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Stuart Jamieson

Seamus Coleman determined to learn Everton lessons as Aston Villa make another signing

Here are the latest headlines from the world of football on Saturday, June 6.

Coleman's Everton relief

Seamus Coleman will head into Ireland's Nations League fixtures relieved to still be a Premier League player. The Republic of Ireland skipper spent the closing weeks of the season with his club Everton fighting desperately for top-flight survival, a scrap which was eventually won with just one game to spare.

Reflecting on a tense period in his domestic career as he prepared to open a new chapter at international level, the 33-year-old defender admitted feeling relieved by how things had panned out.

Coleman said: "Listen, it was relief, massive relief. It's not what we expected at the start of the season, but with six or seven weeks to go, we had to find a way. Our supporters really bought into that, the scenes we were going into at Goodison Park, the scenes leaving the training ground. They played a massive part in maybe letting some people who were at the club and play for the club actually understand how big the football club is and how much it means to the people of that city. I think that maybe hit home for some of the players.

"You can do all the talks you want, but when you see that emotion in the faces of grown men, grown women and children when you leave the training ground singing Everton songs with such passion, if that doesn't touch something with a group of players, I don't know what will. Listen it was a stressful season, it's part of the job. It's not exactly what we wanted at the start of the season, but we found a way and we've just got to make sure as a club, as a whole, every single one of us involved in Everton Football Club learns from this."

Villa seal Olsen deal

Aston Villa's early summer recruitment drive continued with the permanent signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen from Roma for an undisclosed fee. Villa boss Steven Gerrard has moved quickly to strengthen his squad ahead of next season, and the 32-year-old Olsen joins Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos in joining the club.

Olsen spent the second half of the recently-completed season on loan at Villa Park, having started the campaign at Sheffield United, and acted as understudy to Emiliano Martinez. The Swede, who has been capped 57 times by his country, made his Villa debut on the final day of the Premier League campaign but was mobbed at full-time by Manchester City fans who flooded onto the pitch to celebrate their title win.

Villa, who announced their latest signing on Saturday morning, have not disclosed the length of Olsen's contract.

Gross signs new Brighton deal

Pascal Gross has extended his Brighton stay until June 2024. The 30-year-old German midfielder joined from Ingolstadt in 2017 and has made 170 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring 17 goals.

Brighton boss Graham Potter told the club website: "I am delighted for Pascal and the club that he's now signed. He has been a key player throughout the club's time in the Premier League and for me during my time as head coach.

"He is an excellent professional on and off the pitch. As one of our senior players in the dressing room, he's a great example to any young player, and he showed again this season that he is an important member of the squad and key player for us on the pitch."

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