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Aston Villa have ended their 30-year wait for a major trophy after a dominant 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final. Following a night of celebration at the Besiktas Stadium, star striker Ollie Watkins has opened up on the tactical bravery that allowed the Villans to break down their German opponents.

Brian Gutierrez’s growing role, Raul Rangel’s No. 1 case, and Edson Alvarez’s fitness are among the key storylines as Mexico face Ghana in Puebla on Friday. GOAL looks at five keys to watch in El Tri’s first pre-World Cup friendly.

World Cup fans could face some of the highest game-day costs at Levi’s Stadium, MetLife Stadium and SoFi Stadium, adding to already expensive tickets. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., ranked as the most expensive of the 16 venues, with fans spending $34.24 for one beer and one basic meal, according to new research by SeatPick.

Maurizio Sarri is in line for a breathtaking return to Napoli as president Aurelio De Laurentiis moves quickly to secure a successor for the outgoing Antonio Conte. The ex-Chelsea manager, who remains a legendary figure in Naples for his revolutionary brand of football, has been offered a multi-year deal to once again lead the Partenopei.

Southampton have lost their appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-off final following the recent spying scandal. An EFL arbitration panel upheld the initial decision to remove the club from the play-offs, meaning Middlesbrough will now replace them to face Hull City at Wembley this Saturday, with a lucrative spot in the Premier League at stake.

Enrique Riquelme has suggested that the upcoming presidential elections could be the final time members have a say in the club's future. The businessman warned that a transition toward privatisation looms over the Spanish giants unless a viable alternative to the current board's direction is established.

Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers all scored great goals as Aston Villa claimed their first major honour in three decades by defeating Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final on Wednesday night. Unai Emery's men had gone into the game in Istanbul as heavy favourites - not least because their Spanish coach had already lifted the trophy four times - and, towards the tail end of a tense first half, they underlined their vastly superior quality with two sensational strikes.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is reportedly eager to join Juventus this summer, even if the Italian giants fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. The Brazilian shot-stopper remains fully committed to the Turin club's rebuilding project and is prepared to accept Europa League football as he seeks a Serie A return from Anfield.

Barcelona star Gavi has sparked a fresh row between Spain's two biggest clubs by questioning how Real Madrid handled a physical altercation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde. The Spain international suggested that Los Blancos failed to uphold proper discipline by allowing the players to feature immediately after the incident.

Pau Cubarsi has outlined his ultimate goal to become the main leader of Barcelona's defence. The 19-year-old insists the squad firmly back Hansi Flick's high-risk tactics, despite a costly red card contributing to a quarter-final exit. As the domestic season concludes, the teenager is eager to secure a starting spot with the Spain national team for the upcoming World Cup.

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has sensationally called for his club to be granted automatic promotion to the Premier League following the disqualification of Southampton from the Championship play-off final. The Tigers were originally scheduled to face the Saints at Wembley, but a spying scandal has thrown the post-season into unprecedented chaos, resulting in a showdown against Middlesbrough being scheduled.

Bayern Munich are reportedly plotting a sensational summer swoop for Manchester City defender John Stones. The experienced centre-back is poised to leave the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer after 10 successful years. A move to the Bundesliga champions would see him reunite with former team-mate Vincent Kompany and link up with England captain Harry Kane in Bavaria.

Inter Miami are closing in on a sensational deal to bring Casemiro to Major League Soccer following his departure from Manchester United. The legendary Brazilian midfielder has reportedly chosen South Florida as his preferred destination, setting the stage for a mouth-watering reunion with several former rivals and friends in the United States.

The World Cup is less than a month away, yet the tangible excitement for the biggest tournament ever is hard to find.

Birmingham City forward Marvin Ducksch has been told by a magistrate that he is "lucky to be alive" after pleading guilty to drink-driving following a serious three-car collision. The German international, who joined the club last summer, was handed a 14-month driving ban and ordered to pay over £20,000 in fines and compensation after an incident on Easter Monday.

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala has reportedly been stripped of his driving licence following a high-speed traffic accident on the motorway. The Germany international was involved in a collision while driving his high-powered electric sports car, resulting in a significant legal penalty.

Rafael Leao's future at AC Milan is increasingly uncertain after European giants Arsenal, Manchester United, and Barcelona reportedly rejected the chance to sign him. With his form dipping and fans voicing their frustrations, the Serie A club are struggling to find suitors willing to meet their hefty valuation for the Portuguese forward ahead of a crucial summer.

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has singled out Arsenal as the world’s leading side in a specific tactical department ahead of their Champions League final showdown. The two heavyweights are set to clash in Budapest on May 30 to decide who will be crowned kings of Europe.

Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi has praised the immense impact of Luis Enrique ahead of the Champions League final against Arsenal. The defender highlighted how the manager transformed the squad into a united family. Furthermore, the club have received a major fitness boost as the manager confirmed the star is completely ready for the ultimate European showdown.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has heaped praise on Ousmane Dembele for his tireless defensive efforts. Speaking ahead of the upcoming Champions League final, the Spanish tactician urged everyone to look beyond the forward's attacking flair, comparing his vital two-way work rate to basketball and highlighting his crucial role in the squad's overall balance.

Newcastle have no intention of selling Nick Woltemade this summer despite a challenging debut campaign. Following his club-record transfer, the 24-year-old struggled initially with the physical demands of English football. However, after recent tactical adjustments, the Magpies are fully convinced their German forward will thrive in his second season at St James' Park.

Vincent Kompany has revealed a hilarious behind-the-scenes blunder from Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title celebrations, admitting he actually lost track of the championship trophy. The Belgian coach confessed that the famous 'Meisterschale' was missing at a crucial moment during the festivities.

Hearts have issued a strong statement questioning the Scottish football authorities over the chaotic conclusion to their title decider against Celtic. The Edinburgh club have expressed deep concern after a massive pitch invasion by home supporters effectively halted the match early, overshadowing Celtic's dramatic 3-1 victory that secured the Premiership crown.

Former Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia has sent shockwaves through French football by suggesting he would be open to joining rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the future. Having recently departed the Velodrome after a two-year stint, the Moroccan defender's comments have immediately sparked intense debate among the PSG and OM faithful.

Atletico Madrid have sensationally joined the race to sign Manchester City icon Bernardo Silva as they search for a marquee replacement for Antoine Griezmann. The Portuguese playmaker is set to leave the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer, sparking a high-stakes scramble among Europe's elite clubs.

UEFA are preparing to radically overhaul the international football calendar from the 2028-29 season, replacing traditional qualifying stages with a Swiss-style league format. Mirroring the newly updated Champions League structure, European nations will play fewer double-headers and face a wider variety of opponents in a tiered system designed to heighten competition and eliminate repetitive fixtures.

Riyad Mahrez has revealed that his ultimate footballing ambition was to pull on the famous Barcelona shirt and line up alongside Lionel Messi. The Algerian winger, who eventually became a hero at Manchester City, has opened up on how close he came to a different path during his rise to the top.

Barcelona have reportedly rejected the chance to sign both Bernardo Silva and Dusan Vlahovic on free transfers this summer. Despite their financial constraints, the Catalan giants are prioritising other high-profile targets to replace the departing Robert Lewandowski, focusing on balancing their books and reinforcing specific tactical areas rather than simply grabbing bargains.

After an extended period of angst, Arsenal finally clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years - a remarkable end to a long road.