, those who travel to the listed countries after the FCO advice has changed would "likely" find their insurance invalid, the ABI said.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab previously said no worker following quarantine guidance should be penalised by employers, including by being put onto sick pay.
He said that if someone is following the law in relation to quarantine and self-isolating, "they can't have penalties taken against them".
What if your flight is cancelled?
Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator from holiday price comparison site, TravelSupermarket, says if a flight, train (Eurostar) or ferry is cancelled as a result of this latest announcement, you are legally entitled to your money back within seven days.
If it's not cancelled, you could change it to a different future date, when you can hope the rules will have changed (see below for more info on this).
For anyone with a train, plane or ferry ticket to one of these countries, most travel providers are being flexible this summer and not charging fees if your plans need to change.
However, many providers require you to pay fees closer to the date of departure. For Eurostar and easyJet you can change your booking up to a fortnight before departure date, without any fees; for Ryanair, you can make changes up to a week before, without any fees.
As fares have been low this summer, it might not be worth changing the date if you have two weeks or less before you had been planning to travel, because of the fees and fare differences you may have to pay.
For instance, you could have paid £50 return for a flight but now be facing £90 change fees to change it a new flight which costs more - and that means you would also need to pay the fare difference.
So people are likely to give up and end up losing their money, Emma says.
What about package holidays?
Package holidays provide much greater consumer protection than booking your holiday elements separately, says Emma.
She explained: "Consumers with package holidays booked to any of the affected destinations (most likely to be to Malta rather than France or the Netherlands) should expect to hear from their travel provider and the options will be to rebook to a different date (ask about incentives to do that) or you are entitled to cancel your package under the Package Travel Regulations and get your money back.
"Many travel agents are struggling to pay back the money under the 14 day requirement since the rules were not set up for a pandemic such as this and many say that they are not getting the money back from the airlines quickly.
"If your provider is communicating with you and letting you know when it expects to pay you back by, my advice would be to bear with them if you can. If you are currently abroad on a package holiday, presume that your return flight is going ahead as scheduled unless you hear otherwise from the holiday provider."
What travel experts say should be done instead
Emma said: "These blunt changes by the UK Government to travel rules are having a devastating impact on holidaymakers and the outbound and inbound travel industry in the UK.
"Testing on return and a further negative test some days later would enable people to get back to work quicker. Testing is what other countries such as Germany are doing successfully.
"Also, a more regional approach to countries where there have been outbreaks, rather than a blanket 'only essential travel' approach and quarantine requirement would help balance health risks but also enable people to travel to those areas where there aren't outbreaks."
What effect is this having on holiday deals?
She added: "On the back of this announcement, we expect to see a further shift in demand for Turkey, Greece and Italy.
"The pay-off of lowering consumer demand is great value holiday prices. Package holiday prices to Turkey and to Greece have fallen around 28 per cent on average in the last couple of weeks, on the back of consumer uncertainty following the rule changes to Spain and to Italy by as much as half.
"It is resorts close to Dalaman, Antalya, Bodrum and to Crete and Corfu and Rhodes and to Rome, which are the most searched for in the last few days. Turkey is also popular due to the plummeting lira and how far your money stretches there at the moment.
"We've also seen that people are searching for much more imminent departures than they normally would. Looking at 1st to 12th August 2020 vs 2019 searches, we’ve seen a 9% uplift year on year in people searching for holidays departing during this month.
"Conversely, less people are searching during this period for departures in October, than they did during the same period last year. However, we are still seeing people looking and booking for next year; there are good prices in the market for next summer and people are banking on things changing and booking something to look forward to."
Top tips if you're planning a holiday in the next few weeks
Emma has this advice if you are looking to go away in the next few weeks:


birminghammail--2020-08-15--Police break up huge BBQ party complete with sound system

Police swooped on two huge gatherings within half an hour as huge crowds gathered for illegal parties - despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Officers were first called to break up a crowd of over 100 people as they prepared an 'unlicensed music event ' in Erdington at around 7pm on Friday night ( August 14 ) .
Cops ordered a Section 63 ( 1a ) at the suburb 's leisure centre under a rare Section 63 ( 1a ) which gives police the power to remove people attending or preparing for a rave .
Powers to remove persons attending or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This section also applies to a gathering if— ( a ) it is a gathering on land of 20 or more persons who are trespassing on the land ; and ( b ) it would be a gathering of a kind mentioned in subsection ( 1 ) above if it took place on land in the open air . ]
Superintendent Jack Hadley shared the news to Twitter , writing : `` Our Op .
Reliant officers are currently on route to a gathering of over 100 people preparing an unlicensed music event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tolerated tonight ... .we are in the middle of a pandemic !
# OpReliant '' '' A direction to leave the land at the leisure centre in Erdington under Section 63 ( 1a ) Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994 has been issued ... .not sure when this was last used in the @ WMPolice area !
Within 30 minutes , officers were dispersing a separate barbecue - complete with a sound system and attended by over 150 people - in Sutton Coldfield .
At around 7.30pm , police were said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current Covid-19 restrictions and break up the gathering .
He later added : `` Officers are now with another group of 150 people with a BBQ and sound system in Sutton .
We are speaking to the organiser to engage and explain the issues .
`` This gathering will be broken up very soon ! ''
News of the large BBQ came after police revealed they had targeted an illegal rave - planned for 5pm on Friday - with a dispersal order .
The unlawful gathering was set to be held at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but West Midlands Police had been granted their second dispersal order in a week to prevent it happening .

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Police swooped on two huge gatherings within half an hour as huge crowds gathered for illegal parties - despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Officers were first called to break up a crowd of over 100 people as they prepared an 'unlicensed music event' off Clifton Road, Erdington at around 7pm on Friday night (August 14).
Cops ordered a Section 63(1a) at the suburb's leisure centre under a rare Section 63(1a) which gives police the power to remove people attending or preparing for a rave.
What is a Section 63 (1a)? Powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave. 1A) This section also applies to a gathering if— (a)it is a gathering on land of 20 or more persons who are trespassing on the land; and (b)it would be a gathering of a kind mentioned in subsection (1) above if it took place on land in the open air.]
Superintendent Jack Hadley shared the news to Twitter, writing: "Our Op. Reliant officers are currently on route to a gathering of over 100 people preparing an unlicensed music event in Erdington.
"This will not be tolerated tonight....we are in the middle of a pandemic! #OpReliant"
"A direction to leave the land at the leisure centre in Erdington under Section 63 (1a) Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994 has been issued....not sure when this was last used in the @WMPolice area!
Within 30 minutes, officers were dispersing a separate barbecue - complete with a sound system and attended by over 150 people - in Sutton Coldfield.
At around 7.30pm, police were said to be speaking with the organiser to stress the current Covid-19 restrictions and break up the gathering.
He later added: "Officers are now with another group of 150 people with a BBQ and sound system in Sutton. We are speaking to the organiser to engage and explain the issues.
"This gathering will be broken up very soon!"


birminghammail--2020-08-15--Jet2 to axe more than 100 pilot jobs in 'latest kick in teeth'

A budget airline has announced it will axe more than 100 pilot jobs as quarantine rules continue to throw post-lockdown travel plans into chaos .
Jet2 , which has a base in Birmingham , will make 102 pilots redundant across most of its airports , according to the British Airline Pilots Association ( BALPA ) .
The union representing the airline 's pilots says it has put forward a number of options to save the jobs - but claims they have each been turned down .
The redundancies were branded a 'particular kick in the teeth ' for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it went into administration last year .
Brian Strutton , BALPA General Secretary , said : `` This announcement is yet another which shows the desperate state of the British aviation sector .
`` Despite enormous efforts to work with Jet2 to find ways of saving these jobs the airline is insisting on 102 redundancies .
“ This will be a particular kick in the teeth as many of those who may lose their jobs have recently joined the airline after having been dismissed from Thomas Cook which went into administration last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot members in Jet2 and every other airline where they are facing the threat of losing their jobs . ''
The union called on the Government to help support the airline industry as the quarantine rules continue to fluctuate .
It added : `` The Government has a significant role to play in supporting the vital British aviation industry .
Its quarantine changes keep throwing every restart plan into chaos. ''
If these quarantines are really needed the Government must stump up the support to help the airline industry which is doing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps being knocked back at every juncture .
”

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A budget airline has announced it will axe more than 100 pilot jobs as quarantine rules continue to throw post-lockdown travel plans into chaos.
Jet2, which has a base in Birmingham, will make 102 pilots redundant across most of its airports, according to the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA).
The union representing the airline's pilots says it has put forward a number of options to save the jobs - but claims they have each been turned down.
The redundancies were branded a 'particular kick in the teeth' for those who were recently hired from Thomas Cook after it went into administration last year.
Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said: " This announcement is yet another which shows the desperate state of the British aviation sector.
"Despite enormous efforts to work with Jet2 to find ways of saving these jobs the airline is insisting on 102 redundancies.
“This will be a particular kick in the teeth as many of those who may lose their jobs have recently joined the airline after having been dismissed from Thomas Cook which went into administration last year.
“BALPA will be supporting our pilot members in Jet2 and every other airline where they are facing the threat of losing their jobs."
(Image: Birmingham Mail/Darren Quinton)
The union called on the Government to help support the airline industry as the quarantine rules continue to fluctuate.
It added: "The Government has a significant role to play in supporting the vital British aviation industry. Its quarantine changes keep throwing every restart plan into chaos.
" If these quarantines are really needed the Government must stump up the support to help the airline industry which is doing its best to get back on track but keeps being knocked back at every juncture.”
Responding to the job cuts, a spokesperson for Jet2 said: "We are greatly distressed and deeply regret these redundancies that are entirely caused by the current situation."


birminghammail--2020-08-15--Young guns & Aston Villa's top crop - Dean Smith's squad assessed

Aston Villa head back to their plush Bodymoor Heath training base from next week after a much-needed three-week break .
Dean Smith granted his squad an extended rest after a gruelling Project Restart which saw Villa play 10 games crammed into almost six weeks .
In the end , Villa climbed back off the canvas to survive by a single point after another late rally saw them leap up and over the dreaded drop-zone .
With the first-team squad and young guns set for a return , we assess the current squad and put each player within a specific group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngsters that will be involved to players heading for the exit door , while we 've also ranked Villa 's elite crop of stars .
Villa will have just under four weeks of preparation ahead of the big Premier League return on Saturday , September 12 .
The all-important fixtures , remember , are out next week ( August 21 ) .
So , without further ado , here 's the group of players that Smith will have at his disposal from next week while , in the background between sessions , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exec Christian Purslow and newly-appointed sporting director Johan Lange to bring in new recruits .
Jack Grealish , above - Villa 's star player has been out in Greece , but that has n't stopped him running up steep hills in Mykonos building on his fitness once again .
The skipper looks set to stay now after helping his club survive , with long-term admirers Manchester United unwilling to meet Villa 's £80 million asking price .
The 24-year-old will want to take his Premier League goals tally to double figures next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last term .
The European Championships in 2021 will be another carrot , too .
Tyrone Mings - Mings has enjoyed some time off in Barbados and will head back to training on Monday .
The centre-back really came into his own last season and , throughout the Restart , was a leading voice to help Villa cement their top-flight status .
A hugely influential figure at Bodymoor and amongst the group .
Mings had a fantastic first full season in the Premier League last term .
John McGinn - The Scot holidayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ibiza for a few days following Villa 's 1-1 draw at West Ham on the final day .
This upcoming campaign is huge for McGinn who 'll look to shake off fitness and injury concerns and hit it off just like he did last season when he started with 10 goals from 20 games for club and country .
Again , like the two men listed above , he 's one of the main men around the first-team group .
Douglas Luiz , above - The Brazilian ended up becoming Villa 's best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa have since paid Man City an extra £1 million after Douglas helped keep Villa in the Prem .
City , of course , are yet to trigger their £25 million buy-back option which expires next summer .
As for the 22-year-old , Douglas will be a key cog for Villa once more and will be among the first names on the team sheet for the Premier League opener next month .
Tom Heaton - The 34-year-old is still sidelined as he recovers from his ACL tear almost eight months back at Burnley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient regarding Heaton 's return .
Smith , though , is n't in the market for a keeper despite losing Pepe Reina who headed back to Milan .
Heaton is firmly No.1 but Smith will be reluctant to rush him back .
The England man will be assessed next week and an update should be given in due course .
Ezri Konsa , below - Again , another one of Villa 's late bloomers like Douglas as Ezri Konsa drew rave reviews for a string of spirited displays at the heart of Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big things are expected of the young centre-back for this upcoming campaign .
A potential England call-up ?
Who knows .
Matt Targett - The £14 million left-back had a topsy-turvy first year at Villa but he ended the season well .
Targett has a great understanding with Grealish , as everyone knows , and Smith will be hoping the left-back can step it up a gear for the season ahead .
Frederic Guilbert - Again , like Targett , Guilbert was brilliant one week and disappointing the next .
The Frenchman will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-back .
Wesley - Patience will be needed with Villa 's record recruit .
The Brazilian striker is back in Birmingham and enjoyed celebrating Villa 's survival with his teammates at the Belfry three weeks ago .
A realistic return date could be October onwards , with Smith already prepared to spend big on top transfer target Ollie Watkins .
Conor Hourihane , above - The Irishman came into his own throughout the Restart and he 'll be hoping to keep performances high for 20/21 .
The midfielder was in and out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term but he 'll be ready once more when training resumes next week .
One of Villa 's best trainers .
Ahmed Elmohamady - The Egyptian enjoyed a bit of a renaissance last month , too , but pulled up with a hamstring injury during the opening stages of the fixture with Arsenal at Villa Park .
Elmo has a year left on his Villa contract but is expected to stick around .
Neil Taylor - Tayls is a senior figure within Smith 's group and is often used as a sounding board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grasp the mood within the player camp .
Like Elmo , Taylor has less than a year left to run on his deal .
Again , though , the 31-year-old is expected to see out his contract .
Bjorn Engels - The big defender has been working really hard back in Belgium and will be fully fit again after a problem with his Achilles .
The 25-year-old faces stiff competition for a shirt with Konsa this year - and that 's healthy competition .
Mbwana Samatta - Smith is n't prepared to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just yet .
Mbwana Samatta has been largely anonymous ever since signing back in January and has only managed one goal since joining .
Samatta really needs to prove himself - in training and warm-up games - over the course of the next four weeks .
Keinan Davis - The 22-year-old shared the striker burden with Samatta for the Restart after penning a one-year extension which sees his contract run until June 2021 .
It remains to be seen now if Villa will welcome any bids from Championship clubs in a bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Due to circumstance - Wesley 's injury and a lack of strikers at present - Davis could stick around , though , and fight for his spot .
Trezeguet , below - The winger could well have bee heading for the exit door if he had n't have come on strong late on to help keep Villa affloat .
It was a testing first spell in the Premier League for Trezeguet but , in the end , he ousted Anwar El Ghazi for a starting shirt over on Villa 's right-hand side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll kick on to become the player Smith hoped for .
Anwar El Ghazi - The Dutchman did n't really live up to the standard he set the previous year after making his Villa move permanent .
He 's got so much to prove in the year ahead now , with Smith poised to spend big on wingers with Said Benrahma and Milot Rashica linked .
El Ghazi must be a lot better for 20/21 .
Indiana Vassilev - The versatile American signed a two-year contract extension back in May and it 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be used for the forthcoming campaign .
Still only 19 , the attacker could be a bit of a secret weapon given he 's left footed .
All eyes will be on 'Indy ' throughout the pre-season fixtures .
Marvelous Nakamba - Another recruit from last summer with something to prove for the year ahead .
The £11 million signing lost his place to Douglas Luiz last term and , given the Brazilian 's form , it 'll be difficult to edge him out .
Nakamba 's a handy player to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midfielder who can help see a game out .
Kortney Hause - Sustained a groin injury prior to facing off against Palace which , in truth , turned out to be a little bit of a blessing as Konsa was restored to centre-back .
Hause will be on the fringes once again for the season ahead as he 'll play second-fiddle to Mings .
A squad player .
Jed Steer , above - The signed a three-year deal last summer while , in the November , sustained a nasty Achilles injury which kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is back now and will be pushing to reclaim a starting shirt .
Should feature heavily in pre-season .
Orjan Nyland - With Reina back to Milan , Orjan Nyland will fancy his chances at being Villa 's No.1 choice once again .
Smith , though , saw Nyland as a risk after a couple of errors in the Restart and you get the feeling the boss is n't totally sold on the Norwegian .
He has less than 12 months left to run .
Could he depart ?
You could definitely see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get another keeper in .
Jota , above - Rarely featured at all last season and has n't really kicked up a fuss .
Appears to be happy just to be at a Premier League club and is firmly settled in Birmingham after three years in the Second City now .
Jota lit up last pre-season if you remember but he 's 29 now and his contract is up next summer .
Villa will , you feel , look to offload the Spaniard after he failed to make an impact .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ca n't see him staying .
Henri Lansbury - Another player who did n't do anything last year .
The central midfielder is on inflated wages after a promotion bonus which is a stumbling block for Championship clubs .
Lansbury is well-liked amongst the camp , though , and he could well sit on his deal ahead of teeing up a free move next summer .
You probably see Lansbury staying , in truth .
James Bree - The right-back helped Luton over the survival line in the Championship and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a permanent in the coming weeks .
Scott Hogan , above - The forward has been sent back from Birmingham with Blues not interested in making Hogan 's move permanent .
Bournemouth have been linked with Villa 's £9 million flop .
He 'll head back to the Championship Lovre Kalinic - Smith 's first-ever signing was loaned out to Toulouse in January after sitting around for the previous five months .
The 30-year-old returned back to training this week back in his homeland in Croatia while he is due to check-in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cutler next week for talks over his future .
Tyreik Wright - The Irish winger , 18 , was heavily involved in first-team sessions last term before picking up an injury .
Smith namechecked Wright when asked about the youngsters previously .
Jaden Philogene-Bidace - The Londoner has extended his Villa stay which is great news for academy chief Mark Harrison .
Again , JPB was involved in first-team sessions and is highly-regarded at Villa .
He 'll be pushing to make an impact in pre-season .
Kaine Kesler , below - The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squad for the trip to Everton remember and , this season , he 'll be in reserve once more should the likes of Guilbert and Elmohamady pick up injuries .
Mungo Bridge - A left-footed centre-back with everything in his locker , Mungo Bridge is well-liked by Smith and will link up with the first-team once more .
Bridge , 19 , needs a growth-spurt , though .
It 's always tough for teenage defenders to make an impact at senior level .
We 're yet to hear if Bridge has been offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until next summer .
Cameron Archer - Another quick academy player who 's signed a pro deal .
Archer made his debut at Crewe at this stage last year .
Smith will look at the Walsall youngster in pre-season .
Jacob Ramsey , below - Back from his loan spell at Doncaster , a period he absolutely loved as he made the step up to men 's football .
There 's talk in the Ramsey camp that the 19-year-old from Pheasey favours another loan move away , this time for a full season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea at all .
Ramsey , meanwhile , signed a long-term contract extension in January with Smith - who chucked him in against Albion in the Championship - a huge fan .
Aaron Ramsey - Ramsey 's younger brother Aaron excelled in a number of first-team sessions .
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder will look to kick on in the under-23s next year .
Louie Barry - The boy signed from Barcelona , Louie Barry enjoyed testing himself alongside Grealish & Co in sessions at Bodymoor for the run-in .
The 17-year-old is due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will link up with Smith next week .
Fans should fully expect Barry to feature in pre-season .
Carney Chukwuemeka - 'The best 16-year-old in England ' will be a tag that will probably never leave him after Purslow 's glowing endorsement .
Chukwuemeka will be knocking on the first-team door in the years to come should he continue his scary development .
The No.8 does n't turn 17 until January .
Viljami Sinisalo - The 18-year-old Finnish keeper is seen as Aston Villa 's future No.1 and will return to push the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from next week .
There 's real hype surrounding Sinisalo .

Aston Villa head back to their plush Bodymoor Heath training base from next week after a much-needed three-week break.
Dean Smith granted his squad an extended rest after a gruelling Project Restart which saw Villa play 10 games crammed into almost six weeks.
In the end, Villa climbed back off the canvas to survive by a single point after another late rally saw them leap up and over the dreaded drop-zone.
With the first-team squad and young guns set for a return, we assess the current squad and put each player within a specific group.
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The categories stem from the academy youngsters that will be involved to players heading for the exit door, while we've also ranked Villa's elite crop of stars.
Villa will have just under four weeks of preparation ahead of the big Premier League return on Saturday, September 12. The all-important fixtures, remember, are out next week (August 21).
So, without further ado, here's the group of players that Smith will have at his disposal from next week while, in the background between sessions, he'll be beavering away working alongside chief exec Christian Purslow and newly-appointed sporting director Johan Lange to bring in new recruits.
The top crop
Jack Grealish, above - Villa's star player has been out in Greece, but that hasn't stopped him running up steep hills in Mykonos building on his fitness once again. The skipper looks set to stay now after helping his club survive, with long-term admirers Manchester United unwilling to meet Villa's £80 million asking price. The 24-year-old will want to take his Premier League goals tally to double figures next year to improve on the eight he scored last term. The European Championships in 2021 will be another carrot, too.
Tyrone Mings - Mings has enjoyed some time off in Barbados and will head back to training on Monday. The centre-back really came into his own last season and, throughout the Restart, was a leading voice to help Villa cement their top-flight status. A hugely influential figure at Bodymoor and amongst the group. Mings had a fantastic first full season in the Premier League last term.
John McGinn - The Scot holidayed with his best pal Grealish out in Ibiza for a few days following Villa's 1-1 draw at West Ham on the final day. This upcoming campaign is huge for McGinn who'll look to shake off fitness and injury concerns and hit it off just like he did last season when he started with 10 goals from 20 games for club and country. Again, like the two men listed above, he's one of the main men around the first-team group.
Douglas Luiz, above - The Brazilian ended up becoming Villa's best player for last season's run-in. Villa have since paid Man City an extra £1 million after Douglas helped keep Villa in the Prem. City, of course, are yet to trigger their £25 million buy-back option which expires next summer. As for the 22-year-old, Douglas will be a key cog for Villa once more and will be among the first names on the team sheet for the Premier League opener next month.
Tom Heaton - The 34-year-old is still sidelined as he recovers from his ACL tear almost eight months back at Burnley. Villa supporters will have to be patient regarding Heaton's return. Smith, though, isn't in the market for a keeper despite losing Pepe Reina who headed back to Milan. Heaton is firmly No.1 but Smith will be reluctant to rush him back. The England man will be assessed next week and an update should be given in due course.
Ezri Konsa, below - Again, another one of Villa's late bloomers like Douglas as Ezri Konsa drew rave reviews for a string of spirited displays at the heart of Villa's defence alongside Mings. Big, big things are expected of the young centre-back for this upcoming campaign. A potential England call-up? Who knows.
Matt Targett - The £14 million left-back had a topsy-turvy first year at Villa but he ended the season well. Targett has a great understanding with Grealish, as everyone knows, and Smith will be hoping the left-back can step it up a gear for the season ahead.
Frederic Guilbert - Again, like Targett, Guilbert was brilliant one week and disappointing the next. The Frenchman will begin next season as Villa's first-choice right-back.
Wesley - Patience will be needed with Villa's record recruit. The Brazilian striker is back in Birmingham and enjoyed celebrating Villa's survival with his teammates at the Belfry three weeks ago. A realistic return date could be October onwards, with Smith already prepared to spend big on top transfer target Ollie Watkins.
The reliable crew
Conor Hourihane, above - The Irishman came into his own throughout the Restart and he'll be hoping to keep performances high for 20/21. The midfielder was in and out of the starting XI far too often last term but he'll be ready once more when training resumes next week. One of Villa's best trainers.
Ahmed Elmohamady - The Egyptian enjoyed a bit of a renaissance last month, too, but pulled up with a hamstring injury during the opening stages of the fixture with Arsenal at Villa Park. Elmo has a year left on his Villa contract but is expected to stick around.
Neil Taylor - Tayls is a senior figure within Smith's group and is often used as a sounding board for the head coach who looks to grasp the mood within the player camp. Like Elmo, Taylor has less than a year left to run on his deal. Again, though, the 31-year-old is expected to see out his contract.
Bjorn Engels - The big defender has been working really hard back in Belgium and will be fully fit again after a problem with his Achilles. The 25-year-old faces stiff competition for a shirt with Konsa this year - and that's healthy competition.
Mbwana Samatta - Smith isn't prepared to give up on the £8.5 million January signing just yet. Mbwana Samatta has been largely anonymous ever since signing back in January and has only managed one goal since joining. Samatta really needs to prove himself - in training and warm-up games - over the course of the next four weeks.
Keinan Davis - The 22-year-old shared the striker burden with Samatta for the Restart after penning a one-year extension which sees his contract run until June 2021. It remains to be seen now if Villa will welcome any bids from Championship clubs in a bid to make a tidy profit on the youngster. Due to circumstance - Wesley's injury and a lack of strikers at present - Davis could stick around, though, and fight for his spot.
Trezeguet, below - The winger could well have bee heading for the exit door if he hadn't have come on strong late on to help keep Villa affloat. It was a testing first spell in the Premier League for Trezeguet but, in the end, he ousted Anwar El Ghazi for a starting shirt over on Villa's right-hand side. We'll now see if he'll kick on to become the player Smith hoped for.
Anwar El Ghazi - The Dutchman didn't really live up to the standard he set the previous year after making his Villa move permanent. He's got so much to prove in the year ahead now, with Smith poised to spend big on wingers with Said Benrahma and Milot Rashica linked. El Ghazi must be a lot better for 20/21.
Indiana Vassilev - The versatile American signed a two-year contract extension back in May and it'll be intriguing to see how much Vassilev will be used for the forthcoming campaign. Still only 19, the attacker could be a bit of a secret weapon given he's left footed. All eyes will be on 'Indy' throughout the pre-season fixtures.
Marvelous Nakamba - Another recruit from last summer with something to prove for the year ahead. The £11 million signing lost his place to Douglas Luiz last term and, given the Brazilian's form, it'll be difficult to edge him out. Nakamba's a handy player to have in anyone's squad though - a midfielder who can help see a game out.
Kortney Hause - Sustained a groin injury prior to facing off against Palace which, in truth, turned out to be a little bit of a blessing as Konsa was restored to centre-back. Hause will be on the fringes once again for the season ahead as he'll play second-fiddle to Mings. A squad player.
Jed Steer, above - The signed a three-year deal last summer while, in the November, sustained a nasty Achilles injury which kept him out all season. The 27-year-old is back now and will be pushing to reclaim a starting shirt. Should feature heavily in pre-season.
Orjan Nyland - With Reina back to Milan, Orjan Nyland will fancy his chances at being Villa's No.1 choice once again. Smith, though, saw Nyland as a risk after a couple of errors in the Restart and you get the feeling the boss isn't totally sold on the Norwegian. He has less than 12 months left to run. Could he depart? You could definitely see it happen, but only if Smith can get another keeper in.
The forgotten five
Jota, above - Rarely featured at all last season and hasn't really kicked up a fuss. Appears to be happy just to be at a Premier League club and is firmly settled in Birmingham after three years in the Second City now. Jota lit up last pre-season if you remember but he's 29 now and his contract is up next summer. Villa will, you feel, look to offload the Spaniard after he failed to make an impact. We'll see with this one, but you can't see him staying.
Henri Lansbury - Another player who didn't do anything last year. The central midfielder is on inflated wages after a promotion bonus which is a stumbling block for Championship clubs. Lansbury is well-liked amongst the camp, though, and he could well sit on his deal ahead of teeing up a free move next summer. You probably see Lansbury staying, in truth.
James Bree - The right-back helped Luton over the survival line in the Championship and it's expected Bree will join The Hatters on a permanent in the coming weeks.
Scott Hogan, above - The forward has been sent back from Birmingham with Blues not interested in making Hogan's move permanent. Bournemouth have been linked with Villa's £9 million flop. He'll head back to the Championship
Lovre Kalinic - Smith's first-ever signing was loaned out to Toulouse in January after sitting around for the previous five months. The 30-year-old returned back to training this week back in his homeland in Croatia while he is due to check-in to see Smith and head of goalkeeping Neil Cutler next week for talks over his future.
The youngsters
Tyreik Wright - The Irish winger, 18, was heavily involved in first-team sessions last term before picking up an injury. Smith namechecked Wright when asked about the youngsters previously.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace - The Londoner has extended his Villa stay which is great news for academy chief Mark Harrison. Again, JPB was involved in first-team sessions and is highly-regarded at Villa. He'll be pushing to make an impact in pre-season.
Kaine Kesler, below - The fleet-footed right-back was amongst Smith's 20-man squad for the trip to Everton remember and, this season, he'll be in reserve once more should the likes of Guilbert and Elmohamady pick up injuries.
Mungo Bridge - A left-footed centre-back with everything in his locker, Mungo Bridge is well-liked by Smith and will link up with the first-team once more. Bridge, 19, needs a growth-spurt, though. It's always tough for teenage defenders to make an impact at senior level. We're yet to hear if Bridge has been offered a new deal with his contract running until next summer.
Cameron Archer - Another quick academy player who's signed a pro deal. Archer made his debut at Crewe at this stage last year. Smith will look at the Walsall youngster in pre-season.
Jacob Ramsey, below - Back from his loan spell at Doncaster, a period he absolutely loved as he made the step up to men's football. There's talk in the Ramsey camp that the 19-year-old from Pheasey favours another loan move away, this time for a full season. That wouldn't be a bad idea at all. Ramsey, meanwhile, signed a long-term contract extension in January with Smith - who chucked him in against Albion in the Championship - a huge fan.
Aaron Ramsey - Ramsey's younger brother Aaron excelled in a number of first-team sessions. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder will look to kick on in the under-23s next year.
Louie Barry - The boy signed from Barcelona, Louie Barry enjoyed testing himself alongside Grealish & Co in sessions at Bodymoor for the run-in. The 17-year-old is due back from his holidays in Marbella and will link up with Smith next week. Fans should fully expect Barry to feature in pre-season.
Carney Chukwuemeka - 'The best 16-year-old in England' will be a tag that will probably never leave him after Purslow's glowing endorsement. Chukwuemeka will be knocking on the first-team door in the years to come should he continue his scary development. The No.8 doesn't turn 17 until January.
Viljami Sinisalo - The 18-year-old Finnish keeper is seen as Aston Villa's future No.1 and will return to push the likes of Nyland and Steer in sessions from next week. There's real hype surrounding Sinisalo.