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Tyrone Mings has been praised on the official Aston Villa Twitter account following a reputation-enhancing performance in England’s 0-0 draw with Scotland on Friday night [BBC].

Enjoying a solid game at Wembley for the Three Lions, Mings recorded his second clean sheet in as many games following his part in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia last week [Sky Sports].

The 28-year-old has been a key man for Villa in 2020/21, making 37 appearances in all competitions and registering four goal contributions, with two goals and two assists [Transfermarkt].

He has excelled in recent months, particularly in the air. On average over the last calendar year, the Aston Villa stalwart has won around 2.5 aerial duels per game for the Midlands outfit [WhoScored].

As he carried this form into international football so effortlessly, no wonder loads of Villa fans took to Twitter to sing his praises for his “outstanding” performances.

Villa fans react:

Replying to the club’s official Twitter channel, here is how some fans reacted to the post:

“my CB, been excellent last two games”

Credit: @catrinedwards18″Top class”Credit: @liam_davies7″Great player / person. He deserves this.”Credit: @SharkyWard2″Been outstanding every time he’s played”Credit: @Nothere57299246″England’s player of the tournament so far. Proving us right”Credit: @rad_nauseam”He was colossal in the air last night.”Credit: @BarranDjIn other news, these Aston Villa fans react to a worrying transfer report.

If there was one word to summarise the last 12 months for Celtic, it would be drama.

Parkhead has witnessed some remarkable events since May 2020, from basking in a ninth league title in a row to enduring hapless protests against the Bhoys ownership.

Then, just when you thought their devastatingly bad season was coming to an end, Eddie Howe kicked the Hoops where it hurts.

For so long it looked as though the 43-year-old was going to be announced as the new Celtic manager. However, due to complications involving his preferred backroom staff, a move for him collapsed on Friday.

The Glaswegian side have moved on quickly, though. They are already in advanced talks with Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, who wants to join the Hoops, and Celtic could announce him at some point next week.

It’s thought that the hierarchy have been tracking Postecoglou for a number of months, but we think they should be focusing on someone else now.

Their failure to get Howe through the door has opened up a wonderful avenue to bring Paulo Fonseca to the club. They’ve already seen Celtic-linked Enzo Maresca head to Parma and they cannot afford to miss out on a third managerial target.

Fonseca is leaving Roma this summer and has reportedly been offered to Dermot Desmond and co.

What they’ve done with that information is unknown but they’d be foolish to pass on the opportunity. After all, the self-professed “brave” manager plays a brand of football for which Celtic should be pining.

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His Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk teams were known for playing at breakneck speed, moving the ball around with short passing in an incisive manner.

Considering how much possession Celtic often enjoy, finding a manager who knows how to utilise it in the desired way will be key.

The Bhoys averaged one of the highest possession rates in the whole of Europe this term, amassing 61.9% of the ball. Those are incredibly high numbers but it provides evidence for why Desmond needs to hire a man comfortable at passing the ball around.

Postecoglou’s Yokohama F Marinos average 64.7% of the ball this season but, crucially, Fonseca has the experience of managing in Europe to a successful level. The 48-year-old took Roma to the Europa League semi-finals this year, thriving in an area where Celtic have been off the pace for a while.

They were the dominant force domestically for so long but have struggled to go beyond the group stages of the Champions League or the last 32 of the Europa League.

Therefore, Fonseca could revive their fortunes in this area. At the same time, he would likely introduce more attractive football and a never-say-die attitude, and Desmond should relish the thought of him taking over at Paradise.

AND in other news, Celtic must sign 49-goal gem who left a “huge impression” on Neil Lennon…

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he cannot see Marcelo Bielsa leaving Elland Road because of player sales.

This comes after ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor suggested that the Argentine could walk if Raphinha is sold this summer.

Raphinha was one of Leeds’ top performers during the 2020/21 season after joining from Rennes, racking up nine assists in his debut Premier League campaign.

The Brazilian attacker is now being linked with a move to Liverpool, but Palmer is not expecting any big exits at Elland Road – including Bielsa.

“I don’t see it happening,” the ex-Leeds star exclusively told FFC. “I’ve heard the Leeds chairman come out and talk about the relationship he’s got with Bielsa and that’s vice versa.

“If they want to keep Bielsa, they’ve got to keep progressing. I don’t think Leeds are in a position that they need to sell players.”

Raphinha still has three years left to run on his contract having only joined Leeds in the last summer transfer window, so he is certainly one player who the club do not need to sell.

Elsewhere, Patrick Bamford is said to be another name who Liverpool have looked at, so it could be an interesting next couple of months for the Yorkshire outfit.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with the English giants expected to use Jesse Lingard as a makeweight in any potential move.

The 22-year-old has excelled for the Hammers this season, starting 30 Premier League games for the capital club, achieving an impressive 7.01 WhoScored rating.

Rice’s impressive performances have caught the eye of several of the countries top teams, and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side are the latest club to be linked with the England international.

According to The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas, the Red Devils are set to use Lingard in order to acquire one of their main transfer targets this summer, and Rice is high up on their wishlist.

Lingard has impressed since arriving at the London Stadium on loan in January, bagging nine goals and providing four assists in 14 Premier League appearances for the capital club.

The 28-year-old’s impressive form for the Hammers has seen his market value rise and become a more attractive option for any interested party, and therefore, a potentially useful asset for the Old Trafford outfit to have going into the transfer window.

Thomas claims it’s not just David Moyes’ men who are interested in signing Lingard over the coming months, though, and that the 20-time English champions could use their academy graduate for other targets besides Rice.

“Clubs have already started to form a disorderly queue to secure his signature, and there is a feeling at West Ham that should Manchester United decide to sell Lingard this summer, they are likely to try to use him as a makeweight in a deal for a player they would like to bring to Old Trafford.”

Previous reports from The Athletic have linked Manchester United with attempting to pull off a swap move involving the two midfielders, claiming the possibility was “expected to be explored.”

The base of United’s midfield has been an area of weakness for some time now, and if the club’s hierarchy seriously wants to reign in their local rivals at the top of the Premier League table, then they must sanction a move for Rice.

If United can use Lingard as a makeweight in a deal to get Rice, the club’s fans will surely be buzzing to get such a quality player into the club as they’ll be desperate to see their team challenging for top honours next season.

And, in other news…”Not the answer” – Exclusive: Ex-Man Utd ace savages “stupid” £120k-p/w man amid LFC horror show

Former Scotland and Premier League manager Alex McLeish has talked up the idea of Jack Harrison joining Leeds United on a permanent deal this summer, claiming a deal may even be done already behind the scenes.

The Lowdown: Key figure for Leeds

The 24-year-old is coming to the end of a three-year loan spell at Elland Road, with newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City still his official employers.

Harrison has shone at times for Leeds, scoring 18 goals in 127 appearances and playing his part in a glorious period under Marcelo Bielsa.

With the forward’s loan spell coming to an end, the Whites now need to make a decision over his future, with an option to sign him for £10million this summer expected to be taken, via Phil Hay.

The Latest: Harrison tipped to sign permanently

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish believes it makes complete sense to do just that, with Harrison worth double that amount now:

“There’ll probably be a deadline on that clause.

“With the season that he’s had, Man City will be possibly thinking when does it expire? Because he’s now looking like a £20million player. In the current climate, £10million is something Leeds could easily do business-wise.

“Therefore, they’ll probably just be waiting for some kind of deadline and then doing it immediately before that. For all we know, talks are really amicable and it’s kind of almost a done deal.

“Three loan years and he’s grown every step of the way with Leeds’ progress. He’s like an integral part of the family now.”

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Leeds

Harrison has become such a key player that it is surely a no-brainer to retain his services, in a decision that would suit Leeds, City and the player himself.

He is the Whites’ joint-second top scorer in the league this season with eight goals, but he has also chipped in with the same number of assists, highlighting his important to a team who need proven end product to make their rip-roaring attacking style effective.

For Leeds to snap up Harrison for just £10million would be a steal, especially as his prime could still be a few years away.

In other news, a Leeds player has officially started talks over a move away from Elland Road. Find out who it is here.

Leeds are now facing competition in the race to sign Barnsley striker Daryl Dike.

What’s the story?

According to an earlier report from TEAMtalk, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are among the clubs interested in signing the 20-year-old on loan from Orlando City, with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea also said to have been impressed.

Now, Barnsley’s CEO Dane Murphy has insisted the Championship side will be in the mix to sign him on a permanent basis in the summer, but acknowledged that his performances have alerted teams in the Premier League too.

He said: “We have a price set with Daryl that we have with Orlando since the beginning of the deal – we have first right on him. If we want to exercise that option at the end of the season, it’s achievable for Barnsley, we just have to see where we are at the end of the year.”

When asked whether a move would be contingent on achieving promotion to the top-flight, Murphy added: “Not necessarily, we have to see first what division we’re in and then we have to see where we are financially. I wouldn’t say we have to go to the Premier League to achieve the buy-out but I will say now Daryl’s performances have put him in a place where there are teams of that division who are interested.”

Shades of Drogba

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 2 and built like a powerhouse, there’s a lot of similarities between Dike and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who terrorised the Premier League in his pomp – the Ivorian bagged a whopping 164 goals in 381 games for the Blues.

Dike’s combination of power and technique makes him a potentially formidable opponent himself, and someone who could terrify the top-flight given the lack of real comparable strikers in the division.

A player profile done by SBNation noted: “A physical striker, Dike is more than a bruising finisher. His ‘delicate touch’ and high level of technical ability belie his size, enabling a confidence in possession with both passing and dribbling. That said, he scores a lot of goals in a variety of ways. Headed finishes, short-range placement, and long-range bombs, the 6’2” attacker can do it all.”

And apart, from having surprisingly good technical ability for a player of his size, it’s his temperament that has really got some of his former mentors talking.

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His former coach at Virginia, George Gelnovatch, raved: “But one of the things about him that nobody ever talks about is relentlessness. He is a relentless competitor, a ruthless guy on the field. You put that inside a body like his, and it’s pretty impressive.”

He would give Bielsa a completely different option at the top end of the pitch in terms of his sheer physicality, while his “relentlessness” should bode well for the kind of intense pressing the Leeds boss will want from his centre-forward.

If there is a battle to sign Dike in the summer, then the Whites should be there at the front of the queue.

Meanwhile, Leeds must unleash this starlet if Raphinha is injured…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee has urged the Magpies to not offer Jacob Murphy a new contract, despite the winger only having one year left on his current deal.

Murphy has been deployed as a right wing-back in Newcastle’s last four games with the 24-year old impressing at both ends of the pitch, which has led to Steve Bruce claiming he wants the winger to be handed a new deal.

Since arriving from Norwich City in 2017, Murphy has struggled for consistency on the pitch which has seen him experience two loan spells since joining the Magpies, however he appears to be playing with much more confidence without the pressure of 52,000 fans on him.

Speaking on why Murphy doesn’t deserve a new contract and what Newcastle United have to be wary of going forward, Lee told FFC:

“I like Jacob Murphy, but we’ve got to be very careful because has he played well all season? I don’t think he has and you’ve got to be consistent to earn a new deal.

“He’s been excellent in the last few games but I think with the way Newcastle are dishing out long contracts at the minute, we surely need to see consistency from the players before we start giving them new deals.”

Murphy has proved himself to be one of Newcastle’s most willing runners with the ball as well as one of the most creative players on the ball, averaging 1.9 carries into the final third per game as well as creating 2.37 shots per game, with both stats putting him third at the club.

It has been reported that the £25,000-per-week winger is a target for both Rangers and Southampton, however news of a potential new deal on the table this summer may scupper any potential St. James’ Park exit.

Aston Villa could complete Dean Smith’s dream attack by landing Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer amid Lee Hendrie’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The former Peterborough striker has enjoyed a fine debut campaign in the Championship with the Bees, scoring an impressive 28 goals and providing a further nine assists in the league alone.

Hendrie has suggested that the £16.2m-rated striker is someone who Villa boss Smith should absolutely be looking to sign ahead of a potential summer move.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, the 43-year-old said: “There is some really good talent out there. You look at the Brentford side and Mbeumo who’s been good, possibly not scoring enough goals this season like he did last season, which made a big impact.

“And obviously, Ivan Toney. There’s no way if Brentford don’t go up this season that he’s not getting snapped up by someone because he’s been the best player in the Championship arguably, because of the goals he has scored, and the assists he has been involved in. I’d certainly have a look at him if I was Villa manager. 

“If I had to pick a player, Ivan Toney I’d certainly be looking at if Brentford didn’t go up because of his goals this season. I feel that he would fit in well, certainly a Villa side if he was available, it’s just obviously what fee they’d have to pay for him.”

Dream attack for Dean Smith

Having already seen the kind of success Ollie Watkins has enjoyed since making the same step-up from Brentford to the Premier League, making a move for Toney could complete a dream strike force for Smith.

Toney has already shown he can make the leap from one division to the next, having gone from a prolific campaign at League One with Peterborough to keep firing in the goals with the Bees in the Championship.

Speaking earlier last year, Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry said: “He’s turned into a tremendous all-round footballer. It’s important to remember Ivan is not just an exceptional goal-scoring forward, he’s also an outstanding defender.”

Toney himself has the confidence that he could be a Premier League-level centre-forward, saying back in November: “I’ve always liked Zlatan. I just love his confidence. Some people see it as arrogance but you must be like that to succeed. I’m similar to Zlatan in both my confidence and the way I play. When he wants to do something, he just does it. I have some of that in my game and personality. And I believe I’ll be a Premier League striker.”

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With Watkins having played every single minute in the top flight this season, Toney’s arrival would give Smith that dream of either starting the pair together, or simply offering him a meaningful option off the bench.

Meanwhile, Villa should swoop for this “unstoppable” Premier League star…

Lyndon Dykes’ tenth goal of the season wasn’t enough to see Queens Park Rangers to victory as Rotherham United came from behind to thrash Mark Warburton’s side.

The Rs boss was left reeling after the match, claiming he was “angry” before adding: ” Very simply we didn’t deserve to win (after) the last half an hour.”

He’ll undoubtedly want to rethink ever giving Niko Hamalainen an opportunity again as he was absolutely abysmal on the left flank in the absence of Lee Wallace.

West London Sport graded him as QPR’s worst-performing player, and dealt a scathing review of his performance. ‘On this showing looks horribly out of his depth and probably won’t be seen again soon,’ wrote Ian McCullough.

‘Offered nothing whatsoever as an attacking outlet and looked vulnerable defensively all game. His weak challenge on Crooks on the stroke of half-time resulted in a broken nose for De Wijs and was then caught ball-watching as Ladapo wandered past him to slam home Rotherham’s equaliser.’

The numbers would reinforce such a statement.

As per SofaScore, the 24-year-old was unable to get a foothold on the game, managing only 49 touches which were some 11 touches fewer than goalkeeper Seny Dieng (60) and lower than the average that Wallace usually puts up (55).

Warburton’s current system is heavily dependant on his wing-backs getting up and down the pitch, but the Finland ace struggled to contribute at either end.

He failed to provide an accurate cross from four attempts, leaving Dykes to feed off scraps for large spells of the match, and he also made only 64% of his passes – the worst of any QPR outfield start barring the Scottish forward. Nor could he manage a successful dribble. Hugely ineffective.

Defensively, Hamalainen was just as poor. He lost possession a whopping 16 times, meaning every three touches saw him gift the ball back to the Millers, and similarly, the 5 foot 9 lightweight won just three of eight duels (37.5%).

This was the 24-year-old’s first start since an abysmal outing at Birmingham ten games ago, and it’s easy to see why as he once again let Warburton down when finally trusted to start.

As evident above, it would be a surprise to see Hamalainen given another shot before the end of the season – he really was that poor.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Wolves striker Steve Bull has heaped praise on Rui Patricio, hailing the Portugal international as a great goalkeeper.

Patricio, who joined Wolves from Sporting Lisbon back in 2018, has made himself the team’s No.1, rarely disappointing manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Last season, the 33-year-old kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League, helping the Midlands club to build a solid foundation from the back.

Bearing that in mind, Wolves will be desperate to have Patricio available after the international break, with the ex-Sporting Lisbon shot-stopper picking up a horrific head injury in the recent 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Discussing Patricio in an exclusive interview with FFC, Bull said:

“He’s a great goalkeeper. A Portuguese international goalkeeper coming to Wolves, that’s class and just shows the ambition. And when you see him, he’s like a cat flying left, right and centre.

“He’s a big pillar as well, he’s demanding in the box, he knows what he wants. He was unfortunate [against Liverpool] because he was being brave to try and get the ball, which you want a ‘keeper to do. He’s a world-class goalkeeper and I’m glad Wolves have got him.”

Last season, Wolves recorded one of the best defensive records in the Premier League as they went on to finish seventh in English football’s top division. Across the 38 games played that term, Nuno’s men conceded 40 goals, with the Portugal No.1 playing his part.

Should he recover in time, next up for Patricio is a tough game against in-form West Ham. David Moyes has the Hammers flying high this term, guiding them to fifth place and just two points behind Chelsea and that final Champions League spot.