Premier League & Carabao Cup final manager news conferences
Man Utd's Hojlund out injured
Moyes to decide on future at end of season
Europa League and Conference League draws
Reaction: Brighton v Roma; Rangers play Benfica in Europa League
Aston Villa face Ajax in Europa Conference
Build-up to women's international fixtures
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EFL Cup: Liverpool are favourites for the League Cup final, says Chelsea boss Pochettino
So there you have it – another jam-packed Friday bursting with Premier League news conferences, Carabao Cup final previews and the small matter of a blockbuster draw for British clubs in the last 16 of the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
It's been a lot to take in, hasn't it?
Well never fear, take a deep breath, click on the story links below and bring yourself up to speed with anything you have missed:
Enjoy your weekend folks!
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Nottingham Forest
Finally, some team news from Nuno Espirito Santo, who said that Ola Aina, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare all returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with injuries, making them unavailable for the weekend.
The Nottingham Forest manager added that they "don't have date to return".
BBC Sport has a dedicated Forest page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on hiring ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg as an analyst: "Appointing Mark was more to try to understand decisions that have been made, the interpretation of the referee and VAR. We had an incident against West Ham that was clear. Neither the referee nor VAR made the right decision because it was a penalty, so understanding those decisions."
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on facing Aston Villa: "We will try to do our thing, Villa will try to stop us, we will try to find solutions. It is a game of questions and answers over and over again. We have to prepare our players to do their task and be disciplined, we have to then play our game, combine and attack. It is a game of football, that will not be any different."
On aiming for back-to-back wins after beating West Ham in their last Premier League match: "[It would] make a big difference. Every time we achieve a good performance and result, we want to replicate it. We know how hard it is to get back-to-back wins, but this is what we want, what we prepare for and what we try to go for tomorrow."
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on Saturday's opponents Nottingham Forest, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 in November: "I respect them – the coach, the players. They were very competitive before and when we play there [at the City Ground] they competed very well and won."
On a new challenge since Forest's appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as manager in December: "They have fresh energy maybe with the new coach. An experienced coach who is tactically very good. They are strong in defence and very good on the transition, with [Morgan] Gibbs-White and their striker [Taiwo Awoniyi]. They are trying to implement a possession game now and are keeping the ball well. Tomorrow will be very difficult.
On Forest's form following a first win in five matches last time out: "They will have confidence after beating West Ham but we are ready and looking forward to playing at Villa Park."
On losing their last three games at Villa Park: "I am aware we have not won in three matches but I am aware that we can be strong at home. We need to create and transmit positive energy to the crowd and connect again with our supporters."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Villa page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery gave an update on player injuries: "The players like [Emi] Buendia and [Tyrone] Mings are close to starting with the squad. This season is not for them, but we are happy when they are close to being with us and helping us in the dressing room and in training.
"[Ezri] Konsa is progressing well, but he is still out this match. Diego Carlos is working alone, [Jhon] Duran as well, other players I think are available for tomorrow."
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on being drawn against Ajax in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League: "We are excited to play in Europe and facing Ajax. It is a historic and successful club. We can enjoy it playing against Ajax there and at Villa Park. It will make a good atmosphere here.
"They are progressing well In their league. The Netherlands team have a similar idea in playing football, we will wait for this match and now focus on the Premier League."
We will close today's page with the thoughts of Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and Nuno Espirito Santo – his opposite number at Nottingham Forest – before Saturday's Premier League clash between the two sides.
West Ham v Brentford (Mon, 20:00 GMT)
Brentford
Brentford boss Thomas Frank on news the club is seeking further investment: "It was not news for me. Obviously, I knew that. I don't know too many details. Ultimately it's down to owner Matthew [Benham] to take a decision about that. What I can say is Matthew has been fantastic for us. If there's one person the fans should support, and be very grateful about, it's Matthew. Without him we wouldn't be where we are today. Without his vision and leadership impossible to be where we are."
On whether Benham just wants to sell a minority stake: "Not in details. He would like to stay which I think would be very clever. I think he is a clever and good owner. He has done fantastic. So I think it would be clever to keep him as key figure. I would like to focus on the football and West Ham on Monday, but I think we would be attractive club for investment."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Brentford page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
West Ham v Brentford (Mon, 20:00 GMT)
Both of these teams badly need a win. Brentford actually played really well in their narrow defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday, and I have a sneaky feeling they will get something here.
The atmosphere, mood and everything surrounding West Ham boss David Moyes definitely won't help his team here, and I think it will actually work against the Hammers.
I really feel for Moyes with what is going on at the moment, and it is definitely affecting his side's home form because they are low on confidence.
I hope Moyes wins, and I hope the supporters get behind him, but I don't see either happening on Monday.
He has over-achieved, but it feels like the tide has turned and more fans are against him now. It's a little like what happened to Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, and we saw how that ended up.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Read the rest of Chris Sutton's predictions for the weekend here…
West Ham v Brentford (Mon, 20:00 GMT)Brentford
Brentford boss Thomas Frank on team news before the trip to the London Stadium: "Nothing changed from the Manchester City game. Everyone from that game is available so that's good. No big progress with Kevin Schade or Aaron Hickey. Joshua Dasilva had a very good surgery yesterday. I just spoke to him and he's doing good."
On the reason for recent good results against the Hammers: "The only thing I know is that it's now history. We have a game ahead of us on Monday and its going to be very difficult against a good team, good players and a very good and experienced manager."
Wolves v Sheff Utd (Sun, 13:30 GMT)
Sheffield United
A final word from Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on Mason Holgate, following his red card against Brighton, saying the loan signing from Everton had to work to earn his trust: "He understood it straight away, he's not jumping through hoops. We understand the reckless attitude of the challenge and the out of control bit. He spoke to the group – me and the staff and have to deal with it."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Sheffield United page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Wolves v Sheff Utd (Sun, 13:30 GMT)Sheffield United
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was coy on team news, teasing some good news but refusing to name names in fear of giving useful information to Sunday's opponents Wolves.
"There’s been progression with two or three players, whether they’ll be involved on Sunday afternoon, we’ll wait and see. We’ll leave it until the last minute,” he said.
But Wilder added: "I want as many difficult decisions as possible. I want everybody to push. I want to make sure that we have that competition. I want to make those difficult decisions that some players won't be happy about. I would rather have them than the situation that has been happening for a long, long time at this football club."
Wilder added that Tom Davies was fit to start and if John Egan was to return from injury before the end of the season he would have done "remarkably well".
Wolves v Sheff Utd (Sun, 13:30 GMT)Sheffield United
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was also animated about the narrative he perceives will follow their last match – a 5-0 defeat at home to Brighton.
The Blades also conceded five goals at home in a fourth-round FA Cup defeat to the Seagulls in January and against Aston Villa in the league earlier this month.
"I am not shying away from anything and I will take full responsibility," said Wilder. "I know the narrative will be what happened against Villa and the defeat against Brighton in the league.
"I look at it a different way. I am not trying to protect the players. I thought the scoreline wasn't just in the cup game [against Brighton]. We went for it and conceded two late goals with not a full team out.
"Against Villa there is no getting away from the fact that they went 4-0 up in double quick time and absolutely punished us for our mistakes and it was a really long difficult evening.
"And then we get a man sent off against Brighton on Saturday and concede two quick goals.
"The situation we are trying to rectify is the quick goals that are going in and the trend that is happening. You look at it from one way. The way I look at it is the players have given everything. Is there an absolute crisis on our hands here? No."
Wolves v Sheff Utd (Sun, 13:30 GMT)Sheffield United
More from Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on their 5-0 defeat at home to Brighton last time out: "It was a disappointing afternoon but only three points lost. All the other teams around us also lost. So we have to go again to try to win the three points on Sunday afternoon.
"Of course we are disappointed but we have got to go again, not feel sorry for ourselves, nobody else is going to help us – all the stuff we always talks about. You have just got to get back on the bike.
"We have had a decent week. We have had players back from an injury point of view. The boys have been nice and bright, morale has been good and we take it into Sunday afternoon."
Brighton v Everton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
This was the game at the end of last season where Everton absolutely demolished Brighton. Sean Dyche's side were brilliant that night, and their win went a long way towards keeping them up.
Everton are badly in need of a repeat of that result this time, too. Although they have drawn three of their past four games, they haven't won in the Premier League since 16 December.
Brighton have been back in the goals recently after a spell at the start of the year where they could not score, but I am going to back Everton to nick this one.
They will have the same gameplan they used when they beat the Seagulls in May, which is to defend deep and counter-attack quickly. If it works again, they will win.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Read the rest of Chris Sutton's predictions for the weekend here…
Brighton v Everton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi on how to counter Everton's tactics: "They are a very good team. They are in a not right position in the table. They have a clear style of play and it will be a tough game. We have to be ready not to concede counterattacks and keep the ball, and move the ball in the right way, and to show passions during the game. We have to be prepared to defend set-pieces and long balls, win the second ball. In the Premier League there are no easy games."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Brighton page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Brighton v Everton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi on Kaoru Mitoma's fitness:"We have a problem with Kaoru Mitoma, he has a problem with his back. He suffered it before the Sheffield United game and their player [Mason Holgate] does not have any responsibility for the injury. I don’t know if he can play. We will analyse the situation in the next day. We are used to playing without important players. Julio Enciso will be on the bench though, it’s great news."
On whether Valentín Barco can make an impact: "It's difficult to understand whether he is ready or not. It's very tough, especially for the young players when they come from different countries, different football and we have to give him time to understand the new country and new football rules."
Simon Stone
BBC Sport
Championship promotion hopefuls West Brom expect Shilen Patel’s takeover of the club to be completed next week.
The Baggies announced last week that Bilkul Football WBA, LLC – a company ultimately owned by Florida-based entrepreneur Patel and his father Dr Kiran C. Patel – had reached an agreement to buy 87.8% of West Brom’s parent company.
At that point, West Brom said the deal would be concluded this week.
However, this deadline has been missed, with sources blaming it on trying to conduct complex legal discussions across time zones.
BBC Sport has been told all parties remain committed to completing the deal quickly, with completion now due in the next seven days.
Patel was at The Hawthorns for West Brom’s home defeat by Southampton last Friday.
Bournemouth v Man City (Sat, 17:30 GMT)
Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said Romain Faivre has recovered from illness and will be available to face Manchester City: "I think he has been good in the minutes he's played, but he hasn't played a lot of minutes. It's difficult because we have very good options, especially in the forward positions, but I think he is ready. If we need him, he's ready. No new knocks so the same squad, but I can't tell you the starting line-up!"
On how the Cherries will approach facing City: "They control all of the games, they don’t want the games to be very open, they want the games in just one direction. They take the ball and dictate the game, they don’t leave you breath but we have to make the game both directions, even if we concede chances.
"They can score a goal but we have to also make it a game of two directions, so they are also concerned about our forwards. I trust our forwards; I think they can make a difference.”
BBC Sport has a dedicated Bournemouth page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
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