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Aston Villa will look to make it six straight Championship victories when they come up against former manager Steve Bruce and his Sheffield Wednesday side at Hillsborough on Saturday.

The Midlands outfit’s chances of securing a top six finish looked to be slipping away just a couple of months ago, but now they are in the top six – although they are still in a precarious position given their 11th-placed opponents at the weekend are currently four points adrift of them.

Villans manager Dean Smith spoke to the press on Thursday prior to the trip to Yorkshire, and these are the two most important things he said.

Jack Grealish – before and after

When asked about how Grealish is getting on in the role of skipper since his return from injury, the former Brentford boss said:

“He appeared to be a lot more mature than my perception of him [before arriving]. He’s thrived on it. His performances have shown that.

“Off the pitch as well he looks like he’s really enjoyed taking on that responsibility and leadership.

“I think it’s made him a more rounded person as well.”

It is no surprise that Smith had that pre-conception about the 23-year-old given the stories we have seen in the press previously, but there is no doubt that he has been a real talisman for their winning run – handing him the captain’s armband could be the manager’s smartest decision since he was appointed.

Alan Hutton, James Chester and Tommy Elphick are back

Villa have been missing some of their key experienced first-team pros in recent weeks, but Smith confirmed that the aforementioned trio are now back in training, and pushing for involvement during the run-in.

The 48-year-old said: “Alan Hutton’s running, James Chester’s running and Tommy Elphick’s running so we’ve got those three looking to push forward as well.

“I’m hopeful that all three will feature this season. They’ve all been knocking on my door wanting to be involved and that’s the position I want to be in.”

While those three may soon be available, they face a tough task getting into a backline where the likes of Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause have been so strong in recent weeks.

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West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has proven himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League this season, but he was certainly shown up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

On the chalkboard

It was always going to be a hard task for the Irons in west London given they had lost two of their previous three top flight fixtures, and it proved to be the case.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini started Rice alongside Mark Noble in a 4-2-3-1 system, with the former expected to protect the backline – as he has done on so many occasions throughout the current campaign.

The 20-year-old has excelled in that role time and time again with his ability to intercept and win the ball back, but it was a different story against Maurizio Sarri’s men as he was overrun and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in particular ran rings around him in the opening 45 minutes.

Tables have turned

Rice has had his praises sung constantly and received an England call-up this term, whereas Loftus-Cheek has found first-team starts hard to come by for the Blues.

Perhaps their respective fortunes are beginning to change now though, with the former hardly impressing against a big team on this occasion given he has been linked with moves to Manchester City and Manchester United.

While the 23-year-old does play in a more advanced position than his fellow Three Lions man, he showed a couple aspects of his game that if the Irons starlet took on, would allow him to reach the next level.

He used his strength, power and work rate when on the ball to create problems for his opponents, and it is something that Rice probably doesn’t utilise enough.

He certainly has the height and muscle to do this, but for whatever reason he tends to play it safe – perhaps no surprise given his age.

The youngster is clearly a great player in the making but by no means the finished article, and if he looks at his international teammate’s display on Monday he may just get there.

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Reiss Nelson wants to play consistently for Arsenal, per the Daily Telegraph.

The winger is currently on loan at Hoffenheim but is hopeful of making an impact upon his return to the Emirates Stadium.

What’s the word?

Nelson has been in fine form in the Bundesliga since his loan move, scoring six goals and laying on one assist in just 24 outings for the club.

Of course, he has already made his first-team debut for Arsenal, playing a total of 16 times for the senior team after progressing through the youth teams.

And he is hopeful that he will be able to add to that tally when he returns to London.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: “If I wasn’t aiming to break into the Arsenal first team, that wouldn’t be the correct mindset.

“I am just at the beginning. I want to get to the very top.”

A tough ask

Nelson is perhaps held back by his position.

A right winger by trade, Arsenal already have the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Iwobi competing for a spot in Unai Emery’s forward line.

Danny Welbeck, too, will return from injury before the start of next season.

Nelson has shown he is up for the fight purely by taking the risk of moving to Germany and attempting to forge his own path.

But he faces a major challenge when he returns to the Emirates as he bids to reach, as he says, “the very top”.

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Middlesbrough fans have taken to Twitter to respond to Boro chairman Steve Gibson submitting a formal complaint to the EFL over the financial accounts of Derby, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.

The Englishman has asked for three of Boro’s rivals to have their finances examined by the league, per Daily Telegraph.

The reason for this is because Gibson believes these clubs are breaking new sustainability rules that have seen the Teesiders have to sell stars – such as Adama Traore and Ben Gibson (Steve’s nephew) – to ensure Middlesbrough balance the books.

Gibson believes that the clubs he has picked out are breaching financial regulations and as a result he wants all clubs accounts to be made available to every club in the EFL.

The letter has made an impact and a meeting is set to be held on the 24th of April, with representatives from every Championship club present.

Boro fans have responded on Twitter to their chairman’s plea with many thinking he should focus on turning the club around.

As the weeks pass by, the more it looks like this is indeed Liverpool’s year. At this stage of the season, what a statement that is. 

The Reds jumped over a crucial hurdle by brushing aside Chelsea on Sunday, but the battle is far from being over. Yes, the run-in looks fairly easy on paper, but no one on Merseyside will be counting their chickens just yet.

Indeed, there are still four games to go, along with the UEFA Champions League, who everyone outside of the Liverpool camp seems to be forgetting in terms of the club’s chances of winning silverware.

In such an eventful period, Jurgen Klopp’s managerial strengths will be questioned. The German gaffer has certainly done a sublime job with making the Reds an unbreakable unit, but these final few laps are vital to the cause.

As exhaustion and pressure set in, options within the squad now take on extra importance.

While Liverpool’s squad isn’t quite like Manchester City’s, there are still options for Klopp to turn to. In the upcoming weeks, whilst challenging for both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, he needs to keep his side energized.

Perhaps that’s obvious. However, if the Reds win this league, it won’t just be down to the starting XI and the stars who instantly come to mine. It’s been a group effort so far – with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge all popping up in big games – and needs to continue in that vein.

The likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and even Fabinho should get some rest to keep on operating on a high-octane level.

It’s the best opportunity for Shaqiri, Origi and company to make their contributions to history. These benched stars are capable of big things and need to steer Liverpool towards success by bringing goals, while also maintaining consistency in their winning run.

Liverpool cannot afford to run out of steam now. To make sure they don’t lose fuel, Klopp needs to be smart with his rotation and make sure to interchange players perfectly to avoid any chances of slipping this time.

Liverpool fans, do you think now’s the time for rotating players? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Manchester United fans will disagree with outspoken Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson on his prophecy for the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City and they’d be right to.

What’s he predicted, then?

An out-of-sorts Red Devils play host to the in-form Citizens at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening knowing that a win for their bitter rivals and visitors will put the title in their hands.

But there will be double motivation for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men aside from bragging rights as three points against Pep Guardiola’s side would boost their hopes of making a late dash back into the top four.

Predicting a 4-0 trouncing in City’s favour, here’s what Merson had to say ahead of the match:

“I think the league will be won here as I expect Manchester City to win easily.

“Manchester United are just not very good. It was embarrassing against Everton and the players should be ashamed of themselves.

“They need to work hard this week, which will not be enough, but it is the least they can do. To lose the way they did against Everton was mindblowing. They should be honoured to play for that club and they embarrassed it.”

That’s pure sensationalist, Merse

Predicting such a one-sided affair for this Manchester derby is pure sensationalist from Merson as it’s clear he’s just trying to wind up the United faithful.

Yes, there is a gulf-in-class between the two teams in terms of quality and form at the moment, but the Red Devils are going to put up more of a fight in front of their own fans at “The Theatre of Dreams” than that.

Home advantage is going to be key in this match-up and what happened on Sunday will only work in the favour of United, meaning their players will have a new determination to make it up to supporters and prevail in the big derby.

Just look at what happened when pundits would have predicted something similar from this fixture little over a year ago.

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Chelsea put a Watford side who have impressed thoroughly to the sword on Sunday, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek scoring the Blues opener – his eighth strike of the term in all competitions.

The midfielder seems to impress whenever Maurizio Sarri gives him the nod, which isn’t often, so it remains bemusing as to why the dynamic number 12 isn’t one of the first names on the team sheet.

However, he was certainly at the forefront of former boss Roy Hodgson’s mind while he was at Crystal Palace last year and BBC pundit Garth Crooks has stated in his weekly feature that thinks it was a big mistake for Loftus-Cheek not to remain at Selhurst Park:

“This is a lad I thought was better off staying at Crystal Palace on loan, playing every week and continuing his international development as a consequence of playing regularly. However the player decided to return to Chelsea – or more to the point, the club insisted he returned.

“Immediately his game time dropped, he lost all the momentum he gained from his time at Palace and he struggled to be the star his performances suggest he might be.”

There’s some exciting changes happening at Crystal Palace next summer. Find out what in the video below…

The 23-year-old was a huge hit at SE25 and a number of the Palace faithful were surely keen for him to stay beyond the expiry of his one-year loan deal, although the Blues were having none of it.

Clearly, the powerful midfielder has all the qualities to play for a top side but perhaps staying at Palace, where he would be a star and perhaps further his international career, would have been a better move than remaining at Chelsea and trying to fight for a future.

Wilfried Zaha has proved that you don’t need to be at a Manchester United or a Chelsea to earn recognition for your talents and the Ivorian is adored by everyone at Selhurst Park. Will Loftus-Cheek realise his mistake and make a beeline for the Eagles, or another club, in the summer? Let us know in the comments below, Palace fans, if you would be happy to see the Londoner back in red and blue.

There’s nothing better than beating one of your rivals to a signing. With that in mind, if Arsenal can bat off the competition to capture Hakim Ziyech it’d send a huge statement to the rest of the top six.

The 26-year-old right winger is another rising star Ajax have thrown into the limelight this season and the Mirror claimed in late April that the Gunners, Man City, Man United and Liverpool are all interested in signing him up. Indeed, Arsenal should put all their weight behind this guy and forget Dennis Praet.

Unai Emery’s side are also believed to be after Praet according to the Daily Star, but he’s miles behind Ziyech considering he’s still playing for Sampdoria rather than one of Europe’s top clubs. He may be younger, but Arsenal need success now.

Ziyech has shone in the Eredivisie this season, scoring 16 goals and making 15 assists. He’s even scored two and assisted three this Champions League campaign, so he can certainly perform in more competitive matches too. What’s there not to like about that?

He’d be a huge upgrade on their attacking players already, and that includes outgoing Aaron Ramsey. If they sign him he’ll make Arsenal’s attack unbearable to defend against because they’ve got such depth up there. It’ll have a phycological impact on their rivals too.

If Arsenal can beat their main rivals to his signature, it shows they’re ready to battle for the title with the likes of Liverpool and City. They have some way to go, but if they can pull this off, they can make it all the way.

Arsenal fans, what do you think it will take for Arsenal to challenge for the title next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

16 goals and 20 assists is an exceptional return for any player in any top league in Europe, and it’s even more incredible when you discover those are the stats of a defender.

Rangers captain James Tavernier has been nothing short of incredible this season, establishing himself as one of the best fullbacks in the country and a leader who can take the Gers to glory in the not too distant future, but after such an impressive goal output, interest is bound to come, and that has been the case.

According to the Daily Mail, both Southampton and Brighton are interested in the 27-year-old right-back, who is valued at £1.8 million on Transfermarkt, and although a big money move to the Premier League might be tempting for both Tavernier and the board, the club must do all they can to keep hold of their captain.

The right-back is an exceptional oddity in the world of football, a defender who is as dangerous going forward as he is defending, and whilst fans would fear losing the likes of Alfredo Morelos more at first, losing Tavernier would be a disaster for Rangers.

Gerrard will find it near-impossible to find a player with the same impact as Tavernier in both impact on the field and off it. The defender’s goals and assists are important, but the leadership and unity the defender brings are just as important for Rangers.

A big money move might seem tempting, but Rangers are nothing without their captain, and the board must do all they can to keep hold of Tavernier this summer.

Rangers fans, is Tavernier the most important player in the team? Let us know!

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Wolves have a number of top talents coming through at the moment but none are better than attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

The 19-year-old played a part in 26 Premier League matches this term, but only five of them were starts.

Given his quality, it’s an alarming stat, especially if you consider the fact he’s been relied upon to play in a deeper role for much of the season.

Wolves’ system doesn’t particularly lend itself to the midfielder but next campaign they must find a way to get the best out of him. To do that, they can look towards his displays at the U17 World Cup when England were victorious back in 2017.

On the chalkboard

Gibbs-White has rarely played in his favoured attacking midfield position for Wolves and as such, Nuno Santo has been making a mistake with his selection.

At the U17 World Cup, the 5 ft 10 teenager only made brief cameos in the first two matches against both Chile and Mexico. However, he grew into the tournament phenomenally well.

It was against Iraq in the final group game that we got our first true glimpse of the youngster. Playing from central midfield, he played a terrific hand late on, coming off the bench to play the final 30 minutes.

But it wasn’t until the quarter-finals that he started at the tournament for the first time. Against the USA, he played directly behind the striker and managed to find the back of the net.

He then scored in the final too, essentially playing as a forward for much of the second half next to Rhian Brewster. For his goal, he made an intelligent movement into the six-yard box before finishing with ease from Steve Sessegnon’s cross. The timing of his run was impeccable.

His attacking qualities were on show and it’s something we’ve only caught small sightings of for his club side. As a result, Wolves should take a leaf out of Steve Cooper’s book and play him where he can actually influence proceedings.

Raul Jimenez is turning it on for Wolves and Mexico right now! He definitely deserves the song in the video below…

Gibbs-White has a tendency to occupy pockets of space before moving forward with the ball and playing short passes in behind. It’s something that’s seen him link up well with Raul Jimenez at times in 2018/19 and also with Brewster at the U17 World Cup.

Therefore, if Nuno can move him closer to the Mexican and Diogo Jota, it could prove devastating next term.