SKIPPER Olof Mellberg believes qualifying for Europe can help Aston Villa hold onto their top players – and attract new blood to the club in the summer.

Manchester United 3 Middlesbrough 0

ROY KEANE will start in Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on Wednesday provided there is no negative reaction to his two days of training with the squad.

ROY KEANE has launched a broadside at Manchester United’s younger generation and warned them never to forget how lucky they are to play for the club.

BARCELONA restored their six- point lead over Real Madrid in the Primera Liga last night as a spectacular strike from Samuel Eto’o and a cool finish from substitute Lionel Messi helped them to a 2-0 win over Albacete.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has spent all season talking of the “small steps” his side are taking.

CARLOS QUEIROZ knows Manchester United must dance past Charlton today if they are to prevent Arsenal or Chelsea waltzing away with the Premiership title.

The Chelsea striker has a lot to look forward to in 2006 - including a World Cup with war-torn Ivory Coast. David Shonfield reports.

CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho is feeling “no pressure” at the top of the table - and insisted it is Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson who should be worrying.

INTER MILAN overcame an Adriano no-show to thrash Livorno 5-0 yesterday and move within six points of Serie A leaders Juventus.

TOTTENHAM head coach Martin Jol yesterday revealed why he turned down the chance of working with Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

LEE HENDRIE has called for Aston Villa manager David O’Leary to be given the financial backing to significantly strengthen his squad in January if the club are to push for a European spot.

FABIEN BARTHEZ claims there is no tension between him and Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson and insists he respects the decision to sideline him.

FORMER Football League chairman Keith Harris has claimed new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich turned his back on the prospect of buying Manchester United because it would have cost him around £700m.

MERCIFULLY, that's out of the way. Now there's only 99 days to the reason Roy Keane returned the road to the next World Cup.

ANGRY Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has been hit by a violent conduct charge just 24 hours after demanding face-to-face talks with FA bosses over his on-going disciplinary nightmare.

ARSENE WENGER will know six games from the end of the season whether or not Arsenal will win the championship.

ARSENAL are close to agreeing a deal with Ajax for their outstanding full-back Hatem Trabelsi.