Paul Linehan has been a Middlesbrough fan for about 40 years, writes Eoin O’Callaghan

Paul McGrath talks Fergie, Busby and explains why nothing will ever compare with Italia 90, writes Phil Campion

Perched high above the pitch, Seamus Brady will have a bird’s-eye view of Aston Villa’s opening game of the new Premier League season and what he sees could just change everything.

Tommy Barker basks in the gardens and city oasis of this hideaway home near cathedral and Bishop’s Palace.

Tim Sherwood has dismissed comments by Roy Keane in his updated book that he positioned himself at Villa Park in attempt to take over as manager long before Paul Lambert was sacked.

Sunderland 0, Aston Villa 4:

Despite appearing close to landing the Celtic job in the summer, Roy Keane insists he always felt he’d be at Martin O’Neill’s side for Ireland’s European Championship qualifying campaign.

The Wanted's Jay McGuiness was kicked out of a nightclub in Essex yesterday morning after being involved in a fight.

Mesut Ozil admits Arsenal’s recent hectic schedule was “out of the ordinary” — but the German playmaker now feels settled and ready for the drive towards a successful end to the season.

Stoke are in talks to sign midfielder Stephen Ireland permanently during the January transfer window.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

The Football Association has launched an investigation after an assistant referee was hit by a firework during Tottenham’s Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa.

An assistant referee was struck by a firework thrown from a section of Tottenham supporters during the London side’s Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa.

Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is desperate to avoid experiencing the bitter taste of relegation for a second time.

Liverpool pair Jose Reina and Jamie Carragher could both return to action in Sunday’s Barclays League game at Aston Villa.

A list of all the confirmed deadline day signings so far.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is hopeful striker Peter Crouch will be able to return to action in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa.

Kya deLongchamps says new energy standards will mean carbon neutral construction for house building, ensuring no harmful gases.

Richard Dunne has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands next month.

Stiliyan Petrov will remain as Aston Villa captain as he continues his battle with acute leukaemia, the club have confirmed.

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker is making a good recovery from his ankle injury and should be fit for Sunday’s Premier League game at Aston Villa.

Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov has paid his first visit to the club’s training ground since being diagnosed with acute leukaemia and is in “good spirits”, according to first-team coach Gordon Cowans.

Injured Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne is linking up with NFL side the Cleveland Browns as he bids to return to action by the end of April.

QPR have completed the signing of Lazio striker Djibril Cisse, the Premier League club have announced.

ASTON VILLA boss Alex McLeish warned Corkman Stephen Ireland he must follow the example of young Ireland defender Ciaran Clark if he wants first team football after the Scot was not impressed by his antics on the internet.

STEWART DOWNING was accused of being just another football mercenary when he quit Aston Villa in the summer, held up as another painful example of how little loyalty remains in the modern game.

LAST week, my crystal ball was throbbing impressively.

ASTON VILLA defender Ciarán Clark wants to play more Premier League games to ensure Giovanni Trapattoni selects him for Euro 2012 finals in Ukraine and Poland.

JOHN O’SHEA is now a huge doubt for Ireland’s Euro 2012 play-off with Estonia after limping out of Sunderland’s draw with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Aston Villa have defended full-back Alan Hutton after the strong criticism of him by West Brom boss Roy Hodgson.

Aston Villa were meeting managerial target Alex McLeish at a secret location in London today, as their bitter battle with the Scot’s former club Birmingham continued.

Stephen Ireland will make his Newcastle debut against Manchester United tonight as he attempts to re-launch his career.

Irish midfielder Stephen Ireland has claimed that a French football magazine misquoted him when he said he would rather commit suicide than live in Cork.

Dickson Etuhu will miss Fulham’s Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa tomorrow after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury this week.

MIGHT a price reduction put the letter ‘d’ at the end of Villa Sol, turning it into Villa Sold?

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has confirmed his interest in signing Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun.

ASTON VILLA assistant manager Gary McAllister has hailed the positive response of Richard Dunne following their training-ground altercation which led to the defender being axed from the team.

FT: Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 3

Tottenham should welcome back Rafael van der Vaart (hamstring), Jermaine Jenas (calf), and Younes Kaboul (hip) for Sunday’s match at Aston Villa.

West Ham 1 Bolton 3

Benni McCarthy is determined to make a major impact at West Ham next season - but looks set to face competition in attack as new manager Avram Grant aims to strengthen the squad.

ASTON VILLA owner Randy Lerner insists his relationship with Martin O’Neill is as “close as ever” after revealing the Irishman will be remaining as manager for next season.