EPL to punish virus rule breaches; 10 Villa players positive
Villa says discussions are ongoing between medical representatives of the club, the Football Association and the Premier League. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, file)BIRMINGHAM – The Premier League warned clubs Friday that disciplinary action will be taken over breaches of coronavirus rules amid a sharp rise in cases, including 10 Aston Villa players being forced into isolation after testing positive. The outbreak at Villa threatens its Premier League games next week but the team will still contest its FA Cup match against Liverpool on Friday using only youth players. In games, players have become more lax and the league wants them to minimize contact. Villa's next game in the Premier League is against Tottenham on Wednesday, and Purslow did not know whether that match would go ahead.
Famed basketball coach Roy Williams pays tribute to Budig
FILE - In this March 27, 1993, file photo, Kansas coach Roy Williams raises his arms in victory after cutting a piece of the net after the NCAA Midwest Regional final in St. Louis. He was the guy that gave Roy Williams a chance, Williams told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)A Hall of Famer with three national championships and a familiar face at the Final Four, it would seem Roy Williams was destined for big things in basketball. He was the guy that gave Roy Williams a chance, Williams told The Associated Press. They wanted a high-profile coach and told Budig it would be a huge mistake to hire Williams.
Longest season ends, pandemic issues linger for the EPL
It was a test of resolve for new Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, but Project Restart was accomplished. No team suffered more after the restart in June than the 2016 champion, blowing an eight-point cushion in the Champions League places. The capitulation was completed by Sundays 2-0 loss to Manchester United, which took the last Champions League place off Brendan Rodgers' lineup. Like Chelsea, Arsenal turned to a former midfielder this season to take charge. But there wont be a fifth consecutive season in the Champions League for the 2019 beaten finalist.
Prized seat at pandemic-era games as longest EPL season ends
A television camera operator is seen during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, July 4, 2020. After the Premier League was brought to a sudden halt in the second week in March, abandoning the season became a very real prospect as the coronavirus pandemic death toll mounted. Signs outside told fans to stay home, with even pubs still closed when the league resumed on June 17. Some medics don't have far to travel to games with Watford's hospital looming over one corner of Vicarage Road. Even the stadium's car park is shared with tents for the town's COVID-19 testing, providing a reminder of the health emergency that made this the longest season.
$250M+ at stake for teams fighting relegation in EPL finale
Aston Villa's Matt Targett, top, celebrates with teammate Trezeguet after the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)The anguish of Leeds and Nottingham Forest provides a reminder of just what is at stake on the final day of the English Premier League for the teams fighting relegation. Status and history offer little protection when a team is trying to stay in the Premier League or regain a place in the world's richest league. Bournemouth must beat Everton and rely on Watford and Villa losing to secure a sixth season in the Premier League. The parachute payments have been criticized by the English Football League, which operates the three divisions below the Premier League, as they create an imbalance over the income for teams.
Liverpool makes triumphant Anfield return as English champ
Liverpool's Sadio Mane, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, July 5, 2020. Liverpools players were back home at Anfield for the first time since winning a first English league title since 1990. Mane swept home a finish off the underside of the crossbar in the 71st for his 16th league goal of the season before Jones converted a shot from 10 meters out in the 89th after a nod-down from Mohamed Salah for his first Premier League goal. With second-place City losing 1-0 hours later at Southampton, Liverpool is on course to win the league by a record margin. BLADES BLUNTEDSheffield United's players resumed the Premier League with an outside shot at Champions League qualification.
Pulisic, Giroud score as Chelsea rallies to beat Villa 2-1
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham, England, Sunday, June 21, 2020. (Molly Darlington/Pool via AP)BIRMINGHAM Healthy enough to make his first appearance in nearly six months, Christian Pulisic sparked Chelsea to a comeback victory. Olivier Giroud put Chelsea ahead two minutes later in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa 2-1 on Sunday that strengthened the Blues' hold on fourth place in the Premier League. Giroud scored for the sixth straight league game against Villa. Unfortunately a little bit of quality and fortune favored them," Villa manager Dean Smith said of Chelsea.