Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Andy Marshall, Jean Makoun and Simon Dawkins have been released by Aston Villa, the club have confirmed.

Aston Villa are hopeful Shay Given will become Alex McLeish’s first signing next week in a £3.5m move from Manchester City, it is understood.

New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is stepping up his attempts to sign a proven goalkeeper with Shay Given amongst the targets on his radar, it is understood.

Aston Villa have opened talks with veteran keeper Brad Friedel over a new contract, according to his agent.

Aston Villa’s reserve goalkeeper Andy Marshall is set to sign a new contract with the Barclays Premier League strugglers.

Aston Villa have re-signed veteran goalkeeper Andy Marshall on a one-year deal.

Aston Villa have signed goalkeeper Andy Marshall on a one-year deal.

Blackburn 2 Coventry 2

Coventry 2 Newcastle 3 (after extra-time)

Coventry 0 West Brom 5

CARLTON COLE hailed West Ham’s resilience after his last-gasp goal secured a 2-1 Carling Cup win over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry 1 West Ham 2

A MAN from Malta made Sir Alex Ferguson very cross indeed as Michael Mifsud struck twice to dump Manchester United out of the Carling Cup.

Dean Ashton scored against his former club as West Ham beat Norwich 2-1 at Carrow Road.

Daryl Murphy ensured Sunderland’s push for automatic promotion remained on track with an 89th-minute equaliser against promotion rivals Stoke at the Stadium of Light.

Norwich 1 Coventry 1

Sunderland 0 Birmingham 1

Everton 1 Millwall 0

Everton 1 Millwall 0

Neil Shipperley scored the only goal against Wolves to extend Sheffield United’s lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

MILLWALL goalkeeper Andy Marshall yesterday backed the club’s decision to sack Steve Claridge.

Rob Hulse struck his fourth goal in as many games to rescue a precious point for Leeds and deny Coca-Cola Championship play-off rivals Millwall victory at the New Den.

Andy Marshall reckons Millwall will reach the Premiership next season if they can recreate the atmosphere of their FA Cup final against Manchester United at the New Den.

Sunderland 0 Millwall 1

Tranmere 1 Millwall 2

Tranmere 1 Millwall 2

Millwall 0 Tranmere 0

Tim Cahill insists Millwall are ready to get their hands dirty to make sure they do not slip up against Telford in an FA Cup fourth round tie which has twice been postponed by torrential rain.

Arsenal 5 Wolves 1

Paul Ince maintains top-flight survival must always remain Wolves’ priority - but would welcome the boost of a decent run in the Carling Cup.

MANCHESTER United chief executive Peter Kenyon has promised Alex Ferguson there will be transfer funds available in the summer.

FT Ipswich 3 Portsmouth 0

Norwich 0 Ipswich 2

Sheffield United midfielder Michael Brown celebrated his 26th birthday in style by firing his side into an early FA Cup fourth round lead over Ipswich.

Slovan Liberec 1

Joe Royle admitted to mixed feelings after Ipswich were cruelly knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Slovan Liberec.

Ipswich are out of the UEFA Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties by Liberec.

Ipswich attempted to earn a place in the third round of the UEFA Cup for the second season in succession tonight.

GrimsIpswich Town 0

Super-sub Darren Ambrose fired a last-gasp winner to cap a satisfying week for Ipswich but there was not much else to remember in a dour game played out in front of a paltry crowd of 3,238 at Selhurst Park.

Chelsea 2 Viking FK 1

Ipswich 1 Bradford 2

Walsall 0 Ipswich 2

HT Walsall 0 Ipswich 1