• ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 5 - The Argentina international is normally very reliable, but his mistake for the first goal is something you don’t expect to see in the Premier League; fumbling a long shot under his legs to leave Villa with it all to do. Getty Images
    ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 5 - The Argentina international is normally very reliable, but his mistake for the first goal is something you don’t expect to see in the Premier League; fumbling a long shot under his legs to leave Villa with it all to do. Getty Images
  • Lucas Digne 6 - The former Everton man was bright up the left flank and got in a good volume of crosses into the box, though they could have been more accurate in some moments. A fair debut overall. PA
    Lucas Digne 6 - The former Everton man was bright up the left flank and got in a good volume of crosses into the box, though they could have been more accurate in some moments. A fair debut overall. PA
  • Tyrone Mings 7 - Enjoyed a strong battle with Mason Greenwood and had to match his pace on a number of occasions. A solid defensive display. PA
    Tyrone Mings 7 - Enjoyed a strong battle with Mason Greenwood and had to match his pace on a number of occasions. A solid defensive display. PA
  • Ezri Konsa 6 - A disappointing half-time exit for Konsa who tried to play on through injury, but was replaced by Hause at the break. AP Photo
    Ezri Konsa 6 - A disappointing half-time exit for Konsa who tried to play on through injury, but was replaced by Hause at the break. AP Photo
  • Matty Cash 8 - Smart runs overlapping from fullback caused problems for Manchester United, and the Poland international was close to getting an assist just after the hour mark. A great all-round performance. Getty Images
    Matty Cash 8 - Smart runs overlapping from fullback caused problems for Manchester United, and the Poland international was close to getting an assist just after the hour mark. A great all-round performance. Getty Images
  • Jacob Ramsey 9 - The young midfielder took his goal in the manner of a prime striker, finding space inside the box and smashing home past David De Gea. He then got a crucial assist for the equaliser to cap off an inspired performance by the 20-year-old. AFP
    Jacob Ramsey 9 - The young midfielder took his goal in the manner of a prime striker, finding space inside the box and smashing home past David De Gea. He then got a crucial assist for the equaliser to cap off an inspired performance by the 20-year-old. AFP
  • Douglas Luiz 6 - Anchored in front of the defence and transitioned the ball forwards to Villa’s creative sparks. Could have been quicker to the ball at times. Reuters
    Douglas Luiz 6 - Anchored in front of the defence and transitioned the ball forwards to Villa’s creative sparks. Could have been quicker to the ball at times. Reuters
  • Morgan Sanson 5 - The 27-year-old kept things relatively simple and broke up play well before a costly error at a crucial time saw him dispossessed by Fred for Bruno Fernandes’ second goal of the game. Getty Images
    Morgan Sanson 5 - The 27-year-old kept things relatively simple and broke up play well before a costly error at a crucial time saw him dispossessed by Fred for Bruno Fernandes’ second goal of the game. Getty Images
  • Emiliano Buendia 7 - Played direct with intent throughout the match, and the midfielder got his rewards with a defence-splitting pass that presented the cutback for Coutinho’s goal. AP Photo
    Emiliano Buendia 7 - Played direct with intent throughout the match, and the midfielder got his rewards with a defence-splitting pass that presented the cutback for Coutinho’s goal. AP Photo
  • Danny Ings 6 - Struggled at times to make things happen and didn’t seem to be able to get a shot off, but he kept harassing the Manchester United defence, leading his team’s press. AFP
    Danny Ings 6 - Struggled at times to make things happen and didn’t seem to be able to get a shot off, but he kept harassing the Manchester United defence, leading his team’s press. AFP
  • Ollie Watkins 7 - Worked tirelessly across the front line and was instructed to run at defenders with the ball, and that opened up space for Villa on occasions, including in the build up to one of the goals. Getty Images
    Ollie Watkins 7 - Worked tirelessly across the front line and was instructed to run at defenders with the ball, and that opened up space for Villa on occasions, including in the build up to one of the goals. Getty Images
  • SUB: Kortney Hause (Konsa 46) 6 - Didn’t have too much to do when introduced - and that’s normally a good thing for a centre-back. Getty Images
    SUB: Kortney Hause (Konsa 46) 6 - Didn’t have too much to do when introduced - and that’s normally a good thing for a centre-back. Getty Images
  • SUB: Philippe Coutinho (Sanson (68) 8 - Bright on the ball and linked play quickly that forced Fred to make a challenge for the first goal, and he then got on the scoresheet himself - finishing calmly at the backpost from a cutback. A promising debut for Steven Gerrard's side. PA
    SUB: Philippe Coutinho (Sanson (68) 8 - Bright on the ball and linked play quickly that forced Fred to make a challenge for the first goal, and he then got on the scoresheet himself - finishing calmly at the backpost from a cutback. A promising debut for Steven Gerrard's side. PA
  • SUB: Carney Chukwuemeka (Ings 76) - Came on and was involved in a goal right away, linking up with Coutinho before the ball found Ramsey. Reuters
    SUB: Carney Chukwuemeka (Ings 76) - Came on and was involved in a goal right away, linking up with Coutinho before the ball found Ramsey. Reuters
  • MANCHESTER UNITED: David de Gea 7. Nothing to do in the first third of the game, then a quick reaction save off a Buendia a corner, then another with his knees from Digne just before half time. Full stretch save from Ramsey on 48 minutes. Excellent positioning and reactions. More saves than any goalkeeper in the league this season. AFP
    MANCHESTER UNITED: David de Gea 7. Nothing to do in the first third of the game, then a quick reaction save off a Buendia a corner, then another with his knees from Digne just before half time. Full stretch save from Ramsey on 48 minutes. Excellent positioning and reactions. More saves than any goalkeeper in the league this season. AFP
  • Diogo Dalot 6. Suffered a ridiculous challenge from Digne, but another bright performer. Alert to intercept a ball which led to United’s second goal. PA
    Diogo Dalot 6. Suffered a ridiculous challenge from Digne, but another bright performer. Alert to intercept a ball which led to United’s second goal. PA
  • Victor Lindelof 6. First league start in four matches and three key challenges and clearances as Villa pushed for an equaliser at the start of second half but could have done better for Villa’s second goal. Reuters
    Victor Lindelof 6. First league start in four matches and three key challenges and clearances as Villa pushed for an equaliser at the start of second half but could have done better for Villa’s second goal. Reuters
  • Raphael Varane 7. United fans may have sung about former central defender Jaap Stam, but Varane was such a good player and secure presence in central defence … until Villa’s second goal, when he was too slow and couldn’t get to the cross. PA
    Raphael Varane 7. United fans may have sung about former central defender Jaap Stam, but Varane was such a good player and secure presence in central defence … until Villa’s second goal, when he was too slow and couldn’t get to the cross. PA
  • Alex Telles 6. Took the free-kick by tapping the ball to Fernandes to set up the opener. Super cross towards Cavani on 18 minutes. Less of an impact in the second half. AP Photo
    Alex Telles 6. Took the free-kick by tapping the ball to Fernandes to set up the opener. Super cross towards Cavani on 18 minutes. Less of an impact in the second half. AP Photo
  • Nemanja Matic 6. Started with McTominay suspended. Booked to stop Danny Ings making a rare Villa attack. Beaten to a header by Buendia and fortunate not to get a second yellow on 48 minutes. A good shot, but bypassed by a resurgent Villa and Gerrard’s smart second half substitutions which exploited the space around him. AFP
    Nemanja Matic 6. Started with McTominay suspended. Booked to stop Danny Ings making a rare Villa attack. Beaten to a header by Buendia and fortunate not to get a second yellow on 48 minutes. A good shot, but bypassed by a resurgent Villa and Gerrard’s smart second half substitutions which exploited the space around him. AFP
  • Fred 6. Well out of his usual position on the edge of the Villa area, but none of his teammates complained as he laid off the ball for Bruno to strike United’s second. Inadvertently set up Villa’s goal and was then in a midfield that was second best after Villa’s changes. The lack of control would cost. AP Photo
    Fred 6. Well out of his usual position on the edge of the Villa area, but none of his teammates complained as he laid off the ball for Bruno to strike United’s second. Inadvertently set up Villa’s goal and was then in a midfield that was second best after Villa’s changes. The lack of control would cost. AP Photo
  • Mason Greenwood 7. Closed down by goalkeeper Martinez when he shot a Telles’ cross. Excellent run forward on 20 minutes and shot wide after 27. Another run and shot wide on 61 minutes, then faded like his team, but lots of encouraging football. PA
    Mason Greenwood 7. Closed down by goalkeeper Martinez when he shot a Telles’ cross. Excellent run forward on 20 minutes and shot wide after 27. Another run and shot wide on 61 minutes, then faded like his team, but lots of encouraging football. PA
  • Bruno Fernandes 8. Took United’s 100th corner of the season – they’ve resulted in zero goals. But he did score with a clever direct effort which went straight through the legs of Martinez. Ran the show in the first half hour. Booked on 46 minutes. Always tried the forward pass, even if they didn’t reach a man. Scored United’s second with a cracking finish. PA
    Bruno Fernandes 8. Took United’s 100th corner of the season – they’ve resulted in zero goals. But he did score with a clever direct effort which went straight through the legs of Martinez. Ran the show in the first half hour. Booked on 46 minutes. Always tried the forward pass, even if they didn’t reach a man. Scored United’s second with a cracking finish. PA
  • Anthony Elanga 7. First league start of the season and he started it well on the left, stretching Villa. Hammered by Matt Cash in a 40th minute tackle, had United’s first shot on target. Ran across Villa back three and shot wide again on 59 minutes. AP Photo
    Anthony Elanga 7. First league start of the season and he started it well on the left, stretching Villa. Hammered by Matt Cash in a 40th minute tackle, had United’s first shot on target. Ran across Villa back three and shot wide again on 59 minutes. AP Photo
  • Edinson Cavani 5. Almost got on a Telles cross, then came deep and lost ball which led to Villa’s first attack. Frequently came deep as he worked hard. Tired by the end, yet was still kept on for the duration. AP Photo
    Edinson Cavani 5. Almost got on a Telles cross, then came deep and lost ball which led to Villa’s first attack. Frequently came deep as he worked hard. Tired by the end, yet was still kept on for the duration. AP Photo
  • SUB: Jadon Sancho NA. On for Elanga on 77. Quickly disposed by Cash for a resurgent Villa. Did nothing. Again. AP Photo
    SUB: Jadon Sancho NA. On for Elanga on 77. Quickly disposed by Cash for a resurgent Villa. Did nothing. Again. AP Photo
  • SUB: Donny Van de Beek NA. On for Greenwood on 88. Turned and had a 95th minute shot. Reuters
    SUB: Donny Van de Beek NA. On for Greenwood on 88. Turned and had a 95th minute shot. Reuters
  • SUB: Jesse Lingard NA. On for Fernandes on 88. Too little time to make a proper impact. Getty Images
    SUB: Jesse Lingard NA. On for Fernandes on 88. Too little time to make a proper impact. Getty Images

Aston Villa vs Man United player ratings: Coutinho 8, Martinez 5; Fernandes 8, De Gea 7


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Steven Gerrard hailed Philippe Coutinho's dream debut for Aston Villa as the Brazil star's late equaliser capped a thrilling fightback from two goals down against Manchester United in Saturday's 2-2 draw.

Four years after he last played in the Premier League with Liverpool, Coutinho made an instant impact on his return to England following his loan move from Barcelona this week.

Coutinho came off the bench midway through the second half with Villa trailing 2-0 after Bruno Fernandes's double for United.

The 29-year-old provided the assist for Jacob Ramsey to give Villa hope with 13 minutes left.

Coutinho then converted Ramsey's cross five minutes later to ensure Gerrard's side made amends for their FA Cup third round exit at United on Monday.

Coutinho suffered a disappointing time at Barcelona, but Gerrard is confident he can bring the forward back to his best after playing with him at Liverpool.

"It was a good start. We've brought a quality footballer to the club. We need to get him up to speed in terms of his match sharpness," Gerrard said.

"We certainly deserved to be trailing at the break. I had to tell a few home truths and the reaction was fantastic."

Results

5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m

Winner Spirit Of Light, Clement Lecoeuvre (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer)

6.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner Bright Start, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor

6.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 2,000m

Winner Twelfthofneverland, Nathan Crosse, Satish Seemar

7.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Imperial Empire, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

7.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m

Winner Record Man, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

8.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,600m

Winner Celtic Prince, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly

Results
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GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: January 16, 2022, 5:16 AM