West Ham Players to Show Support for Hospitalized Antonio before Wolves Match in Premier League

Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 18, 2024 West Ham United's Michail Antonio reacts Action Images via Reuters
Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 18, 2024 West Ham United's Michail Antonio reacts Action Images via Reuters
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West Ham Players to Show Support for Hospitalized Antonio before Wolves Match in Premier League

Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 18, 2024 West Ham United's Michail Antonio reacts Action Images via Reuters
Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 18, 2024 West Ham United's Michail Antonio reacts Action Images via Reuters

West Ham players will show their support for teammate Michail Antonio following his serious injury in a car crash by wearing items of clothing bearing the striker's name ahead of the Premier League game against Wolverhampton on Monday.

The players will warm up in "Antonio 9" jerseys and walk on to the field in tops adorning his name, West Ham said. The club will put the walk-out tops up for auction along with every match jersey worn against Wolves, with the proceeds going to medical charities and matched by the club's board.

Antonio, a 34-year-old Jamaica international, is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery on what West Ham described as a "lower limb fracture." He was involved in an accident outside London on Saturday, after which he was hospitalized and kept under close supervision.

Unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari were shared on social media. It was not known if it was the car involved in the accident.

"He remains in everyone's thoughts as he continues his rehabilitation," West Ham said of Antonio.

"Everyone at the club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS (National Health Service) for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident."

Antonio has made more than 300 appearances for West Ham since joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015.



PSG May Be Spared from Facing Rashford and Watkins Double Act in the Champions League

Football - Premier League - Southampton v Aston Villa - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 12, 2025 Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford shoots at goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Southampton v Aston Villa - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 12, 2025 Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford shoots at goal. (Reuters)
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PSG May Be Spared from Facing Rashford and Watkins Double Act in the Champions League

Football - Premier League - Southampton v Aston Villa - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 12, 2025 Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford shoots at goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Southampton v Aston Villa - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 12, 2025 Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford shoots at goal. (Reuters)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery suggested he is not ready to unleash Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins as a strike partnership against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Villa needs to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg when the teams meet at Villa Park.

But Emery does not think England internationals Rashford and Watkins can play as a front two yet.

“The next step, if I have time, is to play them together,” he told a news conference Monday. “We did with Rashford playing left side, but now we are choosing more with both playing as strikers. That’s the next step. I want to practice. I want to test, but not now, with enough time.”

Rashford has impressed during a loan spell from Manchester United, with three goals in recent weeks. Watkins has scored 15 this season, including one to set up a 3-0 win against Southampton on Saturday after coming on as a substitute.

Emery said Watkins feels “fantastic,” but he is still to decide what team to play against French champion PSG.

“I don’t have my idea in my mind for the starting 11, I have my idea, a plan, overall 90 minutes or extra-time or penalty shootout for the match tomorrow,” he said. “Every player has to know their task on the field, and they have to understand as well, how we manage the match emotionally and tactically as well, in case they are on the field to do their task.”

Emery said his players have to believe they can produce an epic comeback to book their place in the semifinals.

“We want to write here the history with Aston Villa,” he said.