I would love Tevez in team-Richards

By Nigel Adderley BBC Radio 5 live reporter Manchester City Defender Micah Richards says matches he "liked" see Carlos Tevez back to the first team because he can win on his own.

City fell one point behind Manchester United in the title race on Sunday after a 1-0 defeat by Swansea.

"There were games last season where Carlos worn us on its own," said Richards. "In competitions such as those in Swansea he would get a 1-0 victory for us.

"Ultimately, it is up to the manager but I would love to see him back."

Richards added: "I've always been a big fan of Tevez-when I am asked about him I always say I love him."

Tevez, who had 44 goals in only 69 Premier League games during his first two seasons at City scored, has not played for the club since boss Roberto Mancini accused him refusing to warm up in a Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich in September.

He seemed certain to leave during the January transfer window city after his return to Argentina without permission from the club but the 28-year-old has since apologized to the club and supporters and training has resumed.

19 March -Manchester City v Chelsea 24 March -v Manchester City Stoke 31 March – Manchester City v Sunderland-Arsenal v April 8 Manchester City with 10 games of the season remaining, England right-back Richards knows city can't afford too many more undersized performance as they are at the end a 44-year wait for the title.

"We have no excuses-we must go back to the drawing board and see where we are going wrong because it is obviously not good enough," he added.

"It is disappointing to drop to the second have kept the lead for so long, but with 10 games to go that it is not over and the derby goes on our site are now even more mass.

"We must concentrate on what we do.

"Chelsea is our next Premier League game at home [19 March], where we've been so strong, and it is a game we have to win now."

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Holman in the summer to Villa

Aston Villa have agreed to sign a deal of Dutch club AZ Alkmaar Australia international Brett Holman this summer.

The 27-year-old winger, who has won 53 caps, was named as Australia's football writers player of the year for 2011.

Holman, who acceded Alkmaar, Eredivisie leaders in 2008 on a free transfer when his will sign contract expires.

"I'm glad to have agreed terms with Aston Villa. I look forward to joining with the team in the summer, "said Holman.

"Villa have a long and prestigious history in English football and a fantastic series of fans."

Holman has spent a decade in the Netherlands, spells with Feyenoord, Excelsior and NEC Nijmegen has had before he moved to AZ.

"Brett is a very intelligent player," said Villa manager Alex McLeish. "A great team player and a man who is recognized in the game as a non-stop and committed wide midfield player.

"He has international experience and has played in the Champions League. He will significantly add to the experience in the Villa team. "

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Dalglish seeks derby day reaction

Location: MarchCoverage: AnfieldDate: Tuesday, 13 listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the website of the BBC Sport

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and Captain Steven Gerrard belt on the Reds finish their recent slump with a derby win over Everton on Tuesday.

The Carling Cup winners their last three league matches, their worst point since 2003, and have lost Dalglish insists that everyone in the club is responsible.

He said: "everyone must stand up and be counted and see what we can do."

Gerrard added: "We need a comment and there is no better team than against Everton to produce."

Liverpool have not tasted victory in the Premier League since 31 January, although Cardiff City on penalties which the Carling Cup won only a two weeks ago and are through the FA Cup quarter finals defeated.

Dalglish "it depends which teams you play," said, "but it is certainly not a record that you expect from Liverpool.

"We don't want to get in the habit of contests to have lost but, between the losses, we have a Carling Cup victory.

13 Mar:Everton (H) 18 Mar: Stoke (H, FA Cup quarterfinals) 21 Mar: QPR (A) 24 Mar: Wigan (H) 1 April: Newcastle (A) "We want to continue to progress, and I think we're going forward. Also we have a stronger squad this year than last year we had, but we have putting points on the Board.

"We just need to keep believing in ourselves and keep pushing forward, but we know that it will be difficult tomorrow."

A defeat against Everton at Anfield would see the Blues leapfrog the Reds in seventh place. And Gerrard insists on his team-mates to ensure that doesn't happen.

"The players must take responsibility for where we in the competition," he said.

"It is simply not good enough for a club like us to be there. We must find a better level of coherence. It is important the players put in a performance and to get a result for the fans.

"Everyone is a little down after recent results, but we want to put a smile back on their faces."

After the derby, Liverpool meet Tuesday night than Stoke City in the FA Cup quarter final at Anfield Sunday (1600 GMT).

"It is a big week and we want Cup tie with Stoke pick up on the back of a victory," said Gerrard.

Liverpool face a resurgent Everton side undefeated in nine games in all competitions, a sequence that has included Premier League wins over Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City.

But Everton boss David Moyes, whose team not at Anfield during his tenure have won 10-years is not reading too much into this, statistics.

"Many of the years I've gone have been the form team in the game and Liverpool, and folk have said: ' who knows in Derbies." You never know. "

The Toffees last victory at Liverpool came under Walter Smith in 1999.

Asked if he would like to just not lose, Moyes said: "through the years, I think it would have been a great result for a team to go and do that, because it is a hard place to go to Anfield.

"Liverpool have really good support and a good team. It is never changed.

"We go to Anfield and then, trying to win and if you don't, the next thing you want to do is try to get a tie.

"I definitely would be happy on Wednesday when my team wins," added Moyes, who celebrates his 10th anniversary as Everton boss the day after the game.

"But, whatever happens, I will still wake up with a good feeling because I've done 10 years at a big club like Everton."

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FAW looking European spot for top clubs

Cardiff City Swansea City could get the chance to qualify for Europe next season by the Welsh Cup.

Europe's governing body, Uefa, the Football Association of Wales is considering a request from clubs to represent Wales in European competitions to exiled.

But to do this, the clubs are likely to be forced to withdraw from the FA Cup and the Football League Cup.

FAW chief Jonathan Ford: "there needs to be a compromise."

Ford added that the clubs at the start of the season a decision on which route in Europe should they choose.

Only clubs from the Welsh league system have since 1995, eligible for Wales represent in Europe.

Welsh clubs play in the English league pyramid-Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham, Newport County and Colwyn Bay were, Merthyr Tydfil-blocked by the FAW Welsh Cup 17 years ago after pressure from entering Uefa.

But the FAW the six Welsh clubs play in the England invited to participate in the Welsh Cup this season.

Blue Square Bet Premier sides Newport and Wrexham along with Merthyr Town (formerly Merthyr Tydfil) of the Western Football League of the FAW invitation accepted.

Swansea City, Cardiff City and Blue Square Bet North side Colwyn Bay elect not to enter.

Before the ban came into force in 1995, Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport and Merthyr Tydfil in Wales represented all the old European Cup Winners ' Cup by the Welsh Cup.

Who European tyre created some of the most memorable matches in Welsh club football history.

FAW chief executive Ford is keen to see the exiled clubs back to the Welsh Cup, but it is the issue of European qualification which clarification is needed.

Ford hopes that a definitive decision son after the Executive Committee of Uefa meets in Istanbul on 20 and 21 March.

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"If the decision goes through it will mean that clubs who currently play in the Welsh Cup in exile, should they choose, would eventually need a guaranteed route in Europe"

Jonathan Ford previous attempts have failed, with the FAW Uefa which teams could only participate in Europe through the matches of one National Association.

"I have several meeting with Uefa on this," Ford added. "We have worked very hard with Uefa to find solutions here.

"It's something we've debated for a while and something that their Executive Committee meeting goes in a few weeks from now.

"Last year we invited the exiles back in, but their route in Europe did, of course, always have to be complicated.

"Uefa rulings state that you can't in two games in two different countries and a successful route in Europe by the one or the other to participate.

"If the decision goes through it will mean that clubs who currently play in the Welsh Cup in exile, should they choose, would eventually need a guaranteed route in Europe.

"[Would] a fantastic chance for Newport, Cardiff and Swansea even Colwyn Bay. Let's hope they can play in the Welsh Cup soon as well.

"Ultimately, would they have choices. I don't think she would be allowed to play in both leagues. I think she may have to make a decision.

"But if they came back in the Welsh Cup they would have a guaranteed place should they win the League."

Meanwhile, Cardiff had the Carling Cup they unveiled Ford, who would have been eligible to compete as the English League's representatives in the European Cup next season won.

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Everton V Liverpool

Location: MarchCoverage: AnfieldDate: Tuesday, 13 listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the website of the BBC Sport

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard may return after a hamstring injury, while Glen Johnson could also feature.

Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll look set to gain recalls if trying to rediscover a winning formula, Kenny Dalglish, but Daniel Agger and Lucas remain.

Everton the weekend match-winner Bilic could return to the bench for an expected feisty encounter.

On-loan Steven Pienaar is available again after being not eligible against parent club Tottenham.

David Moyes celebrates a decade of Everton on Wednesday, during which time the club have seen many highlights, but one thing he has not reached is a highly acclaimed victory at Anfield. He possesses that attracts a decent record of five of nine road meetings with Liverpool but how he and the Toffees fans like to take back that elusive three points about Stanley Park with them. The visitors have not tasted a road victory since Kevin Campbell's winner in 1999 as in armature Walter Smith's side overcame Gerard Houllier of men.

"(Bill Kenwright) which gave me a chance maybe young managers would not get these days, and I hope that he has his justified"

Everton manager David Moyes It will not have escaped Moyes Everton side of that are upwardly mobile will go for Liverpool in the league table if this misfire victorious. The last time the Toffees were above their rivals city after 28 matches of a Premier League season was seven years ago, when Everton eventually finished in fourth place in the table-one position clear of the reds. It was also the last time they finished above Liverpool come the end of the season.

With a home FA Cup date with Sunderland looming over the weekend, Moyes will ten years with his birthday that now familiar steely look in his eyes, while the real celebrations focused on the end of the season come recognize.

A Merseyside derby looks like only the armature must reorient their thoughts the team Liverpool now. Defeat at Sunderland last weekend saw Kenny Dalglish slide the side to three consecutive league defeats for the first time since 2003-the last time they lost four on the spin? Ironically a decade ago in late 2002.

The Reds mini slump seems to have all but ended up lingering Champions League qualification hopes with Arsenal, one of the sides to beat them during this period, now well clear of them. Fit-again Captain Steven Gerrard, set for a landmark occasion of his own by playing in his 400th Premier League game, a rallying call to his team-mates claim that the consistency levels are simply "not good enough".

Gerrard, who has a hamstring injury while on international duty with England picked up, made his comeback as a substitute against Sunderland and is aimed at an end of season surge back up the rankings, as well as further progress in the FA Cup. Stoke City travel to Anfield in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

Head-to-head

This is the 217th Liverpool win Merseyside derby: Everton have 85 compared with 66 victories. The two clubs met at Anfield on this date in 1994, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler scoring Reds legends offset Dave Watson's opener in a 2-1 Liverpool win. 20 players are sent out in 39 Premier League matches were played between the two neighbouring countries. Steven Gerrard has two red cards, such as Phil Neville.

Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish has won 12, drawn and lost three of his seven Merseyside derbies as manager, Liverpool, 22-including two victories of the FA Cup final against them in 1986 and 1989. In total he is unbeaten in his last 11 matches against Everton as Liverpool manager, since a 1-0 away defeat in March 1988. Liverpool have only four of their opening 13 Premier League home games, their least in this stage of a top flight season in 50 years, since winning four of the first 13 in 1951-52 campaign won. It's only 10 Premier League points from the last 33 available for the Reds. If seleected, Steven Gerrard in his 400th match of the Premier League will appear. He is the 25th player to reach this milestone, and only the fifth to reach for a single club after Ryan Giggs (592), Jamie Carragher (476), Paul Scholes (474) and Gary Neville (400).

Everton

David Moyes has three of his 19 Merseyside derbies (11 defeats) won. All three victories come at Goodison Park. The Toffees are on a seven-match unbeaten run (W3, D4). Only Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have less than admitted but only Stoke Wigan and Everton have scored fewer. Everton are still winning at one side higher than to lose them in the table but still on one side lower than them.

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Tomas Rosicky signs new Arsenal deal

Midfielder Tomas Rosicky has signed a new contract with Arsenal after a purple patch of form that has seen him score twice in three games.

BBC Sport understands that the captain of the Czech Republic has agreed to a two-year deal.

Manager Arsene Wenger said: "I've always been a big admirer of Tomas capacities and am pleased that he has chosen to put his future for the club."

Tomas Rosicky, 31, said: "it is felt as at home since I arrived six years ago."

He told Arsenal.com: "it is a great honour to sign a new deal with Arsenal, I love the club and am proud to wear the Arsenal shirt.

"The manager, my team-mates, staff and supporters-everyone plays their role in making this a great club, and I feel privileged to be a part of it.

"I believe that we have a really talented group of players and, together with the manager, the future looks rosy.

"It is Always my goal to win trophies at Arsenal, and I will fight here to here to reach my dreams."

Signed in 2006 by Borussia Dortmund in Germany, Tomas Rosicky has 156 appearances for the London club and netted 19 times, including recent goals against Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan in 28 appearances so far this season.

Gunners boss Wenger added: "I believe he is an exceptional player, a natural footballer who technically class.

"He plays the style of football champion and fully shares our philosophy here. He is always willing to work for the sake of the club, always willing the team first. I have great respect for him. "

Tomas Rosicky, who began his career at Sparta Prague, took the number seven shirt of Robert Pires at Arsenal but his career has hampered by injuries.

So far he has 85 caps and 20 goals for his country, and is Captain of the national side since 2006.

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Guardiola is the key to Barca Messi

Dazzling forward Lionel Messi believes that coach Pep Guardiola is the main factor behind the recent success of Barcelona.

Barcelona have won 13 of the sixteen possible trophies since Guardiola took at the start the season 2008-09.

Messi, a three-time world player of the year, has seven goals in the past week just insists: "Guardiola is fundamental to Barcelona's project."

Asked if Messi became more important for the club, the player added: "Guardiola is more important for Barca."

Primera División (3) 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 Supercopa de Espana (3): 2009, 2010, 2011 Uefa Champions League (2): 2008-09, 2010-11 Uefa Super Cup (2): 2009, 2011 Fifa Club World Cup (2): 2009, 2011 Copa del Rey (1): 2008-09 the 24-year-old Argentine superstar continued: "his arrival [in the club] changed everything. Everything there is reached was reached with him. "

Messi followed his five-goal performance against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday with two more strikes in Sunday 2-0 victory at Racing Santander.

He passed 50 goals for the second straight season with his brace on Sunday and also within the five objectives of the all-time club scoring record held by Cesar Rodriguez matching moved.

Guardiola the current deal on the Nou Camp expires at the end of this season and he has yet to sign a new contract, and Messi believes the club will struggle to replace him should he leave.

"Obviously the club and players will stay on but it would be very different without him, '' he said.

"It would be very difficult to find another coach who can achieve everything that he has and that would make this team play the way he does. This is his team. ''

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