Jordan Ayew Extends Scoring Run For Villa

Rampant Black Stars forward, Jordan Ayew,  extended his preseason scoring run with Aston Villa in a 1-1 drawn game against Rovers.

The 24-year-old Villa talisman bagged another goal for the in-form London side ahead of the new season to extend his scoring run to three matches.

Jordan took his off-season tally to four goals in three matches to fuel his exit rumours.

The former Olympique Marseille attacker has reportedly been earmarked for an imminent  departure from the Villa Park after their surprise relegation at the end of last season.

The Ghanaian import could however be tempted to ply his trade in the Coca Cola Championship if Roberto Di Matteo beefs up the London side in the transfer market.

Jordan Ayew Extends  Scoring Run For Villa

England: Jordan Ayew Nets For Aston Villa

Rampant Jordan Ayew extended his fine scoring run in off-season with another beauty in a 1-2 win for Aston  Villa.

The 24-year-old attacker registered his third pre-season goal for the relegated side  to add to his goal tally ahead of the 2016/17 European season.

Jordan powered home a pile driver in the 81st minute to draw his side level against Telford United before locating Ally Cissokho  for the match winner right on the stroke of full-time.

The Ghanaian looks set to stay at the Villa Park in their quest to make an instant return to the top flight amidst endless  inquiries about his availability.

The former Olympique Marseille forward opened his pre-season account with a powerful brace for Roberto Di Matteo’s men and could be their star man in the Championship as they seek instant promotion to the premiership.

England: Jordan Ayew Nets For Aston Villa

Aston Villa Confirm Di Matteo As New Manager

Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed as the new manager of Aston Villa, the club confirmed on Friday.

The former Chelsea manager replaces Frenchman Remi Garde, who was sacked in March ahead of Villa’s relegation from the Premier League.

Di Matteo, 45, guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012 and is understood to be well regarded by Villa’s new Chinese owner Dr Tony Xia.  Italian boss Di Matteo, whose appointment was widely reported by British media on Thursday night, has been out of management since resigning as the boss of German side Schalke a year ago.

He last managed at Championship level when overseeing the promotion of West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham club Villa’s local rivals, from English football’s second-tier to the Premier League in 2010.

Now Di Matteo hopes to do the same thing with Villa, whose relegation saw the former European champions drop out of English football’s top division for the first time in 29 years.

“It’s a wonderful honour for me to become manager of this great football club and I’m looking forward to the challenge of taking Aston Villa back to its rightful place,” said Di Matteo.

Reports have suggested that Di Matteo would be assisted at Villa by former Chelsea team-mate Steve Clarke.

The Scot has been out of work since his sacking by Reading last year.  As a coach, Clarke worked under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea for three years.

Clarke, like Di Matteo, is a former West Brom manager and took the Baggies to their highest Premier League finishing position of eighth in 2013.

Aston Villa Confirm Di Matteo As New Manager

Jordan Scores In Villa Defeat

Ghanaian striker Jordan was on target for already relegated Aston Villa in their 3-2 Premier League loss to Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The former Lorentz forward put Villa 2-1 up early in the second half after Ayman Abdi had cancelled out Ciaran Clarke’s opener in the first half.

Jordan’s goal look as though it had secured three point for the Villans but defender Ally Sissokho was sent off for a late challenge on a Watford attacker which swing the game to the advantage of the Vicarage Road outfit.

Watford pressed on until they finally rip benefit of their numerical advantage with Striker Troy Deeney scoring twice in injury time to hand the newly promoted side all three points.

The defeat means Aston Villa will finish the season bottom of the table as they are currently on 16 points with just two matches remaining

Jordan Scores In Villa Defeat

Aston Villa sack Remi Garde

Aston Villa has parted ways with manager, Remi Garde after finally agreeing a pay-off with the bottom placed side of the English Premier League club.

Manager Garde had continued to take training during this international break but has been negotiating an exit package as there were three years left on his contract.

A breakthrough was made on Tuesday to agree a severance deal and the club have confirmed his parting by “mutual consent”.

Relegation-bound, rock-bottom Villa have put coach Eric Black in charge ahead of Chelsea’s visit for the Saturday lunchtime game.

Villa were willing to wait until the summer to replace Garde with the club doomed to relegation after only two league wins under him.

But Garde, 49, hastened his departure following six straight defeats by complaining his position had become untenable after the club failed to back him in January.

A statement said: “Manager, Remi Garde, has today left Aston Villa Football Club by mutual consent.

“The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Rémi for all his efforts during a difficult period and wish him well in the future.

“Eric Black will take over as acting manager until the club appoints a new manager.”

Aston Villa sack Remi Garde

Nigel Pearson Set To Replace Remi Garde At Aston Villa

Former Leicester City trainer Nigel Pearson is set to replace Remy Garde as the head coach of struggling Aston Villa.

The former Foxes trainer has jumped ahead of Steve Bruce as the likely candidate to replace the under pressure French trainer Remy Garde.

Aston Villa are set for Championship football for the 2016/17 European season and the management are preparing for live after their current Boss who look set to return to France at the end of the season.

Remi Garde was hired as a replacement for the departed Tim Sherwood after a dreadful start to the season but has so far failed to muster any meaningful run of results since his arrival.

Pearson, who steered Leicester City to the Premiership before been replaced with the current coach Claudio Ranieri is the favourite to take over from Garde ahead of Steve Bruce and Wales Boss Chris Coleman.

Bruce is reluctant to fill in for the under pressure Remi with uncertainties over the final outcome of his promotion ambition with Hull City in the championship.

The beleaguered London side recently installed Brian Little as football adviser to the club alongside Gordon Cowans.

The basement club has since managed three wins in the opening 31 matches of the season having spent in excess of 50 million Euros in the summer transfer window.

Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has since managed an impressive five strikes across the season for the relegation bound side since joining at the start of the season from Lorient.

Nigel Pearson Set To Replace Remi Garde At Aston Villa

Jordan Ayew Fined By Villa

Managers Remi Garde has fined Jordan Ayew for his red card which leaves Aston Villa short of attacking options.

Garde revealed on Friday that striker Libor Kozak has suffered a minor fracture to his ankle and has been ruled out for a month.

The blow follows Ayew’s sending off for an elbow with West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Upton Park and a subsequent three-match ban, an act of indiscipline which has frustrated the manager.

“He came to my office the morning after the game and we had a long chat. Yes, he will be fined,” said Garde.

“He regrets it, he apologised publicly, he apologised to me, the team and the fans. He behaves badly on the pitch but then he behaves the way he has to after that.

“It’s an accumulation of frustration, a little bit during the game, but this frustration has grown in the previous weeks with the results and the way we were not winning games. For a long time he was the main threat for the opponent.

“I wouldn’t like it if we sum up Jordan from this stupid behaviour. I’m trying to understand why he did that and of course he has to learn from it. Your individual attitude can have a big impact on the collective.”

Ayew is the Villans’ joint second-highest goalscorer this campaign with five goals, the same as Rudy Gestede, whose hamstring injury keeps him out of their vital match against Norwich on Saturday.

That leaves Garde with just Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has not scored for almost a year, Scott Sinclair as his only available senior options to lead the attack.

Garde confirmed Kozak, who has only made five appearances this season, is unlikely to return until next month.

“Libor is suffering a little fracture on the ankle. He will be out for four weeks now,” he said. “Rudy could be back for next weekend.”

Ashley Westwood (calf) could return but Carlos Sanchez (hamstring) and Adama Traore (foot) remain out.

Source:skysports

Jordan Ayew Fined By Villa

Ayew Apologizes To Villa

Aston Villa and Ghana striker , Jordan Ayew has taken to social media to render an unqualified apology to the Villains for elbowing Creswell in his side’s 2-0 away loss to West Ham on Tuesday night.

The Ghanaian forward reacted angrily to Creswell’s persistent heckling and elbowed the West Ham United left-back on the face and was sent off in the 17th minute.

With only 10-men Aston Villa could not mount a strong challenge in the fixture and lost 2-0.

He was criticized across the globe for his unsporting behaviour and he has accepted his criticisms and apologize unreservedly to his teammates, fans and manager.

“Looking back at my impulsive actions last night, I sincerely apologise to the supporters of Aston Villa, my team mates and AVFC staff and my coach.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions and I don’t wish to dwell on my mistake but rather look forward to playing again to prove myself to be true to claret and the blue as I have done from the moment I joined AVFC and I do not intend to slow down now.”

“To my fans and everyone I offended, I ask that you join me in moving forward from this unfortunate situation as I continue to focus on my career and the success of the team.

“We fight till the end. Up The Villa!” Jordan Ayew wrote on Instagram

Ayew Apologizes To Villa

Ghanaian Players In Midweek European Action

England

West Ham United vs Aston Villa

Jordan Ayew got booked for  a silly foul on West Ham United left back, Aaron Creswell. The game was going as planned for the bottom placed Villa but with ten men it was difficult to see how they travel back to the midlands with even a point. Goals from Antonio and Cheik Kouyate gave the hammers all the three points.

 

Leicester City vs Liverpool

Daniel Amartey is still waiting to make his debut for Leicester city since he completed an £8m move to the English premier league side. The Foxes defeated Liverpool by 2-goals to nil as they retained their firm grip of top spot. Jeffrey Schlupp is a couple of weeks away from returning to first team action for Leicester city.

 

West Brom vs Swansea City

Ghanaian forward, Andre Ayew played 82 – minutes of Swansea’s 1 all draw game away to West Brom at the Hawthorns. The Welsh side took the lead through Icelandic international, Gylfi Sigurdsson with some few minutes left on the clock it looked like the Swans will win their second game in succession after beating Everton but West Brom’s record signing, Salomon Rondon ensured that didn’t happen.

 

 Italy

Sassuolo vs AS Roma

Alfred Duncan started for Sassuolo as they hosted Serie A giants AS Roma. The versatile Ghanaian international lasted 87 minutes as a lone goal from former Chelsea forward, Mohammed Salah gave the capita based club all three points.

Ghanaian Players In Midweek European Action

Jordan Ayew Sent Off For Elbowing West Ham"s Aaron Cresswell In The Face

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew was sent off on Tuesday night for elbowing Aaron Cresswell in the face during their Barclays Premier League match against West Ham.

Jordan who started the game was enjoying himself as he kept terrorising the defence of the host with his speed and dribbling prowess.

However that lasted very short as a brief moment of madness saw him elbowing Aaron Cresswell full in the face unprovoked.

Jordan Ayew looks dejected after being sent off for elbowing West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell in the face.

The centre referee had no option that to show him a straight red card for that act.

Aston Villa who are rooted at the bottom of the league table, eventually lost the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Michail Antonio (58th) and Cheikhou Kouyate (85th).

This is the first time the Ghanaian international has been sent off during since he joined Aston Villa from Olympic Marseille at the start of the new season.

Jordan Ayew Sent Off For Elbowing West Ham"s Aaron Cresswell In The Face

Review: Ghanaian Players abroad England

Ghanaian Players abroad

sportscrusader.com reviews how Ghanaian players fared with their various European clubs.

England

Jordan Ayew Aston Villa were 4-0 losers to 2012 FA cup champions, Manchester city. The Ghanaian forward played the entire duration of the game but as has been the norm the Villains can’t stop draining goals.

 

Baba Rahman got his first game and start under new interim manager Guus Hiddink as the blues left the home of Milton Keynes Dons-MK Dons as 5-1 victors. Rahman whose performance was very impressive through the full duration of the game will hope for at least some game time in their midweek premier league clash against.

 

Spain

Las Palmas defeated in their la liga clash. Ghanaian combative Midfielder Mubarak Wakaso was instrumental in the 2-1 victory over Celta de Vigo but his performance won’t be complete without his trademark – been booked before his substitution in the 87th minute.

 

New Malaga loan signing from English premier league side, Chelsea, Christian Atsu warmed the bench as the side won 2-0 away from home against  Eibar.

 

Alex Partey came on in the second half for nine man Atletico Madrid but couldn’t help prevent a 2-1 defeat to world club champions and 2014/15 UEFA champions league winners, Barcelona.

 

Italy

Kwadwo Asamoah sat out injured as Juventus continued with their winning streak after defeating Chievo Verona by 4-goals. Ghanaian Midfielder Yussif Rahman played minutes for the home team – Chievo Verona.

 

Kevin prince Boateng played just 2-minutes as AC Milan thrashed city rivals inter in the Milan derby. Goals from heaped more pressure on under-fire inter Milan manager, Roberto Mancini. The Biaconneri’s have won just in their last games.

 

Agyemang Badu played the full 90-minutes as Udinese drew goalless as the Zebra’s continued their search for a first Serie a win in their last 4-games recording three defeats.

 

Afriyie  Acquah played just 58-minutes in Torino’s goalless drawn game against bottom place, Hellas Verona.

 

Yussif Rahman Chibsah played 76-minutes in Frosinone 3-1 defeat away to 5th placed AS Roma. The newly promoted, Frosinone have to start picking up maximum points as the season looks gloomy for a chance to stay in the league beyond this season.

 

Carpi drew one all against Palermo in their Serie A clash. Ghanaian versatile player, Isaac Cofie only lasted 45-minutes of the first half as for tactical reasons from coach Fabrizio Castori Cofie sat out the second half of the match.

 

Greece

Ghanaian veteran midfielder, Michael Essien continued his consistent stay with his Greek club Panathinaikos. The former Chelsea combative midfield dynamo scored his first goal against Levadiakos. Essien lasted the entire duration in his sides 1-2 away victory against Platainas.

 

France

Majeed Waris returned from injury and helped his Lorient side win maximum points against Reims in the French Ligue 1. Two Goals from Zargo Toure in either halves of the games ensured Lorient stayed in 13th place and above the relegation zone.

Review: Ghanaian Players abroad England

Jordan Ayew To Battle Mikel Obi For EPL African Player Of The Month Award

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew of Aston Villa, Chelsea’s Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi and Senegalese star Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham are the final three in the shortlist for the African Player in the English Premier League of January.

The statement signed by awards director Tunde Adelakun explained that the month showed signs of a long and hard season for the Premier League players so far with players like Odion Ighalo and Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez still proving doubters wrong as they continued sparkling form.

But, according to Adelakun, this month is ‘a tribute to the Africans who are making their own contribution in their own way, in their clubs’ trying times’.

Apart from Kouyate, whose West Ham are certainly riding high, getting impressive results against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, and an impressive away win at Bournemouth, the other two nominees are having a season to forget in their respective clubs.

Chelsea, champions of England only last season, are not having the best of times. But, as Adelakun pointed out, ‘things have taken a turn for the up for the champions, unbeaten in eight games since the departure of former manager Mourinho, but more importantly, a restore to starting eleven duties for Nigerian Jon Obi Mikel”.

Continuing, he said “Mikel has put an air of settlement in the Chelsea midfield and we thought we should recognise his input by shortlisting him for January’s award”.

The same can be said of Ghanaian Jordan Ayew, who is having a torrid season with Aston Villa, seemingly unable to pick points to take them off the bottom of the table.

However, Ayew has been playing really well, showing signs of why he was highly rated and picked up by Villa in the summer.

In the statement, Adelakun was quoted as saying “the quality of Ayew’s skill, ability and work rate belies the position his team is on the table, but that is football”, he concluded.

Jordan Ayew To Battle Mikel Obi For EPL African Player Of The Month Award

Preview: Ghanaian Players In European Action This Weekend

Ghanaian Players In European Action This Weekend

As the year has began Ghanaian players are well informed of the opportunity available to represent the senior national team – the Black Stars in African cup of Nations and FIFA world cup qualifiers later this year as such their club performance will be a yard stick to measure their preparedness to play for Ghana.

 

In this weekend round of games, English premier league will be hold sa the world’s oldest cup competition, The FA cup takes centre stage.

The city of Milan will be the venue for Europe’s biggest game of the weekend as Inter Milan face Ac Milan in the Milan derby.

The Spanish la liga will see a top of the log clash between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

 

England

Dede Ayew and his Swansea city team mates will have the weekend off as the Welsh club will not be copetiting in the Emirates FA cup after losing lower league side, Oxford united in the third round. The Swans won their first game away in a long while against Everton in week 23 of the English premier and will be next in action when the premier league returns in mid-week against, West Brom.

 

Aston Villa – Manchester City

Meanwhile Dede’s younger brother, Jordan Ayew will hope to continue with his consistent first team selection under manager, Remi Garde when 2012 FA cup champions, Manchester City travel to Villa park. Aston Villa have won just twice in their last five competitive matches and Manchester City’s three wins in 5-games isn’t too convincing and considering the citizens’s calibre and crop of players available.

Italy

AC Milan – Inter Milan

Ghanaian midfielder, Kevin-Prince Boateng will hope he makes manager, Sinisa Mihajlovic’s team for the Milan derby on Sunday. The Rossoneri go into the game as the in-form team with three wins and two draws in their last 5-games whilst their city rivals boast of a win, two draws and two defeats in their last 5-games. Inter Milan are placed 4th on the table and with 8-points separating them from 6th place AC Milan a defeat in the game will the 7-times UEFA champions league winners move to 5th place and also reduce the points difference to 5.

Carpi – Palermo

Isaac Cofie’s Carpi will play host to 14th place Palermo and with the away side recording two defeats in a row in their last two matches the home side should be in confident mood to annex all three points and salvage what is gradually looking like relegation sealed fate. The versatile Ghanaian midfielder missed Carpi’s one-all trip to Inter Milan last week and will hope to put in a similar and stellar performance at home.

 

Atalanta – Sassuolo

Yussif Chibsah played 87 minutes when his Sassuolo side hosted Atalanta last weekend in the coppa Italia and will hope his performance on the day will guarantee him a starting berth when they travel to the same opponent but this time in Serie A action. Sassuolo are just 9-points off a champions place and will be motivated to focus on grabbing all the three points.

Chievo Verona – Juventus

Isaac Cofie missed Chievo’s last game against empoli which ended one-all and will hope to be in manager, plans. Chievo have not won against the old ladies of Italian football, Juventus.Kwadwo Asamoah missed Juve’s 1-0 victory over AS Roma and have an enviable record of six wins in a row. The ghanaian midfielder is rumoured to have raptured his knee injury and might miss the game. Juventus edge Chievo in the head-to-head meeting with four wins and two draws in their last five meetings.

Udinese – Lazio

Agyemang Badu played in Udinese’s 1-4 defeat away to Palermo and saw yellow in the game but the memory of been the captain on that night during the thrashing can be cast back when Udinese defeat Lazio in this weekends Serie A clash at the Stadio Fruili. Udinese are on a bad run of form with three defeats in a row and will have to start picking up maximum points.

Bologna – Sampdoria

Godfred Donsah played 72-minutes in Bologna’s 0-2 victory away to Sassuolo las week and will look forward to kick odd from there when they host 17th placed, Sampdoria at the Renato Dall Ara stadium.

Greece

Platanias – Panathinaikos

Michael Essien will hope to inspire his Panathinakos side in this weekends clash against Platanias after scoring his first goal for the club in the Greece super league against, Levadiakos. Panathinakos lie 3rd with 35-points after 19-matches played in the 2015/16 league season.

Preview: Ghanaian Players In European Action This Weekend

Transfer: English Premier Side Ready To Sign Ayew

Sunderland want Ayew

English premier league club and fellow relegation strugglers, Sunderland have spotted Aston Villa forward, Andre Ayew as the man to help them survive the league.

 

 

Jordan who has been in impressive form after beginning life as a premier league player with difficulty and many doubting whether he is made for the English game.

Aston Villa forward, Jordan Ayew

Sunderland have struggled for goals but with Jermaine Defoe finding his scoring boots under Sam Allardyce a partnership between Ayew and Defoe will be one great duel to help the Tyneside retain its premier league status.

 

 

Aston Villa manager, Remi Garde wont be happy to part ways with the man whose goals is what is giving the Midlands team a little bit of hope.

 

Transfer: English Premier Side Ready To Sign Ayew

Preview: Ghanaian Players Involved In European Football Action

Kwadwo Asamoah’s Juventus Travel To Badu’s Udinese In Top Liner Of Ghanaian Players In Abroad

Ghanaian players will be involved in weekend action with the respective European clubs.  Jordan and Andre Ayew will hope to have a better luck with Aston Villa and Swansea City respectively during this weekend.

In Italy Kevin Prince Boateng will hope to start his first Serie A game after returning to the club for a second stint.

England

Jordan Ayew will be leading the attack for Aston Villa when the Villians host premier league surprise package and joint top of the table, Leicester City in the Midlands derby on Saturday.

Aston Villa forward, Jordan Ayew

Leicester city have won 34 matches to Vlla’s 27 wins in 87 matches played in all competitions. The home side, Aston Villa cant afford to lose this game as time is running out for any chance of a premier league revival.

 

Dede Ayew like his younger brother, Jordan will lead the attack for Swansea City who have lost as many games since parting ways with Garry Monk. The Swans have flattered to deceive after starting the league on top of the top and with some interest results notably a draw at Stamford bridge against Chelsea and victory over Manchester united.

Dede Ayew in Swansea colours

Swansea lost their last premier league game at home by 2-goals to 4 against fellow relegation threatened, Sunderland. The two teams have met 10 times and each have won 5 games at home so there’s a battle for supremacy when the face each other.

Watford had a disappointing result at Southampton but will start as favourite in the Monday night game away at the Liberty stadium. The Hornets won the first encounter of the season by a goal to nil.

Ghanaian internationals, Christan Atsu and Baba Rahman will hope for some game time when their English premier league side, Chelsea play host to in-form Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea’s left back, Baba Rahman

Many tipped the Blues to defend their title but are currently struggling to break away from the shackles of relegation and the draw against West Bromwich Albion in mid-week all but sealed any chance of making top 4.

Chelsea have won their last three home games against Everton and will hope that run of form continues however the form the 5-times premier league champions find themselves in makes it a daunting task.

Spain

Las Palmas will welcome in-form Atletico Madrid on Sundeay in the Spanish Primera la liga. Mubarak Wakaso will hope to get one over his compatriot and fellow midfielder, Alex Partey who will hope to be a part of manager, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side that will travel to the Gran Canaria stadium.

Mubarak Wakaso during his unveiling in the summer of 2015

The two clubs have defeted each other ones at home and away respectively in two previous encounters. The battle for supremacy is now drawn though the Madrid based club starts as favourite as they have lost once and drawn one in their last 4 away games.

Italy

Napoli will play host to Alfred Duncan’s Sassuolo in this weekends Serie A encounter at the San Paolo stadium.

Isaac Cofie’s Carpi will play host to Sampdoria at the Alberto Braglia stadium. Carpi lost last year’s encounter by 5 – goals to 2 and will hope not to repeat same results as they lie 19th on the league log.

Agyemang Badu celebrates scoring against Bologna

Agyemang Badu’s Udinese will host Kwadwo Asamoah’s Juventus in the top liner in Serie A ths weekend. Juventus are on a ten game unbeaten run and will hope to continue with that fine vain of form in their quest to catch up with top of the log, Internationale Milan.

Juventus midfielder, Kwadwo Asamoah

Udinese lie 12th and are 10 points awy from 19th place Carpi. The Zebras need some consistency of results to get their season back on track. Kwadwo Asamoah played his first game in 2016 and will hope his late cameo afford him more game time from manager Massimo Allegri.

Rahman Chidbsah’s Frosinone will go away to 14th place, Torino on Saturday.

Preview: Ghanaian Players Involved In European Football Action

Review: How Ghanaian Players Fared With Their Respective Clubs In Mid-Week

Ayew Scored, Wakaso Booked And Partey Hopeful To Start For Madrid

Many Ghanaian players were involved in mid-week action for their various European clubs. In Spain the copa del rey continued whilst arguably the best league in the world, the English premier league continued with some mouthwatering games. In Italy where the exodus of Ghanaian players keep growing the Serie A action was replaced with games in the Italian cup.

 

footballcrusader.com reviews how Ghanaian players fared with their clubs and also how their individual performances helped their clubs as well.

England

Andre Dede Ayew scored a screamer after he received a long pass from goal keeper, Lukasz Fabianski and after he drove into the Sunderland box the forward drilled a rasping left-foot drive that flew past Vito Mannone into the far corner of the net.

Dede Ayew in action against Sunderland

Earlier on the Ghanaian international was brought down and a penalty awarded to the Swans, Gylfi Sigurdsson took full advantage and scored from the spot kick.

 

Italy

Kevin Prince Boateng started his first game after returning to AC Milan to the club for the second time.

Isaac Cofie in action for Carpi

Though he was a substituted in the 58th minute, the Ghanaian midfielder helped the Rossoneri become the first team to qualify into the Italian Cup semi finals after defeating Isaac Cofie’s, Carpi by 2 – goals to 1 at the San Siro on Wednesday. The 24 year old Cofie was an unused substitute in the game.

 

Spain

Las Palmas qualified into the semi final of the copa del rey after beating Eibar 3 – 2. Mubarak Wakaso like always cant seem to stay away from the books of the referee after he was booked with just 37 minutes into the game. Las Palmas qualified on 6 – 4 aggregate.

Atletico Madrid midfielder, Alex Partey

Alex Partey will hope to be in action when his Atletico Madrid side host Rayo Vallecano in the second leg of the Spanish Copa Del Rey after drawing the one all in the first leg.

Review: How Ghanaian Players Fared With Their Respective Clubs In Mid-Week

Jordan Ayew In Action As Aston Villa Beat New Castle To End 19-Game Winless Streak

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew was in action for his side Aston Villa as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to end a nightmare 19-game winless streak in the English Premier League on Tuesday with defender Joleon Lescott the hero of the hour.

With empty claret and blue seats visible all around Villa Park, rock bottom Villa went into their 21st game of the season on just eight points having won only once all season, on the opening weekend against Bournemouth.

But South Londoners Palace had failed to score a goal in their last three Premier League games, and looked in need of the striker their manager Alan Pardew is aiming to sign in the transfer window.

Lescott’s goal came from a 58th-minute corner when Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey dropped his routine header, and watched in horror as it first hit his leg before bobbling between his legs and across the goal-line.

Villa proceeded to defend from deep with 20 minutes to go, eventually parking the bus and simply playing for time.

It was also French coach Remi Garde’s first win in 11 games in the Villa hot-seat since replacing the sacked Tim Sherwood.

Villa captain Micah Richards confronted angry fans after their last game, a 1-1 draw at fourth-tier minnows Wycombe Wanderers.

Garde also spoke to fans and after the game said: “The best apology we could give is to win the next game and give a better performance.”

Palace started the match in lively and confident fashion and Wilfried Zaha hit the post inside the first minute, his crisp shot coming back off the woodwork with Villa keeper Mark Bunn so bamboozled by the winger’s effort he was sat on the ground.

But Villa grew in confidence and in the first half Jordan Ayew, full of pace and ambition, shot narrowly wide while Jordan Veretout forced a handy save by Hennessey too.

Villa’s dire form had sent statisticians scanning the record books but the Midlanders are unlikely to be rewriting history for the wrong reasons now.

Derby County went an astonishing 32 matches without a win in the 2007/2008 season when they picked up a paltry 11 points.

Villa are now eight points from safety and four behind second-from-bottom Sunderland.

Jordan Ayew In Action As Aston Villa Beat New Castle To End 19-Game Winless Streak

Ayew"s Loses BBC MOTD Goal Award

Not Dede, Another Ayew Loses BBC Award

Jordan Ayew’s superb drive against Newcastle failed to get him much vote to be crowned BBC MOTD fans choice goal of the month for December.

 

aAston Villa and Ghanaian striker, Jordan Ayew’s  superb goal against Newcastle that earned Villians a point at St. James’ Park was shortlisted by BBC match of the day team for best goal in the month of December.

Ayew struck from the penalty box after picking up a lose ball and beat two Newcastle defenders before bending the ball into the far left of goal keeper Elliott’s post.

 

Cuco Martina voted winner of goal of the month

The 24-year-old was competing along with Aaron Ramsey(Arsenal), Mesut Ozil(Arsenal), Riyad Mahrez(Leicester City), Lee Chung-Yong(Crystal Palace), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Yaya Toure(Manchester City), Marko Arnautovic(Stoke City), Xhedran Shaqiri(Stoke City) and eventual winner, Cuco Martina(Southampton).

 

The Curaçao right back, Cuco Martina’s opening goal against Arsenal in a 4 – 0 thrashing of the Gunners got more votes and was crowned best goal for the month of December.

Ayew"s Loses BBC MOTD Goal Award

Verdict: Ayew Is Our Best Player

Ayew Is Our Best Player For 2015

 

Ghana Forward Jordan Ayew emerged the best player for Aston Villa in the year 2015 after winning a poll conducted by the club.

 

Ayew, 24 joined the club only last June but has been voted the best player by fans of the club for the year 2015.

The former Lorient man has found the back of the net on five occasions since his arrival at the club from France.

 

Villa have been disappointing this season having picked only eight points from their last 19 games of the season.

Verdict: Ayew Is Our Best Player

Jordan Ayew Likely To Partner Chelsea"s Loic Remy In Attack For Aston Villa

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew is likely to have Chelsea’s Loic Remy as his new strike partner at Aston Villa.

This was after head coach of Aston Villa, Remi Garde said he will try to sign him on loan in the January transfer window.

Garde wants the 28-year-old Frenchman to strengthen a Villa side four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League – and 11 from safety.

“Loic is special. He knows the country and league, and would be an interesting player for the team,” Garde said.

But Chelsea caretaker boss Guus Hiddink is unimpressed with Garde making his interest in the player public.

Remy, who joined Chelsea in a £10.5m move from QPR last year, has started only one Premier League game this season after suffering several injuries, scoring twice in the League Cup and once in the league.

“You have to respect where the players are,” Hiddink said. “If you are interested, talk first to the people with whom they are contracted. You cannot go into details.

“The player has signed a contract here and must be fit for us. He’s having a difficult time regarding his injuries. He has to prove first of all that he’s a good Chelsea player. He has had a calf problem for several days.”

Jordan Ayew Likely To Partner Chelsea"s Loic Remy In Attack For Aston Villa