"Wait." Asuka Saito called out to Jose and took out a rectangular box from his bag.

"Happy birthday." Asuka said as he handed the box to José.

"Birthday?" Only then did José remember that before he knew it, he had passed his 19th birthday.

It's just that I've been so busy competing, training and studying that I have forgotten about it.

At the age of 19, it means that Jose has been in the UK for almost three years.

Originally, three years was just a very ordinary day.

It's just a regulation of the FA that makes the three-year period special.

The FA stipulates that in order to obtain an academy account, you must have been with the same club for three years before the age of 21.

In this way, in three months, Jose will be able to qualify as an FA academy player.

With a youth training hukou, the labor certificate is easily solved.

Even the quota for non-European players is not a problem.

…

"Thank you." Jose took the box.

"Why don't you open it and take a look?" Asuka looked at Jose with a smile.

"Okay."

When I opened the box, I saw a gray plaid men's tie inside.

Jose doesn't understand luxury brands, but he can tell that the tie that Asuka gave him is definitely a custom-made product of a major brand.

"How could I be embarrassed to give me such a valuable gift?"

It's not that José is hypocritical, but that he has known Asuka for so long, and he has never given her anything precious.

"Do you like it?" Asuka asked.

"I like it, I like it so much." José stroked the tie in his hand and replied with joy.

"If you like it, it's fine." Asuka smiled with satisfaction, and then said, "He, if you win the Golden Globe that day, can you wear this tie to receive the award?" ”

"Absolutely." José replied without thinking.

In fact, Jose had a tie, which he had bought for a pound at a ready-to-wear store near the base, a navy blue zip-up tie.

The biggest advantage of a zipper tie over a regular tie is that it is easy to wear.

Asuka Saito gave him an orthodox tie, of course.

…

On that day, the two spent a day shopping in London, an international metropolis.

In return, José gave Asuka a donkey satchel.

José knows very well that if he doesn't know what gift to give a woman, then it's okay to send a bag.

Sure enough, Asuka liked the satchel Jose gave her very much, and put the contents of her old satchel into the new satchel on the spot.

Even here, the price of the donkey brand satchel is not cheap, if it was two years ago, he would definitely not be able to afford it.

Now, although Jose's salary has risen a lot, he is still essentially a contract as an academy player.

The good news, however, is that Jose will be able to sign a professional contract with the club after July.

By then, his salary should be able to rise quite a bit.

…

In the evening, José returns Asuka to the bar.

As they parted, Asuka looked at José reluctantly and asked, "Won't you stay for the night?" ”

"No, I'll have to train tomorrow." José declined Asuka's invitation.

Training was just an excuse, and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to grasp it.

You know, Asuka, who is about to be 16 years old, has begun to exude a faint femininity.

"Oh, then you can come and see me when you have time." Asuka was slightly disappointed, but he didn't show it, but said so.

"Yes, I'll be in London next season and I'll have a chance." José didn't notice the change in the birds, but said with a smile.

"I'm afraid I won't have a chance then." Asuka said.

"How so?" Jose realized it later.

"Ho, goodbye." Asuka walked up to José, then padded his feet, lightly touched José's lips, and sped into the bar.

"Am I being eaten tofu?" Looking at the bird's vanishing back, José touched his mouth and muttered to himself in self-absorption.

……

After returning from London, José returned to his studies and training.

Studying aside.

But José's training went wrong.

As his saving ability grew, his teammates gradually began to be reluctant to practice with him.

Because it's so devastating.

"Christian, come on, let's practice together, and I'll invite you to eat Chinese food in the evening." Jose shouted at Bentek.

Hearing that Jose was going to invite Benteke to eat Chinese food, all the players couldn't help but swallow their saliva, but when they thought of training with Jose, they suddenly became scared again.

"No, no, I don't want to play against you." Benteke outright refused.

Seeing that Benteke had refused his invitation, José had no choice but to turn to Weiman: "Andreas, why don't you come?" ”

"Nope." Weimann refused very simply.

"And you—" Jose turned to look at his teammates.

Then, an embarrassing scene appeared for Jose, and all his teammates turned away one after another, pretending not to hear José's call.

In desperation, Jose had no choice but to turn around and walk towards Guzan: "Brad, why don't we practice." ”

"Okay."

Guzan, a bald Yankee, did not refuse José's invitation.

Playing against Guzan, Jose can only be the one who shoots.

Although Guzan's saving level is not very good, Jose still admires him.

Most of the players came through the academies of various clubs.

But Guzan is different, he debuted from the university team.

He first played for Nacarolina University in the United States, then was selected for the Major League League, and finally came here after being spotted by Villa.

Jose trains free kicks, which is somewhat unprofessional.

But the speed of the ball launcher is not difficult for him, even if the ball speed is increased to 150 mph, Jose can easily save.

Unless there is a faster football launcher, only real sparring will help Jose a little bit.

In addition, there is another point, that is, the shot from the football launcher, the change is too small, basically straight to the point.

Only one day when there is a more advanced football launcher will help Jose.

Training free kicks, violent heavy artillery is certainly not available, and Jose can only practice between a full moon scimitar and a fallen leaf.

In this way, the days of not doing business have passed.

In the blink of an eye, the time has come to April 3rd.

The first leg of the Europa League 1/4 knockout round has officially begun.

Villa host La Liga giants Sevilla.

It was a slightly dull game.

Sevilla FC were given the first kick-off.

However, they did not even think of attacking in a big way.

In the first half, there was little offensive play from either side.

It wasn't until the 31st minute that Villa got the third corner of the game.

Westwood is in charge of processing.

A short corner kicks in and the ball reaches Weimann's feet.

Weimann curled the ball away from Sevilla's Iborra after an interception.

Six yards in front of the penalty area, Bakuna successfully headed in front of the goal.

The ball went in.

Villa lead by one goal.

However, the backward Sevilla still chose to defend and counterattack.

In the first half, Sevilla did not have a single shot on goal.

Jose didn't make a single save.

Sevilla's choice seems to be at the mercy of Villa, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that they want to return to their home stadium and win the final victory at home.

The Villa team has a one-goal lead, which is not an advantage at all.

In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again.

Facing a densely defended Sevilla, the Villa team also had few chances.

In the 51st minute, Weimann passed the ball and Abonlaho's shot was deflected.

In the 59th minute, Benteke passed the ball, and Weimann's shot was directly confiscated by the opposing goalkeeper.

In the 60th minute, Sevilla got a chance to counterattack.

Rakitic goes straight from outside the box.

Reyes volleyed directly into the bottom right corner from 13 yards in front of goal.

Jose leaped and took it easily.

In the 70th minute, Villa won a corner kick on the left side.

A short corner kicks in and the ball goes to the feet of Abanglaho.

There were too many people in the box, and Abang Lajo gave up on the cross and instead tried to cut inside with the ball.

In the left side of the penalty area, Abang Laho crosses to the top of the gourd.

Delph volleys directly.

The ball was so fast that it flashed past many players in the penalty area in an instant.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to get past Sevilla goalkeeper Beto's ten fingers.

In the 82nd minute, Sevilla got the third corner of the game.

Rakitic was in charge of the corner.

Straight into the penalty area.

In the crowd, Sevilla centre-back Fernando Navarro got the ball on the head.

Navarro headed in and the ball was fast.

But Jose is faster.

The figure flashed, and Navarro's headbutt was directly confiscated.

It was Sevilla's second shot inside the goal and the last to threaten Jose's goal.

Since then, José has never faced any more challenges.

Of course, the Villa team also failed to extend the scoreline.

In the end, Villa won by one goal by virtue of home advantage.

The final qualification spot will be determined by the results of the second leg in a week's time.

The result of this game was reasonable for everyone.

Aston Villa are not a strong team in Europe, but after knocking out Napoli and Porto, no one treats them as fish belly teams.

In the last eight of this season's Europa League, the only team to win is AZ Alkmaar from the Eredivisie.

The big package from the Eredivisie was eventually drawn by Benfica, so it is believed that Benfica must have a place in the last four of this season's Europa League.

In terms of odds to win the championship.

Serie A giants Juventus are at the top of the table.

Sevilla FC lost to Villa FC but are still in second place.

Benfica, who won AZ Alkmaar's package, came in third.

Basel and Valencia, who are evenly matched, are fourth and fifth respectively, and at the end of the first leg of their match, Basel won 3-0 at home to Valencia to take the initiative in qualifying.

The strength of the French team Lyon, because of the early encounter with Juventus, their odds to win the championship ranked seventh, in the first leg, they lost 0-1 to Juventus at home, and it is extremely difficult to advance.

Villa beat Sevilla 1-0 at home, but they are still sixth in favourites to win the title.

It can be seen that people are not optimistic that Villa will be able to get out of Sevilla in one piece.

José has no time to pay attention to the opinions of the outside world, and he must devote all his energy to preparation and study.

(End of chapter)