Dean Smith is confident he can turn around Aston Villa’s fortunes if he is afforded time.Villa slumped to a fifth straight defeat as Adam Armstrong’s early strike was enough for Southampton to earn a 1-0 win at St Mary’s on Friday night.If results go against Smith’s side this weekend they could go into the international break in the Premier League bottom three.The 50-year...Full Story »

Colchester ended minnows AFC Sudbury’s FA Cup run with a 4-0 victory in the first round.Sudbury, who ply their trade in the eighth tier of English football, had won five games to reach the tournament proper for the first time in 21 years.But the visiting League Two side ultimately proved their class and and were a step too far for the Yellows.The Isthmian League North Division side started...Full Story »

Albion Rovers produced a dominant performance to win 4-0 away at Edinburgh in Scottish League Two.Max Wright fired Rovers ahead after 23 minutes as he was played through one-on-one and slotted past Brian Schwake.And it was 2-0 just seven minutes later through James McGowan, who latched on to Sean Fagan’s knock down to tap in from close range.On the stroke of half-time, Callum Wilson produc...Full Story »

Adam Armstrong’s early strike was enough for Southampton to earn three points against Aston Villa and inflict a fifth consecutive loss to increase pressure on manager Dean Smith.Villa have not collected a single point since winning at Manchester United on September 25 and this 1-0 reverse will only fan the flames of speculation regarding Smith’s position.The travelling supporters at ...Full Story »

Sutton will be without Richie Bennett for the trip to Hayes and Yeading in the first round of the FA Cup.Bennett will be serving the final game of his three-match ban after receiving a red card.Omar Bugiel could be in line to make his 100th Sutton appearance in the first round.Sutton are currently ninth in the fourth tier of English football and will be hoping for a good run in the FA Cup.Southe...Full Story »

Wigan manager Leam Richardson is expected to ring the changes for the first-ever meeting with Solihull Moors in the first round of the FA Cup at the DW Stadium on Saturday.Latics go into the tie on the back of consecutive wins over Burton and Fleetwood which have lifted them to the top of Sky Bet League One but they will be wary of their non-league opponents after losing to local rivals Chorley ...Full Story »

Matty Taylor should continue to lead the line when former club Bristol Rovers pitch up at Oxford for Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie.The 31-year-old has not missed a League One game all season, scoring five goals in his last seven matches.Cameron Brannagan will be back in the squad after illness.The midfielder missed last weekend’s 3-1 win over Morecambe.Striker Brett Pitman will m...Full Story »

Stratford goalkeeper Liam O’Brien will hope to create more FA Cup memories this weekend against Shrewsbury and in the process get one over old manager Steve Cotterill.The ex-Dagenham and Coventry stopper has been one of the form players for the non-league outfit, who have reached the first round for the first time.It could have all been different had O’Brien not starred in the fourth...Full Story »

Danny Cashman is likely to miss the visit of Notts County at the Crown Oil Arena in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.The 20-year-old Brighton loanee was forced off the field in the first half of Dale’s 3-0 loss to Bolton in the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek and is set to be absent for Robbie Stockdale’s side.Josh Andrews has been struggling with fitness since suffering his in...Full Story »

Caretaker Barnsley manager Jo Laumann has no new injury worries for the visit of Hull.Carlton Morris will be available after the upcoming international break and could even feature in Saturday’s squad.Obbi Oulare is not yet 100 per cent fit but was an unused substitute in the midweek win over Derby.Cauley Woodrow may again be asked to play in a deeper role after impressing against the Rams...Full Story »