While VfB Stuttgart is still in contention on all three fronts and Champions League qualification is within reach, one summer signing has been a disappointment across the board so far. Could he even become one of the most expensive transfer flops ever?
Within a Real Madrid squad that is packed full of Galacticos, Fede Valverde is rarely singled out for what he offers to Los Blancos despite his obvious importance to the team. On Wednesday, though, he was able to hog the limelight after his stunning first-half hat-trick saw off Manchester City in the Champions League. His performance also earned him the rarest of plaudits: A 10/10 rating from L'Equipe.
The betting markets suggest Aston Villa have a 25% chance of lifting the UEL. In the last 16, they face a Lille side that were 18th in the League Phase.
Aston Villa will face Lille in the Europa League last-16, while Nottingham Forest must overcome Midtjylland in order to remain on course for continental glory in 2025-26. The Villans made light work of the league phase, securing automatic qualification, while the Reds had to overcome a testing knockout play-off clash with Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina has mocked Fenerbahce's infamous "welcome to hell" mantra after his side won 3-0 in Türkiye. The Premier League side won 3-0 away from home in the first leg of their play-off tie, thanks to goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White.
So there we have it! The Sean Dyche era at Nottingham Forest is officially over - after just 114 days and a measly 18 Premier League games, with a 0-0 draw at home to rock-bottom Wolves proving the final straw. Dyche leaves the City Ground with the team sitting 17th in the table, just three points above the drop zone with 12 matches of the 2025-26 campaign remaining.
Former Nottingham Forest striker Rob Earnshaw has explained to GOAL why the sight of Evangelos Marinakis on the pitch and in the tunnel at the City Ground is a good thing. The Greek billionaire, who continues to make plenty of headlines in the Premier League and across Europe, has been compared to another eccentric owner that once embraced “craziness” at Cardiff City.
Antony has placed himself among the continent's best with his performances in Europe for Real Betis since leaving Manchester United a year ago. After being deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford by ex-head coach Ruben Amorim, the winger joined Betis on an initial loan - making an immediate impact to earn a permanent transfer in the summer. The Brazilian is continuing to impress in 2025-26.
Nottingham Forest and Celtic have been handed demanding routes to the last 16 of the Europa League following the knockout round play-off draw. Martin O'Neill’s Celtic side must overcome Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart, while Forest face an intimidating two-legged clash against Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Both British sides face crucial tests in February as they bid to join Aston Villa in the next stage of the competition.
Robin van Persie was left heartbroken after watching his son Shaqueel suffer a serious knee injury during Feyenoord's Europa League defeat to Real Betis. The 19-year-old was stretchered off in Seville just eight minutes after coming off the bench, leaving his father and manager devastated on the touchline as he admitted the "first signs are not looking good" regarding the severity of the blow.
Aston Villa’s Premier League title charge has been dealt a potential hammer blow after star striker Ollie Watkins limped off with a hamstring injury during Thursday's Europa League tie. Manager Unai Emery is facing intense scrutiny for risking his talisman in a 'dead rubber' against RB Salzburg, with pundits questioning why the England international was not rested ahead of a crucial run of domestic fixtures.
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