Stephen Ireland has said his international exile was because he couldn't afford to spend time away from his children.

Premiership footballer Stephen Ireland has told how he refused to let a broken leg stop him walking down the aisle.

Southampton breezed to victory against wretched Aston Villa as supporters continued to turn on the relegated hosts.

Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 0: Here is the ultimate sign of what a crazy Premier League season this has become: It would now be a genuine surprise if Manchester City caught Leicester and finished up as champions.

It was a bad day for Everton, Villa and Newcastle today.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes is pleased Marko Arnautovic is concentrating on his football, rather than becoming sidetracked by contract talks.

Jordan Ayew was sent off in disgrace as Aston Villa were shoved a step closer to relegation.

Remi Garde has admitted he could be forced to abandon long-held principles and turn to sports psychologists to dig Aston Villa out of the relegation mire.

Joe Jacobson’s nerveless penalty stretched Aston Villa’s winless run under Remi Garde to 10 matches as Wycombe battled to a 1-1 FA Cup third round draw.

Aston Villa 2 Watford 3: Remi Garde is contemplating changes in a bid to plug Aston Villa’s leaky defence.

Remi Garde was left in no doubt about the scale of the task facing him as the new Aston Villa manager watched from the stands while his new side slumped to a seventh successive defeat, leaving them rooted at the foot of the Premier League table.

Boss Tim Sherwood refused to condemn Aston Villa after they extended their winless streak at home to Manchester United.

Aston Villa 0 Man United 1: Adnan Januzaj lasted less than an hour in his first start for six months, but it was long enough to deliver Manchester United their second win of the new season. 

Micah Richards hopes new Aston Villa team-mate Jack Grealish learns from his mistakes as he gets to grips with fame and fortune at a young age.

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Micah Richards on a four-year deal, the club have announced.

Aston Villa said they are “aware of the photographs circulating” of Jack Grealish after the midfielder was pictured collapsed while on holiday in Tenerife.

Micah Richards is inching closer to becoming Aston Villa’s first signing of the summer. The former Manchester City right-back, who spent last season on loan with Serie A club Fiorentina, is a free agent.

"What a load of tripe."

Joe Hart has admitted he finds it “hard to see the positives” of being rested and said he is relishing the challenge of fighting for his place.

Manchester United’s scattergun approach to the transfer window, which has seen chief executive Ed Woodward widely lambasted, delivered an unexpected bullseye on deadline day with the arrival of Radamel Falcao, but also delivered a risky potential sale of Danny Welbeck to top-six rivals Arsenal that drew criticism from Old Trafford fans.

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Transfer Deadline Day.

Former captain Rio Ferdinand accepts a “naive” England did not deserve to stay in the World Cup, but is confident the young squad will grow stronger from the disappointment of Brazil 2014.

Manchester City may have crashed to Wigan in the FA Cup, but manager Manuel Pellegrini believes they can still topple Barcelona this week.

Manchester City 1 Wigan 2

Manchester City 1 Wigan 2

Man City 4 Watford 2

Manchester City winger Jesus Navas will not be risked in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium due to a minor knee problem.

Manchester City playmaker David Silva is suspended for the New Year’s Day trip to Swansea in the Barclays Premier League after accumulating five bookings.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini wants no let up as he targets glory on all fronts with his free-scoring side.

Leicester 1 Manchester City 3

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could be out for at least a month, according to manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Bayern Munich 2 Manchester City 3

Sunderland 1 Manchester City 0

Joe Hart has been left sitting on the bench once more as Manchester City attempt to close the gap on the Barclays Premier League pace-setters at Sunderland.

Newcastle 0 Man City 2

Newcastle 0 Man City 2 AET (0-0 after 90 minutes)

Goalkeeper Joe Hart is expected to pay for his dire form as Manchester City travel to Newcastle in the Capital One Cup tonight.

Micah Richards has watched over half a billion pounds’ worth of signings come through the doors at Manchester City, and the defender believes none of them compare to David Silva.

However England got on last night — it doesn’t matter anyway, since they have decided not to win the next World Cup — it was a long week for the current undisputed holder of the All-England Controvassy title.

Manchester City 1 Bayern Munich 3

Manchester City 1 Bayern Munich 3

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini claims next week’s clash with European champions Bayern Munich is not yet occupying his thoughts.

Manchester City 5 Wigan 0

Manchester City defender Micah Richards could make his first appearance of the season in the Capital One Cup third-round tie against Wigan.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is poised to return to action in his side’s opening Group D game against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.