We've been very, very successful but it's because of hard work. There's no shortcut. The reason why we've been successful is because we're willing to fight and stick together and be a team. It's time for everyone to step up a level. I've still got no doubt that we're a good team and it will click. We just have to click maybe quicker than what it looks like at the minute.
In a statement, Birmingham-based club Villa said they had been informed that local police had "public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night." West Midlands Police said they had classified the November 6 fixture as "high risk" following a "thorough assessment." "This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam," police said in a statement. In November 2024, that fixture in the Netherlands was marred by violent clashes linked to the crisis in the Middle East which left at least five people needing hospital treatment and resulted in over 60 arrests.
Rotterdam has a special place in the hearts of Aston Villa supporters. Villa won the European Cup at De Kuip in 1982 thanks to Peter Withe's strike off his shin and the post and a stellar goalkeeping performance from young substitute Nigel Spink. Bayern Munich were their opponents that night and they return on Thursday to take on Feyenoord in the Europa League.
Reported Celtic target Louis Munteanu's asking price has been significantly reduced, it has been claimed, while Dundee head coach Steven Pressley is already planning January signings. Cluj would now accept less than 4.5m for 23-year-old striker Louis Munteanu, for whom Celtic reportedly had a 6.9m bid rejected in the summer before the Romanian club claimed a 17m transfer to Ajax or Valencia fell through, according to FCSB owner George Becali.
There are few mascots in world football as instantly recognisable as Mefi the eagle of OGC Nice, who mirrors the club's crest and performs a dramatic flight around the Allianz Riviera before kick-off. The spectacle was once again on show ahead of Nice's Europa League clash with AS Roma on Thursday, but what was supposed to be a display of power and pride quickly turned into a far more comical scene.
Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay believes his club could win the Scottish Premiership "at some point". (Herald - subscription required), external Celtic captain Callum McGregor plays down Hearts' promising start to the season after the Tynecastle side moved two points above the defending champions at the top of the Premiership, saying: "Anyone can get off to a good start. Aberdeen did it last year." (Record), external McGregor suggests the table will be more relevant after 36 games rather than six.
Four draws and a defeat has Martin's side one point behind their West Lothian hosts - albeit having played a game fewer - in their worst league start in 48 years. Rangers are winless in six league games - stretching back into last season - (D5 L1), the joint-longest run in their entire history (level with six other runs of six, most recently in December 2005).
Former Celtic player Oh Hyeon-Gyu came back to haunt Rangers as his goal secured Genk a 1-0 win in their Europa League opener at Ibrox. The pressure continues to build on Russell Martin, whose side also saw Mohamed Diomande sent off in the first half, giving the hosts a mountain to climb. Rangers started well, with John Souttar coming closest to an opener in the 17th minute as his thumping header was brilliantly cleared off the line by an acrobatic Bryan Heynen.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored 10 minutes from time for Lille as they beat Brann 2-1 in the Europa League. Giroud, who joined from Los Angeles FC in the summer and turns 39 next week, got on the end of a cross from Tiago Santos to get the French side off to a winning start in the competition.
