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West Australian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Gauci eyeing breakthrough for Villa and Socceroos
The baptism of a bleak Yorkshire winter has given Australian goalkeeper Joe Gauci the confidence he can push for more gametime with Premier League side Aston Villa and the Socceroos. Seven-cap international Gauci, who signed for Villa from Adelaide United nearly 18 months ago, is eager to make a case for more chances after being sent on loan to League One side Barnsley this season. The 24-year-old played seven games across an injury-hit spell for the Tykes and described the physicality and "more direct" football of England's lower leagues as a "real eye opener". But Villa's goalkeeping stocks are in a state of flux heading into the transfer window, with veteran back-up Robin Olsen to leave and starting 'keeper Emiliano Martinez linked with an off-season move. Gauci had been viewed as Villa's third-choice goalkeeper prior to his loan move to Barnsley and played in cup matches for the first team. But the South Australian is aware even if Argentinian international Martinez was to leave, Villa would likely bring a more experienced No. 1 in over the top of him. "I'll go back and start pre-season at Villa and put my best foot forward and work hard and continue to develop," Gauci said from the Socceroos camp in Abu Dhabi. "When it comes to my future and next season, I'm an Aston Villa player, and my main focus is to play for Aston Villa, whether that's next season or the years that follow. "There's a lot of speculation in football, so that's out of my control. I guess there's no point, no point worrying about ifs and buts, he (Martinez) is contracted. "If he was to leave they'll probably look at bringing in other goalkeepers and Robin Olsen's time at the club is coming to an end. There's opportunities … and it's up to me to take them." Gauci has been undaunted by challenging more-established teammates for spots. He was a surprise choice for Popovic's first three games at the helm, briefly ousting captain Maty Ryan before his hip injury prevented him from staking a claim for March's qualifying wins over Indonesia and China. It remains to be seen whether Popovic will stick with Lens No.1 Ryan for the June 5 clash with Japan and the June 11 trip to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia where two wins would guarantee the Socceroos a World Cup berth next year. "Maty has been a fantastic mentor and role model, and younger me would be going crazy to say that he is able to compete for the No.1 spot for Australia," Gauci said. "Everyone wants to put themselves in the best position to be up for selection when we qualify for the World Cup."
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Gauci eyeing breakthrough for Villa and Socceroos
The baptism of a bleak Yorkshire winter has given Australian goalkeeper Joe Gauci the confidence he can push for more gametime with Premier League side Aston Villa and the Socceroos. Seven-cap international Gauci, who signed for Villa from Adelaide United nearly 18 months ago, is eager to make a case for more chances after being sent on loan to League One side Barnsley this season. The 24-year-old played seven games across an injury-hit spell for the Tykes and described the physicality and "more direct" football of England's lower leagues as a "real eye opener". But Villa's goalkeeping stocks are in a state of flux heading into the transfer window, with veteran back-up Robin Olsen to leave and starting 'keeper Emiliano Martinez linked with an off-season move. Gauci had been viewed as Villa's third-choice goalkeeper prior to his loan move to Barnsley and played in cup matches for the first team. But the South Australian is aware even if Argentinian international Martinez was to leave, Villa would likely bring a more experienced No. 1 in over the top of him. "I'll go back and start pre-season at Villa and put my best foot forward and work hard and continue to develop," Gauci said from the Socceroos camp in Abu Dhabi. "When it comes to my future and next season, I'm an Aston Villa player, and my main focus is to play for Aston Villa, whether that's next season or the years that follow. "There's a lot of speculation in football, so that's out of my control. I guess there's no point, no point worrying about ifs and buts, he (Martinez) is contracted. "If he was to leave they'll probably look at bringing in other goalkeepers and Robin Olsen's time at the club is coming to an end. There's opportunities … and it's up to me to take them." Gauci has been undaunted by challenging more-established teammates for spots. He was a surprise choice for Popovic's first three games at the helm, briefly ousting captain Maty Ryan before his hip injury prevented him from staking a claim for March's qualifying wins over Indonesia and China. It remains to be seen whether Popovic will stick with Lens No.1 Ryan for the June 5 clash with Japan and the June 11 trip to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia where two wins would guarantee the Socceroos a World Cup berth next year. "Maty has been a fantastic mentor and role model, and younger me would be going crazy to say that he is able to compete for the No.1 spot for Australia," Gauci said. "Everyone wants to put themselves in the best position to be up for selection when we qualify for the World Cup."
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Atletico Madrid eye up shock move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez - but any deal WILL depend on Saudi Pro League transfer business
Atletico Madrid will move for Emiliano Martinez only if current goalkeeper Jan Oblak can be persuaded to accept an offer from the Saudi Pro League. Oblak, 32, has interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and should he depart, Mail Sport understands Atletico would be interested in adding Martinez to the strong Argentine core in their squad. As things stand, however, Oblak is reluctant to leave the La Liga club and is under contract until 2028. Martinez signed a new five-year deal with Villa less than a year ago but it is thought he is open to a new challenge. He was very emotional on leaving the pitch after Villa's 2-0 win over Tottenham last Friday – their final game at Villa Park this season – and has interest in both Europe and Saudi Arabia. Villa expect to trade heavily again this summer and will likely sell a key player before June 30 to ensure they comply with Premier League spending rules. It is expected they will consider offers for Martinez if Unai Emery and his staff believe they can sign a younger alternative of similar ability. Like many clubs, they have been following the progress of Joan Garcia, a 24-year-old who plays for Espanyol. Martinez's No2 Robin Olsen is set to sign for hometown club Malmo in Sweden at the end of the campaign, meaning there will already be a reshuffle among the goalkeepers this summer. Asked about Martinez's reaction on Friday, Emery would not be drawn. He said only that it was 'very important for everyone to be focused on the final game of the season at Manchester United. 'And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season, when we come back.' Villa know a win at Old Trafford might not be enough to secure Champions League football. Though Villa are level on points with Chelsea and Newcastle, their goal difference is inferior to their rivals. Manchester City can also move two points clear of Villa with a win over Bournemouth on Tuesday.
New York Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The defensive improvement behind Aston Villa's relentless top-five charge
Aston Villa's league season can be separated into two sections — the first being rather limp. Six wins in 21 fixtures between September and February did little to suggest Villa could qualify for Europe — let alone the Champions League — again. Following a 4-1 battering at Crystal Palace on February 25th — in retrospect, a turning point — they had kept just three clean sheets in 28 league matches. Only Southampton and Chelsea had made more mistakes leading to an opponent's shot. Advertisement Frankly, Villa were stumbling along, with any sense of adrenaline achieved solely via the Champions League. Domestic form was sub-par and Villa were struck by a general malaise in possession and a porousness out of it. 'We've had some good results but we've been far too inconsistent,' said John McGinn at the time. 'We've been far too easy to score against. We're aware and need to change those things.' That night at Selhurst Park led to deep introspection. Villa knew how galling it was, characterised by deputy goalkeeper Robin Olsen's chaotic half-time warm-up and Unai Emery seemingly doubting his own system by matching the hosts' back three formation. Villa fell to tenth and Emery had held a meeting with his players to discuss the second half of the campaign. He reiterated that, despite their standing and difficulties in clicking into form, all was not lost. This was a moment to draw a line in the sand and look to what they could control — not dwell on the regrets of the previous months. Emery understood this was a season where few teams were in rude health and reckoned that, if Villa's January acquisitions came close to making the desired impact and some semblance of momentum could emerge, they still had an opportunity of qualifying for the Champions League. He asked the club to arrange a warm weather training camp in Dubai. Emery had to shore up Villa's foundations — they needed to be tougher to beat. The most straightforward way to do this was through registering more clean sheets and improving the defensive structure. It was hoped, in theory, this would turn hard fought draws into wins. Emiliano Martinez appeared emotional at full time following the 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur. He will enter the summer with uncertainty over his future. If this was to be his final bow at Villa Park, then he went out in true Martinez fashion. Advertisement Villa recorded their sixth clean sheet in nine fixtures since the defeat to Palace. Twice as many as they had picked up beforehand in the campaign, conceding an average of 1.42 goals per ninety minutes. After what turned out to be a comfortable win over Tottenham, Emery asserted his players were in their 'best moment.' No Premier League team has accrued more points over this period. Opta's supercomputer still has sixth as Villa's most-likely finishing position, but there are sure to be further twists between now and next Sunday. 'We are now being more consistent through having more players available,' Emery said in his pre-match press conference. 'One example is that we didn't have two left centre backs in (Tyrone) Mings and Pau (Torres) available. When they are both available, it is fantastic, because I can choose in different matches and different ways to prepare each game. 'I remember when we played here against West Ham (in January). We drew 1-1 and Mings got injured and Pau was not available. Left-back Lucas Digne played 60 minutes as a centre back. In that moment, we had problems. But how we are performing now is that there are more players available and through that, we are feeling stronger.' Rightfully, Emery pointed out recovering personnel as a significant factor behind the revived defensive record, having repeatedly yearned for more clean sheets throughout the season. Yet there is something to be said for Villa's small alterations to the defensive set-up. Villa have grown more patient without the ball, though more organised. The fabled offside trap of last season has been curbed; Villa's defence is more pragmatic, deeper and less willing to hold the defensive line so steadfastly high. This season, the team's average defensive line has dropped off by four metres. When the margins are so tight in elite level football, this distance is not to be underestimated. Clearly, there has been a shift in approach. A less proactive press has meant an onus on Villa retaining a compact shape and condensing space between the are low to middling across most out of possession metrics, so rely upon blocking and screening passes through the lines. When an opponent has comfortable possession, Emery has increasingly reverted to his early first season tactics of dropping a winger — sometimes two — into the full-back positions. This is due to Emery wanting his full-back close to his central defender, which in turn reduces space centrally. 'We need to be in our structure tactically solid, and now we are,' said Emery. 'This is the way.' Emery rarely allows himself out of the stoney-faced straightjacket that often engulfs him before or after games. But even the most serious and focused individual can afford a moment to smile. His side are on their longest unbeaten run at home since May 1977 across all competitions. It has formed the bedrock of Villa qualifying for Europe in three consecutive seasons and has hosted the most memorable nights of the season. It felt an appropriate moment for Emery and his players to enjoy themselves, even if the final match at Old Trafford will be the season's determining ninety minutes. He took selfies in the crowd before going upstairs for his press conference, where he checked his own phone. 'Chelsea won? Ok, I expected it!' Emery smiled. 'It's not in our hands but we are in the race.' The latest win may prove the most significant of the lot. Villa go into the final day still in pursuit of a Champions League spot, regardless of a lukewarm domestic season that took, in reality, more than 25 matches to shake into life. The club's recovery has much to do with returning players and strengthening in the winter, but the foundations have been underpinned by a defensive renewal. (Header photo:)
Reuters
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Lowly Luxembourg strike early to beat Sweden in friendly
March 22 (Reuters) - Sweden suffered a shock defeat by Luxembourg in a friendly on Saturday, as the hosts claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to an early goal from Seid Korac. Luxembourg, who have never qualified for a major tournament, took the lead in the 23rd minute and continued to threaten while Sweden struggled to find any rhythm. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. The result led to some introspection from the Swedish team, who are 65 places higher than Luxembourg in the world rankings, with the landlocked country of less than one million people ranked 92nd. "There are many thoughts in my head right now. Anger and disappointment. Not a good feeling," Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen said. "We'll have to try to shake this off. We need to analyse quite a bit what went wrong," striker Alexander Isak added. "Of course, you can classify it as a failure that we lost. The only positive today is that it's a friendly match." Sweden will have a chance to regain some pride when they host Northern Ireland in another friendly on Tuesday.
