Michael Edwards has now sent Liverpool officials to join the race to sign a Championship starlet ahead of interest from a number of Premier League sides.

Slot admits Liverpool should "not look" at Man City, Arsenal

Liverpool may be on a seven-game unbeaten run, but last night’s 0-0 draw at Anfield against Leeds United exposed just how fragile that run truly is. The Reds have gone from drawing in dramatic fashion against Daniel Farke’s side earlier in the campaign to an uncharacteristic bore-draw.

The Premier League champions have gone from heavy-metal to a disorganised, out-of-tune choir growing more desperate to hit all the right notes every week. Arne Slot has rediscovered Liverpool’s defensive resolve, that much is true, but even he is well aware that it has come at a cost going the other way. Still, the Dutchman, is failing to find the right balance.

The Liverpool boss admitted after dropping points against Leeds that his side should “not look” at Arsenal or Manchester City as title rivals, all but conceding the Premier League title.

Those at Anfield are unlikely to panic-buy this month, either. Edwards and Richard Hughes are likely to remain composed and could look towards the future instead of quick solutions for Slot.

Edwards sends Liverpool scouts to watch Maamma

As reported by TeamTalk, Edwards sent Liverpool scouts to watch Othmane Maamma in action for Watford on Thursday night as the Hornets secured a 3-0 victory over Birmingham.

It’s not the first time that the Reds have checked on the 20-year-old and they’re reportedly racing the likes of Sunderland, Manchester United and Newcastle United to secure his signature.

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One for the future, it’s easy to see why so many top clubs have set their sights on the Moroccan, who’s been involved in four goals in 811 minutes of Championship action this season – the same as nine games.

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His performances have welcomed deserved praise from the likes of Jacek Kulig, who described Maamma’s performace at the U20 World Cup last year as “fantastic”.

All signs are pointing to a player destined to make his mark at a higher level. The big question that remains is just where he’ll be playing his football in the near future.

Ben Stokes says he cannot envisage a future as England men’s Test captain without Brendon McCullum at the helm, strengthening the head coach’s position after a botched Ashes campaign.Victory in Melbourne – a first Test victory in Australia since January 2011 – has given the England team and management some grace after spurning the urn in the opening three Tests. But there will be necessary fallout, on and off the field, given the optimism before the Ashes were lost in just 11 days.Since the terminal defeat in Adelaide, McCullum and managing director Rob Key have held a similar line in the face of heavy scrutiny; both unsure of their futures but willing to continue until told otherwise. The decision on their respective positions will ultimately be in the hands of ECB chief executive Richard Gould and chair Richard Thompson, who will look to ascertain how England’s best shot at an overseas Ashes win since 2010-11 came so spectacularly awry.McCullum has a degree of insulation given the size of his contract, which has included the white-ball head coach role since the start of 2025, and would require a low seven-figure sum to break. England also have a T20 World Cup next month.Related

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Stokes’ backing, however, particularly the nature of it, is arguably most important of all. Having said unequivocally that he would like to continue in the aftermath of England losing the Ashes, the allrounder clearly believes the right people are in the right roles to build further. And he reiterated his appetite to do so, citing the gap between this series and England’s next Test assignment, at home to New Zealand on June 4, as the right amount of time and space to brainstorm with McCullum over improvements.An overall record of 26 wins and 17 defeats, Stokes believes, is an indication of their collective good work so far, despite not winning four of their five-match series, two each against Australia and India, in that period. He cedes the last 12 months – four wins and five defeats from 10 Tests in 2025 – have not been good enough.It is worth noting Stokes and McCullum have ECB contracts which take them through to the end of the 2027 home Ashes. That is particularly prescient for Stokes, who extended his central contract at the end of last summer, and may well call time on his international career when that deal expires.Options beyond him for captaincy are, at this juncture, thin, with vice-captain Harry Brook – groomed to take over, and also England’s limited overs captain – not quite ready. Rarer still, apparently, is a head coach Stokes feels can assist in his vision for the next stage of this England team.”Look, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time that I’ve worked with Brendon,” said Stokes. “I can’t see there being someone else who I could take this team [with], from where we are now, to even bigger heights.”We’ve put so much time and effort into getting this team to where it was from when we first started, and now we’re in a situation or position where we know we want to get even more out of the group, get even more out of individuals, and we feel we’ve done a very good job at getting everyone to the position we’re in right now.”So, for us as captain and coach, when we do have the time off, like we’ve done every single time between series, we put our heads together and go ‘what is it that we think we need to go to the next level?'”Because, being perfectly honest, you look back at how things have gone over the last, let’s say, year – the results and the consistency hasn’t quite been there from the first two-and-a-half to three years that we were in charge. So, when you start seeing a trend and something that is not what you want, when you have that time off between series like we do after this – from January and I think June – it’s a long time for us to get things going again in the right direction.”That’s all we’ve ever wanted to do, is constantly push the guys and not wanting to stand still. We’ve obviously got some things to go away and speak about and try and get the boys pushing even further forward than we managed to achieve since me and Brendon first took over the job.”Ben Stokes may call time on his international career when his central contract expires in 2027•Robbie Stephenson/PA Photos/Getty Images

The “heights” Stokes speaks of do seem to have levelled out, though England could yet take further consolation in Sydney for a 3-2 scoreline. That, though, would flatter them, and not change the fact that this will be Stokes’ third overseas Ashes defeat.Each of his previous ones have resulted in hierarchical change. Andy Flower left his post as head coach after the 5-0 defeat in 2013-14, and there were a raft of changes in 2021-22, with director of cricket Ashley Giles and head coach Chris Silverwood sacked. Joe Root held on for the tour of West Indies, which England lost 1-0, before stepping down as captain in April, paving the way for Stokes.The incumbent skipper cautioned against repeating the clearing of the decks that led him to the job four years ago: “Ashes tours in the past haven’t gone well. But if you do what we did four years ago, we’ll just end up back in the same situation.”Of course, much of Stokes’ support for McCullum and, by proxy, Key is based on how this all began. Key has been unlike previous managing directors or directors of cricket, often acting as an umbrella for administrative distractions, allowing McCullum and Stokes to focus exclusively on cricketing matters.With more freedom, Stokes and McCullum have sought to build a team environment based on their own playing experiences. One that liberates cricketers to do things their own way. It is clear, over the last two months, that this group could do with more structure.Their professional relationship remains strong, with McCullum a useful crutch for Stokes, particularly on a tour as long as this one, even though at times their messages have diverged. Indeed, the lessons from this series may be for themselves rather than exclusively on personnel and preparation.Stokes admitted he has struggled because of the relentless nature of this Ashes compared to his previous two tours. Having warned the squad ahead of the trip that it would be unlike anything they have experienced before, even Stokes has found that to be the case. Social media has exacerbated that pressure.”I can’t sit and lie and say it’s been a walk in the park like some of the series feel, like they have been back in England, because you’re used to the conditions, you’re in your home and can nip back whenever you want between games. Out here you don’t get the chance to do that.”Especially at the start of the tour, everything was just on top of us as a team, as a group. Although at the start we expected it, we’d planned for it, and I’ve done a few tours here, but it’s been even higher than any other tour I’ve been on.”Obviously the last one was because of Covid, but my first one, I was young and naïve and didn’t really realise what was going on outside of training or the cricket field. This one’s just, yeah… And the world’s changed as well.”Social media, media in general – it’s changed a lot and [it is] impossible not to see anything these days. So when you put on the pressure of trying to perform for your country in a huge series plus all of the other stuff that comes with a tour of Australia, it’s been a tough one, but you don’t expect everything to be easy… I’ve got pretty thick skin towards it all and it’s just impossible not to see it. The only way to do it is just throw your phone in the river.”A lot of people talk about it and say they don’t read it, don’t see it, don’t look for it. But honestly, it’s just impossible not to. Everywhere you go, with the algorithms of everything these days, your phone listens to you talk about one thing and you flick through Instagram and all of a sudden you see an advert for that. It’s just ridiculous. It’s just impossible.”

Everton host Premier League leaders Manchester City with new Toffees manager Frank Lampard experiencing a mixed start to proceedings at Goodison Park.

The 43-year-old has experienced two wins and two defeats since taking over on the blue side of Merseyside, with both victories coming at home and the losses away.

Next up is a major test for the Toffees who will look to unstick themselves from the bottom end of the table as soon as possible, with Lampard’s side 16th and two points clear of the drop zone.

But who will start for the Merseyside outfit as they host Pep Guardiola’s side in the late Saturday kick-off?

Football FanCast predicts that Lampard will continue with the 4-4-2 formation that he has used in the last two matches against Leeds United and Southampton.

First-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford remains in between the sticks with no changes in the defence either, with the two changes coming in the midfield.

With an important FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood to contest on Thursday, there could be an argument for adjustments to the starting lineup as Lampard looks to manage his squad.

Winger Alex Iwobi put in a well below par performance against Southampton last weekend, with the 25-year-old Nigeria international without a goal contribution in the Premier League for almost four months.

The wide man has come under plenty of scrutinies for his lack of involvement in the final third, with TalkSPORT’s Adrian Durham saying earlier this season: “Listen, for a player that cost £36m, and my understanding is he’s on a fair wedge, he’s got to put chances like that away.

“When you get the chance to start for Everton Football Club and you’re presented with opportunities like that and you’re producing an air shot, you’ve got to focus and concentrate harder and make sure you get a contact on the ball, and at least force the goalkeeper to make a save.”

In his place comes Andros Townsend who appears to now be back to full fitness having endured a spell on the sidelines over the festive period and has exceeded expectations since joining last summer.

The £48k-per-week winger, labelled as “tireless” whilst at Crystal Palace, has scored seven goals in all competitions so far this campaign.

Centrally, Donny van de Beek has had a slow start to his temporary tenure at Goodison Park, with the Dutchman on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the campaign. Although it’s very early days, Lampard may be tempted to tinker with a busy schedule to come and opt for Andre Gomes alongside Allan in the middle.

This would arguably provide more cover against a ruthless opposition, with both midfielders defensively minded. Moreover, Gomes was the Englishman’s preferred option to replace Allan at St.Mary’s last weekend when the Brazilian was on a yellow card and needed to be withdrawn.

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In terms of the frontline, Everton fans will be desperate to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin find the back of the net again, with the Englishman struggling for form since his lengthy absence due to injury.

The striker was out of action for three months, having scored in each of his first three league appearances of the season, with a fractured toe but hasn’t scored since returning to the side almost two months ago.

It’ll be a tall task for Frank Lampard’s side to take a result from the league leaders who can’t afford another slip up after their 3-2 defeat to Tottenham last weekend with Liverpool breathing down their necks. Although, stranger things have happened than Everton getting a result against Manchester City.

In other news: Moshiri suffered an Everton howler over £27m-rated “monster”, Lampard will be gutted – opinion

Everton could be tempted to sell Tom Davies if a ‘decent offer’ arrives, journalist Paul Brown has told GiveMeSport. 

The lowdown

Davies came through the youth ranks at Everton, making his senior debut for the club in 2016. He has since gone on to reach 158 appearances for the Toffees at the age of 23, but he is now into the final 18 months of his £25,000-per-week contract at Goodison Park.

He has not yet had the opportunity to impress new manager Frank Lampard, having injured his knee in November and then damaged his hamstring while on the road to recovery. Indeed, the player is not expecting to be back on the pitch until next season (via Daily Mail).

The latest

Brown pointed out that Everton’s precarious Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation could play a part in their thinking when it comes to Davies’ future, believing that if the Blues are receptive to offers for the 23-year-old, then it’s possible that he has already played his last game for the club.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “The problem for him, and the club, is that because of their FFP situation, and him being a homegrown player, I think if ever there was a decent offer to come in for Tom Davies, they’d realise a lot of profit on him because he’s come through the ranks there.

“They haven’t had to pay a fee. So, I think his future is a bit uncertain, really.”

The verdict

Everton’s issues with FFP last summer were well documented. Their spending was ‘very much constrained’ by the rules after years of ‘significant losses’ (in the words of football finance expert Kieran Maguire), and based on what Brown is saying here, those problems haven’t gone away just yet.

Sacrificing Davies, valued at €18m (about £15m) by Transfermarkt, could therefore be a smart move from a business perspective.

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Furthermore, Everton have other options in the middle of the park in the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Fabian Delph and January signing Dele Alli. They could also potentially try to make Donny van de Beek’s loan move permanent come the summer, strengthening their midfield depth further and duly making Davies more dispensable.

In other news, these were Everton’s three worst players v Man City

A huge Rangers transfer claim has emerged over Gio van Bronckhorst’s outcast centre-back Jack Simpson’s future in Glasgow… 

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, the central defender has instructed his agent to find him a new club at the end of the season.

The report claims that he made the decision after a meeting with the club, after failing to secure an exit from Ibrox on deadline day.

Buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be buzzing with this news as it suggests that the former Bournemouth man will be on his way out in the summer.

They will be pleased with this as he has been a failure of a signing who is not contributing anything on the pitch at the moment. He has not played a single match outside of the Scottish Cup since Gio van Bronckhorst arrived in November, suggesting that the Dutch head coach does not deem him good enough for his side.

The ex-Feyenoord boss has selected John Lundstram at centre-back ahead of him – against Motherwell recently – and this shows how far down the pecking order he is. Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, James Sands, Filip Helander and Lundstram are all ahead of him and his game time – or lack thereof – has reflected this.

Former Scotland international Frank McAvennie previously blasted the defender, saying:

“Hibs are on fire and they really know what they are doing. They will fancy their chances. They know Simpson is the weak link. You expect he will start with the Goldson issue.

“He’s not had a great time of it so far, he barely played last season. We’ll see what happens but I expect Boyle will run rings around him.”

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These comments suggest that he struggled when he was given an opportunity under Steven Gerrard, which could be why van Bronckhorst has been reluctant to select him. The Dutchman has been able to see him in training over the last few months and has seemingly not seen enough from the Englishman to believe that he can make an impact on the team.

Therefore, fans will be buzzing to see him leave the club in the summer as he is not good enough for Rangers and is currently wasting a space in the squad that could be filled by a player with the potential to make the starting XI in the Premiership. It is now down to Ross Wilson to get the best deal possible for Simpson and to get him out of the door as quickly as possible.

AND in other news, Rangers played a blinder with move for “outstanding” gem whose value has increased 75%…

Newcastle United are currently nine points off the relegation zone and are on course to achieve survival after failing to win any of their first 14 matches in the division.

Eddie Howe is set to save the day on Tyneside and one eye may now be on the steps they need to take to reach the next level – a top-half Premier League finish.

With this in mind, PIF need to start looking at potential signings for the summer and one exciting player the club have been linked with is Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma.

The Magpies, along with Everton and West Ham, are reportedly keen on the Netherlands international and Howe must secure a deal for the winger whilst axing Miguel Almiron, who has a £61m ($80m) release clause, in the process.

Almiron has zero goals and zero assists in 21 Premier League matches this season, starting 12 of those, and has only created one ‘big chance’. This shows that he has been nowhere near good enough as an attacker as he has contributed next to nothing in the final third this term.

Therefore, he must be brutally axed from the squad in the summer and Danjuma should be the one to replace him. Newcastle must land the ex-Bournemouth man as he has proven his quality in England and in Spain.

Speaking on the official EFL Podcast, Jonathan Woodgate previously lauded the winger’s talents as he said:

“He made an unbelievable run for one of the goals, I showed him that, but then I showed him what he did winning the ball back, when he had to sprint 50 yards and get the ball back. That’s what makes a really good player, for me, getting that work rate in because we know, with the ball his feet, he’s a top player. Can he do the rest going the other way? And he’s starting to show that now, so yeah, he’s doing well.”

He was also dubbed an “exceptional talent” during his time with the Cherries by Clinton Morrison, whilst The Athletic’s Peter Rutzler called him a “wildcard”, and the statistics back up the praise. In the Championship for Bournemouth, he produced 15 goals and seven assists whilst creating eight ‘big chances’.

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Villarreal picked up on his impressive form and brought him over to Spain last summer. He has been excelling for the La Liga outfit, with eight strikes and three assists in 18 league matches. The winger has also caught the eye in the Champions League, scoring four goals and providing one assist in seven games in Europe.

This shows that the magician can compete at the top level and consistently deliver in the final third with goals and assists for his side. That is why Newcastle must snap him up and why Howe should be axing Almiron to make way for the 25-year-old Dutchman as the numbers suggest that he would be a major upgrade on the former MLS man.

AND in other news, Lee Ryder delivers big six-word NUFC injury update, it’ll leave Howe relieved…

Following a season in which Sadio Mane had bagged 11 goals and registered seven assists over 37 Premier League appearances, it was no surprise that Tottenham Hotspur were reported to be interested in a deal to sign the Southampton winger in the summer of 2016.

Indeed, Spurs came so close to landing the Senegal international that it was claimed the winger had visited the club’s training ground in order to discuss the terms of a switch to Mauricio Pochettino’s side, however, the Argentine coach was ultimately unable to convince Daniel Levy to meet forward’s wage demands.

As a result, Liverpool swooped in for the attacker, landing Mane in a £34m deal and handing the then-24-year-old a five-year-contract at Anfield – from which point the former RB Salzburg sensation has blossomed into one of the finest footballers on the planet.

Levy had a shocker on Mane

Indeed, following his 2016 move to Merseyside, Mane has gone from strength to strength under the management of Jurgen Klopp, scoring 86 goals and registering 34 assists over his title-winning campaign.

The £72m-rated dynamo has also impressed for Liverpool in European competition, bagging 21 goals and notching seven assists over lifted Europe’s most prestigious club prize after beating – incredibly ironically – Spurs 2-0 in the final.

Aside from boasting both a Premier League and Champions League winners medal, the winger has also won the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Supercup and the Carabao Cup during his stay at Liverpool, in addition to lifting the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

And, as a result of his remarkable form both at Anfield and at international level, the £200k-per-week Mane has been linked with moves to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent seasons, however, with Liverpool having previously slapped a £200m price tag on the 29-year-old, whether or not either of the Spanish giants will be able to afford a move for the winger remains to be seen.

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What is clear, however, is that Levy’s decision not to sanction a 2016 move for the player who Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dubbed a “wild animal” has proven to be a shocker on the part of the chairman, as, in doing so, not only did he ensure that Tottenham failed to secure the services of one of the world’s best attacking talents, but he also cost the club a potentially enormous payday – something that will undoubtedly be one of Levy’s biggest regrets during his time in north London.

AND in other news: Paratici eyeing bid for £84m “thoroughbred bomber”, “he’s the future” of Conte’s Spurs

Sunderland have been handed a huge transfer boost over young midfielder Daniel Neil…

What’s the talk?

According to Football League World, the Black Cats will be able to keep hold of the Stadium of Light academy graduate if they win promotion this term.

The report claimed that Premier League quartet Leeds, Aston Villa, Wolves and Brighton are all keen on the 20-year-old and that he is likely to leave if the Wearside club remain in League One for another campaign.

Delight

This news will surely delight Sunderland supporters, as it gives hope that Neil may still be in their defence for 2022/23.

It suggests that the Black Cats faithful will not be fearing the worst if the club can to secure promotion this season. They would not need to worry about Neil departing in the summer ahead of a Championship campaign, leaving the club in the difficult position of needing to replace a key player whilst also trying to strengthen their squad.

This report will also leave fans buzzing, as it suggests that Neil is keen to have a crack with Sunderland in the Championship. The bright lights of the Premier League may prove too much for some to resist, and the midfielder turning down a top-flight move would show amazing loyalty to the club, and that should be respected in the modern game.

Former Sunderland boss Lee Johnson dubbed Neil a “young Paul Gascoigne” and his form in League One this season has been impressive. The 20-year-old has produced three goals and seven assists in 31 starts for the club, whilst creating 1.2 chances and making 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game.

He has caught the eye in a box-to-box midfield role, showcasing his ability to win the ball back whilst also having an impact on the game when in possession. Neil has the quality to change a game with his passing and shooting in the final third, and he still has plenty of time to develop and hone his skills even further over the next few years.

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This is why Sunderland supporters will surely be delighted to learn that he is set to stay if Alex Neil’s team can secure promotion, as it would be a huge boost to the club based on his form this season and his long-term potential. The Black Cats are currently sixth in the table and could make their way up to the second tier by winning the play-offs, keeping their gem of a midfielder in the process.

AND in other news – Left for £0, value soared 14,900%: Sunderland fumbled gem with a “wand of a left foot”… 

It’s no secret Everton have been spending an absolute fortune trying to patch up and repair their problems for many years and now the excessive spending alongside the poor manager retention rate has taken it’s toll on the club as they are now in a relegation battle fighting for their place in the Premier League next season.

Farhad Moshiri is renowned for his impulsive and unnecessary spending that has ultimately led to the Merseyside club’s downfall, and it’s not just spending that has caused the problems the club are facing now, but the sale of key players who have been hugely impactful in the side since his arrival in 2016 has played a huge part in Everton’s dwindling remaining quality.

One player who the Toffees were unable to keep hold of is Romelu Lukaku, who reportedly rejected a lucrative offer to extend his contract at the club following a voodoo message that told him to go to Manchester United.

He left Goodison Park in 2017 after three years at the club, scoring 87 goals and assisting his teammates 29 times equalling a goal involvement every 120 minutes. That’s an attacking output that neither Dominic Calvert-Lewin (162 minutes) or Richarlison (195 minutes) have been able to match during their time as the centre-forwards at the club.

Since the 6 foot 2 attacker, who was hailed an “iconic figure” by Roberto Martinez, left the club it’s fair to say he has gone onto bigger and better things, with the striker winning a Serie A title with Inter Milan scoring 65 goals in 95 appearances for the club and winning the FIFA Club World Cup with his current club Chelsea more recently, leading to his market value to soar to £90m according to Transfermarkt.

Although Everton made £75m in Lukaku’s sale, they have spent far more trying to fill the void in their attacking line to replace his goals and assists, with over £100m spent on offensive players since he left five years ago and no progression made. In fact, the club is suffering one of their worst seasons with the potential of relegation for the first time ever in the Premier League this season.

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As a result, Moshiri will surely have nightmares about giving in to selling Lukaku all those years ago, as the money spent and the lack of progression for Everton far outweighs the profit made on the player, and with the side only scoring one goal in the Premier League in over two months, a player of Lukaku’s calibre would be perfect for them right now.

In other news: Insider drops claim on “big” Moshiri “decision” that’ll leave Everton supporters livid

Aston Villa have been reported to be open to selling 24-year-old centre-back Ezri Konsa in the summer, who has a valuation of £22.5m according to Transfermarkt, but would likely cost more than that for any interested clubs.

If they do choose to sell him, manager Steven Gerrard could look to 17-year-old sensation Kerr Smith, who joined the club from Scottish Premiership side Dundee United in January for a mere £864k, after making an impressive 12 senior appearances with his former club.

“He’s a talented boy,” said former Dundee United manager Micky Mellon about him last year. “We enjoy having him here [at Dundee United] and watching him progress. I’m not surprised there would be interest in a 16-year-old that’s as good as him.”

Daily Record reporter Scott Burns also heaped praise on the defender before his transfer to Villa, saying: “He’s done well, considering he’s only 17. He’s obviously quite big and strong, but he’s also very good on the ball.

“I remember Micky Mellon saying Kerr Smith was as good as anyone he’d seen at that age group.”

In his five Scottish Premiership games this season, he averaged 2.8 clearances per game as well as completing 100% of his dribbles, 50% of his duels and picking up just one yellow card throughout the season.

Since moving to the Midlands, he has appeared six times for the youth teams at Villa, but not yet having made an appearance for the senior squad.

According to The Courier, the teenager “shined” on his U23 debut win over Norwich City in the Premier League 2, which was spectated by Gerrard – who would have been impressed with the result which was accompanied with a clean sheet.

The Scotland U19 international will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Bologna star and compatriot Aaron Hickey, who has become one of Europe’s hottest prospects after making the move to Italy from Hearts, where he made his first steps into professional football around the same age as Smith.

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If Villa can unearth his potential, they could have a centre-back for their long-term future for Gerrard to centre his team around.

In other news: AVFC can land Gerrard’s own Grealish in “super-talented” gem who won’t cost a penny