Europa League
May 20, 2026 8.00pm
Beşiktaş Park

Team News: Team News: Freiburg vs. Aston Villa injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

Team News: Freiburg vs. Aston Villa injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

Set to meet in Istanbul for this year's Europa League Final, Freiburg and Aston Villa will fight it out for the trophy on Wednesday evening.

Having both hit their last domestic opponents for four - with Villa taking down outgoing Premier League champions Liverpool - the pair are primed for a winner-takes-all clash in the Turkish capital.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all the team news for either side.


FREIBURG vs. ASTON VILLA

 

FREIBURG

Out: Yuito Suzuki (collarbone)

Doubtful: Patrick Osterhage (knee)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu; Eggestein, Hofler; Beste, Manzambi, Grifo; Matanovic

ASTON VILLA

Out: Boubacar Kamara (knee), Alysson (ineligible), Ross Barkley (ineligible)

Doubtful: Amadou Onana (calf), Victor Lindelof (foot)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Lindelof, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

<hr />
<h2>Vote in the 2025-26 Sports Mole Readers&#39; Awards!</h2>

<p>Cast your votes for the 2025-26 Sports Mole Reader Awards&#39; below - pick your Premier League player of the season, worst signing of the season, European player of the season and more.</p>

<p>Voting will be open until <strong>11pm on</strong> <strong>Sunday, May 24</strong>, and the winners will be announced on <strong>Monday, May 25</strong>!</p>
<!-- ============================================================
  SPORTS MOLE AWARDS 2025-26 — Voting Widget
  ============================================================
  HOW TO USE
  1. Paste this entire block into your CMS HTML editor.
  2. Before publishing, replace [YOUR_APPS_SCRIPT_URL] near
     the bottom of this file with your Google Apps Script
     Web App URL (see setup guide for instructions).
  3. All 11 categories are optional — readers can skip any.
  4. The multi-step navigation and progress bar are CSS-only.
     A minimal inline <script> before the widget HTML handles vote
     submission; everything else requires zero JavaScript.
  ============================================================ -->
<style type="text/css">/* ============================================================
   SPORTS MOLE AWARDS — CSS
   Prefix: sma-  |  Sports Mole brand colours
   Architecture: CSS radio-hack for step navigation
   ============================================================ */

/* Hidden inputs used purely for CSS state */
.sma-ri{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;opacity:0;pointer-events:none}

/* Screen-reader only */
.sma-sr{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0 0 0 0);white-space:nowrap}

/* ---- Outer shell ---- */
.sma-outer{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;max-width:560px;margin:28px auto;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box}

/* ---- Card ---- */
.sma-wrap{background:#fff;border:1px solid #c5d2db;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;box-sizing:border-box}

/* ---- Header ---- */
.sma-hdr{background:#003300;padding:18px 20px 14px}
.sma-hdr-row{display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:14px}
.sma-hdr-icon{color:#FFCC00;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px}
.sma-hdr-copy{flex:1;min-width:0}
.sma-hdr-eyebrow{color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.4px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px}
.sma-hdr-title{color:#fff;font-size:17px;font-weight:800;margin:0;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:-.2px}
.sma-hdr-sub{color:rgba(255,255,255,.45);font-size:11px;margin:4px 0 0;line-height:1.5}
.sma-hdr-badge{background:#FFCC00;color:#003300;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;padding:4px 11px;border-radius:20px;white-space:nowrap;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:2px;letter-spacing:.2px}

/* ---- Progress bar ---- */
.sma-prog{margin-top:14px}
.sma-prog-row{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;margin-bottom:6px}
.sma-prog-lbl{font-size:10px;font-weight:600;color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.9px}
.sma-prog-num{font-size:11px;font-weight:700;color:#FFCC00;min-width:32px;text-align:right}
.sma-prog-track{background:rgba(255,255,255,.15);border-radius:3px;height:4px;overflow:hidden}
.sma-prog-fill{background:#FFCC00;height:100%;border-radius:3px;transition:width .3s ease}

/* ---- Steps (hidden by default) ---- */
.sma-step{display:none}

/* ---- Step inner header ---- */
.sma-shdr{padding:16px 20px 10px;border-bottom:1px solid #edf1f6}
.sma-cat-tag{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1B7302;margin:0 0 5px;display:block}
.sma-cat-title{font-size:17px;font-weight:800;color:#0b1a27;margin:0;line-height:1.25;letter-spacing:-.2px}
.sma-cat-note{font-size:11px;color:#94a3b8;margin:5px 0 0;display:block}

/* ---- Options list ---- */
.sma-opts{padding:10px 20px 8px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;list-style:none;margin:0}
.sma-opt{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;padding:10px 14px;border:1.5px solid #dde6ef;border-radius:9px;cursor:pointer;transition:border-color .12s,background .12s}
.sma-opt:hover{border-color:#1B7302;background:#f5faf4}
.sma-opt:has(input:checked){background:#003300;border-color:#003300}
.sma-opt input[type=radio]{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;opacity:0;pointer-events:none}

/* Custom radio indicator */
.sma-dot{width:19px;height:19px;border-radius:50%;border:2px solid #b8c8d4;background:#fff;flex-shrink:0;box-sizing:border-box;position:relative;transition:border-color .12s,background .12s}
.sma-opt:has(input:checked) .sma-dot{background:#FFCC00;border-color:#FFCC00}
.sma-dot::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);width:7px;height:7px;border-radius:50%;background:transparent;transition:background .12s}
.sma-opt:has(input:checked) .sma-dot::after{background:#003300}

.sma-opt-name{font-size:14px;font-weight:600;color:#1b2d3e;flex:1;line-height:1.3}
.sma-opt:has(input:checked) .sma-opt-name{color:#fff}
.sma-opt:hover:not(:has(input:checked)) .sma-opt-name{color:#003300}

/* ---- Navigation ---- */
.sma-nav{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:12px 20px 16px;border-top:1px solid #edf1f6}
.sma-btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:5px;padding:9px 18px;border-radius:7px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;cursor:pointer;user-select:none;line-height:1.2;white-space:nowrap;border:1.5px solid transparent;font-family:inherit}
.sma-back{background:#f0f4f8;border-color:#dce5ee;color:#4f6070}
.sma-back:hover{background:#e4edf5;border-color:#b8ccdb}
.sma-next{background:#003300;border-color:#003300;color:#fff;margin-left:auto}
.sma-next:hover{background:#004d00;border-color:#004d00}
.sma-submit{background:#FFCC00;border-color:#FFCC00;color:#003300;margin-left:auto;font-size:14px;padding:10px 22px;font-weight:800}
.sma-submit:hover{background:#f5c400;border-color:#f5c400}

/* Arrow chars */

/* Hide back on first step */
.sma-step-1 .sma-back{visibility:hidden;pointer-events:none}

/* ---- Thank you screen ---- */
.sma-ty{padding:42px 24px 36px;text-align:center}
.sma-ty-check{width:64px;height:64px;background:#003300;border-radius:50%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;margin:0 auto 18px}
.sma-ty-title{font-size:22px;font-weight:800;color:#003300;margin:0 0 8px;letter-spacing:-.3px}
.sma-ty-body{font-size:14px;color:#607080;line-height:1.65;margin:0 auto;max-width:340px}
.sma-ty-pill{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:#f0f7f0;border:1px solid #c0dbc0;color:#1B7302;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 16px;border-radius:20px;margin-top:16px;letter-spacing:.3px}
.sma-ty-pill::before{content:"\2605";font-size:11px}

/* ---- Footer ---- */
.sma-foot{padding:9px 18px;border-top:1px solid #e8ecf0;background:#f7f9fb;font-size:10px;color:#94a3b8;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px}

/* ================================================================
   STEP VISIBILITY — CSS sibling selector hack
   Step radios sit before .sma-wrap in the DOM (siblings inside
   .sma-outer), so ~ correctly targets .sma-wrap's descendants.
   ================================================================ */
#sma-s1:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-1,
#sma-s2:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-2,
#sma-s3:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-3,
#sma-s4:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-4,
#sma-s5:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-5,
#sma-s6:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-6,
#sma-s7:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-7,
#sma-s8:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-8,
#sma-s9:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-9,
#sma-s10:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-10,
#sma-s11:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-11,
#sma-s12:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-step-12{display:block}

/* Hide progress bar on thank you step */
#sma-s12:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-prog{display:none}

/* ================================================================
   PROGRESS BAR WIDTHS — N/11 × 100%
   ================================================================ */
#sma-s1:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:9.09%}
#sma-s2:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:18.18%}
#sma-s3:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:27.27%}
#sma-s4:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:36.36%}
#sma-s5:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:45.45%}
#sma-s6:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:54.55%}
#sma-s7:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:63.64%}
#sma-s8:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:72.73%}
#sma-s9:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-fill{width:81.82%}
#sma-s10:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-prog-fill{width:90.91%}
#sma-s11:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-prog-fill{width:100%}
#sma-s12:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-prog-fill{width:100%}

/* ================================================================
   STEP COUNTER — CSS-generated text
   ================================================================ */
#sma-s1:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"1 / 11"}
#sma-s2:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"2 / 11"}
#sma-s3:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"3 / 11"}
#sma-s4:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"4 / 11"}
#sma-s5:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"5 / 11"}
#sma-s6:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"6 / 11"}
#sma-s7:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"7 / 11"}
#sma-s8:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"8 / 11"}
#sma-s9:checked~.sma-wrap  .sma-prog-num::before{content:"9 / 11"}
#sma-s10:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-prog-num::before{content:"10 / 11"}
#sma-s11:checked~.sma-wrap .sma-prog-num::before{content:"11 / 11"}

/* ================================================================
   RESPONSIVE
   ================================================================ */
@media(max-width:520px){
  .sma-hdr{padding:14px 16px 12px}
  .sma-shdr{padding:14px 16px 10px}
  .sma-cat-title{font-size:15px}
  .sma-opts{padding:8px 16px 6px;gap:5px}
  .sma-opt{padding:9px 12px;gap:9px}
  .sma-opt-name{font-size:13px}
  .sma-nav{padding:10px 16px 14px;gap:8px}
  .sma-btn{padding:8px 14px;font-size:12px}
  .sma-submit{padding:9px 18px;font-size:13px}
  .sma-ty{padding:32px 18px 28px}
  .sma-ty-title{font-size:19px}
  .sma-ty-body{font-size:13px}
}

/* ================================================================
   VOTING WINDOW — pre/closed gate states (toggled by JS below)
   ================================================================ */
.sma-gate{background:#fff;border:1px solid #c5d2db;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;box-sizing:border-box;display:none}
.sma-outer.sma-pre    .sma-wrap{display:none}
.sma-outer.sma-pre    .sma-gate-pre{display:block}
.sma-outer.sma-closed .sma-wrap{display:none}
.sma-outer.sma-closed .sma-gate-closed{display:block}
.sma-gate-hdr{background:#003300;padding:16px 20px 14px;display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:14px}
.sma-gate-icon{color:#FFCC00;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:2px}
.sma-gate-copy{flex:1}
.sma-gate-eyebrow{color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.4px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px;display:block}
.sma-gate-title{color:#fff;font-size:16px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 3px;letter-spacing:-.2px;line-height:1.2}
.sma-gate-sub{color:rgba(255,255,255,.45);font-size:11px;margin:0;display:block}
.sma-gate-body{padding:20px 20px 22px}
.sma-gate-msg{font-size:14px;color:#607080;line-height:1.65;margin:0}
.sma-gate-pill{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 14px;border-radius:20px;margin-top:14px;letter-spacing:.2px}
.sma-gate-pill-open{background:#f0f7f0;border:1px solid #c0dbc0;color:#1B7302}
.sma-gate-pill-open::before{content:"\1F4C5\A0"}
.sma-gate-pill-closed{background:#fff8e6;border:1px solid #e8d88a;color:#8a6800}
.sma-gate-pill-closed::before{content:"\2605\A0"}
</style>
<!-- ============================================================
     VOTING WINDOW + VOTE SUBMISSION
     Runs before the widget renders to apply the correct gate
     state (pre-voting / active / closed) without any flicker.
     Replace [YOUR_APPS_SCRIPT_URL] in the form action below.
     All UI interaction runs in pure CSS — no JS needed for it.
     ============================================================ --><script>
(function () {
  // ---- Voting window ----
  // Times in UTC. UK is BST (UTC+1) throughout this period.
  var OPEN  = new Date('2026-05-18T05:00:00Z'); // Mon 18 May, 6am BST
  var CLOSE = new Date('2026-05-24T22:00:00Z'); // Sun 24 May, 11pm BST
  var now   = new Date();

  // Apply gate class to the outer wrapper as soon as it exists.
  // Because this script runs immediately before the widget HTML,
  // the class is set before the browser paints anything.
  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
    var outer = document.querySelector('.sma-outer');
    if (!outer) return;
    if (now < OPEN)  outer.classList.add('sma-pre');
    if (now > CLOSE) outer.classList.add('sma-closed');
  });

  // ---- Vote submission ----
  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
    var btn  = document.getElementById('sma-sub');
    var form = document.getElementById('sma-form');
    if (!btn || !form) return;

    btn.addEventListener('click', function () {
      var url = form.getAttribute('action') || '';
      if (!url || url.charAt(0) === '[') return; // placeholder not yet set
      // Reject if outside voting window (e.g. page left open past close time)
      var t = new Date();
      if (t < OPEN || t > CLOSE) return;
      try {
        // Always GET — sendBeacon sends POST which doGet does not handle
        var params = new URLSearchParams(new FormData(form)).toString();
        fetch(url + '?' + params, { method: 'GET', mode: 'no-cors' }).catch(function () {});
      } catch (e) {}
    });
  });
}());
</script><!-- ============================================================
     WIDGET HTML
     ============================================================ -->
<div aria-label="Sports Mole Awards 2025-26 voting" class="sma-outer" role="region"><!-- Step navigation radios — must come BEFORE .sma-wrap for CSS ~ selector --><input checked="checked" class="sma-ri" id="sma-s1" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s2" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s3" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s4" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s5" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s6" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s7" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s8" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s9" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s10" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s11" name="sma-step" type="radio" /> <input class="sma-ri" id="sma-s12" name="sma-step" type="radio" />
<div class="sma-wrap"><!-- ---- HEADER ---- -->
<header aria-label="Sports Mole Awards" class="sma-hdr">
<div class="sma-hdr-row"><!-- Trophy icon (inline SVG, no external request) --><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sma-hdr-icon" fill="none" height="30" viewbox="0 0 30 30" width="30"> <path d="M15 21v4.5m-4.5 0h9" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.6"></path> <path d="M8 5H5a2.5 2.5 0 000 5c0 3 2 5.5 4.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.5"></path> <path d="M22 5h3a2.5 2.5 0 010 5c0 3-2 5.5-4.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.5"></path> <rect height="15" rx="2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" width="14" x="8" y="3"></rect> <path d="M11 9.5l2 2 2-3 2 3 2-2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="1.3"></path> </svg>
<div class="sma-hdr-copy">
<p class="sma-hdr-eyebrow">Readers&rsquo; Awards</p>

<h2 class="sma-hdr-title">Sports Mole Awards 2025‑26</h2>

<p class="sma-hdr-sub">Vote for your winners across 11 categories &mdash; all optional</p>
</div>
<span aria-label="11 categories" class="sma-hdr-badge">11 categories</span></div>
<!-- Progress bar -->

<div aria-hidden="true" class="sma-prog">
<div class="sma-prog-row"><span class="sma-prog-lbl">Progress</span></div>

<div class="sma-prog-track">
<div class="sma-prog-fill">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<!-- ================================================================
         FORM — wraps all 11 voting steps.
         action / method are used by the <script> below; the form itself
         is never natively submitted (the script sends via fetch).
         ================================================================ -->

<form action="https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbxyDHJ3cRApIBWuuPtB89UQ140wcOLPDMufxouTqHcJz6ij8nb72ZhJSdwggSUz1ZX6Gw/exec" autocomplete="off" id="sma-form" method="GET" novalidate=""><!-- ---- STEP 1: PL Player of the Season ---- -->
<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-1" class="sma-step sma-step-1">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 1 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-1">Premier League Player of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-1" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="haaland" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Erling Haaland</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="thiago" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Igor Thiago</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="fernandes" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Bruno Fernandes</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="rice" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Declan Rice</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="gabriel" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Gabriel Magalhaes</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="szoboszlai" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Dominik Szoboszlai</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-player" type="radio" value="raya" /><span class="sma-opt-name">David Raya</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s1">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s2">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 2: PL Manager of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-2" class="sma-step sma-step-2">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 2 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-2">Premier League Manager of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-2" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="arteta" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Mikel Arteta</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="guardiola" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Pep Guardiola</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="carrick" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Michael Carrick</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="andrews" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Keith Andrews</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="le-bris" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Regis Le Bris</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="hurzeler" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Fabian Hurzeler</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-manager" type="radio" value="iraola" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Andoni Iraola</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s1">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s3">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 3: PL Signing of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-3" class="sma-step sma-step-3">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 3 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-3">Premier League Signing of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-3" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="semenyo" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Antoine Semenyo</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="xhaka" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Granit Xhaka</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="guehi" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Marc Guehi</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="ekitike" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Hugo Ekitike</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="cherki" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Rayan Cherki</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="zubimendi" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Martin Zubimendi</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="donnarumma" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Gianluigi Donnarumma</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="lammens" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Senne Lammens</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-signing" type="radio" value="j-pedro" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Joao Pedro</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s2">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s4">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 4: PL Worst Signing of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-4" class="sma-step sma-step-4">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 4 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-4">Premier League Worst Signing of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-4" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="isak" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Alexander Isak</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="wissa" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Yoane Wissa</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="delap" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Liam Delap</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="gittens" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Jamie Gittens</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="madueke" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Noni Madueke</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="garnacho" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Alejandro Garnacho</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-worst" type="radio" value="elliott" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Harvey Elliott</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s3">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s5">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 5: PL Overachievers ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-5" class="sma-step sma-step-5">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 5 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-5">Premier League Overachievers of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-5" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-over" type="radio" value="man-utd" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Manchester United</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-over" type="radio" value="bournemouth" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Bournemouth</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-over" type="radio" value="brighton" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Brighton</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-over" type="radio" value="brentford" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Brentford</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-over" type="radio" value="sunderland" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Sunderland</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s4">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s6">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 6: PL Underachievers ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-6" class="sma-step sma-step-6">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 6 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-6">Premier League Underachievers of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-6" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-under" type="radio" value="tottenham" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Tottenham</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-under" type="radio" value="liverpool" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Liverpool</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-under" type="radio" value="newcastle" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Newcastle</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-under" type="radio" value="chelsea" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Chelsea</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s5">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s7">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 7: PL Goalkeeper of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-7" class="sma-step sma-step-7">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 7 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-7">Premier League Goalkeeper of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-7" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="raya" /><span class="sma-opt-name">David Raya</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="donnarumma" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Gianluigi Donnarumma</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="henderson" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Dean Henderson</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="lammens" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Senne Lammens</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="pickford" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Jordan Pickford</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="roefs" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Robin Roefs</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-gk" type="radio" value="verbruggen" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Bart Verbruggen</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s6">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s8">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 8: PL Defender of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-8" class="sma-step sma-step-8">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 8 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-8">Premier League Defender of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-8" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-def" type="radio" value="gabriel" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Gabriel Magalhaes</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-def" type="radio" value="guehi" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Marc Guehi</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-def" type="radio" value="dias" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Ruben Dias</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-def" type="radio" value="timber" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Jurrien Timber</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-def" type="radio" value="van-dijk" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Virgil van Dijk</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s7">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s9">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 9: PL Midfielder of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-9" class="sma-step sma-step-9">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 9 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-9">Premier League Midfielder of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-9" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-mid" type="radio" value="fernandes" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Bruno Fernandes</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-mid" type="radio" value="rice" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Declan Rice</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-mid" type="radio" value="casemiro" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Casemiro</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-mid" type="radio" value="gibbs-white" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Morgan Gibbs-White</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-mid" type="radio" value="silva" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Bernardo Silva</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-mid" type="radio" value="szoboszlai" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Dominik Szoboszlai</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s8">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s10">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 10: PL Attacker of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-10" class="sma-step sma-step-10">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 10 of 11</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-10">Premier League Attacker of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; or skip to the next category</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-10" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-att" type="radio" value="haaland" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Erling Haaland</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-att" type="radio" value="thiago" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Igor Thiago</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-att" type="radio" value="semenyo" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Antoine Semenyo</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-att" type="radio" value="j-pedro" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Joao Pedro</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-att" type="radio" value="wilson" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Harry Wilson</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s9">&larr; Back</label> <label class="sma-btn sma-next" for="sma-s11">Next &rarr;</label></div>
</section>
<!-- ---- STEP 11: European Player of the Season ---- -->

<section aria-labelledby="sma-cat-11" class="sma-step sma-step-11">
<div class="sma-shdr"><span class="sma-cat-tag">Category 11 of 11 &mdash; Final category</span>

<h3 class="sma-cat-title" id="sma-cat-11">European Player of the Season</h3>
<span class="sma-cat-note">Choose one &mdash; then submit all your votes below</span></div>

<div aria-labelledby="sma-cat-11" class="sma-opts" role="group"><label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="yamal" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Lamine Yamal</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="pedri" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Pedri</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="mbappe" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Kylian Mbappe</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="valverde" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Federico Valverde</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="kane" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Harry Kane</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="olise" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Michael Olise</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="kvaratskhelia" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Khvicha Kvaratskhelia</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="vitinha" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Vitinha</span></label> <label class="sma-opt"><input name="sma-euro" type="radio" value="suarez" /><span class="sma-opt-name">Luis Suarez</span></label></div>

<div class="sma-nav"><label class="sma-btn sma-back" for="sma-s10">&larr; Back</label> <!-- This label advances the CSS state to the thank-you step.
               The <script> below intercepts this click and fires the fetch. --> <label class="sma-btn sma-submit" for="sma-s12" id="sma-sub">Submit all votes ✓</label></div>
</section>
</form>
<!-- /sma-form --><!-- ---- STEP 12: Thank you (outside the form) ---- -->

<section aria-label="Vote submitted" class="sma-step sma-step-12 sma-ty">
<div aria-hidden="true" class="sma-ty-check"><svg fill="none" height="28" viewbox="0 0 28 28" width="28"> <path d="M6 14l6 6 10-12" stroke="#FFCC00" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2.5"></path> </svg></div>

<h3 class="sma-ty-title">Thank you for voting!</h3>

<p class="sma-ty-body">Your votes have been recorded. Check back on Sports&nbsp;Mole soon to find out who our readers crowned the winners of the 2025‑26 season.</p>
<span class="sma-ty-pill">Sports Mole Readers&rsquo; Awards 2025‑26</span></section>
<!-- ---- Footer ---- -->

<footer class="sma-foot"><span>Sports Mole Readers&rsquo; Awards &mdash; 2025‑26 season</span> <span>sportsmole.co.uk</span></footer>
</div>
<!-- /sma-wrap --> <!-- ============================================================
       PRE-VOTING STATE — shown before Mon 18 May, 6am BST
       ============================================================ -->

<div aria-label="Voting not yet open" class="sma-gate sma-gate-pre" role="region">
<div class="sma-gate-hdr"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sma-gate-icon" fill="none" height="28" viewbox="0 0 30 30" width="28"> <path d="M15 21v4.5m-4.5 0h9" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.6"></path> <path d="M8 5H5a2.5 2.5 0 000 5c0 3 2 5.5 4.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.5"></path> <path d="M22 5h3a2.5 2.5 0 010 5c0 3-2 5.5-4.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.5"></path> <rect height="15" rx="2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" width="14" x="8" y="3"></rect> <path d="M11 9.5l2 2 2-3 2 3 2-2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="1.3"></path> </svg>

<div class="sma-gate-copy"><span class="sma-gate-eyebrow">Readers&rsquo; Awards</span>

<h2 class="sma-gate-title">Sports Mole Awards 2025‑26</h2>
<span class="sma-gate-sub">Voting opens Monday, May 18</span></div>
</div>

<div class="sma-gate-body">
<p class="sma-gate-msg">Voting for the Sports Mole Awards 2025‑26 is not yet open. Come back on <strong>Monday, May 18 at 6am BST</strong> to cast your votes across all 11 categories.</p>
<span class="sma-gate-pill sma-gate-pill-open">Opens Monday, May 18 &mdash; 6am BST</span></div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
       CLOSED STATE — shown after Sun 24 May, 11pm BST
       ============================================================ -->

<div aria-label="Voting has closed" class="sma-gate sma-gate-closed" role="region">
<div class="sma-gate-hdr"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sma-gate-icon" fill="none" height="28" viewbox="0 0 30 30" width="28"> <path d="M15 21v4.5m-4.5 0h9" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.6"></path> <path d="M8 5H5a2.5 2.5 0 000 5c0 3 2 5.5 4.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.5"></path> <path d="M22 5h3a2.5 2.5 0 010 5c0 3-2 5.5-4.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-width="1.5"></path> <rect height="15" rx="2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" width="14" x="8" y="3"></rect> <path d="M11 9.5l2 2 2-3 2 3 2-2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="1.3"></path> </svg>

<div class="sma-gate-copy"><span class="sma-gate-eyebrow">Readers&rsquo; Awards</span>

<h2 class="sma-gate-title">Sports Mole Awards 2025‑26</h2>
<span class="sma-gate-sub">Voting has now closed</span></div>
</div>

<div class="sma-gate-body">
<p class="sma-gate-msg">Thank you to everyone who took part in the Sports Mole Awards 2025‑26. Voting closed on Sunday, May 24 at 11pm BST. <strong>Winners will be announced on Monday, May 25.</strong></p>
<span class="sma-gate-pill sma-gate-pill-closed">Results announced Monday, May 25</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- /sma-outer -->


Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe