OUI CAN HEROES
EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL FINAL WORD IS AL’S VILLA ................... 0 BORO ................... 0 JOE LEFT BEHIND
JOHN TERRY hailed former Scotland star Alan Hutton for a defensive masterclass that has left Aston Villa on the verge of a top-flight return.
The full-back again kept Boro dangerman Adama Traore quiet and Stewart Downing’s late free-kick off the bar was the closest Villa came to losing their first-leg lead.
A Wembley play-off final against Fulham is now all that stands between boss Steve VILLA WIN 1-0 ON AGG Bruce and a fifth promotion as Villa chase a Premier League return at the second attempt.
Terry said: “There’s a great team spirit. One more step and it will be the dream. Boro are a very good side. Adama Traore is a big threat but Hutton was superb over the two legs.” 2, JOE HART is furious after believing David Moyes cost him a World Cup place.
The West Ham boss played the keeper in only five league games since November and sat him out of the final three matches of the season.
That appears to be the reason behind Hart being left out of the 23-man England squad to be announced today.
Boss Gareth Southgate has effectively ended the 31-year- old’s Three Lions career after a heartbreaking phone call to tell him he’s staying at home.
Hart, who has won 75 caps, had been told in March by Southgate he would go to Russia as third choice.
But missing out on the final weeks of the season while on loan from Manchester City clearly prompted a u-turn.
Southgate is now set to call up Nick Pope to join Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland. lies at the other end though – they’ve netted 16 in eight knockout ties with Dimitri Payet running the show.
But the match being staged in Lyon will give them an advantage as will Simeone’s touchline ban.
Marseille are 5-2 at Sky Bet to lift the trophy and 5-1 at Marathonbet to win after 90 minutes. To have any chance they’ll need to keep Antoine Griezmann quiet.
He has netted 27 goals this season and is 17-5 to score first and 11-8 at Unibet to net at any time but Diego Costa can’t be ruled out and is 13-8 at bet365 to score.
Payet is big at 13-2 with bet365 and he could also set up Florian Thauvin who’s 15-4 at Unibet. Atletico have won three of their last four 1-0 and another pays 21-4 at Unibet. Griezmann to score (11-8, Unibet)