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/ 24 February 2008

Tempers flare after horror tackle

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could not contain his anger at Birmingham’s Martin Taylor after the defender’s horror tackle left Eduardo fighting to save his career. Eduardo underwent surgery in Birmingham’s Selly Oak hospital on Saturday night for a double compound fracture of his left leg.

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/ 3 September 2007

Chelsea stunned by Villa

Jose Mourinho must be developing an intense hatred for visits to Villa Park after Martin O’Neill condemned Chelsea to yet another dose of Midlands misery. Debutant Zat Knight and Gabriel Agbonlahor both scored in the second half to leave Mourinho still waiting for his first Premier League victory at this particular corner of the West Midlands.

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/ 15 April 2007

Rooney double sends United to Wembley

Manchester United secured a place in the FA Cup final and kept their treble challenge on track with a 4-1 rout of Watford in the semifinals on Saturday. Ferguson’s perfect record both at Villa Park and in semifinals with United remained intact at a canter after Wayne Rooney’s two goals and strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson ended Watford’s dream.

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/ 31 January 2007

UK anti-terror operation ‘by no means finished’

Police in central England arrested nine people in a major security swoop on Wednesday, which a defence source said involved a plot to kidnap and possibly kill a Muslim British soldier. Detectives said eight suspected conspirators were arrested in dawn raids across the city of Birmingham on ”suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

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/ 3 January 2007

Terry set for speedy Chelsea return

John Terry could play for Chelsea in the FA Cup against Macclesfield this weekend, barely a week after undergoing keyhole surgery on a back injury that has troubled him for much of the season. Terry trained with the rest of the Chelsea squad ahead of Tuesday’s goalless Premier League away to Aston Villa.

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/ 27 September 2006

American tycoon completes Villa takeover

American tycoon Randy Lerner has completed his takeover of Aston Villa after taking control of 90% of the shares in the English Premiership club. Lerner is expected to exercise his right to compulsorily purchase the remainder as soon as possible. The American officially became chairperson of the club last week in place of Doug Ellis.

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/ 11 September 2006

England sneak home against Pakistan

Sajid Mahmood starred with both bat and ball as England fell over the line to beat Pakistan by three wickets in the fifth and final one-day international at Edgbaston on Sunday and so end the series all square at 2-2. Set a meagre 155 to win, England finished on 155-7 with 19 overs to spare.

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/ 28 May 2006

England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets on Sunday after a career-best performance from paceman Liam Plunkett gave his team an easily attainable victory target on day four of the second Test at Edgbaston. England, led by Kevin Pietersen’s 142 off 157 balls, reached 295 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings 141.

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/ 26 May 2006

Sangakkara laments Sri Lankan batting failure

Kumar Sangakkara insisted Sri Lanka’s batsmen ”had to do much better” after the tourists were skittled out for just 141 on the opening day of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. At stumps, England were closing in on a first-innings lead at 138-3 after pace-man Liam Plunkett had taken 3-43, including a double-wicket maiden in his first over.

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/ 24 April 2006

Harewood helps West Ham into FA Cup final

A Marlon Harewood second-half super strike gave West Ham a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup semifinal at Villa Park in Birmingham on Sunday. England Under-21 striker Harewood sealed a tense clash and clinched West Ham’s first FA Cup final appearance since 1980 with a classy finish midway through the second half.

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/ 29 December 2005

Alex Ferguson blasts ref over Ronaldo

Alex Ferguson demanded referees give Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo greater protection after Manchester United’s faint Premiership title hopes suffered further damage in their 2-2 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrews. He said there was a rising tide of hatred against Ronaldo being generated by supporters in England and claimed his side were the victims of the latest bout of crowd reaction as they dropped 11 points behind leaders Chelsea.

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/ 17 October 2005

Agoraphobia ended songwriter’s career

Prolific songwriter Baker Knight, whose hits were recorded by stars ranging from Elvis Presley to Ricky Nelson, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, has died. He was 72. Born Thomas Baker Knight Jnr, he died on Wednesday of natural causes at his home in Birmingham, according to his daughter, Tuesday Knight.

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/ 19 September 2005

Mystery buyer approaches Aston Villa

Aston Villa said on Monday they have received a preliminary approach to buy the English Premiership club. Villa were the subject of weekend speculation linking a Russian consortium with a possible takeover. A statement from Aston Villa plc to the Stock Exchange said such claims are ”inaccurate and unfounded”.