Watkins on target as Villa trounce AZ Alkmaar

Aston Villa climbed to the top of Group E in the Europa Conference League after a classy victory against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at AFAS Stadion. Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans got Villa off to the perfect start with a goal apiece in the space of 10 first-half minutes.

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Ireland put four past Gibraltar in routine win

The Republic of Ireland got back to winning ways with a routine 4-0 victory against Gibraltar in Faro. First-half goals from Evan Ferguson and Mikey Johnston, plus headers in the second from Matt Doherty and Callum Robinson, sealed only the second win in Group B for Stephen Kenny’s side.

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Lacklustre Ireland well beaten by superior Greeks

The Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 automatic qualification hopes are over after a 2-0 home defeat to Greece. Stephen Kenny’s side could still make it to next summer’s tournament via the play-offs but that looks highly unlikely given their poor Nations League ranking.

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Netherlands fightback to crush Irish hopes of qualification

Republic of Ireland lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 Group B qualifier as their slim qualification hopes went up in smoke. Ireland got off to a dream start when, with just two minutes gone, Dutch skipper Virgil van Dijk was penalised for handling James McClean’s corner and Adam Idah fired home from the penalty spot. However a Cody Gakpo penalty and a second half strike from Wout Weghorst turned the tie for the Dutch.

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Osasuna banned from Europa Conference League by UEFA

The inspectors of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee recommend not admitting CA Osasuna to the next edition of the Conference League, after a report delivered to the club this Friday, a decision that is marked by what happened nine years ago with the directive of that time and that the Spanish team will appeal “legally until the last consequences”.

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