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Aston Villa now believe they have the edge in negotiations to sign an “unbelievable” star this month, but there could be competition from their Premier League rivals.

Villa keen to provide Watkins with support in attack

One week into the January transfer window, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Villa want to bring in new options in attacking areas, having identified a number of forwards as potential targets, including Marseille’s Robinio Vaz and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia.

In fact, the Villans have reportedly already tabled a bid for Garcia, with Unai Emery clearly keen to bring in another centre-forward, despite Ollie Watkins impressing over the past few weeks, with the Englishman bagging six goals in his last seven Premier League matches.

Watkins will be looking to continue his exceptional form when his side travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace this evening, with the likes of Emi Buendia, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers potentially playing provider.

Jadon Sancho, on the other hand, hasn’t hit the ground running at Aston Villa, failing to contribute a single goal or assist in all competitions this season, so it could make sense to bring in a new winger this month.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Villa believe making a January move for Man City’s Omar Marmoush could give them the edge in negotiations, especially if the Egyptian is eager to receive more consistent game time, having been a bit-part player this season.

Emery is keen to bolster his options this month, rather than waiting until the summer, but there could be competition for Marmoush’s signature, as Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race for the forward, who joined City for £59m last January.

With Pep Guardiola hesitant to let the 26-year-old leave mid-season, however, it remains to be seen whether a deal will be possible.

Marmoush may have to leave City after Semenyo's arrival

The Egypt international has only featured sporadically for the Blues this season, making ten Premier League appearances and often being utilised as a substitute, and his minutes could soon be limited even further, given that Antoine Semenyo is set to join City.

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Consequently, the £295k-a-week star may have to leave Guardiola’s side this month, and he could be a fantastic acquisition for Villa, who could do with a new forward, in light of Sancho’s disappointing form.

Related Dream Watkins upgrade: Aston Villa open talks to sign "incredible" £30m CF

Aston Villa look set to make a move for a top-level centre-forward in the coming weeks.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb

After joining City last January, the former Eintracht Frankfurt man proved he has what it takes to deliver in the Premier League, picking up seven goals and two assists in 16 appearances.

Having also been dubbed “unbelievable” by Guardiola, Marmoush is clearly too good to be receiving such little game time, so it would make sense to move on this month, and a move to Aston Villa could be an exciting proposition, considering they are level on points with City.

Arsenal have made a phone call to sign a “magnificent” forward, who has been impressing in the Champions League this season.

Gunners stepping up pursuit of new forward

The Gunners strengthened their attacking options considerably in the summer, bringing in the likes of Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, but they remain keen on signing a new forward, with Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure one of the latest targets to be identified.

Mikel Arteta’s side remain top of the Premier League table, two points clear of nearest-rivals Manchester City, but they haven’t exactly been blowing teams away as of late, edging out Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Brighton by a single goal.

Indeed, the north Londoners have been unable to fully kill games off in recent weeks, with Viktor Gyokeres receiving widespread criticism for some of his performances, having not scored from open play since the 2-0 win against Burnley at the beginning of November.

Arsenal being unable to put teams to bed is a sign they could perhaps do with bringing in some additional attacking firepower, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz.

According to a report from TuttoSport (via Sport Witness), the Gunners have made a phone call to discuss a deal for Yildiz in recent weeks, alongside Liverpool, as both Premier League sides have been monitoring the forward constantly for months.

The Italian club are now worried enough to offer the 20-year-old a bumper new deal, and there is a feeling the big-money contract offer could convince the youngster to stay.

The Serie A side are now expecting the Turk to pen a new contract, which would tie him down until 2031, so the north Londoners may need to move swiftly if they are to tempt him into a move to the Emirates Stadium.

"Magnificent" Yildiz could be ideal Trossard heir

Leandro Trossard has established himself as an important player for Arsenal this season, amassing six goals and five assists in 20 matches in all competitions, but Arteta may soon have to bring in a replacement.

The Belgian is 31-years-old and yet to sign a contract extension to extend his stay in north London beyond 2027, so the Gunners could perhaps do with bringing in a younger option at left-wing, and the Juventus star could be ideal.

Related Arsenal hold talks for "monster" Real Madrid target ahead of January

The Gunners are chasing a rising star…

Posts ByBen Goodwin

Although he is still very young, the 26-time Turkey international is one of the Italian side’s key players, regularly contributing goals and assists in both the Serie A and Champions League this season.

Kenan Yildiz’ key statistics

Appearances

Goal involvements

Serie A

15

9

Champions League

6

3

Scout Jacek Kulig has also been left impressed by the Germany-born forward, describing him as “special” and a “magnificent” talent.

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Yildiz has already proven he is capable of making an impact at the very highest level, and it would be exciting if Arsenal were to pursue a move this January, but a deal could be expensive, with a potential fee of £88m fee being touted.

	Arjuna Ranatunga takes over from Jayantha Dharmadasa, who held the post for over two years © AFP

Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain, has been appointed chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) following the resignation of Jayantha Dharmadasa from the post on Monday.SLC sources stated that by virtue of his appointment, Ranatunga would replace Dharmadasa as chairman of the Asian Cricket Council for the next six months after which he will have to relinquish it. Dharmadasa was chairman for the first one-and-a-half years of a two-year term.The board’s media manager, Samantha Algama, said Dharmadasa sent in his resignation to the secretary of the Sports Ministry citing ‘personal reasons’. Following Ranatunga’s appointment, further changes are also expected in the cricket administration.Dharmadasa was made interim chairman on March 24, 2005 by former Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga and ran the day-to-day administration for close to three years. He replaced the democratically-elected body of Mohan de Silva, whose administration was accused of mishandling the board’s funds.Ranatunga, 44, served briefly on the Dharmadasa administration’s cricket committee before resigning on the grounds that he was not happy at the way progress was being made. He has been a strong campaigner for change in the domestic cricket set up and feared that, unless radical steps were taken, Sri Lanka cricket was heading for disaster with no quality players coming out of the present system.Having led Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup, Ranatunga quit international cricket in 2000 after playing 93 Tests and 269 one-dayers and began a career in politics, following in the footsteps of his father who is a minister in the present government.

Sehwag’s last one-day series in South Africa was an unmitigated disaster © Getty Images

After the non-match at the Eden Gardens got this series off to the wettest possible start, both teams are hoping that there isn’t a repeat when they clash in the second game on Sunday. Saturday was overcast and cool, and talk of rain in nearby Bhuj did not calm the nerves at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground in Rajkot. It rarely ever rains in Rajkot at this time of the year, but then again, that was the case in Kolkata as well.For the moment, though, it was as though Kolkata never happened. India still have the same fitness concerns, Sri Lanka are still waiting to give some of their players a run in the absence of Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, who have been rested, and fans – more like 10,000 at this ground rather than the 100,000 at the Eden Gardens – are waiting for a contest. It’s as though fresh guard has been taken, and the series begins here.Continuing nigglesThe news from the Indian camp was not particularly encouraging, as Rahul Dravid once again found himself in a position where he was unable to name a 12-man shortlist on the eve of the match. Irfan Pathan (shoulder) and Yuvraj Singh (back) both haven’t recovered fully yet, although there was significant improvement in that they were able to take full part in practice, something that did not happen in Kolkata. There, Pathan batted but did not bowl and Yuvraj did neither. Although Yuvraj appeared in some discomfort, he did bat in the nets ahead of the second game. The other concern is Ajit Agarkar, who is on antibiotics and doing his best to recover from flu. He too bowled, although not at full capacity, and was a bit flat.Go on as you beganWith no fitness concerns whatsoever, Sri Lanka are unlikely to make any changes to their team that played the 18.2 overs in Kolkata. Mahela Jayawardene, the captain, did indicate that any final decision on the composition of the team would only be made after looking at the conditions on the morning of the match, but logic dictates that they play more or less the same team. The big positive for them was the powerful batting of Sanath Jayasuriya, who seems to have an unusual fondness for the Indian bowling attack, no matter who it comprises.A new dayOne of the most predictable quotes you hear before the start of a match is that “tomorrow is a new day.” And in this case it is actually quite applicable. The ground here at Rajkot is so different from the Eden Gardens that there’s little to take from the previous truncated encounter. Where there were acres of space in the outfield at the Eden Gardens, there are short boundaries here. In comparison to the flat pitch in Kolkata, there’s a hint of grass on a hard light-coloured 22-yard strip here. In place of the balmy sea breeze that inevitably swirled in over the imposing stands there is only a cool, arid wind that blows unobstructed through tiny, barely visible single-storey stands here. There’s little point predicting the result of these one-day games, but it might just be safe to predict a high-scoring affair at Rajkot.Non-selectionOne of the focal points in this one-day series so far has been the fact that the teams will be announcing their 15-man World Cup squads at the end of the second match. All events have been viewed through those tinted glasses, but it’s not necessarily accurate to do so. The Indian selectors are certainly not using these two matches as the criterion to pick the squad for the World Cup. The fate of a Virender Sehwag, who has been playing international cricket for seven years now, did not hinge on his performance in two matches, and with one rained out, it does not hinge on the next one. Sure, there is bound to be a heightened sense of anticipation with selection for the world’s premier cricket tournament following the second match but in real terms, it puts no extra pressure on the players.The one problem, though, is that India will not be able to get a full idea about the match readiness of Yuvraj – who has batted only once in an international in three-and-a-half months, should he be unable to play. On the recent tour of South Africa Pathan barely played a match, and has since played just one ODI. It would help the selectors if he could have a bowl, and answer some of the questions posed about his bowling form.Teams
India (likely) 1 Robin Uthappa, 2 Sourav Ganguly, 3 Virender Sehwag, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 Rahul Dravid (capt), 6 Dinesh Karthik, 7 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Sreesanth, 10 Zaheer Khan, 11 Munaf Patel.Sri Lanka (from) 1 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 Upul Tharanga, 4 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 5 Marvan Atapattu, 6 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 7 Chamara Silva, 8 Russel Arnold, 9 Upul Chandana, 10 Farveez Maharoof, 11 Lasith Malinga, 12 Dilhara Fernando, 13 Malinga Bandara, 14 Nuwan Zoysa, 15 Nuwan Kulasekera.

Sourav Ganguly will turn out for Bengal in the domestic one-day championship © Getty Images

The Ranji Trophy One-Day Tournament kicks off tomorrow with ten matches around the country. Teams divided into five zones – Central, East, North, South and West – will compete against each other and the zonal winners play in a round-robin format.Sourav Ganguly, not included in India’s one-day squad, has been named in Bengal’s side for the Ranji tournament, the East Zone leg of which is to be held at Dhanbad from February 11 to 19. While Ganguly was named in the 14-member squad announced by the Cricket Association of Bengal, Deep Dasgupta, the wicketkeeper-batsman, was selected as captain. Bengal take on Tripura in their opener on February 11 before taking on Jharkhand, Orissa and Assam in the following matches.The Punjab team underwent a coaching camp at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) complex in Chandigarh prior to their departure for Delhi, where they take on Haryana tomorrow. Himachal Pradesh – selected after a two-day trial at the PCA complex – will also appear for its first match against Services tomorrow, while Uttar Pradesh – Ranji Trophy Elit Group winners – take on Vidharbha on February 11 at Jaipur. The HP team, one marred by political controversies this past season, was announced by a selection commitee constituted by the BCCI on the directions of the Supreme Court.Speaking to , a Mumbai-based tabloid, earlier this season, Amir Khan, the UP wicketkeeper, reflected on the tied final at the Wankhede Stadium during his maiden Ranji one-day season last year. UP, in pursuit of a small total in a heated clash against Tamil Nadu, were in shambles when their middle order collapsed. Khan, then 19, was at the crease with Rudra Pratap Singh when the match reached a critical point.”RP promised he wouldn’t play a bad shot. He did and got out. Praveen (Gupta) and I had to do the steering,” he said. In the final over, with one run required from two deliveries, Khan drove to mid-off and set off for the run, but his dive could not beat Anirudh Srikkanth’s throw. “What a match that was. We should have won. I was clearly in.” Eager to return to the tournament and build on UP’s successful season, Khan remained optimistic. “You always want to perform. I want to do my best again.”Intikhab Alam, the coach of Punjab, remained upbeat of his team’s chances. “Ours is a result-oriented team and the fitness level of our players is tremendous. The main emphasis will be laid on fielding techniques and running between the wickets,” he told the . “The team is a blend of all kinds of ingredients necessary for match winning. The inclusion of VRV Singh is really an asset to the team. He is quite fit and is in constant touch with the Team India’s physio John Gloster”.

Alex Tudor in full flight© Getty Images

The fast bowler Alex Tudor has signed for Essex for one year – but will join on a performance-related basis amid concerns about his injuries. Tudor, 27, moves to Chelmsford after being released by Surrey at the end of last season, following a career-threatening side injury.Essex had previously played down speculation about the move, after Graham Gooch, the former England captain who is now Essex’s coach, joined Tudor when he went to Munich for treatment, prompting rumours that he would sign for Essex. Tudor has played ten Test matches since 1998-99, but never more than two in succession because of niggles and injuries. And he’s turned out for Surrey in only 67 first-class matches in ten seasons since 1995 when he made his debut as a 16-year-old. He played just one County Championship game in 2004.But, despite his injury concerns, Tudor was confident of reaching his potential for Essex next season, and helping to steer them back into the top flight. “I am determined to repay Essex for the faith they have shown in me by regaining my top form in 2005,” said Tudor. “This is a new start for me and I am now just itching to get out on the field. My aim is to help Essex get promotion.”Ronnie Irani, Essex’s captain, lent his support: “I am absolutely delighted with the world-class signing of Alex Tudor. Alex is an outstanding cricketer who will be a major factor with the new ball for Essex in the future.”And David East, Essex’s chief executive, also backed his new signing. “Alex is a proven performer who has had a difficult time with injury recently,” he said. “We are confident that, when fully fit, he will be a huge asset to the club.”

Chris Harris: not done with cricket just yet © Wisden Cricinfo

Australia have just clinched a narrow victory over New Zealand in the TVS cup match in Pune. I ask Chris Harris if he has had a good day. “Not really,” comes the obvious answer, “but we are surprised by the wickets we have encountered during this tri-series as we expected flat wicket, and the early morning swing has left us shocked.” Dressed in a grey full-neck woollen T-shirt and black trousers, Harris is being troubled by the air-conditioner, and is continually sneezing. In the foyer, on the second floor of the Taj Blue Diamond, where we sit, there’s a minor power shutdown and the lights go off for a second. The lights are dimming on Harris too, and, he knows that. But he has a few more things to do before he retires.In an exclusive with Wisden Cricinfo, Harris talks about his and the team’s journey through the years.At 33, you are one of the best inner-circle fielders for New Zealand. How do you maintain your fitness?
That’s very kind. The key is to enjoy the game, and I have always enjoyed my fielding and worked hard on it. But, yes, as I am getting older I am tired, but the love for the game gives me enough energy to play well.Do you consider yourself a bits-and-pieces-player or a specialist allrounder or a top-order batsman?
In one-day cricket I am an allrounder as I bowl too and have batted from No. 1 to No. 8. I don’t like being called a bits-and-pieces player. I have always considered myself as a batsman who bowls, but in ODIs I have become more of a genuine allrounder, someone who bats between Nos. 6 and 8. If you are batting in those positions, you’ve got to bowl; and it is important that both forms of the game go well for you.Would you agree that you reached your peak form in the 1997 and 1998 seasons?
Yes, that was the purple patch of my career with the bat where I was not dismissed for 19 consecutive innings (eight of them in ODIs), and New Zealand won a few games. I bowled some good spells and picked up wickets too. I was performing well, and my place in the side was secure. It is typical for an allrounder: if one facet of your game is going well, it tends to improve the other aspect too, and both of them work well.The last couple of seasons, especially 2003, have been disappointing.
Yes, I am a bit bothered at not having got as many runs as I would have liked, and would like to rectify that soon. I am not sure why things are not clicking, but I think that just as there are purple patches, there are periods when things don’t go to plan, and I am keen to perform well quickly.

Fancying himself as a batsman © Wisden Cricinfo

Do you think moving up the order would help your batting?
I am not sure. I think in 1997 and 1998 we had a lean period where I was coming in to bat early and getting enough time to get myself settled. The bad thing about batting in the middle-to-lower order is, quite often you come in to bat with only two or three overs remaining, and there’s not a lot you can achieve. The benefit of it is that sometimes you come in when the top order has not done well and you get plenty of time. That’s when you have to make up for all the lost opportunities. That’s what I did in 1997 and 1998, which I haven’t been able to do in recent times.What about your place in the Test side – do you think you’ve lost it?
I don’t know … I mean I have had enough opportunites to prove myself, but I have not been able to deliver as I have done in the shorter version of the game.Is there pressure, and did it ever get too much for you?
I am definitely under pressure, and I need to perform sooner rather than later. In some ways it’s a good thing to be under pressure as it makes you work harder to get things right.I know my place is on the line as I am experiencing a slide, and with younger players coming in the side the pressure mounts. But I never thought about chucking it away. As a cricketer, what you need to be careful about is to get out when you are on top; you don’t want to be in a situation where people think you are going on too long. I am 33, and I still think I have a few years to offer. The key is to not play on too long, but to play as long as you are enjoying, and performing.You have played under various captains. Can you, in particular, talk about Martin Crowe and Stephen Fleming?
Both are great captains and great players. In some ways they are quite similar too: they talk a lot, talk about the team, talk about different theories and things that can improve the side. They are aggressive, always thinking about how to beat the challenge of the opposition. They are inspirational, and lead by example. Stephen is a lot younger, but he has learnt very quickly and is one of the best captains in the world today, as was Martin Crowe in his era.Senior players like yourself, Chris Cairns, and even Fleming have been the nucleus of the side, but are in the final phase of their careers. Is there enough talent waiting in the wings?
Part of our responsibility is to blood young talent and make them of international class. We are a country of only four million people, and only a small number play cricket, but the talent is surely there.Why have coaches been changed so frequently in New Zealand cricket?
Yes, some of our coaches have had shorter stints, but the best sides in the world have had different coaches, and some of our coaches had reasonable opportunities with durations of about three to four years. And most coaches will tell you that you can only spend so much time with one side, and you can only offer so much – you can offer all your expertise and all your experience from a coaching point of view, and then there’s a period when you don’t have anything else to offer. I mean you can’t coach a side for 15 years if you have nothing more to offer. Obviously you don’t want a change of coaches too frequently. But a new face has a fresh perspective to offer, and is keen to do a good job.How is the present New Zealand side different from the teams of the early and mid 90s?
The team back then was going through a re-building phase. We didn’t have the depth then as we possess now: we have got healthy competition for places in the side, and not too many people feel too safe because younger players are coming through and doing a good job. So that makes for a healthy environment.Finally, have you thought about retirement?
I’d love to play another World Cup, but as you get older you need to reassess every year. There have been cases like Alec Stewart, who went out on top at 40, and then there’s Steve Waugh, who is still playing international cricket. From the experience point of view I am sort of getting to my peak, and it’s only a question of working hard and performing.

Lahore Blues recovered well from a shaky start to post 241 on thefirst day of their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I game against Islamabadat the KRL Stadium Sunday.The visitors, asked to bat first, appeared to be falling apart at 24for four but patient half centuries by Hamayun Farhat and MuhammadHussain helped save the day.Islamabad, at the close of play, were 58 for the loss of RaheelMajeed, who was tempted by slow left-arm bowler Muhammad Hussain to gofor a boundary, but ended up hitting into the safe hands of HafizBilal.Hamayun scored 67 off 54 balls while Hussain faced 74 deliveries forhis personal total of 50. Their batting frustrated the Islamabadattack that had proven so very deadly earlier on.Rauf Akbar had the most wickets, finishing with three for 44 while Raoand leg-spinner Anwarul Haq claimed two each.

Derbyshire has had few days to remember and Kent has lost portions of many to the weather this County Championship season so it should hardly come as a surprise that the former failed to capitalise on a good start on a day significantly shortened by rain at Canterbury today.In such play as was possible around a long, rain-enforced interruption inmid-afternoon, Steve Titchard (52) compiled a third half century of theChampionship season to lift the visitors to a score of 167/5 by stumps.The beneficiary of two dropped catches, fellow opener Steve Stubbings alsofought gamely for the visitors, adding 41 of his own runs to a defiant opening stand of 85. Aside those two contributions, though, there was once more little about which to enthuse from the Derby upper order. In looking to attack Martin Saggers’ bowling a little too hastily, Australian left hander Michael di Venuto (13) was again the victim of his own impatience, while James Pyemont (4) was the victim of a lazy mix-up between the wickets with Matthew Dowman (30*).For Kent, Saggers (2/50) and Mark Ealham (0/35) toiled the most admirably in what was a solid, if unspectacular, overall exhibition with the ball. Even if the five wickets which fell owed much to Derbyshire’s continuing inability to sustain an advantage, their fightback both accentuated the impression that their own form is on the improve and that their opponents still do not quite look as if they genuinely intend to avoid the horrors of relegation.

Aston Villa were one of the busier clubs during the recent January transfer window, not just in terms of bringing new players to the club but also with a number of players leaving Villa Park on loan deals.

One player that packed his bags for a temporary move away from the Midlands club was winger Anwar El Ghazi, who joined Everton until the end of the season after failing to break into the Villa team when Steven Gerrard took over from Dean Smith in mid-November.

With a grand total of nine league minutes on the pitch under his belt since arriving at Goodison Park, the Dutchman’s loan spell has not been particularly fruitful for the winger, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £38k-per-week according to Salary Sport, as of yet.

Taking this into account, if the 26-year-old, who has been described as a “nightmare” to come up against in training by former Villa defender Alan Hutton, doesn’t end the season on a positive note and isn’t likely to convince Gerrard that he has what it takes to break into his team moving forward, it could be an option for the club to get rid of him permanently when the summer transfer window opens.

With that in mind, this could give the former Liverpool midfielder the chance to dip into Villa’s youth academy and give one of their young prospects to shine in El Ghazi’s potential absence.

One player that could benefit from this potential series of events is 19-year-old winger Tristan Abldeen-Goodridge.

As a product of the Midlands club’s youth academy, which has previously produced players such as Jack Grealish, Gareth Barry and Marc Albrighton to name but a few, the attacker has racked up eight goals and eight assists in 43 appearances across their U18 and U23 sides in total, showing how capable he is of scoring and assisting goals.

A review from journalist Josh Bunting presents why he’d be the ideal candidate to fill a squad role if El Ghazi does leave.

He took to Twitter in December to say: “I could see him in the first-team squad at the end of the season he’s a Steven Gerrard type player. He’s very aggressive and links play very effectively, very smart.”

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With Gerrard giving minutes to the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Carney Chukwuemeka in the Premier League this season, who have both made it through the youth system, as well as Tim Iroegbunam in recent weeks, Abldeen-Goodridge could be the next name unleashed in the senior side next season if he keeps scoring and providing goals on a regular basis.

In other news: “To be honest..” – Insider drops AVFC summer claim that’ll have many Villans delighted – opinion