Up against Villa, it failed. However, it took the Champions League quarter-finalists 73 minutes to break the deadlock. We did soak up Villa pressure for large portions of the game and faced 25 shots ...

If he continues in the same vein and we sign him in the summer, then he could give hopefully fit-again Aaron Hickey, and the likes of Kristoffer Ajer, some real competition at right-back next season.

Mikel Merino made a surprise choice when asked which Real Madrid player he loves the most. The Spain international is preparing to lock horns with the reigning European champions again on Wednesday ...

There are 18 first-class county headquarters in Britain, and Mail Sport's Lawrence Booth has been to them all - many times over. Here, he ranks them in order of personal preference.