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Aston Villa took a significant step towards the Europa League semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Bologna in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. The Premier League side capitalized on a mistake by Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia to take the lead through Ezri Konsa. Despite being second best for much of the match, Villa's clinical finishing and composure under pressure proved decisive.Ollie Watkins doubled Villa's lead shortly after halftime with a cool finish, showcasing his ability to remain calm in pressured situations. This goal was crucial in shifting momentum in Villa's favor, as Bologna struggled to create clear-cut chances. Watkins added a second goal in the 90th minute, securing a 2-0 lead for Villa before the match ended 3-1 in their favor.Bologna's English winger Jonathan Rowe had a standout performance for the hosts, creating several chances and eventually scoring a late consolation goal. However, it was not enough to overturn Villa's advantage. Unai Emery's tactical acumen was evident as Villa focused on set pieces, which ultimately led to their opening goal.The result puts Aston Villa in the driving seat ahead of the second leg, with Bologna facing a tough task to qualify for the semi-finals. Villa's performance demonstrated their resilience and adaptability in a challenging away match, setting them up well for the return fixture.

Spring brought a burst of optimism to Crystal Palace as they delivered a 3‑0 victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter‑final. Forward Jean‑Philippe Mateta opened the scoring from the spot on his first start since the end of January, followed by a second‑half strike from Tyrick Mitchell and a late header from Ismaïla Sarr.The win marks a dramatic turnaround for a side that had struggled to impress at home in the competition. After a three‑week preparation window, manager Oliver Glasner implemented a disciplined game plan that saw Palace dominate possession and create clear chances, underscoring his reputation for knockout‑stage success.Fiorentina, who have reached the last eight for four straight seasons and lost two finals, were unable to respond before the break and now face a daunting task in the second leg in Florence. Even after Mateta missed a late sitter, Sarr’s header restored a three‑goal cushion, meaning the Italians must produce a “miraculous” comeback to stay alive.Mateta’s performance also silenced speculation surrounding his future. The French striker, who failed a medical with AC Milan in January, was greeted with applause after his penalty and could have added a hat‑trick after replacing the suspended Jørgen Strand Larsen.Defender Daniel Muñoz returned to full fitness after a prolonged knee injury, adding stability to a backline that kept Fiorentina’s attacks at bay. The Colombian’s presence allowed Palace to maintain pressure, with Muñoz delivering an acrobatic assist that led to Mateta’s penalty.The match also featured a quirky moment when goalkeeper David de Gea had to clear a mass of streamers from his net, a reminder of the passionate Holmesdale End supporters.Looking ahead, Palace will travel to Florence for the return leg, where they will aim to protect their advantage and secure a place in the semi‑finals – a historic milestone in the club’s first European campaign.

Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, has begun his title defense on a high note, dominating Augusta National with a big grin and a hell of a swing. His first shot as champion was a 332-yard drive that soared over the hill and into the gallery.McIlroy's approach has changed, as he now embraces an aggressive style, similar to what Phil Mickelson once described. He is no longer hesitant, instead choosing to hit drivers and get close to the green, even if it means risking a miss.On Thursday, McIlroy hit a 377-yard shot at the 2nd hole, well over the big fairway bunker and into the pine straw. At the 8th hole, he clobbered a 361-yard shot into the second cut at the foot of the hill. Although he didn't hit many fairways, his strategy paid off.McIlroy's ability to problem-solve on the course is matched by his knack for getting out of difficult situations. From a challenging spot on the 17th fairway, he managed to pop his second shot between the trees and onto the bank, just 12 yards from the pin for a well-earned up-and-down par.As the day progressed, McIlroy's birdies started to come, with notable shots at the 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, and 15th holes. He finished the day five under par, a testament to his strong play.McIlroy's performance is a far cry from his previous struggles at Augusta, where he often overthought and played cautiously. Now, with the confidence of being a champion, he is playing freely and aggressively, making him a formidable opponent in the tournament.

Virgil van Dijk drew a direct parallel between Liverpool’s current Champions League challenge against Paris Saint‑Germain and the club’s famous comeback against Barcelona in 2019, but warned that belief in the squad may be waning under new manager Arne Slot.Liverpool entered the quarter‑final with a 2‑0 deficit after a lackluster first‑leg loss at the Parc des Princes. Van Dijk, however, remains 100% convinced that a dramatic Anfield turnaround is still possible, citing the memory of overturning a 3‑0 first‑leg loss to Barcelona and winning 4‑0 at home.Reflecting on the 2019 semi‑final, the Dutch defender said, “We faced one of the best teams in Europe with the best player in the world, and we were injured. Now we face the European champions again, and on paper no one gives us a chance.” He stressed that success hinges on self‑belief, the manager’s game plan, and relentless intensity from the first minute to the last.Van Dijk also addressed Liverpool’s broader season, which has already produced 16 defeats across all competitions, including a penalty shoot‑out loss in the Community Shield and a recent FA Cup quarter‑final exit to Manchester City. “It’s unacceptable,” he said, describing the inconsistency as “disappointing” and acknowledging that the current squad does not match the standards set during the Klopp era.Despite the setbacks, the captain highlighted a positive sign: the team’s resilience in the previous Champions League rounds, notably the comeback against Galatasaray in the last‑16 and a strong showing against PSG at Anfield last season. He warned that “everything has to click” against a PSG side that excels in every department.Slot’s tactical shift to a three‑man central defence was only practiced for two days before the Paris match, adding to the challenges. Van Dijk admitted that recent league defeats, starting with a 2‑1 loss at Brighton, have tested the squad’s morale, but he remains hopeful that the experience gained in earlier European ties can fuel a decisive second‑leg performance.

Liverpool's struggles continued as they were thoroughly outplayed by Paris Saint-Germain in a 2-0 defeat. The Reds had a dismal 28% possession and failed to register a single shot on target. Manager Arne Slot acknowledged that his team had been 'ripped apart' at times and admitted to employing negative tactics to keep the tie alive for the second leg.PSG's dominance was evident throughout the match, with their midfielder Vitinha standing out. Despite their superior performance, PSG were unable to capitalize on their chances, allowing Liverpool to stay in the tie. Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk has called on fans to make a significant impact in the return leg at Anfield, but it remains to be seen if the team can mount a successful comeback.The defeat has raised questions about Slot's approach and the team's ability to compete with top-tier opponents. The return leg next Tuesday promises to be a crucial encounter, with Liverpool needing a significant turnaround to advance to the next round of the Champions League.

Paul Dano has had a remarkable career in Hollywood, taking on a wide range of roles in films like Little Miss Sunshine, Love & Mercy, and Swiss Army Man. In a recent interview, Dano shared his experiences working with Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy, and how he spent time with the legendary musician before filming.Dano discussed the challenges of playing a character who doesn't speak in Little Miss Sunshine, and how it felt to break his vow of silence in the second half of the film. He also talked about his experience working on the BBC's War and Peace adaptation, and how he read the book before filming to prepare for his role.When asked about his role as the leader of the Animal Liberation Front in Okja, Dano admitted that it changed his relationship to food, but only for a short time. He also discussed his experience working with the Daniels and Daniel Radcliffe on Swiss Army Man, calling it a fun and creative experience.Dano emphasized the importance of staying kind and grounded in the intense film industry, and how it helps him approach difficult characters with empathy. He also shared that he would most like to hang out with his characters Dwayne from Little Miss Sunshine and Brian Wilson from Love & Mercy.Looking ahead, Dano discussed his role in The Wizard of the Kremlin, a film about modern politics and power. He was drawn to the project because of its compelling and intelligent storytelling, and its relevance to current events.

From the world’s smallest footballing nation – a population of just 45,319 – the American Samoa women entered the 2026 World Cup qualifiers ranked 153rd, the lowest spot in the global rankings.Team captain Alma Mana’o describes the squad as a close‑knit family, noting that several sets of sisters play together and that the Mana’o family holds the record for the most relatives to appear at FIFA events.In November, the side faced Tonga, the tournament’s highest‑ranked opponent. 18‑year‑old Cassidy Drago etched her name into Samoan folklore by netting the nation’s first ever goal in women’s World Cup qualifying, followed quickly by a second, sealing a 3‑0 victory. The momentum continued with a win over the Cook Islands, cementing their reputation as genuine upset‑makers.The second round seemed to promise a return to reality when the Solomon Islands – 80 places above them in the rankings and 2025 Pacific Nations Cup champions – thrashed American Samoa 7‑1 in an Olympic qualifier. Yet, just 90 minutes later, the Samoans produced one of the competition’s most astonishing results: a 1‑0 win over the same opponents.That triumph was followed by another narrow victory, 1‑0 against neighbouring Samoa, securing a place in the final OFC qualifying round and completing the team’s evolution “from underdog to dark horse,” as Mana’o puts it.Looking ahead, American Samoa will meet Papua New Guinea in Auckland – the venue of their inaugural women’s international match 28 years ago. The squad now benefits from the guidance of Amanda Cromwell, the 1996 U.S. Olympic gold‑medal‑winning coach, who has overseen four wins in five games. Mana’o credits Cromwell with professionalising the program, from nutrition plans to dedicated training staff, and says the new standards will become the norm.Mana’o herself broke ground as the first “off‑island” player in 2011 at age 15, enduring an 8‑0 debut loss. Today she celebrates a new generation of teenagers, such as Mia Toeaina and Naiyah Ve’e, who are experiencing a vastly different, more positive football environment.

Northampton Saints' JJ van der Mescht is a force to be reckoned with on the rugby field. Standing at an impressive 6ft 7in and weighing 23st, he is the joint-heaviest player in the Premiership. His size and strength make him a major collision threat, and his skills have earned him a spot in South Africa's alignment squad.Van der Mescht, 26, has a unique playing style that has drawn comparisons to Australia's Will Skelton. He is too heavy to be lifted regularly in the lineout, but his ability to give his team vital post-contact metres makes him a valuable asset. His director of rugby, Phil Dowson, describes him as 'a fly-half trapped in a second-row's body.'The South African lock has a personal connection with Bath prop Thomas du Toit, with whom he played as a youngster at the Sharks in Durban. He is eager to bump into his old friend during the match, and he expects a fierce encounter. Van der Mescht has dropped seven kilos since joining Northampton and currently weighs 146kg. He credits the club with rekindling his love for rugby, saying that he now enjoys the game again and feels happy.Van der Mescht's impressive performance has put him back on the South African radar, and he may be considered for the Springboks in the future. For now, he is focused on helping Northampton overcome Bath in the Champions Cup quarter-final. The match could be a prelude to another battle between England's top two sides in the Premiership final.

Gordon Elliott opened the Grand National meeting with a strong performance, securing a Grade One double on Thursday. His horse, Brighterdaysahead, won the Aintree Hurdle by two-and-a-quarter lengths, defeating Dan Skelton's The New Lion. This victory confirms the form of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, where Brighterdaysahead finished second.Elliott now has five runners in the Grand National on Saturday, and a fourth success in the world’s most famous steeplechase would put him in a share of the all-time record. The trainer is optimistic about his chances with horses like Pied Piper, who was initially promoted to the final field but later ruled out.In other news, Coming Up Easy is a strong contender for the Topham Handicap Chase on Friday, with a good chance of winning at around 14-1. The eight-year-old horse had a useful performance in a Listed handicap chase last summer and could be a good bet.Elliott's success on Thursday was a significant boost to his Grand National hopes. He also had a win in the juvenile hurdle with Mange Tout, trained by him. Meanwhile, Willie Mullins, who won all four Grade One events on the opening day last year, had a quieter day this time around.