Aston Villa captain John McGinn believes his side can overturn a first-leg deficit against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park to reach the Europa League final.
The Midlands club currently trail 1-0 following a tense opening semi-final encounter at the City Ground.
The Premier League outfit also suffered a damaging domestic defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Home advantage crucial for progression
McGinn missed the recent league setback as a precaution but will return to lead the team on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Scotland international expects a fierce atmosphere under the lights in Birmingham.
“We worked hard to get the second legs at home, that was a big aim.”
“This is a special place, and if we get that first goal then this place will be absolutely rocking.”
Six of the midfielder’s seven goals this season have been scored on home soil.
He previously found the net at this ground during a thrilling 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League campaign.
Ending the long wait for silverware
The former Hibernian star is no stranger to ending historic trophy droughts throughout his career.
He won the Scottish League Cup with St Mirren to end a 26-year wait, before helping Hibs secure their first Scottish Cup in 114 years.
The Villa Park faithful have not celebrated a major honour in 30 years.
“It would mean everything, I know what it means to people.”
The industrious playmaker acknowledged the recent dip in form but insists the squad remains confident of European success.
“It is Aston Villa, we don’t make things easy for ourselves.”
“We have given ourselves a little bit of a harder job but we are confident we will still get through.”
Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership is facing an intense fan backlash and organised protests after a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest effectively ended their Champions League qualification hopes.
A growing disconnect between supporters and the club’s hierarchy has reached a boiling point following a dismal loss to a second-string Forest side.
The defeat leaves the West London club languishing in ninth place with just three Premier League matches remaining.
Consequently, the Blues can no longer finish fifth and will miss their pre-season target of securing elite European football.
Organised protests target Clearlake Capital
Frustration has manifested in the stands, with chants directly targeting majority investors Clearlake Capital becoming a regular feature of recent matches.
A fringe fan movement known as ‘Not A Project CFC’ is rapidly growing and calling for major structural changes at Stamford Bridge.
The group has announced two upcoming demonstrations to highlight their deep dissatisfaction with the current regime.
Wembley demonstration planned
A major protest will take place on Wembley Way before the highly anticipated FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Supporters are also being urged to turn their backs during the 22nd minute of their final home game against Tottenham.
This specific timing is designed to symbolise the year 2022, when the American consortium purchased the club from sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Financial losses compound instability
Beyond poor on-pitch performances, supporters are deeply dissatisfied with current ticketing policies and a perceived lack of effort from the playing squad.
The club is also operating under significant financial pressure, having recently reported a Premier League-record pre-tax loss of £262m.
European governing body Uefa continues to monitor their finances closely under a strict settlement agreement designed to regulate player spending.
Managerial instability remains a persistent issue for the hierarchy.
They are currently searching for their sixth permanent manager in four years following the recent dismissal of Liam Rosenior.
Deepening the disconnect
Senior figures inside the club have attempted to calm the growing storm.
Director Danny Finkelstein was recently caught in a leaked conversation insisting that the ownership was building one of the best teams in world football.
However, controversial boardroom decisions continue to alienate the fanbase, such as hosting Tottenham head coach Roberto de Zerbi in the directors’ box on Monday.
While the official reason was ostensibly to scout future opponents, the presence of the Spurs boss infuriated fans who are eager to see their London rivals relegated.
Since the end of the Abramovich era, sweeping personnel changes have removed almost every senior executive and behind-the-scenes staff member from the men’s team.
“We don’t care about Clearlake, they don’t care about us.”
That stark chant has defined a chaotic campaign, leaving Todd Boehly and his allies with a monumental task to salvage their relationship with the Chelsea faithful.
Liverpool are in a strong position to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni after Barcelona grew frustrated with the financial demands of the deal.
The Catalan club were previously considered favourites to secure the Italy international’s signature ahead of the upcoming European campaign.
However, reports from Spain indicate that Barcelona are disappointed by the player’s reluctance to actively force a move and lower his £51.8m asking price.
This hesitation has reportedly opened the door for Arne Slot’s team to capitalise, given their superior financial flexibility compared to the La Liga side.
Barcelona stall over valuation
The 25-year-old centre-back recently helped his current employers secure the Serie A title, choosing to delay any transfer discussions until the Scudetto was officially lifted.
Inter Milan are standing firm on their €60m valuation, creating a complicated scenario for a Barcelona hierarchy currently constrained by strict financial regulations.
Consequently, the Spanish outfit are now reportedly exploring alternative defensive options, including Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero.
Defensive reshuffle at Anfield
A potential move to Merseyside has been widely touted as Liverpool prepare for life after club captain Virgil van Dijk, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract.
Despite these persistent transfer links, the incoming Dutch manager already possesses significant depth within his defensive ranks.
Ibrahima Konate is reportedly nearing a contract extension to secure his Anfield future, while versatile England international Joe Gomez remains a reliable first-team option.
Integrating the recent Serie A champion into an already crowded squad could present a delicate balancing act for the new managerial regime.
Kimi Antonelli secured a fourth consecutive Grand Prix victory for Mercedes in Miami, extending their unbeaten start to the 2026 Formula 1 season despite a major development push from rivals.
The sport returned to action following an enforced five-week break, marking the true beginning of an intense development war under the new era of regulations.
While the Silver Arrows maintained their Sunday dominance, an unusually long list of 64 new car parts across the grid drastically altered the competitive landscape.
Rivals close the gap with aggressive upgrades
Leading figures in the paddock had anticipated the Florida event would act as a complete reset for the championship hierarchy.
Ferrari introduced a grid-leading 11 new components, while both McLaren and Red Bull debuted seven major updates each.
In contrast, the Brackley-based championship leaders brought just two minor revisions to their hitherto-undefeated W16 car.
A much larger aerodynamic package for the current constructors’ champions is being held back for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
McLaren strike back in sprint format
The sheer volume of new parts from the chasing pack immediately translated into a genuine threat to the early-season pacesetters.
Lando Norris ended the perfect qualifying streak of the factory team by seizing pole position for Friday’s Sprint session.
The British driver then led a dominant one-two finish alongside team-mate Oscar Piastri in Saturday’s shortened race.
Although the Italian race winner eventually restored order with his Sunday triumph, the flashes of speed from the chasing pack suggest a fiercely contested championship battle lies ahead.
Cade Cunningham scored 23 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal on Tuesday.
The victory in Michigan ended a historic 12-game postseason losing streak against the Ohio franchise that stretched back to 2007.
Tobias Harris contributed 20 points and Duncan Robinson added 19 to help secure the opening matchup of the second-round series.
Cavaliers fight back but fall short
Cleveland trailed by as many as 18 points before rallying to tie the game at 93-all with just over five minutes remaining.
James Harden, making his first appearance against Detroit since being acquired by the Cavaliers, sparked the late comeback with seven consecutive points.
However, Jalen Duren quickly restored order for the hosts by blocking a crucial Harden attempt before converting three successive dunks off Cunningham assists.
Donovan Mitchell led the visitors with 23 points, though the dynamic guard saw his NBA-record streak of scoring at least 30 points in nine consecutive series openers finally snapped.
Remarkable turnaround continues
Detroit’s impressive playoff run marks a staggering transformation for a franchise that suffered an NBA-record 28 consecutive regular-season defeats just two years ago.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has masterminded a 60-win campaign and secured the Central Division title, notably achieving this success immediately after being dismissed by Cleveland.
Both sides entered the contest heavily fatigued after surviving gruelling seven-game battles in the opening round of the postseason.
The number one seeds will look to double their series advantage when they host Game 2 on Thursday evening.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the NHL draft lottery to secure the number one overall pick, providing a major boost following a tumultuous season that saw them miss the playoffs.
The crucial victory comes just days after the Canadian franchise announced sweeping changes to their front office structure.
John Chayka has recently been appointed as general manager, while club legend Mats Sundin returned to serve as a hockey operations adviser.
A turning point for the franchise
Securing the top selection provides a vital lifeline for a team that failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.
It also raises significant questions about the future of captain Auston Matthews, who has just experienced his first professional season without playoff hockey.
Ironically, the last time the Eastern Conference side won the lottery was exactly eight years ago, which they used to select their current talisman with the first overall pick.
“I’m extremely happy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fan base of course; it’s a great night, a great lottery,” Sundin told the television broadcast.
Beating the odds to retain the pick
The blue and white entered Tuesday’s draw with only the fifth-highest probability of winning at 8.5%.
The Vancouver Canucks held the highest statistical chance at 18.5% but ultimately missed out on claiming their first-ever top selection.
Retaining this year’s pick was essential for Toronto due to conditions attached to a previous trade for defenceman Brandon Carlo.
If the selection had fallen outside the top five, it would have automatically transferred to the Boston Bruins.
Consequently, Boston and the Philadelphia Flyers will now receive the Leafs’ first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028 instead.
Top prospects await
The new management team will now have their choice of the finest young talent available in world ice hockey.
Penn State standout Gavin McKenna is currently rated as the premier North American prospect by NHL Central Scouting.
Meanwhile, highly-touted Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg tops the European developmental rankings.
The San Jose Sharks will pick second overall after winning the subsequent lottery draw.
The UK government has entered preliminary discussions to support potential bids for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 2040s.
Ministers confirmed that initial work is under way to examine whether the nation could stage the global sporting spectacle for the first time since London 2012.
“Initial work examining whether the UK could host the Games… will assess key factors such as potential cost, socio-economic benefit and the chance of success,” the government stated.
Alongside the multi-sport event, lawmakers are also considering whether to back proposals to stage golf’s prestigious Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup during the 2030s.
Momentum builds for regional hosts
Recent months have seen growing momentum behind a possible attempt to bring the summer showpiece back to British soil for a fourth time.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his desire last year for the capital city to launch a campaign for the 2040 edition.
However, the chair of funding agency UK Sport recently suggested that northern cities such as Liverpool and Manchester could serve as more suitable co-hosts.
A coalition of political leaders urged Westminster in February to ensure any future proposals are anchored in the north of England to maximise regional investment.
Future Olympic landscape and golf aspirations
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already awarded the 2028 and 2032 Games to Los Angeles and Brisbane respectively, but the 2036 slot remains officially undecided.
Meanwhile, the push for top-tier golf tournaments continues with Bolton launching a campaign to host the biennial Ryder Cup in 2035.
If the Lancashire town is successful, it would mark the first time in over three decades that the trans-Atlantic men’s matchplay competition is held in England.
England Golf has similarly urged ministers to underwrite an attempt to bring the Solheim Cup, featuring the premier female golfers from Europe and the United States, to the country.
Cracking down on ticket touts
To strengthen these prospective campaigns, a new sporting events framework will seek to make the unauthorised resale of tickets a criminal offence.
Officials claim this legislative update will make it significantly easier to secure and deliver major spectacles like the upcoming Euro 2028 tournament.
The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are currently preparing to co-host the European Championship, while the UK is also the sole remaining bidder for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
Arsenal have reached their first Champions League final in two decades after Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium.
The result seals a 2-1 aggregate win for Mikel Arteta’s side, setting up a showpiece clash against either Bayern Munich or Paris St-Germain.
It marks the end of a 20-year wait for the north London club on Europe’s biggest stage.
Their last appearance ended in heartbreak following a 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the 2006 final in Paris.
Teenager stars in midfield
While the England winger provided the decisive goal, it was the standout performance of an academy graduate that captured the attention of supporters.
Making only his 17th appearance of the campaign, Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a masterful display in the heart of the pitch.
The versatile teenager started alongside Declan Rice, providing the energy and composure needed to give his senior partner the freedom to dictate play.
“Lewis Skelly and Ricardo Calafiori are actually giving Declan Rice that freedom to move forward deep,” noted one supporter on social media.
World Cup selection debate begins
Spanish international Martin Zubimendi has predominantly partnered Rice this season, but the homegrown prospect has now complicated the manager’s selection plans.
The youngster’s commanding form follows an equally impressive showing during a recent 3-0 domestic victory over Fulham.
“Lewis Skelly has taken that shirt from Zubimendi,” wrote another fan. “I hope he gets into the England team for the World Cup.”
Breaking into the senior international setup in central midfield presents a significant challenge for the natural left-back.
He faces fierce competition from established talents including Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo and Elliot Anderson.
However, if the defender continues this rapid trajectory into the European final, full international recognition could soon become a genuine possibility.