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It was a good day for Aston Villa as they beat Brighton 2-1 despite going behind.

Adam Webster had put the Seagulls 1-0 up after 21 minutes at Villa Park, but the Villans were boosted when Aaron Mooy was sent off just 14 minutes later. Jack Grealish then bagged the equaliser in added on time in the first half, and it looked as though Dean Smith and co would have to make do with a point.

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Fortunately for them, 24-year-old Matt Targett was on hand in the last minute of the game to score the winner and give his side all three points. It is now the newly-promoted side’s second successive victory, and they have now moved up to 11th in the table.

However, despite his match-winning moment, the Villa fans were not exactly pleased with his performance. They took to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

Sheffield Wednesday kept up their good early start under Garry Monk as they hammered Middlesbrough 4-1 on their own turf in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Owls have been excellent so far under the former Boro boss, with them winning two and drawing one and they certainly look play-off contenders at this point in the campaign.

Indeed, Monk has done well to keep things rather settled at the club, rather than rip things up as Jos Luhukay looked to do at times last season – which eventually cost him his job.

The former Swansea boss is doing a good job in these very early stages, then, and it seems as though the players are pretty happy with the way things are, too, given what some of them have said on social media since the full-time whistle.

Dominic Iorfa was one of those, too, and provided this take on the clash…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…Â

They say don’t fix what isn’t broken.

And whilst looking at the raw numbers might suggest that there is a problem, if you look deeper into the situation, you might just realise that he isn’t the problem that needs fixing.

Whilst it may seem that Mateusz Klich isn’t pulling his weight so far this year, with just the one assist and one goal so far in the league, it would be rather harsh to place all of the blame on him.

On the chalkboard

First, let’s take a look at the assists.

If you take a glance at the number of high-quality chances he has produced, he has clearly given his teammates fantastic opportunities to find the back of the net. That can then be followed up by the graphic below which shows just how much Leeds are wasting their chances.

This isn’t something that’s much of a secret amongst those who follow and report on Leeds on a regular basis, you can sort of put two and two together to work out that it isn’t really his fault that his assist numbers aren’t blowing people away so far this year.

However, there is one other concern and that’s his goal return, this is certainly something that you can put down to him.

This time last year he had already got four goals in the league, and whilst his numbers might have looked slightly better if he’d have converted his penalty against Derby County, the drop off should not be this bad.

It should really be a case of just presenting him with as many opportunities as he can to find the net and hope that as many of them go in as they can.

Marcelo Bielsa has spoken about how his side need ‘six chances to score’, so if Leeds put him in a more advanced position, perhaps as an attacking midfielder rather than a central one, he can still help create the chances for the rest of the team.

At the same time he can get in and around the box to get on the end of chances created by the rest of the team.

Klich has received criticism in recent times but it really isn’t all his fault. For now, maybe supporters should cut him slack.

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After four games of the season, Arsenal boss Unai Emery can be moderately pleased with his team’s work so far, although he will be well aware plenty of improvement can be made.

The Gunners won their first two fixtures, against Newcastle and Burnley, but then lost to Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield. That was followed by a thrilling 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in a pulsating north London derby.

Following the international break, the former Sevilla boss will be hoping his side can kick on as they stake their claim for a top-four finish, as well as hoping to be successful in the cup competitions.

In their next six games, they face Watford, Aston Villa and Manchester United in the Premier League, Eintracht Frankfurt and Standard Liege in the Europa League, and Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.

How do football vloggers afford to watch their team week in, week out? Find out in the video below…

Gunners supporters are confident, to say the least, and there is a strong consensus, at least from parts of their fanbase, that they can pick up six consecutive victories.

They have been responding to AFTV’s tweet asking for their thoughts on the run, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

Serge Atakayi had become a forgotten figure at Rangers but with his dramatic late winner for the Ibrox club’s colt team against Ballymena in the Challenge Cup he has returned to relative notoriety.

Born in Kinsasha in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Atakayi and his youth team claimed asylum in 2010 in Finland where he remained until Rangers signed him in 2016 from FC Jaro. He went on to represent his adopted homeland at both U18 and U19 levels and was called up by DR Congo’s Olympic squad earlier this year.

Atakayi plays most of his football on the wing but can play centrally too. His goal against Ballymena is typical of his style, making a run behind a defence before finishing a 1 v 1 situation.

Graeme Murty, who is head coach for the academy side, said afterwards: “Serge has got everything in terms of pace. He’s electric. Unfortunately for them it came from a little bit of an error, but Serge got himself through there and took the goal really, really well.”

Atakayi has already experienced first team football at Ibrox but was unfortunate to suffer an injury after coming on as a substitute in a 7-1 demolition of Motherwell. Once he recovered, he went on loan back to Finland for SJK Seinajoki and managed to bag one goal and one assist. His statistics weren’t great, but he did score a fabulous goal v HJK Helsinki.

Before his move, Atakayi confirmed he had spoken to his manager: “Rangers saw this as the best solution for me. Steven Gerrard has told me he thinks I can play for the first team next season.”

Perhaps his appearance against Ballymena is a positive sign of that next step soon coming, with Gerrard seemingly outlining a squad role for him this term. He clearly harbours hopes of that too, after launching a “let me play” plea on social media.

Hopefully he gets his wish because with his contract due to expire this summer, it’s an important year for the Rangers prospect.

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to laud Max Meyer, after the midfielder put in a stunning performance against Tottenham Hotspur in their FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday when the hosts ran out 2-0 winners to advance.

The Germany international, who is still struggling for consistent starts having arrived on a free transfer in the summer, excelled in a central midfield role against Spurs alongside Cheikhou Kouyate and Jeffrey Schlupp, as the south London outfit beat their neighbours from the capital relatively comfortably.

Meyer kept things nice and tidy whilst Kouyate did the dirty work defensively, and Schlupp ventured forward on frequent occasions.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

The 23-year-old has featured all over the place under Roy Hodgson so far this season, having been deployed on the left of midfield, in an attacking midfield role as well as a central midfield role, but if his showing against Mauricio Pochettino’s side is anything to go by, the latter is his best position.

Many Eagles supporters would agree with that statement if their reactions on Twitter are anything to go by…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Wolves’ next competitive fixture isn’t for over a week, but manager Nuno Santo is left with a particular dilemma that’ll remain until that very game passes.

Willy Boly was stupidly sent off in their defeat against Everton last weekend.

With the game only having seconds remaining, the 28-year-old shoved Richarlison off the pitch and duly received his second yellow of the match, meaning he will be a guaranteed absence in nine days.

The west Midlands club have leaked eight goals in their last four matches across both domestic and European competitions, meaning whoever does come in for Boly could certainly stake a claim on why he should be playing more regularly.

On the Chalkboard

Nuno has merely a few options.

The Portuguese boss has only utilised 17 different players in the Premier League this season, with nine of them playing some part in all four possible matches.

Boly is one of those, and his towering 6 foot 5 presence is going to be a monumental miss at the back as he is averaging 5.5 aerial duels won per match as well as the highest rating in the squad at 7.36, per WhoScored.

One option could be Romain Saiss, who has primarily been deployed as a defensive midfielder in the old gold shirt, but he’s just as adept at dropping into defence.

He’s been a regular in the Europa League, contributing to both clean sheets against Pyunik and his first Premier League start of the season garnered a goal against Everton – making his physical presence well known.

The other option may lie in a youngster – maybe Max Kilman. Nuno has been training him in the mould of club captain Conor Coady and his only appearance of the season saw him register a clean sheet. It still may be too soon for him, however.

Jesus Vallejo could become the most likely candidate, even though he is yet to feature in the league. The 6-foot defender played the full 90 minutes in three straight Europa League matches and should be ready to come in against Chelsea.

Following his debut at the club, his manager said:

“They were brilliant. We know the quality that Max and Jesus have – Jesus has come in from Real Madrid, and you know he’s a top, top player, but I think the way they fitted into the shape and the system was the most impressive thing.”

That’s as glowing a remark as you’ll get to suggest why the 22-year-old is ready to start against Chelsea.

Also, Adama Traore has been solid proof of why form outside of the Premier League can be trusted, so it’s about time they allowed his fellow countryman to show his worth.

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Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has avoided serious injury…

What’s the latest?

In an update relayed by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, it appears as if the central midfielder is in line to be available for the Yorkshiremen’s clash with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

“Good news from Forshaw on the hamstring front. Looks to have avoided a bad one,” the reliable journalist said on Twitter.

The 30-year-old star was withdrawn after just 22 minutes during Sunday’s impressive 3-2 victory over West Ham United, dealing manager Marcelo Bielsa his umpteenth injury blow of the season.

However, that does not appear to be the case, so the Argentine has just been handed a major boost heading into the weekend.

Significant boost for Bielsa

Indeed, Leeds have suffered from more than their fair share of injury problems throughout the 2021/22 season.

As many as 11 players were missing for their clash against Arsenal last month and their bench down at the London Stadium contained just one senior pro in Rodrigo, who was making his own return from injury.

The rest were some of the club’s most promising academy talent, including 15-year-old midfielder Archie Gray.

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Bielsa has already been missing Kalvin Phillips at the base of his engine room – a position that Forshaw has stepped up to deputise in with aplomb, and so much so that he’s been rewarded with a new one-year contract extension.

“I am still very much liking the effort levels from Forshaw, the amount of ground he’s able to cover. I don’t think in any way that the system worked for him or for anybody else against City or against Arsenal, but again, it’s pleasing to see that his body is holding up to this,” Hay claimed of Forshaw to his podcast last month.

In Phillips’ absence, the 5 foot 9 dynamo has excelled, averaging 2.3 tackles and one interception per outing, which is hugely impressive in terms of defensive output but it’s his 2.3 long balls per game, via WhoScored, that suggests he’s slotted in seamlessly.

As such, it will come as a significant boost to Bielsa that his injury isn’t as bad as first feared. If he’s available to face the Magpies, then the 66-year-old will surely be buzzing ahead of kickoff when the time comes to name his starting XI.

Forshaw is a crucial player to Leeds, more so now than ever.

AND in other news, Deal agreed: Leeds eye bargain swoop for £4.5m-rated “pitbull”…

Aston Villa will try to sign Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer, according to Ryan Taylor of The Express.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans were quick to flock to the update on social media.

Villa were credited with an interest in Bissouma earlier this month and even reportedly had a £25m bid turned down.

It now seems as if Juventus’ Rodrigo Bentancur is the club’s main midfield target, but Bissouma is still on Johan Lange and Steven Gerrard’s radar.

According to Taylor, Villa are expected to go back in for Bissouma in the summer, when he could be into the final 12 months of his Seagulls contract. However, Brighton remain adamant he is not for sale at any price.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful relayed Taylor’s claim on Twitter on Wednesday evening. This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with one believing the summer window could be ‘absolutely mental’.

“We’re cooking”

Credit: @buendiazboyz

“I can’t see us getting Bissouma in the summer so many clubs will want him”

Credit: @Benavfctooth

“Dw we’re big time again now”

Credit: @youngprodigy08

“Our summer is gonna be absolutely mental”

Credit: @JayVtid

“Good we need Bissouma”

Credit: @mattdavis281

“110% have to”

Credit: @AvfcRegan

In other news: ‘Bottled it’ – Many Villa fans react to Fabrizio Romano transfer update. 

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming over some news on their game away to Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday evening.

As confirmed by the official website of the top flight, Mike Dean will now referee the match at Old Trafford, with Andre Marriner on VAR duty.

Incidentally, the 53-year-old has given far more penalty kicks to the Red Devils (21) than any other team over the course of his career, while he also gave them a controversial goal at Molineux earlier on this season to give them a 1-0 win, and that has not been the first time his decisions against the Midlands club have been questioned.

Nonetheless, it is not a surprise at all to see so many WWFC supporters raging over the decision to appoint him for their upcoming fixture.

Wolves fans on Dean appointment

These Wanderers fumed as the news of Dean’s appointment was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was a ‘joke’:

“Here we go again”

Credit: @moor_george

“You are kidding???”

Credit: @AlisonW91221347

“Hope it gets called off..”

Credit: @LondonishWolves

“May as well give them the points now”

Credit: @TheDowg

“God help us.”

Credit: @JohnGill27

“This has to be some joke!!!”

Credit: @ezzalodge

In other news, find out which ‘standout’ Wanderer has now been backed to join a Premier League club here!