Today’s late-summer snacks Man Utd close in on Dimitar Berbatov. He’ll be a United player in the next 48 hours [Sun] Man City boss Mark Hughes has dismissed reports he is set to quit Eastlands amid rumours that Thaksin is trying to sell players behind his back [BBC] Cesc Fabregas did his hamstring in training, [...]

Friday’s fun-sized selection Stevie G’s missus named new Queen of the WAGs by Tatler magazine [Kickette] Chelsea table £19.7m bid for Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker Robinho. Good luck with that [BBC] Aston Villa invest in a new pair of full-backs: Nicky Shorey (left) and Luke Young (right) [Independent] Rafa Benitez: this is my best Liverpool [...]

Who’s done the best business in the off-season? Here’s who… 10 Brad Friedel (Blackburn to Aston Villa) He’s not far off 40 years old, but Hellboy is still one of the best ‘keepers around. The rest of the list after the jump…

Friday’s fattiest scraps from the table we call “football” Wayne Rooney questioned by police after allegedly spitting at a paparazzo [Mirror] Lucky Steve McLaren, eh – his FC Twente team drew Arsenal in the Champions League. Check out the full draw over at the BBC Boris Johnson spotted shopping for Arsenal merchandise. He also signed [...]

Today’s news, rumours & morsels Top five hottest women in the USA national team [Save the intern] Ex-con Joey Barton loses lucrative Nike boot deal [The Sun] David Bentley set for White Hart Lane medical after Spurs increase bid to £15m. [Telegraph] Aston Villa’s attempts to compete with the salary Gareth Barry would receive if [...]

Shiny new players, in shiny new kits Click on the image below to launch the gallery…

Villa 1-0 Odense Great solo goal by Ashley Young to win the tie. More videos after the jump:

Villa reach final round of qualifiers This was a far more comfortable win than the score suggests, but any delight felt by Martin O’Neill in winning the tie will have been tempered by Wilfred Bouma’s dislocated ankle (see picture). It was a very nasty injury, and the Dutch defender will surely be out for several [...]

Villa captain booed during reserve game, but does he deserve it? Barry was booed and jeered by a section of Villa fans when he played for their reserves against Walsall a few days ago – the fact that Barry ended up at the Bescot was a sign that Martin O’Neill wanted to make an example [...]

Friday’s news balls Spanked by Yanks West Ham lost 3-2 to David Beckham’s MLS All-Stars. [The Spoiler] Unsafe hands Spurs keeper Paul Robinson off to Blackburn in a £3.5m deal. Robbo will replace Brad Friedel, who is off to Aston Villa. [Mirror] The Joy of Cesc Fabregas visits Disneyland, wears Mickey Mouse-themed wizard’s hat. [Kickette] [...]

Now Arsenal want a piece of Villa’s captain. But which team is best for the coveted midfielder’s club career? Arsene Wenger is considering a last-ditch bid to snatch Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. Liverpool have had several offers for Barry rejected since the end of last season as Villa boss Martin O’Neill holds out for [...]

Who’s headed for sunnier climes this season? 1. Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal to AC Milan) Arsene Wenger didn’t have the cash to keep Cesc’s midfield buddy at the Emirates. AC Milan stepped in with a better offer, then failed to reach the Champions League, for the first time in centuries. Arsenal fans will at least have [...]

Today’s hottest news, rumours and lies have a three-chilli rating Aston Villa are very close (medical permitting) to signing Chelsea misfit Steve Sidwell (pictured) for £5m, as direct replacement for outgoing captain Gareth Barry. Who wants to point out to Martin O’Neill that Sidwell is nowhere near as good as Barry… [BBC] More after the [...]

Another day, another batch of rumours 1. Darren Fletcher & Diego Milito to Everton Man Utd’s Scottish international and Real Zaragoza’s Argentine striker are high on David Moyes’ wanted list. Andy Johnson could be sold to fund the double deal. [Liverpool Daily Post] Pies verdict I doubt Fergie will sell Fletcher, but there’s a good [...]

Unofficial pic of Villa’s home shirt for 08/09 This is the new Aston Villa home kit, with new sponsor Acorns – or rather, Villa have given up a lucrative sponsorship deal to support the West Midlands-based children’s charity. An admirable gesture. Do you like kit? One more pic below, and the chance to have your [...]

Finding the Lonely Hearts of Euro 2008 the perfect home in the Premier League

Arsenal – Artur Boruc
Poland’s keeper was in top form during the competition and a move to a top four club could be enough to tempt him away from Celtic. The Gunners – with Jens Lehmann on his way out – could be interested.

Today’s hottest football gossip, brought to you by the number nine 1. Richard Dunne to Portsmouth Man City’s captain is in the final year of his contract, and Portsmouth are very keen to tempt the player to south, according to the Manchester Evening News. Dunne is currently on holiday but other reports suggest that he [...]

Euro links for your enjoyment C-Ron voted the hottest player involved in Euro 2008, according to poll of 12,000 women (he hasn’t slept with them all). [MSN Sport] Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy’s opening goal in the win over Italy was legitimate, says Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett. So there. [BBC] And some non-Euro [...]

Pompey keeper conceals penis behind ball Jamo took his kit off for Cosmopolitan’s naked male centrefold issue. He protected his manhood behind a football – we thank him for that. Nigel Reo-Coker and Shaun Wright-Phillips also got nekkid for the special issue. If you want to see them sans clothes, you can do so here. [...]

Six rumours, but which is most likely to materialise?

1. Wayne Bridge to Juventus
Claudio Ranieri is eager to sign Wayne Bridge for the second time in his career to rescue him from playing second fiddle to Ashley Cole. The Turin giants will battle a host of English clubs for Bridge’s signature and have made an official approach to Chelsea. [Daily Mail]

Friday’s best transfer talk – truth or lies? 1. Gerard Pique to Barcelona The Manchester United defender is believed to have agreed personal terms with Barca. El Mundo Deportivo reports that the Spanish club have already agreed a four-season deal with the player’s representatives. [Talking Soccer] 2. Ricardo Carvalho to go wherever Jose Mourinho goes [...]

Villa’s departing defender gives souvenir shirt to 3,000 away fans Villa stalwart Olof Mellberg, who’s off to Juventus this summer, bought each Aston Villa fan a commemorative t-shirt, as a token of thanks for the support they have shown him during his Villa career, which began in 2001.

Today’s hotter-than-July lies… 1. Mauro Zarate to Arsenal The on-loan Birmingham star (pictured) is on the wish list of one big-four club, at least according to his agent. I guess it’s Arsenal who want him, as an Eduardo replacement. [Setanta] 2. Jonny Evans to Sunderland Roy Keane is reported to have bid £5m for United’s [...]

God at the peak of his powers As first touches go, they don’t come much better than Fowler’s backheel nutmeg, which leaves Steve Staunton looking even more clueless than he did in his time as manager of Ireland. The finish was sweet too. When Fowler was in this form, no other English striker could touch [...]

Pies rates each Premier League team based on the 07/08 campaign Arsenal (3rd) Played some quite beautiful football at times but faded badly in the last quarter of the season, after leading the pack – Arsene Wenger should have added to his squad in January. Still, to finish just two points behind Chelsea and four [...]