Football

England's interim manager Lee Carsley has been forced to make significant changes to his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland due to a string of withdrawals. Eight players, including key figures from the top four Premier League clubs, have pulled out, leaving Carsley with a depleted squad.Among the absentees are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden. Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also withdrawn.To bolster his squad, Carsley has called up five new players: Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, Southampton's Tino Livramento, and Manchester United's James Trafford.Rogers, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, has impressed for Unai Emery's Villa side this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists. He has earned his first senior call-up as a reward for his performances.Carsley will be overseeing his final two fixtures before handing over the reins to Thomas Tuchel in January. Defeat in Athens would end England's chances of automatic promotion from the second tier of the Nations League.

Aston Villa's pursuit of a top-two finish in the Premier League suffered a setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Liam Delap's brace canceled out goals from Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, leaving Unai Emery's side frustrated.Villa started brightly and took the lead through Rogers in the 15th minute, but Delap equalized for Ipswich just eight minutes later. Watkins restored Villa's advantage in the 32nd minute, but Delap struck again in the 72nd minute to earn Ipswich a deserved point.The result leaves Villa in fifth place, two points behind leaders Liverpool, while Ipswich remain in the relegation zone but have shown signs of improvement under Kieran McKenna.Villa dominated the first half, controlling possession and creating several chances. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum after the break, and Ipswich grew into the game.Delap, a 21-year-old striker signed from Manchester City in the summer, was a constant threat to the Villa defense. His pace and finishing ability caused problems throughout the match, and he deservedly earned his side a point.Villa will be disappointed not to have taken all three points, but they will have to quickly regroup for their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Ipswich, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their performance and will hope to build on it in their upcoming matches.