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Live Reporting

Steve Sutcliffe

All times stated are UK

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  1. Goodbye

    All done. Thanks for joining me today.

    Before I head off into the Salford rain here are a few things I'd recommend looking at:

    The last piece there is a cracker! Anyway I'll see you all soon.

  2. 'Play-off final win will stand players in good stead'

    Aston Villa v Man City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Dean Smith on his players' Wembley experience: "The experience the lads gained last year from winning in the play-off final will stand them in good stead.

    "Players like Jack (Grealish) who has been here for a while, has played at Wembley a number of times.

    "He helped beat Liverpool in the semi-final when we were massive underdogs in the FA Cup. He then lost to Arsenal in the final and lost in the play-offs in the previous season.

    "We have got an awful lot of players there who are internationals and know what it is like to play in these big one-off games and are thoroughly looking forward to it."

  3. 'Players have chance to etch themselves into the history of the club'

    Aston Villa v Man City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    More from Aston Villa manager Dean Smith: "You have to win because winning is the only good feeling when you are there.

    "It's an opportunity for our players to go and etch themselves into the history of the football club."

  4. 'Football is about winning things'

    Aston Villa v Manchester City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Aston Villa manager Dean Smith: "It's an opportunity. Nine years ago I was becoming manager of Walsall in League One looking to keep them up.

    "If someone told me in nine years on, I'd be sat here as a Premier League manager with Aston Villa, leading them into a domestic cup final, I'd have said they were crackers.

    "The lads have done ever so well to get to a final and now we have a chance against one of the world's best teams.

    "Football is about winning things, sport is about winning things and now we have an opportunity now where we will be massive underdogs but I can only name one or two team that would not be underdogs against Manchester City."

  5. Post update

    Aston Villa v Manchester City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Just the Aston Villa manager Dean Smith to come...

    I'll have what he's had to say in his pre-Carabao Cup final news conference shortly.

  6. Bayern suspend selfies with supporters

    A number of clubs have been providing updates about how they are dealing with issues surrounding the coronavirus.

    Bayern Munich's medical department have advised the players not to sign autographs or be available for photos or selfies with the fans.

    Read more here on the Bayern website (in German).

  7. 'Just fist bumps if we score'

    West Ham v Southampton (Sat,15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    More from West Ham manager David Moyes, who says Tomas Soucek will be a 'big miss' before taking a question on coronavirus.

    "After consulting with the medical team, we have supplied all the players with hand gel to keep with them," Moyes said.

    "We've also agreed to no shaking hands at the moment, just fist bumps. If we score tomorrow, of course they'll be able to celebrate!"

  8. 'We're expecting to get out of the bottom three'

    West Ham v Southampton (Sat,15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    More from West Ham manager David Moyes: We want everybody to be together. We need everybody to be positive inside the stadium, stick with the team, because the team needs you badly.

    "We're expecting to get out of the bottom three, but we need to do it sooner rather than later. We're doing good things, but we need to turn them into points and be more consistent.

    "If we cut out the mistakes, I think we'll be okay."

  9. 'Every fixture is going to be big'

    West Ham v Southampton (Sat,15:00 GMT)

    West Ham United

    Slightly later than advertised West Ham boss David Moyes has been doing his stuff with the press. Unsurprisingly given the Hammers lowly league position, he gets under way with some chat about the importance of the remaining league games.

    "Every game is the biggest game of the season as you're required to win every one. We've got eleven games to go and every one is going to be big," Moyes said.

    "I think the players have done a good job in recent matches in different ways, but we need to show better quality when we've got the ball and got opportunities.

    "I think we'll go into the game confident and feeling that we've got a good chance of winning."

  10. 'I enjoy the rivalry with Brighton'

    Brighton v Crystal Palace (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

    Crystal Palace

    More from Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson who has been asked about the rivalry with Saturday's opponents Brighton.

    (If only Terry Venables and Alan Mullery were around to answer that).

    "I enjoy the rivalry with Brighton. It's a special one for the fans and we're very much aware of that as a club.I believe Wilf [Zaha] gives his best in every match. He wants to be an important player in every game that he plays."

  11. Sakho fit for Palace

    Brighton v Crystal Palace (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

    Crystal Palace

    Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson kicked off his press briefing on the usual note, with some team news.

    "Mamadou Sakho has returned to training this week. [Jeffrey] Schlupp is about to return. The only absentee is James Tomkins."

  12. 'I can't keep every player happy'

    Bournemouth v Chelsea (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has dismissed reports of a breakdown in his relationship with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has not played since the 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal on January 21.

    "My relationship is fine," he said.

    "I can’t keep every player happy. But the professionalism is there from him. Every player is in control of their own decision. Willy Caballero is training well and performing well. I will decide as we go."

  13. 'Zero possibility' of Holgate departure

    Everton v Man Utd (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    Everton

    Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has responded to rumours Manchester City are considering a summer bid for defender Mason Holgate.

    "It is a rumour," said the Italian. "I can say Mason Holgate is an important part of the future of Everton and there is no possibility he can go to another club. Zero possibility."

  14. Team news - Walcott back for Everton?

    Everton v Man Utd (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    Everton

    Some news to cheer Everton fans...

    Winger Theo Walcott has recovered from a knee injury and could return to the starting line-up at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

    Left-back Lucas Digne, who also missed last weekend's defeat at Arsenal with a calf problem, faces a late fitness test as he has been training on his own this week butmMidfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin (thigh) remains a long-term absentee.

  15. 'We have a fight on'

    Bournemouth v Chelsea (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has also been discussing the race for the top four and Champions League qualification.

    His side are currently fourth ahead of Manchester United by three points, with the likes of Tottenham, Wolves, Sheffield United and Arsenal, all hoping to catch the Blues.

    "When you look around, the form of United, who spent well and it's similar with Tottenham and can’t write off Arsenal. Wolves and Sheffield United you have to respect them, they are good teams. We have a fight on. Anyone who is in range has a chance of finishing in the top four.

  16. Pulisic, Kante and Abraham out

    Bournemouth v Chelsea (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard looks pretty glum as he talks about his injury list at the start of his news conference.

    "[Christian] Pulisic is injured. [N'Golo] Kante injured and Tammy Abraham is injured. We are trying to find a solution with Tammy. It’s the same."

    Asked how long Abraham would be sidelined, Lampard continued: "I don't know, we need to see. I speak to the doctors every day about it but we are not actually clear on that one. At the minute he's not doing anything active for the next couple of days. So I don't know. And I don't know how long that will be.

    "Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] is in the squad again tomorrow. It would mean a lot for him. It is a lonely place to be injured. With the ability that he has got he is one of the most exciting English midfield players."

  17. 'Forget about my changes - many times they were a disaster'

    Aston Villa v Man City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Manchester City

    Pep Guardiola has been playing down the tactical genius tag handed to him in the media after Manchester City's Champions League victory against Real Madrid.

    He said: "First of all, I think you are wrong. You didn’t learn. The line to win or lose is so tight. Forget about my changes, many times they were a disaster and on Wednesday it worked but it doesn’t count.

    "Still people don’t learn that the manager who wins is a genius and the other is a disaster. It doesn’t work in that way.

    "Sometimes you don’t win because the margin in that competition is so tight. If [Sergio] Ramos kicks the ball and they score the second goal the City manager would have been a disaster and perfect for [Zinedine] Zidane. Little details make the difference."

    "It is in three weeks and before that we have the Carabao Cup, Sheffield Wednesday (in the FA Cup) and the Premier League. A lot of times I make a substitution and it doesn’t work. I don’t believe in these kind of things."

  18. 'Not necessary to make a big alarm'

    Aston Villa v Man City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is taking the coronavirus threat seriously: "Coronavirus is a worldwide situation, we have to be serious about the message. They are doing as much as possible worldwide. It is not necessary to make a big alarm. We are shaking hands."

  19. Laporte out for 'a month'

    Aston Villa v Man City (Sun, 16:30 GMT)

    Manchester City

    Defender Aymeric Laporte limped off in the 2-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the likely prognosis is that the Frenchman will be missing for around a month with a hamstring injury.

    As it stands that would mean Laporte missing the Manchester derby on 8 March and being just about fit again by the time Liverpool arrive at the Etihad on 5 April.

    "Three weeks out more or less, a month," he said. "Unfortunately this happens after four or five months out.

    "Life is not easy and always in the world the people who survive are the ones who cope with the bad moments. It is what it is. Accept it, work hard to come back as soon as possible."

    Read the full story on that here.

  20. Post update

    In case you are wondering about those last comments from Pep Guardiola - EDS is short for elite development squad - which is a fancy term for the reserves.