McGinn exclusive: How Emery has ‘educated’ Villa fans to new way of playing

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

McGinn exclusive: How Emery has ‘educated’ Villa fans to new way of playing

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Exclusive: ‘The best of him is coming’ – Emery warns Watkins yet to reach full potential

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Exclusive: ‘The best of him is coming’ – Emery warns Watkins yet to reach full potential

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Exclusive: Henderson ‘like a kid in a sweet shop’ after joining ‘iconic’ Ajax

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media

How to watch Ajax v Aston Villa on TNT Sports and discovery+

Aston Villa will travel to Ajax for the first leg of their blockbuster last-16 UEFA Europa Conference League tie, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Villa are flying high in the Premier League this season, sitting in fourth place, five points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham.

They have a striker in red-hot form, with Ollie Watkins scoring five goals in his last three matches, and a manager with experience of European success, with Unai Emery a four-time UEFA Europa League winner.

Emery will be aiming to lead Villa to their first silverware since 1996.

Ajax have recovered from a poor start to the season to move up to fifth in the Dutch Eredivisie.

When is Ajax v Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League?

Aston Villa will travel to Ajax on Thursday, March 7 in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Kick-off is 17:45 UK time, with live coverage on TNT Sports commencing at 17:00.

How to watch Ajax v Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League?

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Ajax v Aston Villa will be live on TNT Sports 3 with coverage from 17:00 UK time on Thursday, March 7.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder tool.

How do I watch UEFA Europa Conference League live streams on TNT Sports? What is discovery+?

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

BT Sport app closes – How do I activate discovery+?

The BT Sport app closed on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

TNT Sports customers who want to stream live sport content, including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, UFC, Boxing and WWE, are encouraged to download the discovery+ app at the earliest opportunity.
Customers who have been watching via the BT Sport app, can simply activate their discovery+ account via BT or EE for no extra cost*. The process to activate is very simple and can be started at www.bt.com/activate.

Once a customer has created their discovery+ account, they can download the discovery+ app to login and continue watching all their favourite sport plus more.

discovery+ gives viewers access to live and on-demand TNT Sports plus Eurosport content, including the Australian Open and French Open Grand Slams, Grand Tour cycling and every moment of next year’s Olympic Games Paris 2024, as well as the full range of discovery+ entertainment content, offering something for the whole household.
On October 12, 2023 when the BT Sport app closed, the app updated to become the TNT Sports app, a free news and results service available for anyone to access. Existing TNT Sports subscribers via BT and EE can head to www.bt.com/activate to find out how to activate their discovery+ account for all live premium streamed content.

*discovery+ as part of your TNT Sports subscription only available to BT and Sky customers.

If I want TNT Sports, do I need to download a new app? 

The discovery+ app is the streaming home for TNT Sports.

The BT Sport app closed on October 12, 2023 and we encourage all our customers to download the discovery+ app to continue enjoying TNT Sports.

How to activate

To keep watching TNT Sports online or via an app you need to activate your discovery+ subscription. It’s quick, easy and there’s no extra cost.

Firstly, choose your activation route from the four options below:

  • BT Customer: If you pay for TNT Sports as part of your BT Broadband plan (BT TV, App, Sky), log in to MyBT and navigate to ‘Your Products’ and select ‘TV’ where you’ll find the discovery+ activation tile
  • BT Customer: If you’re a BT Mobile or a TNT Sports Monthly Pass customer. Visit www.bt.com/sport/activate-discovery-plus and follow the steps
  • EE Customer. If you joined us BEFORE July 18, 2023 and have an active BT Sport account. Visit www.bt.com/sport/activate-discovery-plus then, select ‘activate my discovery+’ and follow the steps. Note, you will need to use your BT Sport login details (BT ID) to activate.
  • EE Customer. If you joined on or AFTER July 18, 2023 or have not activated BT Sport visit www.ee.co.uk/TNTSports. Note, if you’re using an Apple (IOS) mobile to activate discovery+, please switch off Wi-Fi before activating. Then, select ‘activate by discovery+’ and follow the steps.
Once activated download the discovery+ app or visit discoveryplus.com to enjoy all that Discovery has to offer.

What are the benefits of the TNT Sports experience on discovery+?

TNT Sports is bringing fans a feature-packed front-row experience.

Depending on the device used you can*:

  • Replay live video easily and skip through key points in the game to relive the action with our interactive Timeline Markers - you’re in charge!
  • Stream on the go, and even flip between games on the fly to check out other live matches
  • Watch selected live events available in 4K HDR quality, complete with immersive Dolby Atmos audio

For the best streaming experience, discovery+ recommends an Internet download speed of at least 5 Mbps, and for 4K content an Internet download speed of at least 20 Mbps

*Compatible devices only.

Which devices can I access discovery+ on?

What are some of the key features of the TNT Sports experience on discovery+?

Depending on the device used to access discovery+, fans can enjoy*:

  • Timeline Markers: highlighting events and giving cue points to fans who want to watch them back
  • Play by play: text commentary giving a more in-depth summary of the game so far
  • Multi-Match/Multi-Cam: giving subscribers the opportunity to switch between matches at the flick of a button, and, for selected events to choose different camera views
  • Personalised viewing carousel: subscribers landing on the discovery+ homepage will be served the very best content options from across TNT Sports, Eurosport and Discovery’s real-life programming, including “Recommended For You” and “Because You Watched” personalised recommendations
  • Coming soon – we will launch Goal Alerts and rugby Try Alerts, so fans never miss another goal or score. And, we will be launching these features across the Warner Bros. Discovery Sports line-up, such as tennis, cycling and the Olympics

*Compatible devices only.

What is the TNT Sports app?

The TNT Sports app is a free sports news and results app which is free for anyone to download after October 12, 2023.

The BT Sport app closed on October 12, 2023 and has been replaced by the TNT Sports app for sports news and results. Live premium content will be made available via discovery+.

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media

Digne comes off the bench to rescue Villa victory after Luton fightback

Substitute Lucas Digne struck a last-minute winner as Aston Villa bolstered their top-four hopes with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Luton Town after the struggling Hatters had threatened a sensational comeback.

Unai Emery’s Villans had looked to be cruising to three points when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring on 24 minutes after heading home from a corner.

The England striker then doubled the away side’s lead seven minutes prior to the break when he slotted Douglas Luiz’s quick free kick in off the far post to net his 16th league goal of the campaign.

Luton responded in the second half and deservedly pulled one back when Tahith Chong bundled in from close range on 66 minutes.

Morris then guided a beauty of a volley into the far corner six minutes later to drag Rob Edwards’ men level, but the hosts suffered late heartache when Digne snuck in at the death to nod home.

The result sees Villa consolidate their position in fourth spot, five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham having played a game more. Luton failed to take advantage of earlier defeats for Everton and Nottingham Forest and remain four points adrift of safety in 18th place.

Next up, Villa visit Ajax in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday prior to hosting Tottenham on Sunday. Luton are at Crystal Palace next Saturday.

Talking Point – Exciting times for Villa as a big week awaits

This was a rollercoaster showing from Emery’s men but the late drama ensured they made it four league wins from their last five at the expense of a Luton outfit feeling the squeeze of some injuries to key men.

The win means the push on two fronts remains very much on for The Villans with the week ahead providing potentially huge moments in their season both home and abroad.

First up is the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 first leg at Ajax prior to a crunch contest in their bid to return to Europe’s top table next season for the first time since 1982-83. Indeed, the Villans host fifth-placed Tottenham on Sunday knowing a win would put them firmly in the box seat for the Champions League places.

As for Luton, it was another painful loss in which they again showed incredible spirit to fight back. The survival bid remains alive but they will need to stop giving opponents a head start if they are to pick up the points to catch the sides above them.

Player of the match

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). A lively display from the striker as he terrorised the Luton defence in the inside-right channel in a dominant first 45. The forward was less conspicuous after the break but he took his goals in predatory fashion and has more goal involvements than any other PL player so far in 2023-24, which is now his most prolific season in a Villa shirt.

Player Ratings

LUTON TOWN: Kaminski 8, Bell n/a, Burke 6, Mengi 6, Kabore 6, Barkley 8, Burke 6, Doughty 8, Townsend 6, Morris 8, Chong 8. Subs: Ogbene 7, Hashioka 7, Mpanzu n/a

ASTON VILLA: Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Lenglet 7, Moreno 7, McGinn 8, Tielemans 7, Luiz 8, Bailey 8, Watkins 9, Ramsey 7. Subs: Rogers 7, Digne 8, Iroegbunam 6, Diaby 7, Zaniolo 6.

Match Highlights

24’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-1 Aston Villa: (Watkins). Villa’s main hitman is left free to power a header from a right-wing corner in at the near post.

38’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-2 Aston Villa: (Watkins). Watkins beats Luton’s high line and almost casually slides the ball in off the far post with a composed finish from Luiz’s quick free kick. It’s initially ruled out for offside, but VAR checks and the goal is eventually given!

66’ – GOAL! – Luton 1-2 Aston Villa: (Chong). The Hatters are back in it. Villa fail to adequately deal with a right-wing corner. Morris keeps it alive at the back stick and Chong is there to bundle home from close range.

72’ – GOAL! – Luton 2-2 Aston Villa: (Morris). It’s all square! Morris arrives at the far post to guide a lovely volley into the far corner from Doughty’s left-wing free kick.

89’ – GOAL! – Luton 2-3 Aston Villa: (Digne). It’s heartbreak for the hosts as substitute Digne sneaks in at the back post to nod in Diaby’s lovely cross.

Key Stat

Luton Town v Aston Villa – Premier League LIVE

Follow the Premier League live Football match between Luton Town and Aston Villa with Eurosport. The match starts at 5:30 PM on March 2nd, 2024.

Catch the latest Luton Town and Aston Villa news and find up to date Premier League standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Digne comes off the bench to rescue Villa victory after Luton fightback

Substitute Lucas Digne struck a last-minute winner as Aston Villa bolstered their top-four hopes with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Luton Town after the struggling Hatters had threatened a sensational comeback.

Unai Emery’s Villans had looked to be cruising to three points when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring on 24 minutes after heading home from a corner.

The England striker then doubled the away side’s lead seven minutes prior to the break when he slotted Douglas Luiz’s quick free kick in off the far post to net his 16th league goal of the campaign.

Luton responded in the second half and deservedly pulled one back when Tahith Chong bundled in from close range on 66 minutes.

Morris then guided a beauty of a volley into the far corner six minutes later to drag Rob Edwards’ men level, but the hosts suffered late heartache when Digne snuck in at the death to nod home.

The result sees Villa consolidate their position in fourth spot, five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham having played a game more. Luton failed to take advantage of earlier defeats for Everton and Nottingham Forest and remain four points adrift of safety in 18th place.

Next up, Villa visit Ajax in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday prior to hosting Tottenham on Sunday. Luton are at Crystal Palace next Saturday.

Talking Point – Exciting times for Villa as a big week awaits

This was a rollercoaster showing from Emery’s men but the late drama ensured they made it four league wins from their last five at the expense of a Luton outfit feeling the squeeze of some injuries to key men.

The win means the push on two fronts remains very much on for The Villans with the week ahead providing potentially huge moments in their season both home and abroad.

First up is the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 first leg at Ajax prior to a crunch contest in their bid to return to Europe’s top table next season for the first time since 1982-83. Indeed, the Villans host fifth-placed Tottenham on Sunday knowing a win would put them firmly in the box seat for the Champions League places.

As for Luton, it was another painful loss in which they again showed incredible spirit to fight back. The survival bid remains alive but they will need to stop giving opponents a head start if they are to pick up the points to catch the sides above them.

Player of the match

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). A lively display from the striker as he terrorised the Luton defence in the inside-right channel in a dominant first 45. The forward was less conspicuous after the break but he took his goals in predatory fashion and has more goal involvements than any other PL player so far in 2023-24, which is now his most prolific season in a Villa shirt.

Player Ratings

LUTON TOWN: Kaminski 8, Bell n/a, Burke 6, Mengi 6, Kabore 6, Barkley 8, Burke 6, Doughty 8, Townsend 6, Morris 8, Chong 8. Subs: Ogbene 7, Hashioka 7, Mpanzu n/a

ASTON VILLA: Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Lenglet 7, Moreno 7, McGinn 8, Tielemans 7, Luiz 8, Bailey 8, Watkins 9, Ramsey 7. Subs: Rogers 7, Digne 8, Iroegbunam 6, Diaby 7, Zaniolo 6.

Match Highlights

24’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-1 Aston Villa: (Watkins). Villa’s main hitman is left free to power a header from a right-wing corner in at the near post.

38’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-2 Aston Villa: (Watkins). Watkins beats Luton’s high line and almost casually slides the ball in off the far post with a composed finish from Luiz’s quick free kick. It’s initially ruled out for offside, but VAR checks and the goal is eventually given!

66’ – GOAL! – Luton 1-2 Aston Villa: (Chong). The Hatters are back in it. Villa fail to adequately deal with a right-wing corner. Morris keeps it alive at the back stick and Chong is there to bundle home from close range.

72’ – GOAL! – Luton 2-2 Aston Villa: (Morris). It’s all square! Morris arrives at the far post to guide a lovely volley into the far corner from Doughty’s left-wing free kick.

89’ – GOAL! – Luton 2-3 Aston Villa: (Digne). It’s heartbreak for the hosts as substitute Digne sneaks in at the back post to nod in Diaby’s lovely cross.

Key Stat

Pressure mounts on Ten Hag as Ashworth meets with Potter – Paper Round

Ashworth meets with Potter

Manchester United’s prospective sporting director Dan Ashworth has reportedly met with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter as pressure grows on Erik ten Hag.

The Sun reports that Ten Hag could be replaced by Potter in the summer, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe a fan.

The paper writes: “Manchester United’s incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth has met with Graham Potter as pressure grows on Erik ten Hag.

“Ex-Chelsea boss Potter is the favourite of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his assistant Sir David Brailsford to become Old Trafford boss if the new Red Devils part-owner fires Ten Hag.

“Ashworth and Potter worked closely at Brighton and it is understood the pair got together last weekend.

“SunSport revealed in December Potter was lined up to replace Ten Hag after Ratcliffe met with the 48-year-old.

“Ratcliffe is a big fan of the ex-Brighton boss and tried to get him to manage his French side Nice.”

Villa hope to keep Ramsey and Luiz

Aston Villa duo Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz are attracting attention from Premier League clubs, and they could be vulnerable to bids for the players, it has been claimed.

The Daily Mail notes that with Ramsey a youth team product, any sale banked for the 22-year-old would go to the bottom line entirely as profit.

The paper reports: “Aston Villa are braced for interest in their star players this summer as the impact of spending rules bites across the league.

“Unai Emery’s men are fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League but like a number of Premier League clubs, must manage their finances carefully to stay within the competition’s spending rules.

“The points deduction for Everton and possible further penalties for the Goodison Park club and Nottingham Forest have left the division on high alert.

“Homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, valued at about £50million, was a target for Newcastle during January and any fee received could be banked as pure profit for PSR (profit and sustainability) purposes as the 22-year-old is a product of the Villa academy.

“Brazil international Douglas Luiz has long been admired by Arsenal while Boubacar Kamara would have been certain to attract attention had he not sustained a serious knee injury last month, which will sideline him until the autumn.”

Guardiola advises Barca on next manager

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly instructed former club Barcelona to appoint Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as their next coach.

The Catalans need a new manager after the announcement that incumbent Xavi would be departing the summer.

The Mirror explains: “Pep Guardiola has told Barcelona they should look to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their next boss.

“The Nou Camp hierarchy are considering their next move after Xavi announced he would be leaving the club this summer. Barcelona look set to relinquish their La Liga crown with Real Madrid eight points clear at the top.

“De Zerbi arrived in England as an unknown quantity with Brighton seeking a replacement for Graham Potter. Quickly though their new manager began highlighting his value and he’s taken the south coast outfit into Europe for the first time.

“Barcelona are by no means the force of old, despite spending big in recent years to become a major European force once again. They’ve only won La Liga once in the past four years but do have a host of talented players, including academy graduates Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.”

Chelsea keen on Gent youngster Brown

Gent defender Archie Brown is on Chelsea’s radar, but the 21-year-old left-back is a target for a number of other clubs.

The Evening Standard names Juventus, Nice, West Ham and more clubs as potential suitors for the player this summer.

The paper reports: “Chelsea and West Ham are among the clubs monitoring £15million-rated Gent defender Archie Brown.

“The 21-year-old is considered an option as the two London clubs look to sign a left-back in the summer.

“Juventus, AC Milan, Nice and Lyon are also weighing up a move for Brown, who is set to be the subject of plenty of interest at the end of the season.

“Chelsea want cover for Ben Chilwell, as Marc Cucurella is potentially up for sale after being offered to clubs last summer.

“Ian Maatsen is available for the £35million release clause agreed in a new extended contract until 2026, when moving on loan to Dortmund in January. Lewis Hall is also expected to make his loan move to Newcastle permanent for £28m if all add-ons are met.”

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media