Juninho, idolised by Middlesbrough fans for two years, is prepared to take a pay cut to return to the Premiership with Aston Villa.

The Brazilian midfielder is unhappy with the defensive tactics of Arrigo Sacchi at Atletico Madrid, whom he joined from Boro for £12 million in 1997. And despite interest from Barcelona the 25-year-old's agent said yesterday that he would prefer to join Villa's championship quest in England even if it meant a drop in salary.

Bruce Grobbelaar has been confirmed as coach of the leading South African club Seven Stars until May. Grobbelaar (41) was cleared of match-fixing charges in 1997.

The chances of Chelsea player-manager Gianluca Vialli becoming coach of Juventus next season receded yesterday when the Turin club announced that they expected to offer the post to the former Parma coach Carlo Ancelotti.