Aston Villa against West Ham on the day Ireland play England in the Six Nations is not an assignment many Irish journalists dream of being handed.

Two teenage girls were shot dead and two injured following a dispute at a New Year party in a hairdresser’s salon.

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis says the financial prospects for football have 'made it nearly impossible to attract new institutions' to invest.

Aston Villa have announced a loss before tax of £2.6million for the six months up to November 30 last year.