Aston Villa
Man City buying back young starlet who they sold for £15m would be a worthy piece of business by Guardiola
Why Man City should consider exercising buy-back clause for Douglas Luiz
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man City boss Pep Guardiola has opened up on the reasons behind the departure of Douglas Luiz to Aston Villa in the summer.
The 21-year-old, who rose to prominence in Brazil with his boyhood club Vasco da Gama, was snapped up by the Citizens as a long-term successor to the throne of Fernandinho in 2017.
Luiz was thereafter sent out on loan to City’s sister club Girona in the La Liga to gain some professional experience in Europe and Guardiola had been keen to include him in the first-team for the previous campaign after the youngster’s impressive displays in pre-season.
However, Man City were forced to arrange a second successive loan spell for the Brazilian at Girona after he was denied a work permit to play in England and when Aston Villa put up a £15million offer on the table this summer, the Citizens decided that selling Luiz to the Lions was in the best interests of all parties.
The reigning Premier League champions, though, inserted a buy-back clause in the agreement, which would enable them to bring Douglas Luiz back to the Etihad in the near future.
City exercised a buy-back clause to bring Angelino back to the club from PSV Eindhoven this summer and Pep Guardiola has kept the door open to a return for the Brazilian, as per Manchester Evening News.
Having gained a fair bit of experience in Spain, the 21-year-old has already made a positive impression for Aston Villa in the Premier League this term, scoring a couple of screamers against Bournemouth and Norwich City.
Luiz has started thrice in the Premier League for the Villans, while also making four substitute appearances off the bench and as per the report, Guardiola is keeping close tabs on his performances.
As a matter of fact, the starlet has also earned a maiden call-up to Brazil’s senior national side as a result of his fine displays at Aston Villa and Man City could be tempted to exercise the buy-back clause if he continues his good work.
The Citizens shattered their club-record fee to bring in Rodri from Atletico Madrid in the summer to release the pressure on Fernandinho’s shoulders and the Spaniard has already hit the ground running in English football.
The Spaniard has fitted seamlessly into Guardiola’s 4-3-3 system and early signs suggest that he could go on to emulate Fernandinho’s success at the Etihad in the years to follow.
Rodri has been used in an unfamiliar centre-back role on a number of occasions due to the club’s ongoing defensive crisis but one would expect him to return to his usual role at the base of the midfield once Aymeric Laporte makes his return from injury.
Verdict
Despite that, however, bringing Douglas Luiz back to the Etihad next summer would certainly make a lot of sense for Man City given that Fernandinho could depart the club upon the expiry of his contract.
Of course, City might opt to hold on to the 34-year-old for another year but that would only be a step backwards given that they would eventually have to part ways with Fernandinho sooner or later.
On the contrary, offering Douglas Luiz a chance to prove his worth would make a lot more sense looking at the future. At 21, he isn’t really a finished article but the youngster has already illustrated his ability to make an impact on the Premier League.
Agreed, he would only be an understudy to Rodri, who is a more accomplished player in Europe at the moment, but City need depth in their central midfield options and Luiz could provide Guardiola with some much-needed cover.
Ilkay Gundogan has been used occasionally in that role but his creative qualities are better utilised in a box-to-box role where he is allowed more freedom to go forward and express himself.
Luiz looks more like a player in the mould of Fernandinho and City have every reason to include him in their plans moving forward, with the starlet showing signs of thriving in the Premier League and the stumbling block of securing a work permit now out of the frame.
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That said, Man City should continue to monitor Luiz closely over the course of the ongoing season and if he lives up to the expectations, there is no reason why the reigning champions shouldn’t consider exercising the buy-back clause in the agreement.
Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes Reveals What He Admires About Jess Park’s Game as Man United Captain Praises Fellow Number Eight’s Smashing Season
Bruno Fernandes is a big fan of Manchester United Women midfielder Jess Park. The Portugal international shares the number eight shirt with Park and has been impressed by her debut campaign following her summer move from Manchester City.
Park has registered nine goals and five assists since joining from crosstown rivals in an impressive first season. The England international has won United’s Player of the Month award a team high four times, which demonstrates her consistent quality.
Not as Easy as It Looks
Fernandes watched back some of Park’s best moments for United, including her Goal of the Month winner against the London City Lionesses. The midfielder came in off the left flank to beat her marker before driving into space and picking out the far bottom corner.
“It all starts with the first touch. She gets the control there away from the player, she gets a lot of space to then run. Then the speed to run quick like that and then to be very accurate with the shot, it’s a very good thing. It’s not as easy as it looks,” Fernandes explained, which is an absolutely spot on analysis.
Lot of Futsal in That Goal
The United captain also praised Park’s winner against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Park helped start the move with a dribble from deep before getting into the box and finishing by picking out the far top corner.
“We spoke about the number eight shirt, and she was in the middle, creating and dictating the tempo. Then she follows up and she ends up in the box with the opportunity to finish. I think the finish is fantastic. There’s a lot of futsal in that goal there,” Fernandes said.
Very Quick With Her Feet
Fernandes watched Park’s solo effort at Aston Villa, which won another Goal of the Month prize. “She’s very quick with her feet and goes onto her left foot, which the defender was probably not expecting,” he acknowledged.
Also read: Hanna Lundkvist Makes Feelings Known After Manchester United Women Stalemate Against West Ham
Aston Villa
Khadija Shaw Scores Record Breaking Hattrick in ‘This’ Time as Manchester City Thrash Tottenham 5-2
Khadija Shaw produced a sensational performance at the Joie Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Jamaican striker netted a hat trick in just 21 minutes as Manchester City demolished Tottenham 5-2 to extend their lead at the summit to seven points with four matches left.
Shaw’s treble set a new WSL record for the fastest three goals, beating Kelly Smith’s mark from 2014. City responded emphatically to last weekend’s goalless draw at Aston Villa, with Kerolin and an Amanda Nilden own goal completing the rout before halftime.
Fourth Successive Treble Against Spurs
Shaw opened the scoring in the eighth minute, giving City an early advantage. Spurs hit back immediately through Olivia Holdt, which briefly threatened to make things interesting. However, the Cityzens’ response was brutal and decisive.
Shaw restored the lead with a towering header just two minutes later. Her third arrived shortly after breaking Smith’s 12 year record, which is absolutely remarkable. It marked Shaw’s fourth successive hat trick in home league games against Tottenham, which demonstrates her dominance over Martin Ho’s side.
Cruised to Victory After Halftime Blitz
Lauren Hemp provided the assist for Kerolin’s fourth before Vivianne Miedema saw her header deflect in off Nilden. Five goals before the break allowed Andree Jeglertz to rest key players in the second period.
Spurs grabbed a late consolation through Beth England but suffered back to back WSL defeats for the first time this season. City, meanwhile are closing in on its first title since 2016, which is frankly long overdue for a club of their stature.
Shaw now has 18 WSL goals this campaign, double the tally of her nearest challenger. A third consecutive Golden Boot appears certain alongside the championship trophy.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa Shirts Slashed to ‘This’ Price in Limited Time Flash Sale as Club Offers Huge Discount on 2025-26 Home Away and Third Kits Until Monday
Aston Villa Women supporters can grab this season’s shirts for just £30 in a surprise flash sale that runs until Monday morning. The club have slashed prices from £85 to £30, representing a massive 65 percent discount on home, away, and third kits, which is absolutely brilliant news for fans.
The sale includes all short sleeve versions of the 2025-26 jerseys, with the deadline set for 9.30 am on Monday, March 23. This means supporters have just days to take advantage of the offer, which undercuts other retailers, including Fanatics, where the same shirts cost over £36.
Kids Kits Start at Just £20
While the women’s shirts are now available for £30, the kids versions start at an even better value at just £20, which is frankly exceptional. The deals are live at the Aston Villa Official Store and represent some of the cheapest prices seen for WSL team kits this season.
The timing coincides with a crucial period for Natalia Arroyo’s side, who sit ninth in the Women’s Super League table. Villa have lost their last four WSL matches, including the recent defeat to Manchester City, and desperately need points in their remaining fixtures.
Sale Follows Launch of Originals Collection
The flash sale follows last month’s launch of the Aston Villa adidas Originals Collection, which includes retro tracksuits, tees, and jumpers. The Originals Track Top costs £85, while the Crew Sweater is priced at £75, with both items featuring classic claret and blue designs.
However, select sizes in the Originals range have already sold out, demonstrating the popularity of Villa merchandise among supporters. The club’s store, run by Fanatics, has received thousands of positive reviews on Trustpilot, with customers praising quick delivery and product quality.
Villa supporters attending upcoming matches at Villa Park will now be able to do so in official club colors without breaking the bank, thanks to this limited time offer.
Also read: Marc Skinner Blasts Man United Women After Latest Chelsea Loss, Calls The Blues’ Goals ‘Rubbish’
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