Sports
Can Aston Villa Fans Dream Again with Steven Gerrard on the Hot Seat?
Did Dean Smith’s Aston Villa overachieve last season? Well, it is arguable that Dean Smith set a bar of expectation too high for himself with the heroics of his Aston Villa team. Jumping up the table as far as Europa League spots, the odds were enticing from the best global bookmakers on liontips.com for Dean Smith to propel Aston Villa into contention for titles in the 2021/2022 season.
Dean Smith built shoes too big for himself
Of course, this doesn’t look too much of a big ask when the season began. Yes, their homeboy hero, in the person of Jack Grealish, had packed his bags and jumped off to Man City. But it was not necessarily an acrimonious divorce as Aston Villa pocketed a hefty £100 million in return.
Punters jumped on liontips.ng to cash in on beautiful odds from their favourite bookies for Aston Villa to comfortably clinch a mid-table position after Aston Villa went on a shopping spree with £100 million in their wallet. The likes of Danny Ings and Emi Buendia were brought in.
Well, the story took an unpredictable twist. Today, Dean Smith has been kicked out after a miserable run of five consecutive defeats.
With fans incinerated, Aston Villa executives flew to Scotland. No, they didn’t go to enjoy Scotland’s renowned Whisky or admire her historic castles. They came for Steven Gerrard, and yes, they left with him!
Gerrard, as a player, needs no introduction. But as a manager, it would be flattery to call him the most qualified for the Aston Villa hot seat.
Aye, Gerrard had excelled at Rangers, landing a Mike-Tyson uppercut on Celtic, leaving the latter sprawling on the ground and giving up their dominance of the Scottish league.
Gerrard presided over 196 games at Rangers, winning about 125 of them. Mathematically, this sums up into a 64% win rate, landing Rangers their first taste of the Scottish league title in over 10 years.
Not bad for a coach, eh?
On November 11, Steven Gerrard – braving the media inferno from the disgust of Scottish faithful – became Aston Villa’s coach.
How well has Gerrard fared at Villa Park?
Take it from us: saying Gerrard has underperformed (or even performed averagely) at Aston Villa is a prosecutable offence!
Yes, since Gerrard took over, the psychological atmosphere at Villa has been dramatically transformed. Yes, a significant slice of that transformation can be traced to the enormity of Gerrard’s legendary status in the Premier League.
But the fascinating upturn in results has contributed to the resurgence in morale. Gerrard has been barely two months old in Aston Villa. He has presided over just ten premier league games.
Of this, he has won five, lost four, and drawn one. Oh, you would say four losses is woeful. But then we would quickly remind that these losses were against impregnable sides like Man City and Liverpool.
And it was not like Aston Villa fell flat on their face from the beginning of the contests against these sides. Liverpool had it very hot from Gerrard’s men.
Klopp’s men only managed to sneak away with all three points when Mohammed Salah scored late for the Reds.
Ignoring the memorable 2-2 draw Gerrard’s men masterminded against Manchester United would be unjust.
Down 2-0 and apparently coasting away with victory, Man United fans are yet reeling from the shock of the magical turnaround that followed Coutinho’s introduction.
A goal and an assist from the former Barcelona maestro condemned Man United to another draw, exposing Ralf Ragnick’s men to a barrage of missiles from an unforgiving press.
Gerrard’s star power gives Aston Villa the edge in the transfer market
Aston Villa performed a football miracle when they landed Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona. It is not every day that players leave Barcelona for Aston Villa – at least not such a pricey acquisition that cost Barcelona north of £140 million.
Gerrard’s influence was central to this move. Coutinho trusts the Englishman as the best man to resurrect his ailing career. Gerrard has done more than pull in Coutinho.
The Liverpool hero pulled another smart one, wriggling Lucas Digne from Everton to Aston Villa. To seal this move, Gerrard’s Aston Villa had to beat off contenders like Chelsea, who desperately needed the Frenchman to cover for Ben Chilwell.
This was followed by the acquisition of Robin Olsen and then a stunning move for Callum Chambers from Arsenal. With each piece falling into place, we can’t deny that Gerrard is progressively moulding Aston Villa into a team after his image.
The future is once against bright for Aston Villa – at least till Gerrard finishes his “internship” there before graduating to the Liverpool position when Jurgen Klopp leaves.
Inevitably, we all know Liverpool is where Gerrard will end up, don’t we?
Egypt’s domination of the early editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a remarkable chapter in African football history. The platform for online sports betting 1xBet also features all matches from this entertaining competition too.
As the birthplace of the tournament, Egypt played a pivotal role in shaping its prestige and competitive spirit, winning the inaugural championship and setting a standard for excellence in African football.
The AFCON was first held in 1957, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which itself was founded just a year earlier. At the 1xBet online sports betting platform you will also find chances to wager on other CAF competitions as well.
Organizing great competitions
Egypt was not only a founding member of CAF but also the host of the first tournament. This early involvement gave Egypt both home advantage and a strong organizational influence, which they capitalized on by winning the very first edition of the tournament. Besides wagers on African football, you may also want to explore the virtual sports betting online 1xBet options too.
The 1957 AFCON featured only 3 teams:
- Egypt;
- Sudan;
- and Ethiopia.
The low number of participants was because several countries were still under colonial rule or lacked organized football federations. Egypt beat Sudan 2-1 in the final to claim the inaugural title. If you think you know who will win other big football competitions, you can wager on them at 1xBet, where online virtual sports betting is featured too.
Domination that continued
Egypt’s dominance continued into the second edition in 1959, again held on home soil. This tournament expanded slightly but still featured just a handful of teams. Egypt showcased superior skill, tactical discipline, and physical fitness, defeating Sudan 2-1 once again to retain their crown. As you can see so far, making a bet on football online on the Egyptian national side through 1xBet can be a great idea.
These early victories were fueled by Egypt’s established football culture, solid domestic leagues, and experienced players who were often exposed to international competition more than their peers in other African countries.
Egypt’s early success wasn’t just about the victories but also about their role in popularizing the tournament across the continent. Their wins gave the AFCON credibility, attracting more nations to participate in later years. Furthermore, Egypt’s football infrastructure, coaching, and organizational capacity were more advanced compared to many African nations at the time. Right now placing an online bet on football teams from Africa at 1xBet is very simple.
People have always liked to run unnecessary risks, especially when the reward is worth the effort. This is actually how gambling appeared and became one of the most lucrative attractions.
With the evolution of technologies, gambling has become even more accessible than ever. Now, you don’t need to look for casinos or other facilities with slot machines in your city — you can simply try to win slot money.
Gambling has gained huge popularity even in countries with poor gambling regulations and laws. Nigeria is one of them.
For beginning players from Nigeria, we will answer several of the most important and popular questions.
Can I Open a Gambling Account in Nigeria Legally?
The Nigerian laws regarding online gambling in general are believed to be quite outdated. Although there is the National Lottery Regulatory Commission in the country, many experts say that some necessary amendments are needed in order to make the gaming landscape clearer.
On the whole, current Nigerian gambling laws do not ban or pose any restrictions upon gaming providers. However, the significant thing to notice is that this activity is available for international companies, excluding Nigerian-based ones. The only exceptions are sportsbooks and the national lottery, so you should make an informed decision to find the right platform.
Which Online Gambling Activities are Allowed in Nigeria?
As it has already been mentioned, Nigerian laws don’t prohibit any online gambling activities if the companies are allowed to operate within the country and serve its citizens through the internet. Therefore, Nigerians who like putting their money and nerves at risk can practice such exciting gaming activities as poker games, slot machines, table games, online games, and online sports betting.
The biggest concern here is to find the right provider that will offer reasonable conditions, lucrative perks, and a safe gambling experience. PariPesa is believed to be a top pick on the African gaming market; therefore, Nigerians might also consider this company as their guide into the world of risk and wager. PariPesa made its name, and here is why you should at least take a closer look at it.
What Makes PariPesa a Top Pick for Online Gambling?
- PariPesa offers a vast array of ways to bet and win money online, if you’re lucky enough — from the most common online slot machines to the most diverse betting lines on local Nigerian sports events.
- PariPesa offers numerous bonuses for both new and loyal users, including ones that include cashback. Nigerian players might be especially interested in such promotions as the welcome pack, the 100% first deposit bonus, and Turbo Saturday.
- PariPesa is a great choice for both slot machine enthusiasts and die-hard sports fans. So if you don’t trust your luck but can successfully predict who will win a football match — Enyimba or Kano Pillars — PariPesa might be a perfect pick for you.
Never take online gambling as a way to earn money. Here you don’t earn money, you win it if you are lucky enough, so consider it merely as an exciting form of entertainment.
After weeks of exciting games, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is down to the final four. The stage is set at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where four of the best clubs in world football will battle for a place in the final. The semi-finals promise drama, intensity, and high-stakes football and it’s all coming to you live on GOtv.
Chelsea vs Fluminense
Chelsea return to familiar territory, chasing another Club World Cup title. With a new-look squad and momentum on their side, the Blues are brimming with confidence. However, standing in their way is Fluminense the Brazilian side who have quietly turned heads with their intelligent build-up play and clinical finishing.
Fluminense’s path to the semis has been built on clever possession play, quick transitions, and the experience of key players like former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, now anchoring their backline. Chelsea, meanwhile, will rely on the creative spark of Cole Palmer, who has been a standout performer this season. Catch this live on Tuesday at 8 pm.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
This is the one everyone’s talking about. PSG vs Real Madrid, two continental titans with scores to settle and legacies to protect. PSG powered their way into the semi-finals after a disciplined 2–0 victory over Bayern Munich, despite going down to nine men.
The current French and European champions will be focused on adding another title to their trophy cabinet to cap off a brilliant 2024/25 season. Standing in their way is Real Madrid. After edging a dramatic 3–2 win over Borussia Dortmund, they’re poised for another final with Kylian Mbappé now donning the white jersey and facing his former club in one of the most talked-about reunions in football. You can watch this live at 8 pm on Wednesday.
From now through the Club World Cup final, GOtv is your home for premium football content. Catch every minute of the semi-finals live on SuperSport EPL (Ch. 65). GOtv has also got you covered with their exciting ‘We Got You’ deal. From now till July 31, reconnect or renew your GOtv subscription and enjoy a FREE upgrade to the next package.
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