Liverpool signs Aston Villa Striker Christian Benteke

Liverpool have announced the signing of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke for £32.5m.

The 24 year old Belgian agreed a long-term contract at Anfield and becomes their second most expensive signing.

The Reds recently lost Raheem Sterling who joined Manchester City on an £49m English record fee.

Benteke scored a 49 goals since joining Villa in 2012.

From Aston Villa Dressing room after beating Liverpool to qualify for FA Cup final

Sky Sports: Aston Villa dressing room reaction

Christian Benteke equalizer and Fabian Delph 5th minutes goal canceled Philippe Coutinho's Liverpool lead to reach the FA Cup final for the first time in 15 years.

English Premier League Roundup: United, Arsenal win convincingly, Chelsea held and City beaten at the weekend

Red devils Manchester United made Old Trafford uncomfortable for Tottenham Hotspurs as they roast the visitors 3-0 in Premier league match on Sunday.

League leaders Chelseas failed to take full advantage of the slip from Manchester City as they drew 1-1 against Southampton who came from behind to secure a draw at Stamford bridge.

Diego Costa ended his eight-game scoring drought, by rising to head in Branislav Ivanovic’s measured cross.

The Saints had better plans as they drew level before the break, after Saido Mane was fouled inside the box by Nemanja Matic. Tadic stepped up and drove his spot kick down the middle.

Everton were too good for Newcastle as they continued thier impressive form from Europe beating the visitor 3-0 at Gudison Park.

In Saturday's encounter, Arsenal thumped West Ham 3-0, Manchester City failed to get a result from Burnley as they lost 0-1 away to open the game between them and the table toppers Chelsea to five points. 

Leicester City played 0-0 draw, Sunderland lost 0-4 to visiting Aston Villa, West Brom edge Stoke City 1-0while Crystal Palace were too good for Queens Park Rangers as it ended 3-1.

United beat Preston, to face Arsenal in quarter final

Sky Sports: FA Cup Trophy

Manchester United came from a goal down to beat Preston in the fifth round of the FA Cup to qualify for the quarter final.

The Reds have now been drawn against premier league rivals Arsenal while Liverpool will host Blackburn Rover.

Giant-killers Bradford will host Reading while another Premier League tie see Aston Villa travel to West Bromich Albion.

Ties to be played 7 and 8 of March 2015

Roy Keane leaves Aston Villa after about six months as assistant manager

Roy Keane has stepped down from his role at Aston Villa where he worked under Paul Lambert combined with his assistant manager role at Republic of Ireland.

The former Manchester United midfielder who joined Villa in Jul claimed he wants to concentrate more on the Ireland job.

''Ultimately, my roles with Villa and Ireland and combining my commitment to these have become too much,'' Keane said.

''It isn't fair to either Villa or Ireland, so I’ve made this decision.

''I’d like to thank Paul for giving me a great opportunity to come to a brilliant football club, I’ve really enjoyed my experiences at Villa and I wish the management team, the players, the supporters and the Club nothing but the best going forward.''

Lambert thanked Keane for his impact at the club and made it clear that he completely respects his decision to quit.

Wenger's confidence in Ozil pays off as German inspires Gunners to victory against Aston Villa

Despite fans' fierce criticism of Mesut Ozil, Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger said he has never doubted the potentials of the Germany which is the reason why he didn't leave him out of the starting team against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Ozil grabbed the opener while he also set up new comer Danny Welbeck in the match that ended 3-0 in favour of the Gunners.

''Özil was at the point where you have to show him the confidence was there and he showed he can respond well under scrutiny,'' Wenger said.

''You never know how people will respond. Did I ever consider dropping him? Not really, no.

''His best position is playing in the middle [as he did at Villa] but I can find you ten more players in the squad who want to play in that position.

''This was the response we needed after Tuesday night. We scored three goals in three minutes and in the second half it was a possession game because Villa didn’t come on to us much.”

Wenger also praised Welbeck, who opened his account for the club, following his £16m move from Manchester United.

''Knowing the media, it was good for him to score early! He scored a similar goal to the one in Switzerland [for England] and the timing of his runs and ball retention was very good,” he said.

EPL: Costa hat-trick helps chelsea maintain top spot, Arsenal and City share spoils

Diego Costa grabbed a hat-trick to help Chelsea beat Swansea after coming back from a goal down at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Brazil-born Spaniard, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid in the summer, took his tally for the season to seven as the Blues maintain their 100% record in the season so far and also stay atop the Premier league log.

At the Emirates, Martin Demichelis struck late minute to crush Arsenal's hope of sealing a victory against Manchester City in a keenly contested encounter which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Arsenal were at the verge of a victory when Alexis Sanchez slammed home a superb volley in the 74th minute, after Jack Wilshere slotted in a neatly worked moved to cancel sergio Aguero's first half lead.

Liverpool suffered a shock defeat after Gabriel Agbonlahor score the only goal for Aston Villa to seperate both sides.

Other results:
West Bromich Albion 0-2 Everton
Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham
Southampton 4-0 Newcastle United
Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley

Wenger relishes home victory in league opener as United lose at Old Trafford

Arsenal is the only team to record a home win on Premier League opening day as the Gunners rallied back from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace.

 

Meanwhile Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger agreed it was a hard-earned victory for his side after going a goal down.

 

''It was not the plan, the plan was to win the game, but because of the physicality and organisation level of Crystal Palace. It was very difficult for us.

'''Why Because we conceded a goal on the first corner they had.

 

''We lacked a bit of pace in the final third to change what we built up into dangerous situations but it was enough to win the game and win the three points.''

 

Wenger: - You could see that for the first game of the season, nobody won at home, we were the only team that won at home. So that shows you that it's difficult for everybody on the first day of the season. We got the three points we wanted, now let's focus on Besiktas.

 

In other results, Manchester United suffered a 1-2 loss to Swansea, Leicester 2-2 Everton, QPR 0-1 Hull City, Stoke 0-1 Aston Villa , West Brom 2-2 Sunderland and in the London derby it was West Ham 0-1 Tottenham

 

A step closer: City 4-0 Aston Villa

Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 4-0 at the Etihad stadium to go atop the Barclays Premier League with two points off Liverpool.

After a goalless first half, Edin Dzeko grabbed a brace, substitute Jovetic and Yaya Toure finished off Villa.

City will host West Ham on Sunday in the last match of the season and a win or draw would suffice at the Etihad for City to be crowned champions.

City on course as Cardiff, Fulham relegate to the Championship

Cardiff City and Fulham have been confirmed relegated to the Championship after they lost their week 37 matches against Newcastle United and Stoke City respectively.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's  men are rocking the bottom with 30 points while Fulham occupy 19th position with 31 Points. The third is yet to be confirmed as Sunderland upset Manchester United 1-0 at the Old Trafford on Saturday to move up from the relegation zone.

Norwich must however beat Chelsea on Sunday to have a gasp of hope in the relegation battle.

At the top of the Log, Everton lost to Manchester City 2-3 at the Gudison Park. For city, it's a glimpse of hope as all they need do is to win the remaining two matches to be crowned champions.

Tottenham on the other hand lost 0-2 to West Ham United. A couple of other results:

Aston Villa 3-1 Hull City
Swansea 0-1 Southampton

Chelsea Beaten as Sunderland end Mourinho's unbeaten Stamford Bridge Record

Records have it that Chelsea Manager Jose mourinho has had a 77-match unbeaten record at the Stamford Bridge, it suddenly came to an end after his side lost to Sunderland 1-2 in a Premier League maTh on Saturday.

Fabio Borini scored a late penalty, as Sunderland dented Chelsea’s title ambitions as they trail Liverpool on the standings.

Samuel Eto’o volleyed home from a corner kick, Sunderland had other ideas and they quickly levelled through Connor Wickham.

The Black Cats were awarded a penalty after Cesar Azpilicueta seemed to foul Jozy Altidore in the area. Borini stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home, as Gus Poyet’s men continue their fight to escape relegation.

Other results for Sat 19 Apr 2014
Chelsea 1 - 2 Sunderland
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Southampton
Cardiff 1 - 1 Stoke
Newcastle 1 - 2 Swansea
West Ham 0 - 1 Crystal Palace
Spurs 3 - 1 Fulham

Sigh off Relief: United triumph 4-1 over Aston Villa

Manchester United came from behind to beat Aston Villa at the Old Trafford on Saturday in th Barclays Premier League.

Villa drew the first blood in the in less than 15 minutes of play but United fired back through Wayne Rooney who also scored a Penalty to put United ahead before Juan Mata and Hernandez finished the job to end on a 4-1.

Moses can catch some breathe now in spite of the banner agitating for his removal.