Aston Villa
United Weigh Sancho’s Future as Villa Loan Fails to Gain Traction
United face a decision over Jadon Sancho after a limited loan at Aston Villa failed to revive his value.
Manchester United remain uncertain about Jadon Sancho’s next step after his loan spell at Aston Villa has produced limited minutes and little market momentum. United had hoped the loan would mirror Marcus Rashford’s six-month spell at Villa Park in the second half of the 2024–25 campaign, but that scenario has yet to unfold.
Sancho has made just five appearances for Villa so far and was substituted after being introduced from the bench in Sunday’s 1–0 victory over Manchester City. The Manchester Evening News report United have not agreed a plan for Sancho’s next move.
The 25-year-old’s contract at Old Trafford runs until next summer, with United holding the option to extend for a further 12 months. Letting the deal expire would mean United accepting a total loss on the £73 million they paid in 2021. Extending the contract would preserve the possibility of a fee in a sale but would carry the risk of another 12 months of his substantial wages if an acceptable offer does not arrive.
United see no long-term future for Sancho at the club and are hoping a successful loan at Villa Park will sustain some value and attract interest next summer. Any decision on the contract extension is expected later in the season, once Sancho has had more time to demonstrate his form at Villa.
Sancho’s start at Villa has been slow. He played just eight minutes across his first three Premier League games before illness sidelined him. He returned to start in the midweek Europa League defeat to Go Ahead Eagles, his second start for the club, but drew attention when he was substituted on and then off in the same match against his former employers.
Emery addressed the episode and acknowledged the player’s feelings while underlining fitness concerns. “Yes, sure [Sancho] is not happy, but I did it before with Morgan Rogers, with Emiliano Buendia, with Leon Bailey, and he played 60 minutes on Thursday,” Emery explained. “When [Buendia] was injured, my plan was maybe in case [Sancho] was going to play 30 minutes, but I decided to play more and he played 45 minutes.
“But my plan was when he was swapped with Emiliano Buendia, the idea was maybe not playing all the minutes until the last moment. And I told him as well, he can feel it, it’s embarrassing.
“Before Morgan, Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey, they felt the same when I subbed them, but it was not a punishment. And now it’s not a punishment.
“He played 45 minutes, I am so happy because his impact was good, his electricity, his skill, but then to play more than now… he’s not ready, fit, to play 90 minutes, 45 minutes is not easy enough for him and I am happy and of course, progressively he’s coming better and better.”
Arsenal
Late Buendía Strike Denies Arsenal as Trossard Briefly Restores Hope
Buendía’s late strike in stoppage time handed Villa a 2-1 victory after Trossard had levelled. At 95′
Arsenal suffered a devastating 95th-minute defeat as Emiliano Buendía rifled home the decisive goal to give Aston Villa a 2–1 Premier League victory. Leandro Trossard, introduced at half time, had levelled quickly after the break and offered Arsenal hope, but Villa’s stoppage-time winner proved decisive.
David Raya produced a number of important interventions, including a fine save to deny Ollie Watkins, but was ultimately helpless to stop Cash’s earlier fierce effort and Buendía’s late finish. Ben White provided attacking width on the right and linked well with Bukayo Saka, while Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié coped for the most part with Villa’s direct forward play.
Riccardo Calafiori pushed high early on but was cautioned after the hour mark and will be suspended next weekend. Martin Ødegaard led Arsenal’s creative work, producing dangerous shots and passes in the final third. Declan Rice covered big distances in an all-action display and made a key block to thwart Cash in the first half as well as forcing the turnover that led to Arsenal’s leveller.
Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s principal attacking threat and supplied the cross for Trossard’s equaliser. Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze were withdrawn at half time after limited involvement; Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres replaced them and had differing impacts. Substitutes Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were introduced later as Arsenal sought a late winner, while Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marli Salmon, Christian Nørgaard, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli were listed among the unused options.
Villa’s Starting XI read Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers; Ollie Watkins. Villa’s bench included Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho, Lamare Bogarde, Emi Buendía and Victor Lindelöf among the subs used.
The defeat hands Manchester City and Chelsea the opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal, while Villa moved to within three points of the table-toppers. Arsenal will regroup after a game decided in the final seconds.
Arsenal
Shortlists for November Premier League Player and Manager of the Month
Nominees for November’s Premier League Player and Manager awards, highlighting key performances. Stars
The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.
Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.
Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.
Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.
Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).
Arsenal
Ranking the Premier League’s Top Goalkeepers: Seven Stoppers Who Matter
Seven Premier League goalkeepers stand out for shot-stopping, presence and recent form. Top reflexes.
Premier League goalkeeping is unforgiving, yet several custodians have combined reflexes, presence and consistency to keep their teams competitive. This piece surveys seven current Premier League keepers and the specific traits that have defined their recent seasons.
Jordan Pickford has transitioned from an erratic young keeper into England’s first-choice stopper with greater composure. Once an error-prone, overly aggressive goalkeeper, Pickford has mellowed in past seasons and is all the better for it. He is often mocked for his relatively small stature, but incredible reflexes and an ability to produce jaw-dropping stops have made him crucial for Everton during testing spells. The consistency he has developed ensures he is one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers and also one of the leading stoppers in the world.
Guglielmo Vicario offers stunning saves and agile shot-stopping for Tottenham Hotspur. What he lacks in commanding the penalty area he offsets with cat-like reflexes that have repeatedly spared Spurs. He has proven a reliable presence for Tottenham since joining the club in 2023 and has firmly endeared himself to the Tottenham faithful.
Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived as Liverpool’s planned long-term successor to Alisson. The Georgian honed his craft in La Liga with Valencia and drew wider attention with his performances at Euro 2024. He is an imposing, all-round goalkeeper who deals effectively with balls into his box, though there remains work to be done regarding his distribution.
Matz Sels returned to England in February 2024 and became a central figure in Nottingham Forest’s 2024–25 European run. Having featured infrequently for Newcastle United in 2016–17 before moving on to Anderlecht and Strasbourg, Sels improved with age. He shared the Premier League Golden Glove with David Raya after a league-high 13 clean sheets.
Emiliano Martínez continues to deliver for Aston Villa and for Argentina. A two-time Yashin Trophy winner and World Cup winner, Martínez’s shot-stopping and leadership are clear, and his re-integration into Unai Emery’s squad after summer uncertainty underlines his elite mindset.
Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Manchester City after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. PSG parted ways amid debate over his ball distribution and reported financial demands. At the Etihad, his large frame and quick reflexes have been immediate assets.
David Raya replaced Aaron Ramsdale at the start of 2023–24 and has proven an inspired addition for Arsenal. The ex-Brentford goalkeeper provides expert distribution, quiet self-assurance and reliable reactions, helping to transform Arsenal’s rearguard.
