#Europa League

#Europa League

The Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Issouf Sissokho urged his teammates to make their supporters smile against Aston Villa, after away fans were banned from the politically charged Europa League match on Thursday. The Israeli club's fans were prohibited from attending on public safety grounds but, despite the ban, West Midlands police have been granted section 60 stop-and-search powers and plan to deploy more than 700 officers around Villa Park to cope with protests and potential unrest.

When Maccabi Tel Aviv were drawn to face Aston Villa in the Europa League, the fixture immediately stood out. The prospect of an Israeli team travelling to play a club based in a predominantly Muslim area prompted concerns from those in charge of ensuring the fixture passes off safely. Six weeks ago, there was even a chance the game might not go ahead, with calls for Israeli teams to be removed from international competitions because of the Israel-Gaza war.

We've been very, very successful but it's because of hard work. There's no shortcut. The reason why we've been successful is because we're willing to fight and stick together and be a team. It's time for everyone to step up a level. I've still got no doubt that we're a good team and it will click. We just have to click maybe quicker than what it looks like at the minute.

That's the worst situation I've dealt with in terms of abuse,

Rotterdam has a special place in the hearts of Aston Villa supporters. Villa won the European Cup at De Kuip in 1982 thanks to Peter Withe's strike off his shin and the post and a stellar goalkeeping performance from young substitute Nigel Spink. Bayern Munich were their opponents that night and they return on Thursday to take on Feyenoord in the Europa League.

Reported Celtic target Louis Munteanu's asking price has been significantly reduced, it has been claimed, while Dundee head coach Steven Pressley is already planning January signings. Cluj would now accept less than 4.5m for 23-year-old striker Louis Munteanu, for whom Celtic reportedly had a 6.9m bid rejected in the summer before the Romanian club claimed a 17m transfer to Ajax or Valencia fell through, according to FCSB owner George Becali.

They're a very, very strong team individually - especially on the wings," left-back Emir Karic said of Rangers, who lost 1-0 at home to Genk on Matchday 1.

There are few mascots in world football as instantly recognisable as Mefi the eagle of OGC Nice, who mirrors the club's crest and performs a dramatic flight around the Allianz Riviera before kick-off. The spectacle was once again on show ahead of Nice's Europa League clash with AS Roma on Thursday, but what was supposed to be a display of power and pride quickly turned into a far more comical scene.

Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay believes his club could win the Scottish Premiership "at some point". (Herald - subscription required), external Celtic captain Callum McGregor plays down Hearts' promising start to the season after the Tynecastle side moved two points above the defending champions at the top of the Premiership, saying: "Anyone can get off to a good start. Aberdeen did it last year." (Record), external McGregor suggests the table will be more relevant after 36 games rather than six.