Friday’s briefing: Protests and arrests at Villa as Rangers lose in Europe again

Aston Villa secured 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League match which had become a major political event.

Rangers slumped to a fourth straight Europa League defeat, while Ismaila Sarr’s brace helped Crystal Palace earn a 3-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League.

With another round of Premier League fixtures on the horizon this weekend, the PA news agency understands that Wolves have had a formal approach to speak to Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards rejected.

Villa beat Maccabi Tel Aviv amid protests

Aston Villa earned a 2-0 Europa League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in a contest where the attention was on what happened off the pitch.

The match became highly politicised after Maccabi’s fans were banned from attending in a decision – made by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group – which sparked debate on a parliamentary level, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling it wrong.

Six arrests were made before kick-off following a deployment of 700 police officers amid pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests.

On the field, a goal in either half from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen helped boost Villa’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, where they sit sixth in the table.

Maccabi manager Zarko Lazetic revealed his side were forced to arrive at Villa Park five hours early for the game.

He said: “It was not normal. Sitting… nothing to do. (We came) five hours before the match. It was very difficult. It was not our decision.”

Sarr shines for Palace

Ismaila Sarr scored a brace for Crystal Palace as they earned a 3-1 Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar at Selhurst Park.

Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a penalty in the early stages before Maxence Lacroix’s strike sent Palace ahead and Sarr extended their lead just before the break.

Sven Mijnans pulled one back for the visitors early in the second half, but Sarr restored Palace’s two-goal cushion after latching onto Mateta’s excellent through-ball and firing low to wrap up the win.

With two wins under their belt in the competition, Palace are now ninth in the standings and are one spot outside the straight to round of 16 places.

Rangers slump against Roma

Rangers’ Europa League struggles continued after they were beaten 2-0 by Roma at Ibrox.

Head coach Danny Rohl’s first game at the helm began with a 3-0 loss away to Brann last month and Rangers have now slipped to their fourth straight defeat in the competition, leaving them rock bottom of the standings.

The loss comes on the back of a 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat against Celtic at Hampden Park on Sunday and hopes of Europa League qualification slipped further thanks to two first-half goals for the visitors.

Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini both struck for Roma before the break, steering them to a second win in the competition.

Edwards approach rejected

Wolves have had a formal approach to speak to Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards rejected, the PA news agency understands.

The Premier League side are currently bottom of the table without a win in 10 league games and sacked head coach Vitor Pereira last Sunday.

Edwards has emerged as a leading candidate to take over the vacant head coach position and is already familiar with the club having made over 100 playing appearances for Wolves between 2004 and 2008 and was later part of their coaching staff.

He took over on Teesside in June on a three-year deal and it is understood Wolves have made contact with Boro, but a request to speak to Edwards has been turned down.

What’s on today?

Bristol City will be looking to break into the Championship play-off places when they travel to Watford.

Friday also sees another round of press conferences from Premier League managers, with Arne Slot, Eddie Howe, Thomas Frank and Mikel Arteta among those set to speak.