Premier League news, transfer updates and more: football countdown – live!

Aston Villa: Following hot on the heels of the news that Hugo Lloris has inked a new deal with Tottenham, his fellow goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has signed a new contract until 2027.

The Argentina international, who joined from Arsenal from Villa in 2020, has signed a three-year extension, with his previous deal expiring in 2024.

England news: England will play their first senior fixture against Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly this March. Gareth Southgate’s side are preparing for the winter World Cup in Qatar and have lined-up two Wembley friendlies.

England will face Switzerland on 26 March and will then host the two-time African champions on 29 March. They have never played the Ivorians at senior level and the friendly marks the first time they have faced non-European opposition since November 2018.

The FA describes the match as “an important test for the Three Lions on the road to this year’s 2022 Fifa World Cup”.

England are scheduled to play four Nations League fixtures in June, then complete Group A3 in September – the final international meet-up before the tournament in Qatar.

Brentford v Wolves: Thomas Frank has said his Brentford squad is strong enough to remain competitive in the Premier League without bringing in any January recruits.

Brentford have been linked with a move for former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is looking for a route back into football following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. But Frank remains coy on those rumours and believes that even if he adds no new faces this month, Brentford can still enjoy a successful season.

Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester United was a fifth loss in six outings but Frank’s side remain a healthy 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

“I think we have a strong enough squad to compete in the Premier League,” said Frank. “I do think a player or two would bring extra energy to the squad but I don’t think it’s essential. But we are always in the market and if a player comes up we will do it.

“I think it can be more difficult [in January] depending on where players are coming from. If you are coming from the Championship there is less adaptation, players are fully fit and up to pace. But for some players to adapt can still take weeks, months.

“If you come from abroad you need to get up to speed to your new team, tactics, crazy ideas from the head coach! So there’s a risk that it can take a longer time to adapt.”

Everton v Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard believes Rafael Benitez’s failed appointment at Everton was unique and warned his Aston Villa side to expect a reaction.

Villa go to Goodison Park tomorrow to play Everton, who sacked Benitez on Sunday following their defeat at the hands of NOrwich City. Gerrard played under Benitez for six years at Liverpool and admitted he was surprised the Spaniard wanted to manage Everton in the first place.

“I’m disappointed for Rafa because I’ve got a relationship with him and an awful lot of respect for him,” said Gerrard. “I have to be honest, I thought it was a unique appointment at the time.

“I was surprised and shocked Rafa wanted to go and have a go at that job, with his legacy and his relationship with Liverpool. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason, you have to be inside the club to know why and what’s gone on. Big Dunc [Ferguson] will take the reins for this game and it’s quite obvious what type of reaction he’ll get.”

Premier League rescheduling: Burnley’s Premier League match at home to Watford has been rescheduled for 5 February with a 6pm kick-off time, the Premier League has announced.

The fixture was postponed for a second time earlier this week. It was originally due to be played on December 15 but was called off due to Covid-19 cases within the Watford squad before an outbreak at Burnley forced the postponement of the rearranged match on 18 January.

With both sides having already been knocked out of the FA Cup, it has been rescheduled for 5 February on the weekend of the fourth-round fixtures.

Eddie Howe has confirmed Newcastle will embark on a potentially controversial trip to Saudi Arabia after their Premier League game at Leeds on Saturday.

Newcastle, who are 80 per cent owned by the Gulf state’s Public Investment Fund, will head off for a warm weather training camp at the weekend, although head coach Howe has insisted the focus will be entirely on football amid accusations of “sportswashing”.

“It’s a football decision,” said Eddie Howe, repeating the same phrase he used at his unveiling upon being asked if he had any concerns about taking the Newcastle job. “We’re doing it for the benefit of the players, the group, in our fight to stay in the division, and that’s my only thought.

“The facilities and everything around the trip are going to be first-class. We will train and we will train hard and we will train in preparation for our next game, so that’s always going to be my only focus.” Staff and PA Media.

Everton co-owner Farhad Moshiri has ploughed another £100m into the club after increasing his stake to 94 per cent, according to PA Sport. The Iranian businessman, who has already spent over half-a-billion pounds on transfers since his £200m takeover in 2016, is converting loans from his Blue Heaven Holdings into equity.

Last February 100,000 new shares were issued and he has purchased the final third of those, having already acquired 66 per cent 12 months ago.

The move, announced in a letter to fans, provides a much-needed boost to Everton’s finances, having posted a combined £265m loss for the last three financial years.

“I write to you to assure you that my commitment remains strong and focused,” he said in his letter. “The club has announced today the conversion of a £100m loan to the club into equity which is a clear demonstration of my commitment and greatly strengthens the balance sheet.

“I am a private man and I do not speak publicly very often. But I promise you that my determination to deliver for Everton will not waiver.”

The World Cup-winning France goalkeeper has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal that will keep him at the club until 2024, it was revealed this morning. With less than six months left on his original deal, the 35-year-old had been free to discuss terms with foreign clubs this month, but has instead agreed to sign an extension.

“We are delighted to announce that Hugo Lloris has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the club, which will run until 2024,” purred a club statement.

“Captain of club and country, World Cup and Uefa Nations League winner with France, Hugo, 35, has racked up 395 appearances since his arrival from Lyon in August, 2012.

“Already 14th in our all-time appearance list, he will soon become only the 12th player to make 400-plus appearances for us in all competitions. Only two goalkeepers – all-time greats Pat Jennings (590) and Ted Ditchburn (452) – have played more for us.

“Outstanding since returning from a dislocated elbow suffered in October, 2019, Hugo is ever-present in the Premier League this season, and on a run of 67 successive starts in the league going back to the 1-1 draw at Burnley in March, 2020.”

Welcome one and all to another Friday countdown to the weekend’s top flight action. Watford and Norwich City get proceedings under way later this evening in what promises to be a tense six-pointer, with Everton and Aston Villa taking up the cudgels tomorrow in a lunchtime meeting that pits Duncan Ferguson and Steven Gerrard agaoinst each other for the first time since March 2006.

Leeds United, Manchester United and Brentford are all at home for the day’s three o’clock kick-offs, hosting Newcastle, West Ham and Wolves respectively, before Southampton welcome Manchester City to St Mary’s. Sunday’s four games are bookended by Crystal Palace v Liverpool and an intriguing match-up between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

With no shortage of managers ready to face the press today, we’ll bring you team and transfer news, along with any other major talking points that may crop up throughout the day. The first? Hugo Lloris has signed a new and presumably improved two-and-a-half-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur, which will run until 2024.