“Mings’ Mistake and the Handball Controversy: A Football Daily Recap”

**Football Daily | Mings the Merciful and a Tale of Two Handballs** In the world of football, mistakes can happen to anyone, and they often do in the most public of ways. Take Tyrone Mings, for instance. During Aston Villa's match against Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadion, Mings made a critical blunder by picking up the ball after a short goal kick from Villa's goalkeeper, Emi Martínez. With 23,466 fans watching, the moment was both bewildering and costly, as the referee awarded a penalty for handball. Unai Emery, Villa's manager, went through a range of emotions, from confusion to sheer frustration. In a different context, a fan threw a pig's head onto the pitch during the Corinthians vs. Palmeiras match, a clear indication of the intense rivalry, as away fans are not permitted at these derbies. In an era where football is highly professionalized, with managers surrounded by large coaching teams and players adhering to strict diets and training regimens, it’s refreshing to see moments of human error. Mikel Arteta's lapse in judgment when he picked up the ball before it had gone out of play, alongside Mings' oversight, serves as a nostalgic reminder of simpler times in the sport. Perhaps we could also bring back the days of £5 admission and no waiting lists for season tickets. Meanwhile, Celtic delivered what many consider their best European performance in two decades, defeating Leipzig 3-1 at home. Yet, this impressive feat received a mere 22 words of coverage in a popular football newsletter, prompting a fan to express their disappointment in haiku form: Celtic roars at home, Leipzig silenced, three to one, Press turns a blind eye. In a lighter vein, a reader reminisced about a clever headline they crafted while working as a sports reporter. After Windsor and Eton FC were knocked out of the FA Cup by the Met Police, they titled the piece: "They fought the law … and the law won." Years later, they admitted they were secretly hoping for that outcome just to use the headline. This is just a glimpse into the daily happenings in football. For more insights and stories, be sure to check out our full daily football email, Football Daily.

“Champions League Heartbreak: Arsenal and Villa Stumble in Latest Matches – Football Weekly Extra”

In the latest episode of the Football Weekly Extra podcast, host Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, and Mark Langdon to discuss the recent Champions League matches and preview the upcoming Premier League fixtures. The panel reflects on Arsenal's disappointing 1-0 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro, analyzing the team's current struggles and the impact of a controversial handball decision that led to a penalty for Inter. They delve into whether the penalty was justified and what it means for Arsenal's form moving forward. Additionally, the discussion turns to Aston Villa, where Tyrone Mings had a challenging Champions League debut, conceding a penalty after handling the ball in the box during their match against Club Brugge. The panel considers whether they have underestimated the Belgian side in this competition. Listeners are encouraged to rate, review, and share the podcast on various platforms, and to engage with the conversation on social media or via email.