MLS announced comprehensive viewership and engagement data Thursday morning, highlighting a nearly 30 percent increase across linear and streaming platforms for the 2025 season. This year, the league averaged 3.7 million live viewers per match week across its various channels, including Apple TV, FOX Sports, and others. This is the first time that the league has revealed specific viewing data to the media.

Getty Images Sport'We’re bullish on this number'

MLS marked its 30th season by unveiling comprehensive fan viewership data for the first time in league history. Among the highlights: nearly four million fans tuned in every matchweek (3.7 million), a number that the league says is a 29 percent increase over last year's numbers.

The 3.7 million figure represents the league’s aggregate global audience for a typical weekend slate of 12-15 matches, combining English and Spanish-language telecasts across Apple TV, FOX Sports, TSN/RDS, and EA FC Mobile simulcasts.

“We’re bullish on this number. We’re happy with what we’re seeing," MLS SVP/Media Seth Bacon told

MLS's announcement marks a rare move toward transparency for the league and Apple, which have faced scrutiny for withholding audience data since their $2.5 billion, 10-year partnership began in 2023. 

MLS said average viewer watch time on Apple TV was around 60 minutes per match, nearly three times higher than its previous linear television figures in 2022. SBJ reported that league executives noted that longer engagement times strengthen value for sponsors and broadcast partners.

Mexico, South America, Europe, and South Korea have emerged as key global markets for the league, helped by Apple’s targeted partnerships and the global following of stars like Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller.

AdvertisementFans in the stands

MLS had few issues filling its seats across the league. The 2025 season ranked second-highest in total fan attendance in league history, with 11.2 million fans attending in total, with an average of nearly 22,000 per match. Nineteen clubs averaged more than 20,000, a mark higher than any other professional soccer league in the world. 

This highlights a broader growth of 12 percent since 2022. Son Heung-Min's arrival has been crucial, with LAFC's away matches seeing a 16 percent increase in attendance since he signed for the Southern California club. 

An expanding online appeal

The league also emphasized significant online growth, buoyed by two significant transfers. Son's signing generated a 182 percent boost in engagement on LAFC and MLS social media platforms since he penned a long-term contract. Thomas Muller had a similar impact, his move bringing about a 191 percent increase across club and league-wide accounts. 

MLS channels now reach more than 109 million followers, a 10 percent increase year-over-year. Include club social accounts, and the league generated 13.7 billion impressions. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportOnly expanding for the playoffs?

Last week, MLS announced a TV viewership plan for the 2025 playoffs. All games will now be available to Apple TV subscribers, removing the need to buy MLS Season Pass, which is $14.99 per month. Specific playoff matches will also air on FOX and FS1. With wildcard fixtures set, the playoffs in full start Friday night, with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami hosting Nashville. 

Paris Saint-Germain wing-back Nuno Mendes has revealed he never had any intentions to leave the Ligue 1 giants. He was being chased by Manchester United for over two transfer windows, but his claim that he is happy in the French capital has now spilled water on the Premier League side's approach, with the Portuguese star eyeing further glory with Luis Enrique's team.

• Portugal international thriving with PSG

  Mendes, currently deemed one of the best left-backs in the world, rose to the limelight during his displays with PSG and the Portuguese national team last season. Although he is yet to establish himself as a heavyweight in the national camp despite lifting the Nations League this year, his contributions behind the Parisians' Champions League success and clean sweep of domestic trophies last season were immense. In a recent interview with , he claimed that his representatives communicated frequently with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and that he wanted to stay at the club to take them to the zenith. This indirectly indicates that although he was a favourite inside the United boardroom, he never wanted to join them.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Mendes reiterates PSG commitment

  Mendes extended his stay at PSG last season, adding four more years to his existing contract. Speaking about having any interest from other clubs, he stated: "No. My agent spoke a lot with the president. I always wanted to continue here, to put PSG at the top level. It was on both sides that we wanted it. It's a pleasure to play here." 

  The 24-year-old has always been seen as a great attacker, but he struggled while defending at times. He explained how PSG supremo Luis Enrique shaped him into a better defensive option, adding: "At the beginning, I wasn't very strong in defense. I knew how to attack with speed. Luis Enrique noticed that, he helped me a lot defensively, and today I'm good [on both sides]. I try to balance the attacks, rest a little when necessary. The coach did a good job, and not just for me. [Versatility] is something that Luis Enrique brought us and that we will keep for life, even if he leaves or if we leave.

  "It also comes from me, knowing what I can do to improve, but he has taught me a lot. Before, in one-on-one defense, it was a bit difficult, because I only thought about attacking. But he told me: 'You have to defend better and then I'll give you the freedom to attack.'"

• Reinvented as a left-back

  As a kid, Mendes was more of an attacking threat. He started as a left winger in seven-a-side football and later when he played in a 11-member team, he was shifted to a left-back. He claimed that it was not his decision to take on the position, but is currently enjoying his trade. 

  "It wasn't me who chose, it happens… But today, I feel good as a full-back: defender and attacker. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone," he said. "I have a lot to learn, but right now I can't say I have any flaws or that I'm doing anything wrong. I always try to be at my best and perform at a high level to help the team. I don't focus on my flaws. I consider myself a good full-back, I don't like to say that I'm the best. You have to show that on the pitch and I always try to do that."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What's in store for Mendes?

  A stellar 2024-25 season has uplifted the expectations in the PSG camp and among the club's faithful. Mendes is currently Enrique's go-to man when it comes to the left-back position. After a stunning 7-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and a 3-0 victory against Brest in Ligue 1, Mendes and PSG's upcoming assignments come in the form of an away trip to Lorient on Wednesday and a home game against Nice on Saturday. Table toppers in both the domestic league and the continental showpiece event, PSG's toughest encounter awaits them on November 4 against Bayern Munich. Bayern are on a historic run, having equalled Milan's record from 1992-93 of winning 13 straight matches at the start of the season. They share the same points as PSG in the Champions League and the encounter between the two is expected to keep the fans on the edge of their seat. 

Two wickets and maiden half-century for England allrounder see Notts stumble again

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-Jun-2025Leicestershire Foxes climbed to second place in the North Group table after an emphatic Vitality Blast victory over East Midland rivals Notts Outlaws at the Uptonsteel County Ground.Chasing a modest 157 on what looked a good pitch, the home side eased home by four wickets with 14 balls to spare thanks to a maiden T20 half-century from England’s Rehan Ahmed, who hit 52 from 37 balls, sharing a 69-run fourth-wicket partnership with Foxes skipper Louis Kimber (35 off 15).The Outlaws were bowled out for 156 in 19.3 overs, which always looked too few, with no one bettering Lyndon James’s 30 from 26 balls. Daniel Sams hit three sixes in his 28 from 17 but the Foxes were impressive with the ball, led by Logan van Beek (3 for 15) and Tom Scriven (2 for 18).Spinners Matt Montgomery and Calvin Harrison took two wickets each, the latter holding three catches, but the Outlaws never threatened to deny Leicestershire a fifth win of the season, with their own qualification hopes in the balance.Joe Clarke (24 off 12) and Freddie McCann (17 off 11) gave the visitors some powerplay punch after the Foxes opted to bowl first but at 65 for 3 midway through the seventh over they had already lost three of their most potent batters.Clarke, who waited for TV to check the catch, perished at deep backward square off Sam Wood. Jack Haynes was caught behind off a bottom edge before McCann, who cleared the ropes off Wood and van Beek, was beaten by Rehan’s third delivery and stumped.Tom Moores picked out deep midwicket as the home attack drove down the scoring rate before the Outlaws lost James for 30 from 26 thanks to a brilliant run out executed off his own bowling by Scriven.Sams and Montgomery counter-attacked, adding 47 in 25 balls as the former twice launched Rehan over the on-side boundary before pulling a huge maximum off Scriven.But Montgomery and Liam Patterson-White both found fielders, and Sams stretched for a wide ball and was caught behind. Van Beek took two in two to finish the innings, having Harrison caught at extra cover and Dillon Pennington bowled, the Foxes conceding just 18 runs in the last four overs.Sol Budinger, superbly caught at midwicket after 22 from 12, and Rishi Patel, top-edging a pull, were powerplay casualties in Leicestershire’s chase, which realised 50 for 2. Shan Masood looked well set before being bowled by Harrison’s legspin for 27 off 22 but the Foxes were in a good position at 89 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 68 more as Rehan and Kimber began to cut loose.Harrison’s success in removing Masood felt less of a blow as Kimber clobbered him for three mighty maximums, leaving 35 needed with seven overs still in hand.Kimber holed out for 35, Rehan was caught on the rope soon after hitting Harrison for his third six to go to 50 off 35, and Cox found a fielder too, before Ben Mike struck the winning boundary.

On the evidence of how they lined up at Arundel, Mulder will bat at No. 3, Stubbs at five and Bedingham six with de Zorzi likely to sit out

Firdose Moonda05-Jun-2025

As steady drizzle and fierce wind gusts whipped through Arundel, South Africa made their way from Portsmouth in hopes of continuing their warm-up match against Zimbabwe only to see the best-laid plans go awry. Two of the three days have been lost to the weather and if any play is possible on the fourth, it will likely be used to get miles in the bowlers’ legs. That means the batters will have to make do with their work from day two and upcoming net sessions and for batting coach Ashwell Prince, that should be enough.”We trust the things that we’ve been doing. It’s not as if you’ve got an exam coming up and all of a sudden, you’ve got to cram all these things in, or cram in some new things that you might not have thought of before,” Prince told the media present at the venue. “We trust what we’ve done in the past. It’s worked for us. We’ve deserved the opportunity to have a crack at it in this final.”And this time, that statement applies as much to their batters as it does to their bowlers, who are often credited with being the match-winners. Across 12 Tests, South Africa scored 14 hundreds from nine different players. Of those, six scored a hundred for the first time in Tests. It’s a sign of a maturing line-up that can complement an attacking seam contingent and balance out a team that is sometimes seen as over-reliant on pace.Related

Boucher: 'Winning WTC final could be the turnaround for Test cricket in South Africa'

Arundel rain leaves South Africa banking on pre-tour preparation ahead of WTC final

WTC winners to get USD 3.6 million in prize money

In green Arundel, Zimbabwe quietly help neighbours SA tune up for their biggest Test

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo ahead of the WTC final, former captain Graeme Smith, whose full interview will be published later this week, identified a more settled top six as one of the key reasons for South Africa’s qualification to the final. “The part that they got right in the recent run was finding some performance from the batters,” he said. “There’s always been options with the ball and now we’ve seen a little bit more consistency coming from the batting front. What you need to be successful in Tests is a top six that can perform consistently.”In this squad, South Africa have eight batting options which gives them a problem of plenty, as they debate two spots: No. 3 and one spot lower down – either No. 6 or 7. Head coach Shukri Conrad has confirmed that Aiden Markram will open with Ryan Rickelton which means one of Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder will bat at No. 3 while that same trio along with David Bedingham are in line for the No. 6 spot. On the evidence of how they lined up at Arundel, Mulder will bat at No. 3, Stubbs at five and Bedingham six with de Zorzi likely to sit out.Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder got some game-time during the warm-up•ICC via Getty Images

One concern with that set-up is that Mulder is also expected to have a job to do with the ball, especially when it’s swinging, and could end up with a substantial workload. That could prompt Conrad to move Mulder down the order, and shift Stubbs back up – as was initially the case last year – but not everyone thinks that’s a good idea. Zimbabwe, who bowled to South Africa for 79 overs on Wednesday, were particularly impressed by Stubbs’, who Sean Williams told ESPNcricinfo looks like he should stay at No. 5 as “he will score runs for them from there.”Prince would not be drawn into any confirmations. “At the moment, the best way to prepare for us as a squad is to keep all possibilities open,” he said. “We don’t know what the surface is going to look like when we get there. Should it be a case where he’s required to do that job, we want to make sure that he’s at least had some sort of preparation but we don’t know whether he’s going to be required to do that, because we haven’t had a look at the surface. We’ll only be able to tell when we get there.”Mulder is one of the players who has had scant game time in the lead-up to the final. He only played one match at the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, where was used as an impact substitute and bowled one over. South Africa will be eager to see him bowl a few more if conditions allow for it on Friday. What they’ve seen from a batting perspective is his confidence in taking on the short ball early on, which Williams also identified as a strength, and solid defences. With Mulder high in the line-up and Marco Jansen lower down, South Africa will have two seam-bowling allrounders in the XI, a luxury they have long-wanted (especially after Jacques Kallis’ retirement) but seldom had.Both Mulder and Jansen are also players that South Africa have long-term investment in. They’re in their mid-20s, play all formats and will form part of the core of the squad in years to come along with Rickelton, Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and – though not in this squad – Kwena Maphaka. It’s this younger contingent who have inspired a level of hope and positivity in South African cricket as they’ve emerged as what Smith called “new heroes.” His own sons, Smith said, admire the likes of Rickelton and Jansen because they bring a “feel good factor” to the sport.Prince has also been energised by the freshness of the squad, and hopes they can bask in the spotlight that’s been put on them and create their own legacy. “It’s a young group and a lot of them have had some fantastic success over the last 18 months to get themselves into this position. I think there’s a sense of everyone wanting the guy next to them to do well and enjoying each other’s success,” he said. “And it’s just been a fantastic journey to be a part of. Next week is going to be a special opportunity for these guys. Teams of the past have had successes but this is their moment. This is their opportunity to go out and do something special.”

Chelsea hold concrete interest in signing a “spectacular” Barcelona star, with Enzo Maresca personally keen, and they could now be willing to submit an opening offer.

Blues keen to bolster options amid slow start to the season

After clinching Champions League qualification in the 2024-25 campaign, there was an expectation for the Blues to kick on this season, but it has been a slow start, having taken just eight points from their opening six games.

Most recently, Maresca’s side came up short in a 3-1 home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, which has led to speculation aboutthe manager’s future, with talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino suggesting the Italian may find it difficult to hold onto his job long-term.

One of the only bright sparks against the Seagulls was Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentinian getting on the scoresheet, while Moises Caicedo was also solid, winning eight of the 12 duels he contested and making three tackles.

However, according to a report from Spain, Chelsea still remain keen on bolstering their options in midfield, holding concrete interest in signing Barcelona’s Marc Casado, and they may even be willing to submit a €40m (£35m) bid for his services.

Maresca is personally keen on signing Casado, having identified the need to bring in a new central midfielder, and there are indications that the Spanish club could be open to a sale in the January transfer window.

Barca, given their well-documented financial issues, need to free up wages, but the midfielder has previously expressed his desire to fight for his place, so it remains to be seen whether he is open to a departure.

As bad as Chalobah: 4/10 Chelsea gem showed he’s not ready for PL start yet

Chelsea suffered a 3-1 loss at home to Brighton and this player failed to step up.

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 27, 2025

"Spectacular" Casado may need to leave Barca this winter

Given the La Liga champions’ squad is so stocked with talent, the Spaniard has received inconsistent game time this season, although he has impressed when given the opportunity, picking up an assist in the emphatic 6-0 victory over Valencia.

Sergio Busquets was also left very impressed with the young midfielder during the 2024-25 campaign, calling him “spectacular” last November.

The 22-year-old has featured in the majority of Barca’s La Liga matches this season, but given his talent, that is not enough, so it would make sense to move to a new club this winter.

Signing a new goalkeeper should be Maresca’s number one priority, given the start Robert Sanchez has made to the season, most recently getting sent off in the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.

However, should Chelsea decide to sign a new central midfielder, Casado has the ability to be a success at Stamford Bridge, and a fee in the region of £35m feels fair, given his age.

There may be a sense that the only thing stopping Arsenal from claiming the Premier League title is themselves, with the Gunners now boasting a remarkable squad depth that has left them perfectly poised to pounce on Liverpool’s woes.

After three second-place finishes in succession, Mikel Arteta is gearing up to go one better this time around, with his in-form side notably conceding just three goals in their first seven league games of the season – a mark of champions?

If anything is to derail this early positivity, however, it could well be injury, with even that aforementioned depth likely to be continually tested if the early-season signs are anything to go by.

Having seen Kai Havertz sidelined before the campaign had even kicked off, following knee surgery, the north Londoners were dealt a further setback as Noni Madueke’s bright start to life at the club was halted by his own issue late last month.

With the likes of Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Jesus currently out of action, perhaps the biggest concern has rested with struggling skipper, Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian’s latest blow likely to see him ruled for what could be as many as nine games.

While the 26-year-old’s influence has faded over the last 12 months or so – as we’ll come on to – his absence will still have left Arteta plenty to ponder ahead of this weekend’s return to club action.

Why Odegaard has lost his crown as Arsenal’s most creative player

Losing a player of Odegaard’s quality is hardly ideal, with it not too long ago that the ex-Real Madrid man was even being recognised as the best player in the Premier League, as noted by the likes of Luke Shaw.

Across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, for instance, the Arsenal captain registered 40 goals and assists in the top-flight alone, while creating 31 ‘big chances’ in that time, as per Sofascore.

Unfortunately for the £30m man, however, such influence has notably faded since then, not just due to injury, with last term seeing the Gunners’ former creative hub register just 11 goals and assists in the league.

While he did still conjure up 13 ‘big chances’, the creative mantle appears to have passed on to teammate, Bukayo Saka, with the Englishman ranking first in the division in 2024/25 for both shot-creating actions per 90 and goal-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

Saka isn’t alone in having stolen Odegaard’s thunder in that regard either, with new man Eberechi Eze already looking ready to usurp his skipper in that number ten berth, with two assists already to his name in 2025/26.

Bukayo Saka

1.20

James Maddison

0.90

Amad

0.85

Jeremy Doku

0.83

Savinho

0.76

Mo Salah

0.72

Martin Odegaard

0.70

Diogo Jota

0.68

Dwight McNeil

0.66

That included the ex-Crystal Palace man’s stunning lofted pass for Gabriel Martinelli to clinch a point against Manchester City, having also picked out Viktor Gyokeres to tap home against Nottingham Forest, putting the ball on a plate for the Swedish striker to convert.

With Declan Rice also in the equation, not least for his set-piece prowess, with two assists of his own, the burden and reliance on Odegaard appears to have been extinguished, with his absence unlikely to be felt quite so heavily as in previous years.

That being said, a replacement will still need to be found in the midfield ranks – might young Myles Lewis-Skelly be the solution?

Arsenal's perfect Martin Odegaard replacement

As already noted, Eze could comfortably slot into a more central role, although there might be a preference to utilise the England star off the left, flanked by the marauding presence of Riccardo Calafiori.

The rise of the resurgent Italian has had a knock-on effect on that man Lewis-Skelly, with last season’s golden boy limited to just 83 minutes of league action all season for the Gunners, having been ousted from that left-back berth.

Such reduced involvement looks like it could come at a cost for his hopes at international level too, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel suggesting that a lack of regular minutes may “become a problem” in this vital World Cup year.

Thankfully for the teenage sensation, he is no one-trick pony, with the promotion of Calafiori potentially set to prove a blessing in disguise, should it allow Lewis-Skelly to solidify a central midfield berth instead.

That change to what would be a permanent new role at first-team level would be a welcome one, with the 19-year-old previously flourishing as a left-sided number eight in the academy ranks.

Even in the senior ranks, he has often been utilised as an inverted full-back, popping up for his first goal for the club against City in an advanced position in that left channel, ensuring the transition should be a relatively easy one.

Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has outlined that in the “long-term” the Hale End graduate “is a midfielder”, despite his arrival onto the scene at left-back, ensuring he could slot in alongside Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the weeks to come.

While Mikel Merino is also in the equation, the Spaniard can remain an emergency option at centre-forward, in the absence of Havertz and Jesus, with it likely to be far more exciting to witness Lewis-Skelly being handed a consistent run of games in the centre of the park instead.

Already looking like a “£100m footballer”, as noted by The Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid following the home win over Real Madrid last season, the homegrown superstar is simply far too good not be playing.

He's like Rice: £58m Arsenal star is becoming "one of their best players"

Declan Rice is of course on of Arsenal’s most important players, while a £58m-rated star continues to impress, becoming “one of their best players”.

ByBen Gray Oct 14, 2025

انتهت مباراة زد والبنك الأهلي بالتعادل الإيجابي بنتيجة 1-1، وذلك في اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وأقيمت المباراة بين زد والبنك الأهلي على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الـ13 من الدوري المصري.

وتقدم فريق البنك الأهلي بالهدف الأول عن طريق أحمد ياسر ريان، في الدقيقة 11 من ضربة جزاء، بينما أدرك محمود صابر هدف التعادل لصالح فريق زد، بالدقيقة الثالثة من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الأول. أهداف مباراة زد والبنك الأهلي في الدوري المصري

وبهذه النتيجة يحتل فريق زد، المركز الثامن من 13 مباراة، برصيد 17 نقطة جمعهم من الفوز فى 4 مواجهات والتعادل بـ5 لقاءات، وتلقى 4 هزائم.

بينما وصل رصيد البنك الأهلي، بـ16 نقطة، محتلاً المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب البطولة، بعدما فاز بـ3 لقاءات وتعادل في 7 مواجهات وتلقى هزيمتين.

The fourth season of the SA20 is set for a major shake-up with almost two-thirds of the player pool available for the auction, which will be held on September 9. Franchises will be permitted no more than six retentions or pre-signed players, the least in the tournament’s short history.That means 72 player slots are available for auction, which represents 63% of the 108 places across the six franchises.Squad composition is unchanged from the previous editions with a maximum of seven overseas players, and a minimum of 11 South Africans. The salary cap has been increased to R41 million (US$2.31 million) from R39.1 million (US$2.2 million) and teams can sign one wildcard player whose fee is not included in the salary cap. The amount of money available means that the SA20 is the league with the second-highest salary cap in the world, after the IPL. All six SA20 franchises are owned by IPL teams.Franchises will be allowed to use a Right to Match (RTM) card which will allow them to match the winning bid for a player who represented them in season 3. The number of RTMs will be determined by the number of the South African players franchises have retained.The rookie draft has been cancelled and teams will be required to sign a minimum of two under-23 players.With no home Tests in the 2025-26 summer (due to the national men’s team playing abroad until mid-December and stadium refurbishment for the 2027 ODI World Cup) the SA20 has been moved forward from its usual January start date. It is due to kick off on Boxing Day and reach its conclusion by January 26. The SA20 will revert back to a January to mid-February window for 2027 and 2028, when it will also have a slightly longer playing window. The number of franchises (6) and matches (34) remains unchanged.

Aston Villa has been home to various Premier League greats over the years.

Gareth Barry would go on to make a whopping 439 appearances for the Villans, with 53 England caps even falling into the tough midfielder’s lap by the end of his long-winding and successful career.

Ashley Young also springs to mind as another top-flight veteran who used to call Villa Park home, whilst Jack Grealish is certainly one of the most entertaining stars Villa have ever had on their books in the elite division, before he was poached for an outrageous £100m by Manchester City.

James Milner is another name that might well fly under the radar in these conversations, with the ultra-reliable midfielder often thought of as a Liverpool and Manchester City staple.

Yet, it was with Villa where he really began to shine as a dependable spark in the Premier League.

Why James Milner is still a hero at Villa

Before going on to win three Premier League titles with the aforementioned Reds and the Citizens, Milner was a rising star in the top-flight, ready to be taken to that next level, after collecting 11 goals and 20 assists in total for Newcastle United.

In a Villa set-up that often saw him line up alongside even more much-loved favourites of the past in Brad Friedel and Gabriel Agbonlahor, Milner would often shine the brightest, with two standout seasons in the West Midlands pushing him on to join City.

Only missing two Premier League games across the 2008/09 and the 2009/10 seasons meant Milner became a relied-upon regular, and he had the quality to back up his hard work for the team, too.

A stunning haul of 19 goals and 25 assists in all competitions over those two campaigns lead to his Villa boss in Martin O’Neill hailing him as “sensational.”

Capable of also playing down either flank away from his central midfield duties, it’s very clear now why the Leeds-born 39-year-old has gone on to have such a well-established career at the very top, off the back of his early days at Villa, having very rarely made a blip across his 643 games and counting in the competitive division.

Still plugging away for Brighton and Hove Albion – with a penalty even put away in August – Milner must surely stand out as a glowing example to footballers trying to make it big today when it comes to ageing gracefully.

Emery arguably has his own Milner-type presence back at Villa Park now, with the star in question only getting better with age to rival their former number eight’s insane longevity.

Emery's own Milner-type player

Milner very much proved at both Anfield and the Etihad that a steady presence can go a long way, even if there were flashier figures that surrounded him.

Indeed, Emery might well have faces such as Morgan Rogers – who has been touted to be worth £100m – at his disposal, alongside feared marksman Ollie Watkins, but he knows he will always get a consistent magic out of John McGinn whenever he is chosen to don Villa claret and blue, even as the Scotsman now hits 30 years of age.

McGinn’s Villa record

Season

Games played

Goals + Assists

25/26

11

3 + 1

24/25

49

4 + 6

23/24

53

9 + 8

22/23

36

1 + 3

21/22

36

3 + 4

20/21

37

3 + 6

19/20

30

3 + 3

18/19

44

6 + 10

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Just one glance at the table above reinforces the idea that McGinn is Mr consistent for the West Midlands outfit, much like Milner was at Villa Park, with a stunning haul of 33 goals and 41 assists next to his name for the Villans from 295 appearances, which stretches all the way back to their unfortunate Championship days.

He has always received warm praise for his memorable contributions, too, with his ex-Villa boss in Dean Smith, hailing him as a “driving force” for the side all the way back in 2021, while forgotten former manager Steve Bruce also lauded him as a “hero” from the minute he arrived in Birmingham.

Those words still very much ring true, even as McGinn enters the arguable twilight years of his career, with the Glaswegian already three goals and one assist down this campaign, which included this fierce strike breaking a Europa League deadlock against Bologna.

Time will only tell if the Villans captain will still be plying his trade in the Premier League come his 39th birthday, but it’s clear right now that he is as beloved as Milner was at Villa Park, for being another adaptable presence always ready to give his all.

Related Aston Villa now open agent talks to sign Martinez heir who's in red-hot form

The Villans have made an approach to sign a new goalkeeper, amid doubts surrounding Emiliano Martinez’s long-term future.

Posts ByDominic Lund Oct 15, 2025

Sunderland haven’t travelled to Old Trafford in Premier League action since Boxing Day in 2016, but that is soon to change this Saturday as Regis Le Bris’ plucky Black Cats make the trip down to Manchester United, eager to maintain their electric start to life back in the top-flight this season.

History does dictate that the Wearside outfit will struggle to pick up a result, having last won at the Theatre of Dreams in 2014 courtesy of a Sebastian Larsson winner.

Staggeringly, that is the only three points they have picked up in Manchester – with Manchester City also added to the equation – from their last 29 away clashes in the capital of the North.

Still, poor stretches of form like this are meant to be broken, and with Sunderland already picking up three league wins this season after promotion, Le Bris’ men will not be written off at all on Saturday.

Another interesting narrative to throw into the mix is the potential return of Amad Diallo for Ruben Amorim’s hot-and-cold hosts, with the Ivorian a beloved former loanee at the Stadium of Light, who very much used his formative Black Cats experience as a springboard to greater success.

Amad's Sunderland reunion

Before delving deeper into Amad’s injury situation ahead of the showdown on the weekend, it only feels right – from a Sunderland perspective – to reminisce about his terrific displays on Wearside.

Indeed, in total, the 23-year-old attacker bagged a stunning 14 strikes donning Sunderland red and white, with journalist James Copley glowingly labelling the slick forward as a “wizard” for his constantly entertaining displays.

Therefore, Sunderland will know all too well the damage he could cause if he is selected to start this weekend, with the FA Cup-winning winger already one assist down this season.

Reports do suggest that Amad could be back fit to reunite with his former loan employers, having re-entered training recently for Amorim and Co.

Amad’s split-second ability to conjure up a moment of immense quality could be a potential difference-maker that hands Amorim’s side a much-needed win, but Le Bris will be confident he has his very own version of the dynamic Ivorian in one promising youngster.

Sunderland's new version of Amad

Sunderland have a whole host of exciting attackers on their books, with Wilson Isidor already up to three goals for the Black Cats in the Premier League, on top of Enzo Le Fee also possessing that same Amad-like quality to impress in a flash with an audacious skill here and there.

Yet, it’s not the ex-Lorient man being lauded as Le Bris’ very own Amad. Rather, it’s 20-year-old attacker Chemsdine Talbi, who will hope he can grow into what the 23-year-old has turned into at the Red Devils by transforming into a recognised Premier League-calibre forward.

Already, much like Amad showed in spades at the Stadium of Light, it’s clear that the Moroccan is a raw talent destined for the top, having arrived in England this summer from former side Club Brugge with seven goals and five assists under his belt for the Belgian Pro League outfit, with three of those goal contributions even coming in the Champions League.

Scout Antonio Mango went as far as to label Talbi as “electric” off the back of his blistering performances in Belgium, with his direct and quick approach often seeing him leave defenders for dead, which is very much similar to Amad’s gung-ho approach in the Championship for Sunderland.

The worry will be that Talbi has just one assist to show for his promising displays so far at the Stadium of Light, but – unlike Amad’s one-season story – Sunderland have time on their side to get the very best out of their rapid number seven, with Le Bris already stating that the 20-year-old needs “time” and “support” to live up to his hype.

However, there is no time like the present to leave your mark, with a first goal for the club at Old Trafford a fitting place to get off the mark, particularly if Amad gets the nod to start.

If Sunderland’s track record with youngsters is anything to go by – when looking at the table above – they could have a real gem on their hands, as a permanent Amad-style presence is potentially unearthed.

Not Xhaka: Sunderland's "remarkable" star looks like their best signing

Sunderland sealed the best signing of their summer when landing this remarkable star.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 2, 2025