Football Articles | Mail Online

• Unai Emery becomes distracted by transfers and it undoubtedly affects Aston Villa's performances at the start of every season - but here's why they can be an effective counter-attacking side, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE1 September 2026, 1:16 am
  TOM COLLOMOSSE AT VILLA PARK: The skeleton of the North Stand at Villa Park was an apt background to Unai Emery's grand rebuilding project at Aston Villa.
  
• Mikel Arteta leaves door open for Arsenal to sign a forward on deadline day amid lengthy pursuit of Julian Alvarez: 'If we can improve the squad, we will'31 August 2026, 10:27 pm
  TOM COLLOMOSSE AT VILLA PARK: Mikel Arteta left the door open for Arsenal to make a deadline day move for a forward as they continue to monitor Atletico's Julian Alvarez.
  
• Marco Rose blows perfect start to his first home game with Cherries - giving cheer to Everton fans ready to 'riot' if young star Harrison Armstrong is sold: Bournemouth 1-1 Everton31 August 2026, 10:26 pm
  'Welcome Marco', read the banner that Bournemouth fans unfurled before kick-off at the Vitality Stadium and Herr Rose delivered a performance straight out of the Cherries playbook.
  
• Aston Villa vs Arsenal - Premier League RECAP: Bukayo Saka's goal proves the difference as champions secure victory at Villa Park - ahead of Sunday's showdown with rivals Chelsea31 August 2026, 10:06 pm
  Relive Daily Mail Sport's live blog of Arsenal's slender 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League.
  
• Man City agree £65m deal for Iliman Ndiaye, Tottenham enquire after Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk - and Cody Gakpo is STAYING at Liverpool: WINDOW WATCH RECAP31 August 2026, 9:59 pm
  The transfer window closes on Tuesday and it's sure to be a busy last few hours as several clubs look to make big signings before 11pm. Recap Monday's latest developments.
  
• Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Which Arsenal star was brought crashing down to earth? Who had a night to forget for Villa? And which debutant caught the eye?31 August 2026, 9:35 pm
  Premier League champions Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season, following up their opening-day victory over Coventry with a hard-fought win at Aston Villa.
  
• Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal: Bukayo Saka inspires champions to cagey win at Villa Park - as Gunners' new £55m signing Ezri Konsa returns to make debut against his old club31 August 2026, 9:31 pm
  OLIVER HOLT AT VILLA PARK: On Witton Lane, just beyond where The Holte pub stands proudly at the junction with Trinity Road, Aston Villa supporters slowed and stopped to gaze at a wall.
  
• Lionel Messi retires from Argentina duty: 39-year-old bows out after defeat in World Cup final by Spain - just a few weeks after his father passed away31 August 2026, 8:48 pm
  Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final to Spain last month.
  
• Richarlison insists he won't allow 'other people' to decide his future as he posts angry statement on social media amid Everton and Tottenham transfer saga31 August 2026, 8:36 pm
  Tottenham striker Richarlison has cast doubt on a potential move to Everton after posting a cryptic message on social media insisting he will not let anyone else decide his future. 
  
• Rangers boss Derek McInnes sees touchline ban reduced to two games31 August 2026, 8:07 pm
  Rangers manager Derek McInnes has had his touchline ban reduced to two matches, with two suspended, following an appeal by the Ibrox club.
  
• Oliver Sorensen and Joel van den Berg emerge as late transfer targets as Celtic seek to beat the clock ahead of looming deadline31 August 2026, 7:54 pm
  Celtic are aiming to beat the clock with a flurry of late signings ahead of this week's transfer deadlines.
  
• Sir Alex Ferguson enters Old Trafford with his lower left leg in a protective boot - as legendary ex-Manchester United manager arrives for their Premier League clash against Ipswich Town31 August 2026, 7:39 pm
  Sir Alex Ferguson is at Old Trafford to give his support to his beloved Manchester United, but is doing so injured.
  
• Man United's left-back dilemma: Why they wanted to wait a year before revamping defence, the three targets on radar in last-minute push to challenge Luke Shaw and the steep asking price that's put Lewis Hall out of reach... for now31 August 2026, 7:22 pm
  CHRIS WHEELER: Luke Shaw has had a bumpy start to the new campaign. On Sunday, he was left trailing in Abdul Fatawu's wake as the Ipswich winger set up the opening goal for Leif Davis.
  
• What Tottenham are set to miss out on as the outrageously gifted Iliman Ndiaye opts for Man City - and why Everton star would have fixed Roberto De Zerbi's revamped front line31 August 2026, 7:15 pm
  MATT BARLOW: After accepting defeat in pursuit of Cody Gakpo and picking up the bill from Tottenham's transfer strategy summit, De Zerbi emerged with Ndiaye in his sights.
  
• European football legend, 38, has lucrative Saudi contract worth £85m ripped up31 August 2026, 6:18 pm
  The veteran forward had joined on a free transfer from fellow Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who he had signed for from Real Madrid back in 2023.