Aston Villa kept themselves firmly in the race for Champions League qualification with a statement win over fellow European hopefuls Newcastle United. Unai Emery's side ran out 4-1 winners with a scintillating display at Villa Park to move level on points with Nottingham Forest in fifth and only two behind third-placed Newcastle. A fifth consecutive league win was the perfect response to exiting the Champions League midweek as Villa fight to return to Europe's premier club competition next season. "Villa have destroyed Newcastle," former Everton midfielder Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "A lot of teams are beginning to wilt at this stage of the season. Aston Villa aren't. They are looking very, very strong." Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp added: "Aston Villa dismantled the in-form team in the Premier League. From minute one, they were excellent. "Almost a managerial masterclass, from the team he [Unai Emery] picked, the style they played, the substitutions he brought on. Everything he did tonight he got right." Next up for Villa is a trip to Manchester City, another side battling to make the top five. "Belief and showing our capacity - we did it today," Emery told BBC Match of the Day. "Tuesday is another test and another challenge for the team and the club. Man City is another huge test." City kept themselves in the Champions League places courtesy of a 2-0 win at Everton. But with just five points separating Newcastle and Chelsea in seventh - a gap that could be cut to two if the Blues win at Fulham on Sunday - the top-five race looks set to go down to the wire. As such, having spent a large portion of the season in the top three, Nottingham Forest could be sixth by the time they kick off at Tottenham on Monday night. As many as 11 European places are up for grabs and there will definitely be a minimum of eight teams - up from the usual seven - playing in Europe next season, but things could change in the coming weeks. It means Crystal Palace down in 12th still have something to play for. BBC Sport takes a look at how many teams could qualify for each of the European competitions - the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. Depending on how things pan out this season there will be between eight and 11 teams from the Premier League taking part in Europe next season. A minimum of five of those will be in the Champions League, which is higher than the usual four because of England's performance in Uefa's coefficient rankings. That number could rise to six should Arsenal win the Champions League and finish outside the top four - an unlikely prospect - or even seven if that happens and Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League. The maximum number of Premier League teams who could be competing in the Europa League is three. Two places will likely go to the team who finishes sixth and the FA Cup winners. However, if the cup winners have already secured a European place it will then go to the next highest placed side that has not qualified for Europe. A third place could be awarded if Chelsea win the Conference League and fail to qualify for the Champions League. There will be one Conference League place awarded to a Premier League team. Currently, that will go to Carabao Cup winners Newcastle, but that could change if Eddie Howe's side qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League. As Newcastle currently sit inside the top four that looks likely. There is realistic scenario where finishing ninth or 10th in the Premier League could earn you a spot in the Conference League. This could happen, but it is highly improbable. It would require Arsenal to win the Champions League, Manchester United or Tottenham to win the Europa League and Chelsea to lift the Conference League trophy, and all three winners to finish outside the top six. Arsenal are second in the Premier League and highly unlikely to finish outside the top five.

For crypto players, trust isn’t just a feature, it’s the foundation. The rise of digital betting has brought with it a wave of platforms promising fast payments and fair odds. But safety is what separates hype from substance. Players want more than flashy interfaces; they want proof their money and data are secure. In 2025, several platforms are stepping up to meet that demand, with Spartans leading the charge. This list explores the five safest crypto casinos of the year, with a spotlight on Spartans and its standout security features, instant withdrawals, and seamless crypto-native experience. Spartans tops the list for one simple reason: it does everything a secure crypto casino should, and then some. From the moment players sign up, Spartans put control in their hands. The platform skips the usual banking friction by offering pure crypto wallet integration, meaning no third-party conversion layers, no frozen cards, and no personal financial data being stored. What really sets Spartans apart in 2025 is its approach to withdrawals. Winnings land in your wallet almost immediately, without manual approval, delays, or tier-based limits. Security goes deeper than payouts. Spartans uses provably fair gaming mechanics across its thousands of slots, table games, and crash-style experiences. Each game’s fairness can be verified using blockchain hashes, giving players full transparency on every spin or bet. Combined with straightforward onboarding, robust wallet support, and frequent game audits, Spartans provides not just security but peace of mind. For players looking for a platform that respects their crypto and their time, Spartans stands above the rest. Stake.com has built a strong reputation over the years thanks to its community-driven approach, large player base, and wide game selection. Its use of provably fair technology on core games gives it solid credibility in terms of transparency. However, where it falls short in 2025 is speed. Stake still requires manual approval for large withdrawals, which can slow things down for users who win big or deposit significant sums. While it remains a popular option for those who prioritize brand familiarity and enjoy streaming communities, Stake isn’t quite as seamless when it comes to crypto processes. Security-wise, it does offer good wallet protection and account verification systems, but players looking for instant access to funds may prefer a more crypto-native solution like Spartans. Roobet has consistently prioritized fairness and user trust, offering a streamlined gaming experience for crypto users. It has a reliable track record of secure transactions and a provably fair framework, similar to other top-tier platforms. Roobet also collaborates with well-known game providers, which adds another layer of legitimacy. Still, like Stake, it uses a semi-manual system for high-value withdrawals. This may not be a concern for smaller bettors, but it creates friction for those looking for faster turnaround on large wins. The site is well-designed, and support is responsive, but players who want instant crypto movement will notice the delay compared to Spartans’ rapid payouts. 888Casino brings brand confidence from the traditional betting world into the crypto space. With years of licensing history, secure platform design, and strong customer support, it’s a name many players trust. In 2025, the company has started embracing crypto more actively, offering BTC and ETH as payment options. That said, 888Casino’s crypto integration still follows traditional patterns. Transactions can take longer, and the platform may request additional documentation for larger withdrawals. For those used to the quick turnaround of pure crypto casinos, this can feel slow and bureaucratic. It’s a safe option with strong infrastructure, but less suited to those looking for the full benefits of decentralized payments. BetMGM offers a high level of safety, thanks to tight regulatory oversight and well-established licensing. Its reputation in the gambling industry is strong, and the platform’s security features include two-factor authentication, encrypted data storage, and clear user verification. However, when it comes to crypto gaming, BetMGM’s offerings are more limited. Crypto deposits and withdrawals are available but processed through intermediary services, introducing delays and conversion fees. BetMGM is an excellent choice for those who value traditional casino trust models and don’t mind slower crypto workflows. For crypto-savvy players who expect speed and transparency, the experience can feel restrictive compared to something like Spartans. Security is the most valuable currency in online betting, and in 2025, the safest crypto casinos are those that put transparency, speed, and user control first. While all five platforms listed here have proven track records, Spartans clearly leads the pack. Its combination of instant withdrawals, provably fair games, and a fully crypto-native wallet system sets a new standard for safety. For players who take their privacy and payouts seriously, Spartans offers the most secure and streamlined experience available today. Whether you’re playing for fun or high stakes, it’s the one platform where trust isn’t just promised, it’s built into every transaction.    

Manchester United are considering a swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Alexander Isak is set to stay at Newcastle United and Manchester City are planning a move for goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Manchester United are looking at a swap deal which would involve forward Marcus Rashford, 27, turning a loan move to Aston Villa into a permanent switch and his fellow England international Ollie Watkins, 29, moving the other way. (Star), external Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, will only be allowed to leave Manchester United if the club receive an offer in excess of £20m. (Mirror), external Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is interested in fellow Argentine and Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero and might try to sign the 26-year-old before this summer's Club World Cup. (Sunday Express), external Spain winger Nico Williams, 22, has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Barcelona but has suggested he wants to stay with Athletic Bilbao and play for them in the Champions League next season if they qualify. (AS - in Spanish) , external Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres is believed to be a target for a number of clubs but the 26-year-old Sweden striker says "no-one can predict what will happen - we enjoy the moment". (Metro), external Real Madrid are set to part company with manager Carlo Ancelotti and have made contact with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso's camp, although the Spaniard could cost them about £15m in compensation. (Sky Sports Germany) , external Ancelotti's preference if he leaves Real Madrid is to take over as manager of the Brazil national team. (Athletic - subscription required), external Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, is expected to stay at Newcastle United as the Magpies are set to price the 25-year-old out of a move this summer. (Football Insider) , external Chelsea, Newcastle and Juventus are interested in South Korea centre-back Kim Min-jae, with Bayern Munich willing to sell the 28-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany), external Manchester City are planning to make a move for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa and believe an offer of £50m for the Portugal international could be enough, despite the 25-year-old having a £63m buyout clause in his contract. (Mirror), external Bayern Munich are monitoring Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Andrey Santos, who is on loan at French club Strasbourg. (Mail), external

At 100 years old, most people are taking it slow  butMama Christiana Atoke Egberongbe is still celebrating life, family, and her longtime love: a chilled bottle of Guinness. Born in 1925 in Ajegunle Village, Ogun State, Mama Christiana is a proud matriarch whose life journey reflects decades of grit, grace, and good taste. After building a career as a food vendor in Lagos where her rice and beans became locally famous, she raised a beautiful family and remained active in church and community life. Through it all, one thing never changed: her love for Guinness. So, when she turned 100 on July 24th, the team at Guinness Nigeria sent her a special gift: a birthday Love Box packed with a cake, merch, drinks, and heartfelt cheers. They even phoned in to sing her a birthday song. On Saturday, July 26th, surrounded by family and joy, she marked her big day with smiles, prayers, and of course, her beloved Guinness.   Cheers to you, Mama Christy. A hundred years never looked so bright. Black indeed Shines Brightest.