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Matt Maher

Chief sports writer for the Express & Star.

January 27, 2020

Supporting image for story: Comment: Renewed spirit helping Aston Villa to re-establish fan connection

Comment: Renewed spirit helping Aston Villa to re-establish fan connection

January 24, 2020

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa's Dean Smith keen to sign another striker

Aston Villa's Dean Smith keen to sign another striker

January 23, 2020

Supporting image for story: Hugh Porter showing no signs of slowing down as he hits 80

Hugh Porter showing no signs of slowing down as he hits 80

January 22, 2020

Supporting image for story: Ezri Konsa claims Troy Deeney's goal celebration helped fire-up Aston Villa for dramatic Watford fightback

Ezri Konsa claims Troy Deeney's goal celebration helped fire-up Aston Villa for dramatic Watford fightback

Supporting image for story: New signing Mbwana Samatta could make Aston Villa bow in cup semi-final

New signing Mbwana Samatta could make Aston Villa bow in cup semi-final

January 21, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith challenges Aston Villa to climb Premier League table

Dean Smith challenges Aston Villa to climb Premier League table

Supporting image for story: Watford rematch pivotal on several levels for Aston Villa

Watford rematch pivotal on several levels for Aston Villa

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith: Aston Villa must be wary of Watford's Troy Deeney

Dean Smith: Aston Villa must be wary of Watford's Troy Deeney

January 20, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith urges Aston Villa to embrace the pressure of their relegation dogfight ahead of Watford showdown

Dean Smith urges Aston Villa to embrace the pressure of their relegation dogfight ahead of Watford showdown

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa transfer news: Mbwana Samatta delay as Jonathan Kodjia departs

Aston Villa transfer news: Mbwana Samatta delay as Jonathan Kodjia departs

Supporting image for story: Analysis: Aston Villa once more grateful for Jack Grealish after skipper salvages point at Brighton

Analysis: Aston Villa once more grateful for Jack Grealish after skipper salvages point at Brighton

January 19, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith salutes Jack Grealish's star quality after skipper earns Aston Villa a point at Brighton

Dean Smith salutes Jack Grealish's star quality after skipper earns Aston Villa a point at Brighton

January 16, 2020

Supporting image for story: Comment: Two weeks for Aston Villa and Wolves to define their seasons

Comment: Two weeks for Aston Villa and Wolves to define their seasons

January 14, 2020

Supporting image for story: Pepe Reina up for the survival battle after sealing Aston Villa move

Pepe Reina up for the survival battle after sealing Aston Villa move

January 13, 2020

Supporting image for story: Analysis: Aston Villa back on the canvas after sobering Manchester City defeat

Analysis: Aston Villa back on the canvas after sobering Manchester City defeat

January 12, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith defends Danny Drinkwater after testing Aston Villa debut

Dean Smith defends Danny Drinkwater after testing Aston Villa debut

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith confident Aston Villa can recover from Manchester City mauling

Dean Smith confident Aston Villa can recover from Manchester City mauling

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 6 - Report

Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 6 - Report

January 11, 2020

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa v Man City: Underdogs have more optimism ahead of huge challenge

Aston Villa v Man City: Underdogs have more optimism ahead of huge challenge

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa close in Pepe Reina deal

Aston Villa close in Pepe Reina deal

January 10, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith: Aston Villa won't surrender in Manchester City chess match

Dean Smith: Aston Villa won't surrender in Manchester City chess match

Supporting image for story: Pepe Reina: Aston Villa talks on hold until Milan buy a keeper

Pepe Reina: Aston Villa talks on hold until Milan buy a keeper

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa's Orjan Nyland is looking to impress again

Aston Villa's Orjan Nyland is looking to impress again

January 9, 2020

Supporting image for story: Matt Maher: It’s far from perfect, but VAR is not the death of football

Matt Maher: It’s far from perfect, but VAR is not the death of football

January 8, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith: Aston Villa take confidence from Leicester City draw despite 'farcical' goal

Dean Smith: Aston Villa take confidence from Leicester City draw despite 'farcical' goal

Supporting image for story: Carabao Cup: Leicester City 1 Aston Villa 1 - Report and pictures

Carabao Cup: Leicester City 1 Aston Villa 1 - Report and pictures

Supporting image for story: Orjan Nyland hoping patience has paid off as he looks to grasp chance to emerge from the shadows at Aston Villa

Orjan Nyland hoping patience has paid off as he looks to grasp chance to emerge from the shadows at Aston Villa

January 7, 2020

Supporting image for story: West Brom take legal advice as former academy ace Louie Barry closes in on Aston Villa switch

West Brom take legal advice as former academy ace Louie Barry closes in on Aston Villa switch

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith: Danny Drinkwater deal is not a gamble for Aston Villa

Dean Smith: Danny Drinkwater deal is not a gamble for Aston Villa

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith won’t sweat over Aston Villa pressure

Dean Smith won’t sweat over Aston Villa pressure

January 6, 2020

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa must be patient for Olivier Giroud

Aston Villa must be patient for Olivier Giroud

Supporting image for story: Analysis: Little new learned as Aston Villa make another early FA Cup exit

Analysis: Little new learned as Aston Villa make another early FA Cup exit

January 4, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith says FA Cup 'wasn’t the top of our priority' after Aston Villa's loss to Fulham

Dean Smith says FA Cup 'wasn’t the top of our priority' after Aston Villa's loss to Fulham

Supporting image for story: FA Cup: Fulham 2 Aston Villa 1 - Report and pictures

FA Cup: Fulham 2 Aston Villa 1 - Report and pictures

Supporting image for story: Half-season report card: Aston Villa recruitment will be key in the battle for survival

Half-season report card: Aston Villa recruitment will be key in the battle for survival

January 3, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith says Aston Villa targeting players with Premier League experience in January transfer window

Dean Smith says Aston Villa targeting players with Premier League experience in January transfer window

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith: Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish will not be sold in January

Dean Smith: Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish will not be sold in January

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa duo Tom Heaton and Wesley ruled out for remainder of season

Aston Villa duo Tom Heaton and Wesley ruled out for remainder of season

Supporting image for story: Fulham v Aston Villa: Wembley winners go head-to-head

Fulham v Aston Villa: Wembley winners go head-to-head

January 2, 2020

Supporting image for story: Tyrone Mings explains how clear the air talks helped inspire Aston Villa's win at Burnley

Tyrone Mings explains how clear the air talks helped inspire Aston Villa's win at Burnley

January 1, 2020

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith: Injuries take the gloss off an enthralling Villa victory

Dean Smith: Injuries take the gloss off an enthralling Villa victory

Supporting image for story: Burnley 1 Aston Villa 2 - Report and pictures

Burnley 1 Aston Villa 2 - Report and pictures

Supporting image for story: Slaven Bilic pleas for refs to protect West Brom star Matheus Pereira

Slaven Bilic pleas for refs to protect West Brom star Matheus Pereira

December 31, 2019

Supporting image for story: Slaven Bilic hopes for answer on West Brom loanee Grady Diangana

Slaven Bilic hopes for answer on West Brom loanee Grady Diangana

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa boss Dean Smith calls for a show of belief

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith calls for a show of belief

Supporting image for story: Burnley v Aston Villa: Dean Smith's men desperately need to get year off to flying start

Burnley v Aston Villa: Dean Smith's men desperately need to get year off to flying start

Supporting image for story: Aston Villa duo Tyrone Mings and Keinan Davis could be in contention at Burnley

Aston Villa duo Tyrone Mings and Keinan Davis could be in contention at Burnley

December 30, 2019

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith read the riot act to Aston Villa players

Dean Smith read the riot act to Aston Villa players

Supporting image for story: Analysis: Aston Villa ending year of recovery under serious threat of relapse

Analysis: Aston Villa ending year of recovery under serious threat of relapse

December 28, 2019

Supporting image for story: Dean Smith questions Aston Villa's commitment after convincing loss to Watford

Dean Smith questions Aston Villa's commitment after convincing loss to Watford

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