Sport

Premier League: ASTON VILLA opened discussions with Gareth Barry on Wednesday in the hope of persuading the England midfielder to stay at the club.

Clubs are being forced to release stars for internationals, writes IAN LAYBOURN.

HOUSEMAN eyes Thursday's top racecards.

RANGERS boss Walter Smith laughed off criticism of his team's playing style on Tuesday, saying that nothing will faze his team before Wednesday evening's UEFA Cup final.

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG manager Dick Advocaat insisted that there will be no racist behaviour from the Russian supporters in Wednesday evening's UEFA Cup final against Rangers at the City of Manchester Stadium.

CHELSEA manager Avram Grant said on Tuesday that he expects captain John Terry and striker Didier Drogba to be fit for the Champions League final.

NEW England boss Martin Johnson hailed Steve Borthwick on Tuesday as the "obvious" choice to captain the side on this summer's New Zealand tour.

WARRINGTON WOLVES were dealt a severe blow at the weekend with the news that Great Britain international Paul Johnson will miss the rest of the Super League season after suffering cruciate ligament damage in last Saturday's 40-34 Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round defeat at St Helens.

BIRMINGHAM defender Franck Queudrue said on Tuesday that co-owner David Sullivan has apologised for Sunday's astonishing attack on Blues players.

LUSH LASHES can turn in a show-stopping performance on the first day of York's big May meeting.