John McGinn received plenty of responses in a heartfelt post to the Aston Villa fans after reaching a milestone with the club.
Unai Emery’s side kept their Champions League hopes alive after Aston Villa beat Fulham in a tense 1-0 victory.
Youri Tielemans scored the only goal of the match in the 12th minute, heading home from a pinpoint corner delivered by McGinn, who put in another standout performance in midfield.
The win, however, wasn’t without controversy. Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett questioned the decision to disallow Ryan Sessegnon’s goal for Fulham, calling the handball incident “bad luck”.
After the game, McGinn took a moment to reflect on a personal milestone and shared a message of gratitude to Villa fans.
John McGinn makes 200th Premier League appearance in emotional milestone moment
Following Aston Villa’s narrow victory over Fulham, McGinn marked a personal milestone by confirming he had made his 200th appearance for the club in the Premier League.
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In an emotional message to supporters on Instagram, McGinn said: “Last week hurt us just as much as everyone else. Today didn’t make up for it but a huge win at home. Proud to make 200 appearances in the Premier League for Villa. Never give up.”
The post received plenty of love from fellow players. Man United loanee Marcus Rashford left a heart emoji, Morgan Rogers replied “My winger”, and Lucas Digne added: “Super John”.
The Scot signed from Hibernian in 2018, has played a key role in Villa’s progression from the Championship to now challenging among Europe’s elite.
While McGinn’s performances have come under some scrutiny this season, the midfielder remains central to Emery’s plans, racking up 46 appearances and contributing 10 goals and assists this term.
Club statistics Aston Villa Hibernian St. Mirren
Appearances 282 136 98
Goals 30 17 4
Assists 39 29 7
John McGinn’s club statistics in all competitions.
Aston Villa may lose Ollie Watkins amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool
Despite the club’s current Champions League push, Villa could be braced for a significant summer departure.
Football Insider revealed that Aston Villa would consider offers of £50–60 million for Ollie Watkins, with both Arsenal and Liverpool monitoring the striker ahead of the summer window.
Watkins’ role in the squad has come under greater focus following the arrival of Rashford, and the England forward is now said to be assessing his options for
the upcoming season.
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Premier League LIVE: Matheus Nunes scores late winner vs Aston Villa, Wilshere gets first managerial job, Leeds and Burnley promoted
talkSPORT
17 – 22 minutes
Live Blog
Updated: 22:03, 22 Apr 2025
The Premier League is slowly edging towards its conclusion, and talkSPORT is here to keep you up to date with the latest.
Liverpool are just one win away from claiming the title, but they could claim it earlier should Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace.
The race for the Champions League is as tight as ever after Nottingham Forest beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.
And Manchester City boosted their hopes after beating Aston Villa 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Matheus Nunes scored deep into stoppage time, lifting the Citizens above Forest into third spot.
Premier League Gameweek 34
Tuesday, April 22
20:00: Manchester City vs Aston Villa – talkSPORT exclusive
Wednesday, April 23
20:00: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace – talkSPORT exclusive
Saturday, April 26
12:30: Chelsea vs Everton – talkSPORT exclusive
15:00: Brighton vs West Ham – live on talkSPORT 2
15:00: Newcastle vs Ipswich
15:00: Southampton vs Fulham
15:00: Wolves vs Leicester
Sunday, April 27
14:00: Bournemouth vs Manchester United
16:30: Liverpool vs Tottenham
Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa
What late drama at the Etihad Stadium!
It’s Manchester City that have won it thanks to Matheus Nunes’ late strike in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Jeremy Doku put in a low cross whipped in with the outside of his right foot.
Emiliano Martinez decided to dive for the ball as it flashed across the six-yard box, despite being nowhere it, leading to Nunes at the back post to tap into an empty net.
The result sees City leapfrog above Nottingham Forest into the third spot.
As for Villa, they remain seventh in the table – two points behind fifth-placed Newcastle – who occupy the final Champions League spot.
Credit: Getty
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa
The Premier League have told angry Manchester City fans why Aston Villa were awarded a 15th minute penalty.
Referee Craig Pawson initially waved away a possible spot-kick after Jacob Ramsey went down after a challenge from Ruben Dias.
As Ramsey jinxed into the box, he was bundled over by the Portuguese centre-back after his knee whacked into the midfielder.
Instructed to go to the pitchside monitor by VAR, Pawson then pointed to the spot, leaving City’s players and fans furious.
And now, the Premier League have taken to X to issue a statement as to why the decision was made.
The post read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Aston Villa for a challenge by Dias on Ramsey – and deemed there was a clear trip and recommended an on-field review.
“The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Aston Villa.”
Credit: Getty
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford’s goal at the Etihad means Manchester United are enduring their worst Premier League season at home in 21 years.
The Citizens have now shipped in on 22 occasions in front of their own supporters.
That is the most they have conceded in the top-flight since they moved into their stadium in the 2003/04 season, where they let in 24 goals.
In their 17 home league matches so far this term, they have kept just four clean sheets.
City’s 22 goals conceded at home is the most of any side in the top eight in the table.
Credit: Getty
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa
Ruben Dias and Manchester City can have no complains over Aston Villa’s penalty.
That’s the view of former Leeds Women’s striker Lucy Ward, when having her say on Dias’ foul on Jacob Ramsey.
Speaking on talkSPORT commentary, Ward said: “Ruben Dias collides into him.”
Before adding: “It’s one of them where if it’s not given, you’d be gutted. He definitely bodies him.”
Co-commentator Sam Matetrface then stated: “It’s clumsy from Dias and that’s not exactly what you would expect from a player of his level.”
Addressing the booing City fans, Ward then said: “I don’t know what they’re complaining about.
“I’ve just watched it again and it’s a penalty.”
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa – GOAL
Marcus Rashford has fired Aston Villa level from the penalty spot!
He may have missed earlier in the match, but he made no mistake this time from 12 yards out.
Ruben Dias was adjudged to have clipped Jacob Ramsey in the box following VAR intervention.
And despite protests from the City squad and Pep Guardiola, who was yellow carded as a result, Rashford coolly tucked home into the bottom right corner.
Rashford now has banged in seven goals against the Citizens in all competitions.
Only against Leicester has he now scored more goals against [nine].
Credit: Getty
Manchester City 1-0 Aston Villa – GOAL
Bernardo Silva has broken the deadlock after just seven minutes at the Etihad.
The Portuguese playmaker was picked out by Omar Marmoush from close range after great wing play from the Egytpian forward.
Silva then fired a first-time effort towards goal, that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez really should have kept out.
The 2022 World Cup winner got two strong hands to Silva’s effort, but parried it off his own leg and into the back off the net.
Villa had been causing City problems, with Marcus Rashford hitting the post after just 17 seconds.
Credit: Getty
Team comes first
Unai Emery has revealed why he has opted to start Marcus Rashford ahead of Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa’s crunch clash at Manchester City.
Watkins scored and assisted another when chosen to lead the line against Newcastle in a 4-1 win last time out.
He proceeded to express his frustration at being dropped for Villa’s Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain last week.
But despite dazzling against the Magpies, Watkins has had to settle for a place on the bench once again.
Asked about his decision to start Rashford instead, Emery told Sky Sports: “Collectively, it’s our preparation and how we are planning for 90 minutes.”
He added: “The match today, game 34, and we are looking to play for three points. Being consistent in the Premier League is the most important.
“Today the demand will be so huge, to try to dominate the match offensively and get duels and get confidence and feel comfortable.”
Victory at the Etihad for Villa would see them leap ahead of Pep Guardiola’s men and into fifth spot in the race for Champions League football.
Credit: Getty
Team news
The line-ups have been revealed ahead of tonight’s clash between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
City have made two changes, with Nico Gonzalez and Savinho dropping out of the line-up.
In comes James McAtee and Mateo Kovacic.
Villa boss Unai Emery has made the bold decision to drop Ollie Watkins despite his impressive display in the 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
It means a return to the line-up for Marcus Rashford, as the on-loan Manchester United striker is one of five changes made by Emery.
Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey will start as Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen, Marco Asensio and John McGinn all drop to the bench.
Man City: Ortega Moreno; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne (c); McAtee, Bernardo, Marmoush
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Kamara; Rogers, Tielemans, Ramsey; Rashford
Credit: Getty
Reading latest
The EFL has granted an extension for controversial Reading owner Dai Yongge to divest his interests in the club amid progressive talks of a sale.
Earlier this month, the EFL gave Yongge a deadline of April 22, but it has now been pushed back to May 5.
“Since our last update on April 3, further progress has been made in respect of the proposed sale of the Club,” an EFL statement read.
“As a result, the Board deemed it appropriate to agree to the Club’s request to allow more time for matters to be concluded in accordance with EFL regulations.
“As stated previously the League continues to monitor the Club’s immediate cash flow requirements.”
Yongge had been disqualified under the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test earlier this month, which was what prompted the need for him to divest his interests in Reading.
The Chinese businessman had previously agreed to a £30million deal to sell the Royals to American lawyer Rob Couhig, last year, but the deal ultimately collapsed.
Reading also entered a period of exclusivity with an interested party ahead of a mooted takeover in February.
However, that failed to materialise after the period of exclusivity expired.
Credit: Getty
Theory
Gary Lineker has said he thinks the BBC wanted him to leave Match of the Day – with the former footballer adding that he “didn’t like the damage” done by his controversial tweeting.
The 64-year-old outgoing MOTD host will leave the corporation after fronting its coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Lineker, who has worked as a presenter on the highlights programme since 1999, told the BBC’s Amol Rajan: “It’s time (to leave). I’ve done it for a long time, it’s been brilliant, it’s been great… Well, perhaps they want me to leave… There was a sense of that.
“I always wanted one more contract. It was their preference that I didn’t do Match of the Day for one more year so they could bring in new people, so it’s slightly unusual that I would do the FA Cup and the World Cup, but, to be honest, it’s a scenario that suits me perfectly.”
A trio of presenters – Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan – will replace him on MOTD.
Lineker was also grilled about the furore in March 2023 over his tweet comparing the then British government’s asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
The former England striker was briefly taken off air, and other sports journalists and presenters walked out in solidarity, before he returned to fronting MOTD.
Lineker said: “I don’t regret saying them publicly, because I was right – what I said, it was accurate – so not at all in that sense.
“Would I, in hindsight, do it again? No, I wouldn’t, because of all the nonsense that came with it… It was a ridiculous overreaction that was just a reply to someone that was being very rude. And I wasn’t particularly rude back.”
He added: “But I wouldn’t do it again because of all the kerfuffle that followed, and I love the BBC, and I didn’t like the damage that it did to the BBC… But do I regret it and do I think it was the wrong thing to do? No.”
Credit: BBC
Jorgin-no
Jorginho may have played his last game for Arsenal.
The midfielder was injured during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brentford and has not featured since.
With Thomas Partey to miss the first leg of the Gunners’ Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, Mikel Arteta will need all the midfield options he can get.
Unfortunately Jorginho won’t be one of those, as the Arsenal boss provided a grim update on the Italian’s fitness in today’s press conference.
“For Jorginho, I think unfortunately it will be a few weeks,” Arteta said.
“I hope so [to have him back], but I’m not certain. So we have to see how he evolves in the next few days, I would say a few weeks.
“So the doctor was quite cautious still about talking about any dates. So let’s see.
“The good news is that he’s improving, he’s feeling much better. It was quite a scary situation and he’s in a good place now.”
Given Jorginho’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, there’s every chance he doesn’t pull on the iconic red shirt again.
Credit: Getty
Making a stand
A group of Arsenal fans, known as ‘Gunners For Peace’ have launched a campaign against one of their team’s sponsors.
Arsenal are currently sponsored by Visit Rwanda despite the country being hit with sanctions from the UK government for their sponsorship of a M23 – a rebel group in Eastern Congo accused of war crimes.
Paris Saint-Germain have announced that they are extending their deal with the company, but these supporters have had enough.
As a result, they’ve unveiled a billboard that claims they would rather visit Tottenham.
It will be in place for tomorrow’s game against Crystal Palace, and it’s a jokey way of presenting a serious message.
Not happening
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he won’t be making too many changes for the match against Arsenal.
The Eagles have an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa this weekend, but face the Gunners in the Premier League on Wednesday.
However, he won’t be resting a load of players for it.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “We have to look at what’s best but it doesn’t mean we will make ten changes, maybe two or three.
“We have to be top fit to face a team like Arsenal.”
Credit: Getty
Contenders
talkSPORT understands Leicester City are expected to sack Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman joined the club in November and has won just two league games as the Foxes joined Southampton in being relegated from the Premier League.
And it’s unlikely he’ll get the chance to lead their attempts to get back into the top-flight.
A top contender to replace the former Manchester United striker is Lee Carsley.
Ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin has admirers, while Cesc Fabregas and Danny Rohl are on the shortlist.
Credit: Getty
First chance
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been given his inaugural first-team managerial role.
Norwich City have sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup with just two games left in the Championship.
The Canaries were beaten 3-1 by Millwall on Easter Monday to leave them 14th in the table, with no chance of making the play-offs.
And Wilshere is in charge until the end of the campaign.
And he’s set to face former teammate Aaron Ramsey on the final day as Norwich take on Cardiff City.
The other game sees him come up against Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough.
‘It’s a final’
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has asked for the Etihad to be rocking this evening against Aston Villa.
The race for the Champions League looks to be going right to the wire, with Villa and City bang in contention.
Whoever wins tonight, live on talkSPORT, would take a huge leap towards taking one of the three Champions League spots up for grabs, and Guardiola knows how important it is.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “They are a contender to qualify for the Champions League.
“You see the game they played against my friend Luis Enrique [PSG boss] – wow, I was really, really impressed.
“They can play low block and play away, but when they decide to go, with the weapons they have, the speed they have, the set-pieces, they are incredibly well organised.
“It is a final and we need our people because I think our people want the Champions League next season again and hopefully they can help us from the first minute.
“Sometimes we are sloppy, sometimes we are not playing good, now we need them desperately to support us, to make noise and be there all the time because it’s absolutely a final for us.”
Credit: Getty
Done deal
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Burnley had been promoted to the Premier League.
That means the Clarets make an instant return to the top-flight, and it also triggers a transfer.
Jaidon Anthony was on loan at Turf Moor from Bournemouth, and there was an obligation to buy inserted into the contract should Burnley be promoted.
Scott Parker’s men must now pay £8 million to the Cherries for Anthony, who has played an important role this season.
The winger has featured in 41 games, scoring seven times and setting up a further seven goals.
Credit: Getty
Huge encounter
The race for the Champions League places is the main thing left to be decided this season, and there is a massive game at the Etihad tonight that could go a long way in deciding who makes it.
Third to seventh are only separated by three points, meaning three sides will make it into Europe’s elite next year, and two will miss out.
Two of the teams involved are Aston Villa and Manchester City, and they meet live on talkSPORT this evening.
Villa are on a roll after smashing Newcastle 4-1, while Man City are winning without playing well.
It’s all set up to be a cracking match between two sides who have everything to play for.
Credit: Getty
‘We should never lose’
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was left baffled at how his team lost to Nottingham Forest this evening.
The visitors hit two early goals before Spurs spurned chance after chance at home to lose their 18th Premier League game of the season.
Speaking after the match, he said: “It’s disappointing. It’s a game we should never lose.
“I am really disappointed with the goals we’ve conceded, and the most frustrating thing is I thought our football was outstanding.
“We couldn’t dominate any more than we did, but we conceded poor goals and gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
“You can’t give teams two-goal starts.
“There is no doubt that we deserved to win that game.”
Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest – FULL TIME
ABSOLUTELY HUGE!
The referee blows the final whistle, and Nottingham Forest re-take third spot in the race for the Champions League.
After back-to-back defeats, they looked to be in trouble, but they did enough to claim three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it’s enough to propel them back into the top four.
Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood were the goalscorers, but in the second half, Matz Sels and Harry Toffolo came up with some big moments.
This is how the Premier League table looks.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest – Richarlison
GAME ON!
This time, Richarlison does beat Matz Sels!
Pedro Porro is allowed time and space to deliver a ball in from the right.
It’s an excellent cross into the area, and there is the Brazilian to divert an effort into the bottom corner.
That is going to make things nervy for Forest!
Tottenham 0-2 Nottingham Forest – Chance
That is an excellent save!
As the game has gone on, Nottingham Forest have got deeper and deeper.
This time, they don’t deal with the cross into the box as Richarlison is left free.
He arrows a header towards goal from a Pedro Porro cross, but Matz Sels gets down to claw the ball away from the bottom corner.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottingham Forest – Chance
How has he done that?!
Pedro Porro delivers a flat corner in at the near post.
Dejan Kulusevski beats everyone to it and flicks an effort towards goal.
It beats Matz Sels and looks to be heading into the back of the net.
However, there is Harry Toffolo to make an incredible clearance off the line.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Harry Toffolo of Nottingham Forest clears the ball from the line after a headed effort from Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Credit: Getty
VAR is back
The Premier League Match Centre have confirmed that VAR is back.
It went down briefly after a fire alarm at Stockley Park, but everything has been resolved.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottingham Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo is now looking to try and close this one o
