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Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to Dean Smith’s reaction to Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham on social media.

Villa, who were once again without captain Jack Grealish, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s men at Villa Park.

Worrying Villa form without Grealish

Goals from Carlos Vinicius and a Harry Kane penalty proved to be the difference, with the result leaving Smith’s side in 10th place.

In the games for which Grealish has been out injured, Villa have picked up just five points from a possible 18, scoring three times – leaving them in 14th place in the form table.

Villa fans react

The club shared Smith’s post-match thoughts late on Sunday night on their official Twitter page. He addressed his views on the performance, as well as Grealish’s absence in the clip, which has been viewed more than 24,000 times.

The manager insisted that there were some “good bits” from his team and was pleased with their play up to the final third. He added that players “have to look in the mirror” at spurned opportunities and goals conceded, and that he and the coaching team are “always taking lessons” from poor results.

This is what these supporters had to say to the footage, with some not happy with the comments from the Villa boss.

“Broken record…”

Credit: @terryreid2

“Get him out of my club. Poison”

Credit: @villaiiin7

“Sounds defeated to me”

Credit: @SmithLovelace

“Do something different Deano, the fans know your subs before you make them. Surely the opposition are too”

Credit: @liam_avfc2012

“Lampard in before it’s too late”

Credit: @UTVGAVIN1874

“I don’t have to listen to it to know what he said and know I will be bored by what he said. It’s been the same for weeks now.”

Credit: @Bosey82

In other news: Villa handed possible Grealish transfer boost as club eye £50m alternative, find out more here. 

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Dean Windass believes reported Tottenham target Nick Pope could be the man replace Hugo Lloris in North London.

The Spurs captain has made over 350 appearances in all competitions since joining in 2012 from Lyon.

The French captain kept his first clean sheet since February 7 on Sunday with Jose Mourinho’s side recording a comfortable 4-0 win against Burnley, following it up with another against Fulham.

Nick Pope has been a formidable force between the sticks for both club and country since his debut in 2017 and he could be the reassuring hands Spurs need.

Lloris has managed 10 clean sheets in all competitions this campaign with Pope recording just one less, despite playing in a team fighting relegation.

With constant snubs from Gareth Southgate Pope may feel it is required to play for a bigger club if he is to ever change the manager’s perception of him being the best goalkeeper for England.

Dean Windass told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that it may be the right time for change to happen.

He said: “Yeah, it’s coming to the end and Lloris making a few mistakes as well.

“Mourinho teams are not one really for playing from the back. They’re not a Manchester City or Liverpool where they’ve got a goalkeeper who like Man City’s goalkeeper could play in midfield, that’s how good he is.

“You’re not saying Lloris can play outfield and they don’t really play from the back. Nick Pope’s not great with his feet in my opinion.

“I’m an old school centre forward/wanting to be a manager so, for me first and foremost start with stop the ball going in the net.

“Some managers say can you play with your feet? Some managers say can you keep the ball out the net?

“Nick Pope’s been unbelievable, I think that would be great.”

Lloris will turn 36-years old this year with Pope still on the better side of 30-years old. The Burnley stopper would not likely come cheap, with the Mail Online reporting a £30 million price tag being put on him.

Spurs have looked shaky at the back this season, which is unusual for a Mourinho team. A fresh face and voice may be what’s required to get the defence into shape.

Curtis Jones is currently in the midst of an exhilarating breakout season with boyhood club Liverpool.

The Reds’ youngster has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and providing as many assists.

Having now firmly forged a place in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, the 20-year-old has earned plenty of praise for his performances, with the likes of former Reds’ hero Jamie Carragher labelling his displays as ‘outstanding’.

He also played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s victory at Sheffield United, scoring the opening goal when it looked likely that the reigning Premier League champions would be left frustrated.

His rise in stature within the Liverpool camp has coincided with a stark rise in his transfer valuation. Guy Rogers, founder of Five Yards, suggests that Jones is now worth ‘£50m’.

Whilst Jones certainly has the potential to become a high-valued Premier League player, caution has to be taken. At the current time, Transfermarkt value him at just over £15m – a huge disparity.

The England U21 looks likely to establish himself further in the Reds’ lineup, however, too much pressure and expectation could see him stutter – as has happened at Anfield on many occasions.

In recent times, those progressing through the club’s youth academy have faltered in very similar situations.

Names such as Jordon Ibe, Jon Flanagan, Rhian Brewster, Brad Smith and Dominic Solanke all failed to live up to the initial promise that they initially showed at Anfield.

Between them, they only made 105 league appearances for the Reds. Indeed, their five current transfer values (via Transfermarkt) only reach £25.2m – a tiny bit over half that what Jones is worth, according to Rogers.

Whilst they were never valued quite as high as the current Reds’ youngster is right now, that makes it all the more concerning. Should Jones not continue his upward trajectory, then he has the longest distance to fall from his monumental transfer valuation.

Based on his current showings in the Reds’ midfield, there is no reason why Jones couldn’t live up to that £50m billing but supporters should be cautious before piling too much pressure on the Toxteth-born star.

AND in other news, the arrival of Paulo Dybala at Anfield would signal the end for Divock Origi.

Many West Bromwich Albion fans have flocked to a tweet from The Telegraph’s John Percy in which issued an update on West Brom’s interest in former Leicester City attacker Ahmed Musa. 

Albion have recently been linked with a move for the £5.4m-rated man, who is a free agent after departing from Saudi club Al-Nassr, back in October. 

Now, Percy has revealed that the 28-year-old is set to train with the Baggies for the week, with manager Sam Allardyce thinking about offering him a short-term deal at The Hawthorns. 

So, how have these West Brom fans reacted to this update?

Percy’s update drew a negative reaction from many fans of the West Midlands club after he relayed it via Twitter, with some Baggies fans indicating that they’re embarrassed to see their club linked with a move for Musa.

“Good God, what have we become?”

Credit: @NedJ55135980

“Damn, this is getting embarrassing now”

Credit: @Yacxb

“What is the point in signing any so-called striker? With our midfield, they’ll never get any chances”

Credit: @bluntroger

“What a state our club is in #WBA”

Credit: @DexWBA__

“Stinks of desperation #wba”

Credit: @rmelrose11

“Look at the comments, everyone laughing at us, it’s actually embarrassing supporting this football club at times.”

Credit: @RyanPGlasgow

In other news, Kevin Campbell has had his say on the possibility of West Brom signing Hamza Choudhury.

Phil Hay has provided an update on Leeds United’s stance heading into the final hours of the January transfer window. The Athletic reporter was asked whether any incomings were on the cards for the Whites, to which he simply replied ‘no’.

This naturally could change with the ebbs and flows of deadline day. However, should Hay’s response be true, Leeds could be looking at some seriously choppy waters ahead for the remainder of the season.

Leeds must be cautious of injury problems

Despite spending a handsome amount in the summer window, the Championship winners are still being hammered by injuries. As it stands, Marcelo Bielsa is without summer recruits Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, who both operate at centre-back. Their most recent fixture against Leicester City also saw them pick up three more injury problems.

According to Premier Injuries, Patrick Bamford is out with a dead leg, which isn’t too serious. But playmakers Raphinha and Rodrigo are currently being assessed for reported muscular and groin injuries respectively.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-leeds-transfer-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Leeds news!”]

This could see the duo out for an extensive period of time, which leaves Leeds short in the engine room. Bamford is already heavily carrying his side in terms of attack this season, they cannot afford to lose even more fire power.

With Raphinha out, Bielsa will likely have to field string players Ian Poveda or Helder Costa on the right-wing. The loss of the the Brazilian will be hefty one for the newly promoted outfit – he has already contributed to seven of Leeds’ Premier League goals this season, as per Transfermarkt.

Injuries have already cost the Whites dearly in defence, dropping points to the likes of Brighton and even Crawley Town in the FA Cup. Now, they could be limited in both their backline and attacking force, which is a recipe for disaster.

Victor Orta should be utilising this transfer window to strengthen an injury-stricken squad, but Hay’s update could mean trouble is on the horizon for a club desperate not to slip back down into the Championship. It will be very risky business if they choose not to bring in any new personnel today.

In other news, Leeds must revisit transfer swoop for Divock Origi…

Having scored against St Mirren, Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos once again finds himself at the centre of attention, but that doesn’t that the board should forget about Kai Kennedy.

What’s the word?

The highly-regarded Rangers teenager has been tipped for the top by former SFA performance director Malky Mackay but his contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, which has cast doubt over his future at Ibrox.

According to The Daily Record, Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard has made it clear to Inverness Caledonian Thistle that they can keep Kennedy until the end of the season but only if he commits his future to the club.

Currently plying his trade on loan at Inverness Caley Thistle, John Robertson has claimed he would love to keep the highly-rated 18-year-old as part of his squad: “We have spoken to Rangers and they have given us the scenario they see going forward.

“His future with them, first and foremost, is the key thing that has to be discussed between Rangers and the player.

“Until that is sorted we have to wait and see, as he is a Rangers player.

“They have told us if he signs a new deal they are quite happy for him to remain here this season.

“Until he does that, it is up for grabs.

“That hasn’t been done at the moment, so we will just crack on for the next couple of games before contacting Rangers again to find out what the situation is.”

It’s also claimed Kennedy is close to reaching an agreement with his boyhood club that would extend his current deal having been embroiled in a dispute with Ibrox bosses over a purported lack of game time.

But Ross Wilson can’t afford to leave anything to chance, as Manchester City, Roma and Bayern Munich were reportedly keeping close tabs on his situation after contract talks reached an impasse in September.

Forget Morelos, Kennedy is the future

While Morelos has been linked with a move away from Rangers in recent months – reports have even suggested Lille tried to lure him away from Ibrox in the last transfer window – losing Kennedy would arguably be an even greater blow.

He has been courted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs after bursting onto the scene whilst playing for Rangers in the Alkass Cup victory in 2017.

The talented teen has long been earmarked as one to watch for the future – he’s already bagged two assists for Rangers reserves.

And now, Kennedy has played a key part in Caley Thistle’s campaign in the Championship as Robertson’s side bid to avoid relegation to the Scottish League One this season – scoring one goal in eight games so far, via Transfermarkt. He isn’t an unproven academy prospect any longer, he’s starting to show glimpses of his obvious talents.

It’s no wonder, then, that even Gerrard has been impressed by the uncapped Scotland U21 international, with the Ibrox boss describing him as an “outstanding” dynamo after a string of impressive performances.

This is precisely why Wilson can’t afford to lose Kennedy. He’s a local lad who possesses lots of untapped potential in a similar nod to his forbearers Barry Ferguson and Steven Naismith before him.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard dealt huge blow as Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield ruled out of Old Firm clash…

Many Liverpool fans have been reacting to news that striker Divock Origi is to be offered in a swap deal for Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.

The 20-year-old centre-back has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances in the Bundesliga and his maturity at such a young age was called “astonishing” by Stuttgart sporting director Thomas Hitzelsperger during his time at Die Roten (cited by talkSPORT).

Sky Germany (via Anfield Edition) reported that the Reds have contacted Schalke over sending Origi the other way in exchange for Kabak.

The Kop faithful have heavily criticised the Belgian of late, with some suggesting that his time at the club has come to an end.

With Liverpool’s current injury crisis in the defensive department, supporters would welcome offloading the 25-year-old in exchange for Kabak.

Fans urge Liverpool to offload Origi for Kabak

“This sounds like it will be a good piece of business for both teams, more especially for Liverpool who needs a centre-back.”

Credit: @OmilaVincent2

“100% needs to happen.”

Credit: @RomeoKomTrikru

“Yes yes yes yes yes.”

Credit: @CaroleAnne1487

“We need a centre-back and it’s time for Origi to move on so I can see this deal happening in January.”

Credit: @1121LFC

“If this happens plus we get David Alaba its PL title secured back to back seasons.”

Credit: @Jhonny_Savage

“nahhhhhh no way I beg”

Credit: @MikeJones2k

In other news, Journalist provides conclusive five-word statement amid Mohamed Salah exit rumours.

Worrying pictures have emerged of Tottenham star Gareth Bale wearing an ice pack after he was taken off against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Bale injured?

The £22.5m-valued 31-year-old (Transfermarkt) played 78 minutes at the Hawthorns against the Baggies, with him coming off when the score was 0-0. Harry Kane’s late strike gave Spurs all three points.

Unfortunately, when he was sat in the stands, Bale was seen with an ice pack strapped to his ankle. It is unclear whether the issue was serious or if it was just a precautionary measure.

Worry for Mourinho

Bale was almost the perfect no-risk loan signing for Jose Mourinho. He loves the club, having burst onto the scene at White Hart Lane, and his record of over 100 goals and four Champions League trophies shows just how good a player he can be.

However, there is just one issue – Bale has a terrible injury record. During his time at Real Madrid, he missed 99 games due to a whole host of injuries. It has taken him a while to build up some fitness in north London during this second spell – this was his first start in the Premier League this campaign. All in all, he has played a grand total of just 301 minutes across six games in the English top-flight and the Europa League.

This is, at the very least, a reminder to Mourinho that Bale needs to be managed. As Danny Mills previously told Football Insider, Bale is “desperate” to be with Spurs. That being said, the staff at the Lilywhites must make sure he is ready to play whenever he is selected.

In other news, Tottenham are interested in this two-time Champions League winner.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, former Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood has revealed his surprise at Jack Grealish staying at the club this summer.

The England international was linked with a move away from Villa Park all summer, with reports suggesting that Manchester United were one of the clubs interested in making a big-money move for him.

But Villa’s survival on the final day of the season, and his subsequent new contract appears to have shown where his immediate future lays, and Harewood has delivered his verdict on what the future could potentially hold for Grealish.

He said: “I was surprised. Obviously, people had doubts over him, which I don’t know why. I was surprised that he stayed at Villa, and not through choice, but because concrete offers didn’t come in for him. He’s proved them wrong because he was doing this all last year. Now he’s signed a new contract at Villa, so it’ll be even harder for someone to come and get him which is clever by Villa. And he seems to be enjoying his football.

“If I was enjoying my football, I would stay and enjoy it. He’s playing for England and doing really well at Villa, and coming off the back of last year, are in a very good state in the Premier League. He won’t need to move because he can set a plan there that he can achieve and do well. But at the same time, big clubs coming in for you, you have to make a decision if you want Champions League football. He’s got a decision to make.

“He seems to be getting more powerful and understanding the game which is good, and I hope he keeps on doing the right things and staying out of trouble.”

With every passing performance, Grealish’s star continues to grow. Whether it’s his displays at club level with Villa, or his showings on international duty with England, he is really developing into one of the Premier League’s finest stars.

And having signed a new long-term contract to stay at Villa Park recently, and the fact the club have started the new campaign so well, it’s difficult to imagine Grealish in anything other than a Villa shirt for the time being.

Tottenham Hotspur have missed out on plenty of big names over the last few names, most notably Paulo Dybala and Jack Grealish, but one former Mauricio Pochettino target has just shown why the north Londoners must rue not clinching his signature…

What was the word?

During the 2016 summer transfer window, Spurs lodged a £12m bid for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha but it was quickly rebuffed by Steve Parish, who dubbed the offer “ridiculous” to talkSPORT, via the Guardian.

It’s not the first time that the Lilywhites have had to opportunity to secure the enigmatic forward after ex-Spurs scout David Webb spotted Zaham, aged just ten, playing for Whitehorse Wanderers in west Croydon.

“I think he scored four or five goals. We invited him in for a six-week trial and for the first five he didn’t play. The coach couldn’t get him to do the sessions properly because he wasn’t used to it. He’s not going to come in and pick up structured training sessions at 10. He won’t understand. What he understands is being on a football pitch. He played against Tottenham’s academy and scored all six goals.”

And then again in 2018, Zaha was hoping that a move to N17 would come to fruition but Spurs balked at the Eagles’ £70m asking price, as per The Times.

One that got away?

During a weekend in which Spurs did not feature – they play Burnley tomorrow night instead – Zaha excelled as Palace’s star man against Fulham, playing a part in both goals in their 2-1 victory.

The 27-year-old slipped in Jairo Riedewald with a sublime through ball within the first eight minutes for the opener before tapping home the easiest of finishes courtesy of Michy Batshuayi picking him out.

Per SofaScore, Zaha duly took home a match-high rating of 8.8 after recording seven dribbles, four key passes and an 82% passing accuracy from 22 attempts.

After the match, Roy Hodgson lauded his talisman, he said: “He reminds us that when he’s on top of his game he’s a very hard player to stop. He’s an excellent player and that’s what he’s capable of doing. He deserves all the praise he’s going to get.”

Back in 2016, Parish revealed that Pochettino thought the Ivorian international could be the “next [Cristiano] Ronaldo” – speaking to talkSPORT, via the Guardian, he added: “I was told that the manager there [at Tottenham] thinks he’s the next Ronaldo. Well, I’d like to get the next Ronaldo for £12m.”

It remains to be seen how much it would’ve taken to snag him from their London rivals, but with his value shooting up to £70m as recently as the 2019 summer window, Daniel Levy must rue not pulling out all the stops to land him, especially in a time before the arrivals of Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn and obviously, Gareth Bale.

Zaha has bagged five goals in six league games already this season, averaging 2.5 shots, 1.7 dribbles and 1.5 key passes per game, via WhoScored, could you imagine his one goal every 108 minutes ratio in this current Spurs team? He’d be electrifying.

He could’ve left the Eagles for £30m in the window just gone, so there’s surely no chance of picking him up that cheap again now.

Levy should have listened to Pochettino instead of wearing his usual tough-negotiator hat. To miss out on the “next Ronaldo” is simply inexcusable.

AND in other news, Released by Redknapp, ex-Spurs graduate is now worth a WHOPPING £90m…