Aston Villa’s record signing Juan Pablo Angel could find his place under severe threat with the arrival of Milan Baros from Liverpool in a £6.5m (€9.5) move.

Liverpool’s asking price of £7m (€10.2m) is all that stands in the way of striker Milan Baros completing his move from Anfield to Aston Villa.

Milan Baros is ready to “say goodbye” to Liverpool with a move to Aston Villa looking more likely by the day.

Milan Baros is to be the pawn in a calculated game of bluff by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez ahead of the Champions League clash in Bulgaria on Wednesday.

Joseph-Desire Job will consider a reluctant move away from Middlesbrough if his first-team chances continue to remain limited.

Roy Carroll is hoping another Champions League shut-out against Sparta Prague on Wednesday will help stave off the renewed threat to his Manchester United place from Tim Howard.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren is boosted by the return to fitness of striker Mark Viduka as his side begin their UEFA Cup Group E campaign against Greek minnows Egaleo tomorrow night.

MIDDLESBROUGH have announced they will not appeal against UEFA’s decision to fine them €6,500 for their fans’ ‘improper conduct’ in the European tie away to Banik Ostrava.

FERENCVAROS have been fined £25,000 but spared further punishment following a series of unsavoury incidents during last week’s UEFA Cup first-round match against Millwall.

Ferencvaros have been fined £25,000 but spared further punishment following a series of unsavoury incidents during last week’s UEFA Cup first-round match against Millwall.

MIDDLESBROUGH have landed the most glamorous ties of the new-look UEFA Cup - but also face the most difficult opponents of the inaugural group phase of the competition.

Middlesbrough will face Italian side Lazio later this month in the inaugural group stage of the UEFA Cup.

Alex Ferguson claimed 96 days without a game finally caught up with Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford yesterday.

Newcastle and Rangers are among the top seeds for the draw for the inaugural group stage of the UEFA Cup.

Banik Ostrava 1 Middlesbrough 1

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren arrived in Ostrava with a squad ravaged by injury which threatens to wreck the club’s European dream.

Steve McClaren today jetted out for his side’s first European tie on the continent without six of his major stars.

Everton 1 Middlesbrough 0

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren will again be without Ugo Ehiogu and Gaizka Mendieta for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash against Everton at Goodison Park.

GLASGOW RANGERS suffered another huge setback when they were beaten 1-0 by Maritimo in Madeira in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round clash last night.

Middlesbrough 3 Banik Ostrava 0

Today’s first round draw in Monaco paired eircom League side Shelbourne, whose quest to reach the Champions League was ended on Tuesday by Deportivo la Coruna, against French League side Lille.

There were no giant-killings tonight as Juventus and Real Madrid joined and Manchester United in securing their places in the hat for the draw of the Champions League proper.

Manchester United will face either Zilina of Slovakia or Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest in the Champions League third qualifying round.

LIVERPOOL hope to announce Michael Owen’s new contract when they return from their three-match US trip.

Liverpool hope to be able to announce Michael Owen’s new contract when they return from their three-match trip to the United States.

Celtic manager Martin O‘Neill today assured fans that he was working hard behind the scenes to bring in new signings.

CELTIC have been warned the value of Marek Heinz has doubled following his success with the Czech Republic at Euro 2004.

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner insisted he has not been surprised by the performance of Euro 2004’s leading goalscorer Milan Baros as he prepares his troops for tomorrow’s semi-final with Greece at the Estadio do Dragao.

There were few surprises when Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner named his provisional squad for Euro 2004 today.

CZECH police yesterday charged three more referees in the widening bribery scandal that has rocked the country’s top soccer league.

THE Czech Republic are determined to leave Dublin tonight with a 21st notch to their unbeaten belt as they prepare for the European Championship finals in June.

WES BROWN could be back in Manchester United’s colours at the beginning of next month. The 24-year-old defender different is now doing “bits of training” as he continues his recovery after damaging knee ligaments.

CHELSEA have moved a step closer to signing Claude Makelele after agreeing personal terms with the French midfielder.

Arsenal have this evening announced the signings of Danny Karbassiyoon and Michal Papadopoulos.

Milan Baros reckons he has done the difficult bit and mastered the Scouse accent – now the Czech striker wants more opportunities to stake his claim for a permanent first-team spot at Liverpool.

GIANFRANCO ZOLA swapped the Champions League for the less glamorous surroundings of Serie B yesterday — and the little Italian admits he could not be happier to have joined Cagliari.

Czech striker Milan Baros has shaved his head, trimmed his weight and given Gerard Houllier plenty to think about.

Liverpool striker Milan Baros could be thrown into action over the Christmas period after the club successfully won an appeal against a refusal to grant him a work permit.

Liverpool-bound Czech striker Milan Baros hopes to find out this week how soon he’ll be able to complete his move to the Premiership.

Liverpool will initiate new contract talks with Robbie Fowler before any transfer of the Kop idol.

Teenage sensation Milan Baros will have to wait until at least the autumn to get a work permit to start his new career at Liverpool.