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The striker cannot afford to go out clubbing and miss training after the dire season he and United have had – he needs to wake up and grow up

Xavi Hernandez famously once revealed that when you hear a footballer is suffering from gastroenteritis "you think there's something else going on". At Manchester United gastroenteritis has been replaced by the word "illness" and in the case of Marcus Rashford missing training this week and not travelling to the FA Cup tie at Newport County, there is definitely something else going on.

Rashford may well have been feeling too sick to train on Friday but we can surmise that he was not suffering from a cold or a sore throat. It was revealed that the England striker had been in Belfast during the week seeing old friend Ro-Shaun Williams and had gone nightclubbing, not once but twice.

Rashford had been given a day off on Thursday and there was no issue with him going out to see Williams after Wednesday's training session, even with him being seen at Laverty's bar in the Belfast city centre. The problem was he was seen at Thompson's Garage nightclub later on Wednesday and then again on Thursday, not leaving until the early hours of Friday morning. He would have got only minimal sleep before returning to Manchester on a private jet at 8am on Friday.

It was hardly ideal preparation for a full training session and he did not even make it through the doors at Carrington. It is far from his first trespass and he has given Erik ten Hag yet another disciplinary problem to resolve, just two weeks after finally seeing the back of Jadon Sancho.

Ten Hag is not the only person Rashford is disrespecting with his juvenile behaviour. He is shirking the responsibility that comes with being a senior member of United's squad as well as the club's highest paid player. He is also letting down the fans. But most of all, he is letting himself down…

Getty No room to mess around now

Rashford's trip to Belfast is not the first time he has made negative headlines for his lack of discipline. He turned up late for a team meeting before the visit to Wolves last season and was dropped from the starting line-up by Ten Hag. However, he was in such good form at the time that the Dutchman could not make a real example of him and, with the score 0-0 at half-time, he turned to Rashford, who went on to win the game.

All was forgiven and Ten Hag lovingly embraced him after the game, when Rashford opened up on the reason for his punishment: oversleeping. This was the season that Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions and for a three-month period he was one of the hottest forwards in the world. The odd indiscretion could therefore be brushed aside.

But this season his form has fallen off a cliff. He has just four goals and has slipped out of the starting line-up due to his consistently bad performances, losing his place on the left of the attack to the effervescent Alejandro Garnacho.

He has been one of the main culprits in United's miserable season and the fact they are eighth in the Premier League and finished bottom of their Champions League group. In other words, he does not have the wiggle room he had last year and he cannot afford to mess about.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesClubbing after derby defeat

And yet he keeps messing around. After the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in October he went out to a nightclub to celebrate his birthday. There was no suggestion of misbehaviour or over-indulgence and he was with his family. But it sent out the wrong message. A humiliating thrashing to your local rivals is no cause to celebrate and certainly not in public. A player that has grown up in Manchester and spent his life with United should have known better.

When Real Madrid were hammered 4-0 by Atletico Madrid in 2015, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos opted against going to Cristiano Ronaldo's birthday party later that night. When word got out that Madrid's players had partied after such a heavy loss, the Spanish media had a field day and the fallout led to their results nosediving, with them ending the season empty-handed while Barcelona won the treble.

Ten Hag made it clear how he felt about Rashford's indiscretion after the derby, labelling his actions "unacceptable". That should have sent out a warning to Rashford. But just three months later he has done it again. And his latest infraction is far worse as it led to him missing training.

Getty ImagesStruggling for consistency

What is most frustrating about Rashford's behaviour is that it indicates a lack of hunger to keep proving his quality. Since breaking into United's first team in 2016 at the age of 18 he has looked like he had the makings of a top class player without ever being truly world class.

Until last season he had only once passed the 20-goal per season barrier. He has been a good player for England without ever being a nailed-on starter for Gareth Southgate. And just two seasons ago there were serious doubts about where his career was going.

He had been reeling from the effects of having back surgery and looked shorn of confidence as well as unhappy. Everything changed in the summer of 2022, when, before pre-season began, he went on an intense training camp at Nike's headquarters in Oregon to work on his explosivity.

His hard work paid off and last season he was truly incredible, scoring 30 goals and adding 11 assists, firing United to their first trophy in six years and back into the Champions League. He used his form as a negotiating tool when discussing a new contract with United and eventually sealed a bumper deal that made him the club's highest-paid player, earning an estimated £375,000 ($476,000) per week . His off-the-pitch charity work and the courage he showed to take on the Conservative government over school meals made him an excellent ambassador for United, the type of asset they were desperate to keep.

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GettyShow some responsibility

Some suggested at the time that his upsurge in form was a classic case of a footballer playing for a new contract and that his resurgence would not last. For whatever reason, he has gone backwards since signing the contract.

Rashford, of course, is not playing badly on purpose and he has appeared very frustrated with his drop in form, often looking angry and dejected on the pitch. But only he can turn things around and going out clubbing is not the way to do it.

On one level his night out was refreshing. A footballer letting his hair down and spending time with one of his old friends. The choice of venue in Belfast, hardly a clubbing mecca, was also intriguing. Thompson's Garage is regarded as a rough-and-ready night out, not the type of exclusive venue where elite footballers are normally seen.

But if Rashford wants to keep moving forward as a footballer and make his performances of last season a trend rather than an anomaly, he needs to grow up and show some responsibility.

Former Norwich City boss Dean Smith has backed USMNT striker Josh Sargent to make a return to the Premier League.

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USMNT's Sargent backed for EPL returnScored five goals in FebruaryFormer boss Smith full of praiseWHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking on the studio desk on the CBS Sports GOLAZO show on Tuesday, the now-Charlotte FC boss shared that he thinks incredibly highly of the USMNT striker. Although Smith's time in charge of Norwich City was brief, he's backing the USMNT striker to return to the Premier League – with or without the Canaries.

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The English manager revealed his praise for Sargent, who has 10 goals and one assist in 14 matches this season for the Canaries. "He can go and play again in the EPL, that's for sure. He hasn't got a ceiling at the moment."

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With Sargent's brilliant form in 2024, many are now touting him for a potential starting role with the USMNT in the coming months. Folarin Balogun has struggled in France with Monaco with only five goals and three assists, and now, his starting role with Gregg Berhalter could be up in the air.

The Concacaf Nations League is less than one month away, and the Copa America is on the horizon. If Sargent can keep scoring, who is stopping him from leapfrogging Balogun in the XI?

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SARGENT AND NORWICH CITY?

Norwich City clash against Sunderland on Saturday, with the Canaries sitting one spot outside a promotion playoff position in seventh in the English Championship. A win could see them draw level with Hull City on points at 55.

In the 'Match For Hope' charity game on Friday, influencer IShowSpeed went too far with a horror tackle on Brazilian legend Ricardo Kaka.

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Match For Hope charity game being playedSpeed commits horror tackle on KakaInfluencer goes too far with challengeWHAT HAPPENED?

In the 2024 edition of the 'Match For Hope', featuring the likes of Eden Hazard, Roberto Carlos, Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Tim Cahill and David Villa among others – as well as creators in the industry – one influencer went too far!

Social media personality IShowSpeed was trailing Ballon d'Or winner Ricardo Kaka and slid in behind him studs up, taking down the Brazilian.

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Speed was handed a yellow card for the foul, much to his dismay, but Kaka appeared to be all right despite the shocking tackle.

The charity match, taking place at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar, saw social media influencers Chunkz and Aboflah captain each respective side with superstars on each side. All profit obtained from the match will go to the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, supporting out-of-school children around the world.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR KAKA AND SPEED?

The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner will continue enjoying his retirement from the professional game, while making unique cameos like these when available. Speed, meanwhile, will continue producing content and influencing on social media.

The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket

Steven Lynch22-May-2006The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket:

Dilip Vengsarkar scored three hundreds in his first three Tests at Lord’s © Getty Images
I noticed that all Sri Lanka’s batsmen at Lord’s scored more runs in the second innings than they did in their first. How often has this happened in Tests? asked Nirmalan Wigneswaran and Steve Howe
It’s certainly very rare: the instance in the first Test at Lord’s was only the third in Test history. The last time it happened was way back in 1924, when all South Africa’s batsmen bettered their first-innings score second time around against England at Edgbaston. (It wasn’t difficult, as they were all out for 30 in the first innings but made 390 in the second!) England also managed it against Australia at Melbourne in 1894-95. Bangladesh achieved the feat in reverse – everyone scoring more in the first innings than the second – in their inaugural Test, against India at Dhaka in 2000-01.Was Sri Lanka’s total at Lord’s the highest in the second innings of a Test? asked Ajith Gunasinghe from Chilaw
Sri Lanka’s 537 for 9 at Lord’s was their own highest in the second innings of a Test – comfortably beating their 448 for 5 declared against Pakistan earlier this year in Colombo – but it was some way short of the overall Test record, which coincidentally was scored against Sri Lanka. That was New Zealand’s 671 for 4 at Wellington in 1990-91, when Martin Crowe (299) and Andrew Jones (186) shared a record stand of 467. There have been five other second-innings totals of more than 600.Mahela Jayawardene has now played two Tests at Lord’s, and scored two centuries. How many other visiting batsmen have done this? asked Nishan Seneratne from Colombo
The Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar uniquely scored centuries in each of his first three Tests at Lord’s, in 1979 (103), 1982 (157) and 1986 (126 not out), before falling short with “only” 52 and 35 in 1990. Only seven other visiting players had scored two Test centuries at Lord’s before Mahela Jayawardene joined them last week. Australia’s Warren Bardsley was the first, with 164 in 1912 and 193 not out 14 years later in 1926, by which time he was 43, but he missed out in his other three Tests at Lord’s; George Headley collected both of his in the same game, with 106 and 107 for West Indies in 1939 (but he had done less well in 1933); the inevitable Don Bradman reached three figures for Australia in 1930 – with 254, which he felt was the best innings he ever played – and 1938, with 102 not out (but he missed out in 1934 and 1948); his fellow Australian Bill Brown made 105 in 1934 and 206 not out 1938 (but also failed to repeat the feat in 1948); Garry Sobers hit 163 not out in 1966, and 150 not out in 1973, but didn’t reach 100 in his other three official Tests at Lord’s; another West Indian, Gordon Greenidge, scored 214 not out in 1984 and 103 in 1988, having missed out in his first two visits, in 1976 and 1980; and finally Martin Crowe hit 106 in 1986 and 142 in 1994 (but did less well in 1983 and 1990). Sobers did, however, slam 183 for the Rest of the World against England at Lord’s in 1970 (he also took 6 for 21!), in what was thought to be a proper Test at the time but was later deemed unofficial. And Greenidge hit 122 against the Rest of the World in the five-day MCC Bicentenary match at Lord’s in 1987.Did Fred Titmus play for England again after his terrible accident? asked Maureen Bird from Southsea
The accident you’re referring to happened during England’s tour of the West Indies in 1967-68. Fred Titmus, the Middlesex offspinner who was Colin Cowdrey’s vice-captain on that trip, lost four toes when his left foot tangled with the propeller of a motor-boat – the propeller was unusually placed in the middle rather than at the back, and Titmus let his legs go underneath the boat while he was holding on to it. He was lucky in one way, in that the big toe – which is important for balance – was virtually undamaged, and he returned to county cricket a couple of months later. It did look, however, as if his England career had stalled after 49 caps – but he received a surprise recall for the 1974-75 tour of Australia, and played four Tests there to take his total to 53, in which he took 153 wickets at 32.22. He made his last appearance for Middlesex in 1982, when he was 49. Titmus joked that “the only real problem the accident left me with was counting – afterwards, I always had trouble going over 16!”When (and where) is the next women’s World Cup? asked Anuka Jain from Delhi
The next one will be played in Australia in 2009, when the Aussies will be defending the trophy that they won for the fifth time at Centurion in South Africa last April. Four years later, in 2013, the tournament will be played in India.Who called his autobiography Beating the Bat? asked James Lee from Crawley
That was the name of the memoirs of Derek Underwood, the Kent and England left-arm bowler who finished up with a tantalising total of 297 Test wickets. The book came out in 1975, when Underwood’s first-class career still had a dozen years to run, so maybe it’s time he wrote another one! Having said that, he did update his story a little in Deadly Down Under, which came out in 1980, but that was mainly an account of England’s tour of Australia the previous winter.

Alex Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn head a list of notable absentees from the United States women's roster to play in the upcoming Gold Cup.

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USWNT to play in Gold Cup in FebruaryMorgan, Sauerbrunn and Mewis among absenteesSign of generational change under HayesGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

That squad is the first tournament selection from incoming boss Emma Hayes, made alongside interim coach Twila Kilgore, and marks a moment of generational change in the USWNT ranks. Morgan sits fifth in her nation's all-time scoring list with 121 goals in 215 appearance. But she co-captained the side that failed so spectacularly at the World Cup last summer and has scored just twice in 18 international matches. The 34-year-old striker clearly figures in no part of Hayes' future.

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Morgan is not the only famous name to be omitted. Sauerbrunn missed the 2023 World Cup through a foot injury but is a previous USWNT captain, so her absence is notable. Andi Sullivan also doesn't feature, despite being the team's go-to defensive midfielder in recent years. Other significant absentees include Ashley Sanchez, Kelley O’Hara and Sofia Huerta, to go alongside the recent retirements of legends Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis.

Getty ImagesWHAT KILGORE SAID

Interim boss Kilgore defended such widespread changes in a statement, explaining: "Not only is there a trophy on the line, but this is a great opportunity to capitalize on meaningful match opportunities and experience the short turnarounds between games, which is a rhythm that closely mirrors the Olympic format. We are going to take our next steps together as we continue to evolve our style of play and provide opportunities for players to grow into possible future roles and partnerships.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

Some stars from the failed World Cup run do retain their place, though, with defenders Naomi Girma and Emily Fox, midfielders Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle, and forwards Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman all included. Recent debutants Jaedyn Shaw, Olivia Moultrie, Korbin Albert, Mia Fishel and Jenna Nighswonger also make the cut in what is a young-looking roster.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a summer to forget in the transfer window, a feat that could get worse according to new revelations.

After the mutual departure of former manager Julen Lopetegui just five days prior to the club’s Premier League opener against Manchester United.

Gary O’Neil was selected as the man to take the reins from the Spaniard at a time when issues regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) have consumed the headlines this summer at Molineux, as well as leaving the squad relatively bare.

The Englishman could face issues greater than the financial restrictions plaguing the Old Gold, should new reports be believed, as the side looks set to lose another star talent.

Who could Wolves sell this summer?

After bidding farewell to names as highly-rated at Molineux as Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore, Nathan Collins and Raul Jimenez this summer, further figures could be set to exit before the window closes.

There continues to be speculation over Daniel Podence’s future, who is being monitored by Celtic, a new report from Portugal has relayed information regarding the long-term future of fellow winger Goncalo Guedes.

A report from his home country (as relayed by Sport Witness) has suggested that the 26-year-old is ‘very close’ to heading back to Benfica on loan, with Wolves hoping that he succeeds with the Eagles in the hope that they can sell him permanently.

Contracted to Molineux until 2027, the forward has had limited opportunity in the Premier League for a number of reasons, however, the failure of his stint replicates an aura of another failed transfer.

Should Wolves sell Goncalo Guedes?

After joining the club last summer from Valencia for a fee in the region of £27m, the former PSG forward has had a time to forget in England.

There was so much hope that came with his arrival, with him being impressive in Spain just the year prior to his transfer, in which he contributed to 17 goals in LaLiga by scoring 11 and assisting six.

Having been described as being “lightning-quick” among a host of attributes by talkSPORT’s Andy Brassell, the 26-year-old was poised to be another strong acquisition at Molineux from Portugal, however rather than following the legacy of Neves, he seems to be rewriting the history of Pedro Goncalves.

While the woes of Goncalves’ failed transfer came after he left the club through his revelation as one of the most dangerous wingers in Portugal, Guedes has suffered a similar fate to the Sporting Lisbon ace, with the Midlands just not cutting it for his playing style and expectation.

The former Benfica star has made just 18 appearances for Wolves since signing, as well as going on a loan spell back to his boyhood club to pull himself away from the Premier League.

His expected sale comes as a huge disappointment for Wolves, who could have a phenomenal talent at their disposal if it wasn’t for powers out of their control, with the winger being unhappy.

Back in January, Lopetegui relayed that the 26-year-old “wanted to leave” the club, though it doesn’t ease the blow of not getting anything from a £27m signing.

Since leaving Wolves, fellow Premier League runaway Goncalves has contributed to 83 league goals in only 127 appearances, showing just what the club could’ve had, which could happen in the instance the Guedes follows suit.

Ultimately, Fosun doesn’t have an option but to allow the former Valencia man to depart with him unwilling to stay, however it must be a lesson for the Old Gold who have failed to utilise another highly-promising transfer.

Mikel Arteta issued an optimistic update on Bukayo Saka after the winger was forced off during Arsenal's 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

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Arteta says Saka 'should be fine'Expresses more concern over ZinchenkoGunners have free week to rest upGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Saka opened the scoring as the Gunners put the Premier League leaders to the sword at the Emirates Stadium, but was substituted late on after receiving treatment for an injury. Arteta, however, did not seem concerned and does not expect to lose the England star for any significant length of time. The Spaniard was more concerned over an injury sustained by full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who seemed to aggravate a pre-existing calf issue.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

Speaking after the game, Arteta appeared optimistic about Saka, as he told reporters: "He should be fine. He got a kick I think on the ankle or on the back of his foot, but he should be fine."

On Zinchenko, the Arsenal boss seemed a lot more uncertain. "With Alex (Zinchenko), we don't know," Arteta added. "He had this feeling in his calf again and we had to take him off."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Arteta's initial prognosis follows a familiar pattern for both players. Saka's driving runs frequently see him pick up knocks but it's very rarely anything that prevents the 22-year-old from lining up for his club.

Zinchenko, meanwhile, has encountered a number of issues since moving to north London from Manchester City, with three separate spells on the sidelines attributed to calf problems. Arteta will be hoping this latest issues is a minor one.

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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

After Sunday's big win, Arsenal's calendar offers some respite with just one game a week to prepare for in the next fortnight. There's a full six days for the bumps and bruises to heal before the Gunners make a short trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham next Sunday.

Brett Lee is probably the only Australian who has welcomed the retirements of McGrath and Warne and is thriving in an environment where he is the alpha male

Peter English at the Gabba03-Feb-2008
Brett Lee: Basking in the limelight © Getty Images
Brett Lee now bowls like a man with nothing to prove. The shadows of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne have gone and the only clouds on his mind in Brisbane were the leaky ones above the Gabba. A parent of a toddler, Lee is also the head of Australia’s bowling family and is becoming more relaxed about the responsibility with every innings.Australia’s attack included a debutant in Ashley Noffke and Mitchell Johnson, who has played 26 matches, was the only other one backing up from the Test series. Lee was not concerned by his lack of big-name help and against an opponent with similarly fresh faces he showed why he is the big daddy.This is the point Lee has wanted to reach since making his international debut nine years ago. He gets the new ball, comes back mid-innings to mop up or blast out and returns at the finish to create more damage. There is never any question over his end and when Ricky Ponting wants a wicket it is Lee who takes the ball. Throughout the Tests he was there when Ponting needed him and he has started the CB Series in the same way.The only thing Lee could not control was the weather, which prevented him from earning the victory his bowling deserved. In between taking 5 for 27 he ran across to support Noffke during his early expensive overs and tapped a batsman in apology after almost running into him. The downscaling of hostilities since Sydney actually suits Lee and does not result in any loss of bowling venom. Without needing to think about what to say to a batsman, he can concentrate more on how to remove them.There was no generosity shown to the debutant Manoj Tiwary as he was attacked with a series of shorter deliveries. Tiwary did well to avoid a couple of dangerous balls aimed around head height, but he was so sure of getting another that he could not deal with a fuller one and was bowled off his pad. At the end of the over Lee was given a rest, his four-over second spell costing only 11 runs and including two wickets. India had threatened to come back after losing their experienced openers, but when Lee removed Rohit Sharma and Tiwary three wickets had fallen for three runs.Sachin Tendulkar also miscalculated Lee in the final over of his opening collection, pushing back too far and stepping on his stumps. The new and old were taken care of along with a couple of wickets in the last over of the innings and the upshot was Lee’s seventh career five-wicket haul.Lee is probably the only Australian who has welcomed the retirements of McGrath and Warne and is thriving in an environment where he is the alpha maleThe rest of Lee’s fast-bowling family had a mixed day. Nathan Bracken was expensive after his early breakthrough while Noffke recovered well from giving up 27 runs in his opening four overs. Like Noffke, Johnson was playing on his home ground and he would have had something to cheer two overs earlier if Australia’s slips fielders were on message.Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting both dropped chances off Gautam Gambhir within three balls, but Johnson recovered to trap the batsman in front. He remained a threat and gave up only 33 runs in nine overs, although all the serious danger came from Lee until Ishant Sharma stormed through after another rain break.Given limited opportunities, Sharma was the only bowler to match Lee’s potency in a brief spell where he weaved the ball on a surface freshened by the extra moisture. James Hopes’ off stump was lost and Michael Clarke was welcomed with a hit in the chest. Sitting in the dressing room Lee would have been impressed with the discomfort caused for the batsmen.The conditions were steamy, the ball became slippery and the bowlers had many excuses for things not working. Lee did not need any and excelled despite the heat, the rain interruptions and the new-look India.To reach this level he needed to look around the field and not see any safety nets. Lee is probably the only Australian who has welcomed the retirements of McGrath and Warne and is thriving in an environment where he is the alpha male. Now when he stands at the top of his run he is no longer confused over his position. This is Lee’s team as well as Ponting’s.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was thrilled with his side's 3-0 win over Burnley and how their attack "forced" their opponents to go a man down.

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Palace beat Burnley 3-0Brownhill sent off for ClaretsGlasner thrilled with victoryGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Eagles got Glasner's tenure at Selhurst Park off to a winning start thanks to second-half goals from Chris Richards, Jordan Ayew, and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Their pressure eventually told after Josh Brownhill was sent off in the 35th minute, with former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Glasner praising the performance and the way their attack led to the midfielder's dismissal.

AdvertisementWHAT OLIVER GLASNER SAID

He told : "Sometimes the players forget about keeping the balance in the game but how we forced the red card was brilliant and we attacked very high. It was really nice to see. We had a great spirit from the beginning and the players tried to do everything that the analysts prepared for them. Also thank you to my staff because we were only here for three days. My feeling was the fans were happy to see the players attacking and fighting, they were very loud, this is what we want. They had a great afternoon and now they can go somewhere in a pub and enjoy one or two beers."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ex-Wolfsburg manager Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson as Palace boss earlier this month after the latter agreed to step down from his role following a health scare and a poor run of results. While this win over relegation-threatened Burnley will not solve the club's issues, it does put them eight points clear of the bottom three. Conversely, Clarets boss Vincent Kompany will be under intense pressure to keep his job as they are 19th and eight points from safety.

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WHAT NEXT?

Glasner's Palace side, who are up to 13th in the table, travel to London neighbours Tottenham in their next Premier League outing on March 2 whereas Kompany's Burnley host Bournemouth in the English top-flight a day later.

Aston Villa are back in action in Europe tonight, as Unai Emery’s side hope to kickstart their progression in Group E of the UEFA Europa Conference League against Zrinjski.

Despite cruising through the qualifiers with an 8-0 aggregate win over Hibernian in an all-British tie, the Villans were dragged back to reality in the opening group game as they faced defeat to Legia Warsaw in Poland.

Emery’s side were hit with a footballing lesson against Legia, losing the game 3-2 in what was an overall disappointing performance by the Midlands club who were well poised to top the group at first glance.

What is the latest Aston Villa team news?

Just as Villa learnt in their opening game of the tournament, no side should be underestimated, which is a lesson that must be carried over to tonight’s contest as Zrinjski were victorious in their opening fixture against AZ Alkmaar.

Villa got back into their groove last weekend by seeing off Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 at Villa Park, however the match saw two integral members of Emery’s squad sustain knocks forcing them to withdraw from the contest.

The Spaniard confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he will be without Moussa Diaby and Boubacar Kamara for the showdown at Villa Park, with both players having not trained following their withdrawal against Brighton.

Another unfortunate blow is Jacob Ramsey, who scored his first goal of the season against the Seagulls after missing the start of the campaign due to a broken metatarsal injury, with Emery confirming that the Englishman is also unavailable.

In the Conference League opener against Legia, a host of players were far below par, leaving questions over whether Emery will continue to rotate his side to accommodate those that were incapable of fighting for the win in Poland last time out.

Should Douglas Luiz start against Zrinjski over Leander Dendoncker?

Away from the Conference League, the manager opted to rotate his squad against Everton in the Carabao Cup, seeing Leander Dendoncker come into midfield to hand Kamara a rest.

Now that the Frenchman is out of contention, the Spaniard should avoid rotating the former Wolves dud back into the side, after his woeful performance against the Toffees that saw him earn a 6.4 Sofascore match rating.

Instead, Luiz should partner Youri Tielemans, who despite being another poor performer on the night, has shown glimpses of what he can offer to the side when at the top of his game.

Once lauded as a “warrior” by journalist Jack Grimse, Luiz has been the glue to Villa’s transformation in the middle of the park, and while the Brazilian would be the natural target of rotation due to his importance, tonight’s fixture poses little room for error.

With just 33 touches and a failure to impose himself defensively in midfield against the Toffees, Dendoncker was hooked at halftime, with Birmingham Live's John Townley writing that the 28-year-old was 'slow in possession and didn’t progress the ball particularly well'.

Considering Villa’s growing injury problems, Emery will be short on his options in midfield after losing both Kamara and Ramsey, however he should opt against risking another Dendoncker disasterclass.

After the defeat to Legia, Villa must begin to make waves in the group, which they could start tonight with a win over Zrinjski, which they will have to be at their best to ensure with Luiz often possessing the keys to the squad’s success.