Aston Villa travel to Brentford this weekend, with Unai Emery's side looking to keep their Champions League hopes alive with another win in west London.

The Villans have been in superb form in recent weeks, winning seven and drawing one of their last eight Premier League fixtures, which has put the Midlands outfit in with a great chance of securing European football for next season.

However, with six points separating Villa and the top four and just seven games remaining, Emery's side could still achieve their Champions League dream should they continue their unbeaten run until the end of the campaign.

Brentford away represents an extremely tricky game for Emery's high-fliers, and the key to picking up three points could be keeping talismanic striker Ivan Toney quiet.

For that reason, we think the Spaniard should consider unleashing Diego Carlos for the first time since August, as the former Sevilla man has not been given a runout since recovering from his long-term injury.

Should Villa unleash Carlos vs Brentford?

The 30-year-old, who earns £100k per week, would join Villa in a deal worth £26m last summer, but disaster struck on his home debut against Everton as he ruptured an Achilles tendon which has kept him out for much of the season.

However, he has returned to the bench in recent weeks and has been left to watch on as the Villans enjoy an impressive unbeaten run, but he could still play his part in helping Emery's side finish the season strongly.

Last season saw the centre-back average a strong 6.75 match rating from WhoScored for his performances in La Liga, with an average of 2.4 aerials won and 3.5 clearances per game.

Neither Ezri Konsa nor Tyrone Mings – who have been part of Emery's preferred centre-back partnership since he took over – can match that from their overall displays this season, while he also beats Konsa for clearances per game, as well as both players for aerials won.

This suggests that in the long term, he could be a better option for Emery at centre-back, and with one of the Premier League's most in-form strikers set to test Villa's defence on Saturday, it might be the perfect time to unleash Carlos.

Toney has contributed an impressive 18 goals and four assists in 29 Premier League appearances this season, while he is also crucial to Thomas Frank's side's build-up play, as he has won the third-most aerial duels per game of any Brentford player.

Carlos is a man who has been dubbed a "monster" by Ollie Watkins, and his physicality and ability in the air could see Villa silence Toney this weekend, so surely Emery must seriously consider giving him his first start since August.

Zimbabwe left-arm fast bowler Brian Vitori’s bowling action has been found to be legal, following remedial work and a re-test performed at University of Pretoria on June 10

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jun-2016Zimbabwe left-arm fast bowler Brian Vitori’s bowling action has been found to be legal, the ICC confirmed, following remedial work and a re-test performed at the University of Pretoria on June 10.The re-test revealed that the bend at Vitori’s elbow was within the permissible 15-degree limit for all his deliveries. He is now free to resume bowling in international cricket and at domestic tournaments worldwide.Vitori’s action had been reported after the third T20I against Bangladesh in Khulna on January 20, and he was subsequently suspended in February.Vitori, 26, has played four Tests, 19 ODIs and 11 T20Is for Zimbabwe after making his international debut in August 2011.

ScorecardJack Shantry enjoyed a glorious day with the bat, not the ball (file photo)•Getty Images

Jack Shantry turned the clock back to a match played more than 100 years ago when scoring a career-best 106 in a remarkable Worcestershire recovery against Gloucestershire in the Specsavers County Championship at New Road.History repeated itself when Shantry romped to a second 50 from 14 balls in completing a hundred from the No 10 position – just as Dick Burrows had done in a similar transformation against Gloucestershire in 1907.Burrows made 112 as the county recovered from 78 for 4 to total 447 and this time they climbed back from 34 for 5 to reach 439. Almost spookily, each innings spanned 113.1 overs.Shantry, who made his previous century in a promotion-clinching win against Surrey in 2014, followed up his latest exploits by bowling Gloucestershire opener Chris Dent in an opening spell of 13-3-22-1.Having claimed maximum batting points for the fifth time in six attempts, Worcestershire were in a position to dictate, but the West Country side were kept afloat by Graeme van Buuren’s maiden championship century in reaching 226 for 5, still 213 behind at the close.The 25-year-old South African put on 120 with Gareth Roderick (60) and continued to bat sensibly and soundly in making 104 not out with 11 fours from 206 balls in his hundred.However four wickets fell in the final session. Roderick was lbw, playing round the front pad to Brett D’Oliveira, and Michael Klinger was a second victim for Shantry, also given out lbw after making 5.Worse followed for Gloucestershire with Hamish Marshall (34) well caught by Ross Whiteley at mid-wicket off Joe Leach and George Hankins (8) was taken behind the wicket attempting to pull Ed Barnard.So far the match has been shaped by the depth of Worcestershire’s batting. Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, called it “an amazing turnaround” which was made possible by Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s “excellent” partnerships with Ben Cox and Barnard on the first day.Kohler-Cadmore was eventually caught behind off Liam Norwell for 169 after picking off 35 fours in a six-hour stay.When he was out, having added 16 to his overnight score, Shantry had just got away with a miscue which looped wide of the slips and landed safely as Norwell came in from third man.On 39 at the time, the left-hander launched an onslaught against Craig Miles, the paceman conceding 44 in two overs, and in all he hit 11 fours and six sixes before he was bowled by Norwell (four for 70).Shantry’s domination was such that last man Charlle Morris did not score a run while facing of 21 of the 59 balls in their partnership of 69.

Back in 2009, an Arsenal youth side containing a spritely Jack Wilshere lifted the FA Youth Cup, defeating Liverpool by a 4-1 margin. Typically, Wilshere was a scorer on that evening, finding the back of the net courtesy of a penalty as he drove his teammates to success.The career that would fall upon the midfielder’s shoulders after that was extraordinary. He would go on to boss one of the best Barcelona teams we’ve seen in the Champions League as a teenager, but that was about as good as it got for the now 31-year-old.Nearly 14 years on, Wilshere has retired after an injury-ravaged career that saw him never reach his true potential.However, the former England international would prefer us to now focus on the positives. Last week, the gifted technician spoke of rediscovering his love for football.How has he done that? Well, by coaching Arsenal’s U18s. Wilshere was only ever going to land back at Arsenal but few would have predicted the roaring success he’d turn out to be behind the scenes.Now firmly involved in the academy set-up, the Stevenage-born hero took charge of his first game against non-league Hendon last summer. Fast forward several months and he’s now dining out at the Emirates, aptly guiding the club to another FA Youth Cup final.

They have achieved that feat in some style, with Myles Lewis-Skelly scoring a last-gasp extra-time winner against Manchester City at the Emirates a matter of days ago. The teenager lept the highest from a ball into the area and found the net in the dying seconds of the tie.

How poignant it would be if they were to now win that final. A key part of that has been wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri who will no doubt take most of the attention in the side, but there is a Wilshere-esque talent just lying in wait for Arsenal; Bradley Ibrahim.

Who is Bradley Ibrahim?

The 18-year-old is highly rated by those at Arsenal having trained among the senior team and been named on the bench during two Europa League clashes this term.

Described as an ‘an energetic box-to-box midfielder’ and a ‘tireless holding midfielder’ by the club’s website it’s clear to see where the comparisons to Wilshere come in.

Like his coach, Ibrahim is an able ball carrier while his passing range from deep is arguably what sets him apart from his peers.

His 81% pass success in the EFL Trophy, as per Sofascore, this term outlines the teen as someone who is calm in possession, while he is particularly good in front of the back four, maintaining a pass accuracy of 94% inside his own half.

The highly-gifted starlet’s range of passing was on full display in that semi-final win over Manchester City a few days ago, with scout Jacek Kulig going as far as to suggest he was sending “long diagonals like prime Xavi.”

That said, there is a physicality to Ibrahim’s game which suggests he could be like Thomas Partey too, having won two ground duels per game in the EFL Trophy.

Indeed, there are plenty of similarities between the two, with the Ghanaian notably adept at evading the press, bullying opponents and spraying cross-field passes.

It’s unlikely the FA Youth Cup star will ultimately rival Partey for a place but there is every reason to believe that Charlie Patino should be looking over his shoulder.

The Blackpool loanee is the current darling of the Arsenal academy and has been tipped for big things after scoring on his senior debut in last season’s Carabao Cup.

Indeed, after scoring three times and laying on four assists for the Tangerines this term, the 19-year-old has impressed a great deal after finally being handed regular senior minutes.

As such, it feels like there will be a place ready and waiting for him in the first team next term. He will likely now face competition from young Ibrahim, however, a combative presence who is learning from one of the best to come through Hale End and progressing at a rapid rate.

Whatever way you look at it, the future seems incredibly bright for the centre of Arsenal’s midfield.

Everton's decision-making in recent history has been notoriously horrific, culminating in the predicament they find themselves in.

Their loss to Fulham yesterday further consigned them towards relegation, which they only narrowly avoided last season under Frank Lampard.

It seems that this season they might not be so lucky, with a threadbare squad desperately lacking in quality and confidence. Even Sean Dyche is struggling to get a tune out of them, despite what seemed like an instant upturn upon the former Burnley boss' initial arrival.

Of these missteps that have led to this miserable point in time, it seemed like the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti remains the outlier. The legendary Italian's decision to move to Goodison Park shocked the footballing world, but his decision to leave for Real Madrid just under two years later did not.

His one full season in charge had been underwhelming, although offered glimpses of a shift in mentality that was so sorely needed on Merseyside. This was aided by the four additions he had made in the summer, which included James Rodriguez.

However, of that quartet, the surprise standout was actually Ben Godfrey, who had joined from Norwich City on a £20m deal. Built like a tank but somehow boasting blistering speed, the centre-back was billed as the future of the Toffees back line.

This remained the case for some time, but his display against the Cottagers yesterday only served to exacerbate his recent fall from grace.

How has Ben Godfrey played lately?

Before launching into a condemnation of the 25-year-old's deficiencies, it must be noted that he has often been forced to deputise at full-back when there has been no alternative.

However, that again comes from his lack of dominance in a central role, which makes him an unlikely candidate to start in his preferred position.

Yesterday saw him once again forced into right back, where he would record a 6.3 rating before being dragged off after sustaining an injury. This was upheld by his 30 touches, abhorrent 50% pass accuracy and four duels won all game, via Sofascore.

What makes it even worse is that this is a display fans have become all too accustomed to.

An average Sofascore rating of 6.52 this season gives credence to the claims made by writer Peter Guy, who wrote on Twitter: "Honestly thought we'd signed a monster in Godfrey. He's looking more of a bust every week."

It was not a silly suggestion to have expected big things from the Englishman, who in his debut season on Merseyside had recorded an outstanding 7.03 average rating. This has disappointingly only dwindled with increased time among the first team, alongside the steady decline of the club.

With Dyche favouring the likes of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane at centre-back, famed for their brutish styles, and no future at full-back with performances like yesterday's, perhaps the steely 51-year-old boss should seek to cash in on the defender who just does not seem to fit into his plans.

Rangers are keen on signing Arsenal defender Auston Trusty this summer in a deal that could be worth £2m, according to a recent report from the Daily Mail.

Will Rangers sign a defender this summer?

With Filip Helander's contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Gers may be keen on bringing in some additional depth at centre-back in the summer, and they are said to have "watched" Aarhus FC defender Thomas Kristensen.

Some of Ben Davies' performances may also convince Michael Beale to sign a new defender in the upcoming window, with Kenny Miller describing the former Liverpool man as "so poor" after his display against Celtic last month.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Rangers are now interested in signing Arsenal defender Trusty, who has impressed on loan at Birmingham City this season, winning the fans' player of the year award last week.

The American's performances have already earned him an international call-up, and a summer move could now be on the cards, with the Light Blues keen to get a deal done for a fee in the region of £2m.

The report also provides an update on some of the Gers' other transfer business, claiming a deal has been agreed with Kieran Dowell, while they have also discussed a move for goalkeeper Jack Butland with Crystal Palace.

Should Rangers sign Auston Trusty?

The 24-year-old has been an absolutely vital player for Birmingham this season, making a total of 44 appearances in the Championship, during which he has displayed he can pose a threat in the opposition box, picking up four goals and two assists.

Obviously, the most important thing is the centre-back's defensive attributes, and he ranks in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 in the past year when compared to his positional peers, placing in the 94th for blocks in the same timeframe.

Birmingham manager John Eustace has heaped praise on the 6 foot 3 colossus, claiming that he is "going to be a top player", while also hailing him as "exceptional" back in October.

An average Sofascore match rating of 6.97 ranks the Pennsylvania-born defender as Birmingham's third-best performing player in the Championship this season, so the Blues may be keen to sign him on a permanent deal.

However, if Rangers are able to win the race for his signature, he would be an excellent addition to Beale's squad.

Peter Younghusband, who has made cameos on the field as a substitute for New Zealand, gained the final Wellington contract as New Zealand’s six major associations completed their signing of players for the upcoming season

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2016Zimbabwe-born legspinner Peter Younghusband, who has made cameos on the field as a substitute for New Zealand, gained the final Wellington contract as New Zealand’s six major associations completed their signing of players for the upcoming season. Wellington had signed 14 players in the first round of the contract process last month.Younghusband will assist Jeetan Patel and Luke Woodcock in the Wellington spin department.Younghusband was told by Wellington coach Bruce Edgar that he would miss the cut, before the side knew of former New Zealand batsman Hamish Marshall’s availability. Marshall wasn’t contracted, but would be available for selection from early October, after ending his 11-year association with Gloucestershire.”I’d been told 3-4 weeks earlier that I’d missed out, so I thought it was back to zero and it was going to be another tough winter training and rushing off to work,” Younghusband told . “To get the text and meet up with Bruce, I was so grateful.”Canterbury filled their 15-man quota by adding former Under-19 left-arm spinner Jeremy Benton. Canterbury coach Gary Stead lauded Benton, but also said that he might not get too many opportunities in the upcoming season.”He’s not a massive turner of the ball, but he’s a smart cricketer,” Stead said. “He’s got some really smart leadership capabilities. He’s an excellent fielder. I think he’ll turn into a real quality spinner. He may not get a massive load of opportunities this year. Down the track, he’ll be an integral part of our Canterbury line-up.”Auckland signed Sean Solia while Northern Districts added Tony Goodwin. Central Districts and Otago had two slots open at the second round. Otago picked up batsman Sean Eathorne and seamer Michael Rae while Central Districts signed seamers Navin Patel and Bevan Small.The domestic contracts for this season have also been extended by one month and will run from September 1, 2016 to April 15, 2017. This was done after NZC and the players’ association agreed to extend the contract period to seven-and-a-half months.Auckland Cody Andrews, Brad Cachopa, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Donovan Grobbelaar, Michael Guptill-Bunce, Shawn Hicks, Dane Hutchinson, Tarun Nethula, Rob Nicol, Robert O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Jeet Raval, Sean SoliaCanterbury Todd Astle, Leo Carter, Michael Davidson, Andrew Ellis, Cameron Fletcher, Peter Fulton, Kyle Jamieson, Timothy Johnston, Kenneth McClure, Cole McConchie, Edward Nuttall, Henry Shipley, Logan van Beek, Will Williams, Jeremy BentonCentral Districts Tom Bruce, Dane Cleaver, Greg Hay, Marty Kain, Andrew Mathieson, Ryan McCone, Ajaz Patel, Seth Rance, Jesse Ryder, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, William Young , Navin Patel, Bevan SmallNorthern Districts James Baker, Jono Boult, Dean Brownlie, Joe Carter, Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Nick Kelly, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, Tim Seifert, Josef Walker, Tony GoodinOtago Warren Barnes, Michael Bracewell, Derek de Boorder, Jacob Duffy, Ryan Duffy, Josh Finnie, Jack Hunter, Anaru Kitchen, Rhys Phillips, Hamish Rutherford, Christi Viljeon, Sam Wells, Brad Wilson, Sean Eathorne, Michael RaeWellington Brent Arnel, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Fraser Colson, Matt McEwan, Iain McPeake, Stephen Murdoch, Ollie Newton, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Michael Pollard, Matt Taylor, Anurag Verma, Luke Woodcock, Peter Younghusband

By stumps on the third day, Sri Lanka were remarkably on top in the Test as Kusal Mendis produced a stunning 169 not out

The Report by Brydon Coverdale28-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:59