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The Championship is a brutal place for managers.

Steve Cotterill became the latest casualty on Thursday as he was sacked by struggling Bristol City.

Cotterill, 51, took over in 2013 and won the League One title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in his second season. But with the club in 22nd and two points from safety, the board have taken action.

Hmm not all going to plan for England against South Africa.

The visitors have lost two early wickets with openers Alex Hales and Alastair Cook both departing to leave England on 25-2.

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Celebrating on Friday are Tottenham’s England international Eric Dier (22), former Liverpool, Arsenal, Stoke and Wigan winger Jermaine Pennant (33), ex-Liverpool, Bolton and Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf (35) and former Newcastle and Portugal midfielder Hugo Viana (33), who is now at Al-Wasl.

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Friday's vote is now live for you to cast your view. With the dire state athletics finds itself in at the moment, we are asking: 

Is Lord Coe the right man to reform the IAAF?

Vote is available on the right hand side of the page on desktop and at the top of page on mobile. You have got until 15:00 GMT to register your vote.

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James Mountford
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

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Awaiting Roberto Martinez, whose side have been in decent form of late with two recent cup wins. However, that has marked the fact that, in the league, they have only won one of their last eight games and are 11th in the table.

No doubt that Martinez, always one to accentuate the positives, will point to the fact they have only lost two of those matches and picked up a very respectable point at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Expect him to be asked about John Stones, who continues to be linked with a move away. Everton's best hope of retaining the likes of him and Romelu Lukaku could be to finish in a Europa League spot at least.

And that's your lot from Villa as Remi Garde leaves to prepare his side to face the Foxes.

So, can Villa go on an unprecedented winning streak? Or will Leicester further their top-four hopes?

Let us know on #bbcsportsday

Remi Garde has faced a Claudio Ranieri side before when the two managers were at Lyon and Monaco respectively and the Frenchman is impressed by the Italian's Leicester side.

"The win for Leicester against Villa earlier this season was a very important win for them," he said. "To beat them this weekend would be a big boost for us.

"I knew Claudio when he was at Monaco. He is a very experienced manager. He is working very well. I congratulate him on what he's doing at Leicester."

Will leaders Arsenal beat Stoke on Sunday?

Play our Premier League predictor game and see how you get on

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Aston Villa are still a club in crisis at the bottom of the table but they did finally win a game last time out against Crystal Palace.

And Remi Garde is hopeful that their first victory since the opening day of the season can renew his side's belief. 

"I was very happy for the players on the pitch," he said. "I felt something different from the other games

"The last victory over Palace gave us more confidence and is something for us to build on."

Arsenal are top of the pile in the Premier League, but Leicester are hot on their heels. Both teams have 43 points, but the Gunners have a better goal difference by three.

“They are one of the contenders because they have shown remarkable consistency," said boss Arsene Wenger.

On Stoke, the Frenchman said: "They have moved forward - they can create and play. It's a good challenge for us."

That's your lot from Wenger this morning.

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Aston Villa have a new chairman Steve Hollis, who says the club do not fear relegation but will boss Remi Garde still be making transfers this month?

"I know it's very important to strengthen the team," says Garde. "I have said that to the club.

"I have assessed the collective strengths and weaknesses of the squad. I haven't signed players yet but there is still time to go.

"It's useless for me - and won't help me - to talk about individual targets."

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We're awaiting the arrival of manager Remi Garde. We'll bring you the best of what he has to say shortly... 

England international Theo Walcott has been impressive for Arsenal this season, scoring five goals in all competitions. Manager Arsene Wenger has praised the winger's efforts.

"Theo has become a team player and his basic strengths are still there," said Wenger. “The next four or five years will be decisive for him.”

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Arsenal completed their first deal of the transfer window this week with the acquisition of midfielder Mohamed Elneny from Basel.

Manager Arsene Wenger says the Egyptian is available for selection immediately.

He added: "Elneny is a young, promising player who has adapted to Europe.”

Image source, Arsenal

The journalists and cameras are in position as they await the arrival of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Premier League leaders have a tough away trip to he Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

Can the Gunners do it on a cold Sunday afternoon at Stoke?

That's all things Canary for now as Alex Neil departs.

We've got Arsenal and Aston Villa coming up shortly though.

Let's keep this going...

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

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Norwich boss Alex Neil then shifts his focus to Saturday's game at Bournemouth, with just two points separating the sides in 15th and 16th respectively.

"I've played Bournemouth twice as Norwich manager and won twice, but it will be a difficult game. They're strong at home," he said.

"If we win, we extend our lead over them to five points but it won't be the deciding factor. There's a long way to go."

Neil also interestingly adds that he thinks Robbie Brady is "better at left-back" than in left midfield.

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Norwich boss Alex Neil starts by discussing the status of various transfer targets for the Canaries this month.

He says there is nothing to report about reported moves for strikers SebastienHaller from Utrechtor Steven Naismith from Everton.

Yet he confirms that a deal for York's Ben Godfrey is at an "advanced stage" and hopefully the club "can get it over the line soon".

He adds there is no deal in place for striker Gary Hooper to extend his loan stay at Sheffield Wednesday beyond this weekend.

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Norwich manager Alex Neil will be facing the cameras shortly...