Aston Villa

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Steven Gerrard says he expects, “loads of abuse, loads of banter, which is fine. It takes the heat off my players and they can focus on playing.

“My shoulders are broad enough and my skin’s thick enough to accept that warm welcome. I haven’t got a problem with it.”

Aston Villa

Lucas Digne made his Aston Villa debut in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United and Steven Gerrard seems delighted by the way his new signing has settled.

"Everything he did was pure quality, he showed the level of player that he is and he’s backed that up in training this week.

“I’m sure the Everton fans will appreciate Lucas, because he gave everything for that club.”

Wonder what reception Digne will receive at Goodison Park? I think everyone can guess how former Liverpool midfielder Gerrard will be greeted.

Aston Villa

The opening to Steven Gerrard's chat with the media is all about recruitment at Aston Villa both in terms of what they've done and what he is hoping for next.

“We have identified areas where we would like to strengthen, but only if the right names are available," Gerrard said.

"If it’s a case of having to be patient until the next window, I have no problem with that."

On goalkeeper Robin Olsen joining the club on loan he adds: "We want to make every position in the team as competitive as we can. Emi’s [Martinez] obviously a world class goalkeeper and we’re very happy with what we’ve seen from him.

“The competition was good when we arrived, but we wanted to make it more competitive – not just in this position, across the board.

“Having the opportunity to add Robin to it with his pedigree, in terms of big game experience, an international footballer, we believe that position’s in a nice place now."

Time to nip down to the Midlands to hear what the Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has had to say as he prepared to takes his team to Merseyside to face Everton.

Newcastle United

More from Newcastle manager Eddie Howe: "They have a way of playing and there's a lot to admire about Leeds' out of possession work.

"They play with a really high intensity and we have to match that. This is a totally unique game and we have to be ready for what we're going to face."

On Chris Wood's integration to the team: "I thought he played well last week. We isolated him after we scored and that was very evident at the time. With Chris we need to get bodies around him and he needs to be supplied and if we can do that he'll prove very effective."

No need to pack those gloves Eddie. Can't see them being needed in Jeddah.

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Newcastle United

Newcastle jet off to Saudi Arabia after playing Leeds on Saturday for a warm weather training camp and Eddie Howe has been explaining that decision.

"The plan is to go away and I will talk about Covid, a lot of protocols are encouraging isolation but it doesn't foster team spirit and togetherness for the battle in the division.

"Going away is a great idea, it will be a work training camp. It is all manageable, I don't think the distance is too far, we have to take everything into account. We have a big gap, I am comfortable with players travelling and I think it's worthwhile.

"The players will looked after. In terms of Covid things will be tight. and we will try and go and do some work."

Newcastle United

More from Newcastle manager Eddie Howe: "We have been working behind the scenes tirelessly. Every department has been working every hour and every minute to get the right outcome for the club.

"Main focus should never go off the guys already in the club, they are the ones who can make the difference."

Newcastle United

The Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is unsurprisingly asked about transfers next.

The club has been heavily linked with Sevilla defender Diego Carlos and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard but Howe says he is not expecting any new additions in the next few hours.

"It has been a slightly frustrating week for us in transfers for the weekend," Howe said. "We are desperately trying to improve squad and working hard but it has been a fruitless search this week.

"It is a very difficult combination this January, when you add Covid into the mix and the reluctance of clubs to lose players and add that. January is notoriously very difficult to bring in the right players. Sure the takeover has elevated expectations of what Newcastle can pay and add that together and its been a very difficult window."

Newcastle United

First up, the Newcastle manager Eddie Howe deals with injury updates and team news:

"A couple of players have returned to training, [Dwight] Gayle and [Jeff] Hendrick," he said.

"[Matt] Ritchie has a knee problem so we will have to assess him and we are still missing Callum Wilson, Federico Fernandez and Isaac Hayden."

Right time to hear from Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. His side have a massive game at Leeds on Saturday and wasn't he hoping to get another new player or two in for this one?

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BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson has made his predictions for the latest round of Premier League matches.

See what you think of them here.

This week's guest is singer and Chelsea fanCall Me Loop,whose new single, Year of the Ex, was released last week.

Burnley

Burnley and Watford's twice postponed Premier League game has now been arranged for Saturday, 5 February at 18:00 GMT.

The match was initially due to be played in December but was postponed a couple of hours before kick-off due to COVID cases in the Watford camp.

It was due to be played on Tuesday but this time was called off because of issues in the Burnley squad.

England

England play the Ivory Coast at Wembley in the second of their fixtures in March.

The match against the two-time African champions on Tuesday 29 March (7.45pm kick-off) will be the first meeting between the two nations at senior level.

It will also be the first time that Gareth Southgate’s squad have faced non-European opposition since November 2018.

The Three Lions face Switzerland at home three days earlier 17:30 GMT).

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The Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 begins on Sunday, following a group stage which provided two major shocks, history on the field and several off-pitch talking points.

The tournament has come to life following a slow start, which saw nine 1-0s and two goalless draws in the first round of group matches.

Nigeria and Cameroon have probably stood out so far but what else have we learned and what can we expect in the knockout stages?

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

There has been a lot of talk around Derby and their battle to stay afloat in the last 24 hours.

But in a meeting with fans yesterday morning, the club's administrators confirmed there had been no approach as yet from Everton to speak to Wayne Rooney.

Rooney is on the list of people they want to speak to about their managerial vacancy.

"The administrators have not, to date, considered the eventuality of Wayne Rooney leaving DCFC," said Rams Trust, in their minutes of the meeting.

"It is believed that the club would be able to seek a replacement from outside the club, and would receive special dispensation to do so, but it is not a point that has been discussed.

"It is hypothetical only because Wayne Rooney is committed to DCFC and there has been no approach from Everton or anyone else."

Everton

More from Everton owner Farhad Moshiri: "I understand the frustration felt by everybody who loves Everton because of our inconsistent form in recent seasons, despite significant investment in the playing squad.

"The money that has been spent since 2016, not just on the playing squad but also on key projects including our new stadium, demonstrates my commitment to Everton.

"I write to you to assure you that my commitment remains strong and focused. The Club has announced today the conversion of a £100m loan to the club into equity which is a clear demonstration of my commitment and greatly strengthens the balance sheet.

"I am a private man and I do not speak publicly very often. But I promise you that my determination to deliver for Everton will not waiver."

Everton

Here is a bit more from Everton owner Farhad Moshiri's open letter to the club's supporters:

"It has been a difficult season to date - with results not meeting the expectations of anyone associated with the Club. As a result, the decision was taken last weekend to part ways with Rafa Benitez as our manager.

"After a very disappointing run of results, it was the right decision for the Club – although it is never one that is taken lightly.

"As we prepare for our forthcoming games, we have a fiercely passionate Evertonian in Duncan Ferguson taking charge of the team on an interim basis.

"He is a remarkable man and I know he will give his all in leading the team, as he did so impressively during his spell as caretaker boss in December 2019."

Everton

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Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has increased his shareholding in the club by purchasing new shares which amounts to a £100m cash injection into the club.

The British-Iranian businessman has also penned an open letter to fans which says that sacking Rafael Benitez was the "right decision" and that he "understands fan frustration".

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Before we get into this weekend's Premier League matches and manager news conference this piece is really well worth a read about why Hamburger SV and St Pauli's derby match later on Friday (17:30 GMT) has a little more riding on it than normal.

For a long time Hamburger SV could claim football bragging rights in a city where their rivals St Pauli are more renowned for their distinctive culture than on-the-field exploits.

Both sides head into the game as part of an excruciatingly tight promotion battle in which every club in the top half of the 2. Bundesliga table can legitimately claim to have aspirations of reaching the top flight.

Just seven points separate leaders St Pauli from Nurnberg in ninth after 19 games, with HSV fifth and lodged between clubs in Werder Bremen and Schalke who not so long ago were more focused on trying to achieve Champions League football.

The top two will go up automatically, with third place facing a play-off against the club finishing third bottom in the Bundesliga.