Aston Villa Report

John Townley

Ollie Watkins is not in Aston Villa's squad to face Brighton, but he is not currently travelling to Saudi Arabia to complete a move to Al-Hilal. Villa still prefer to keep him, and no agreement for his transfer has been reached yet. #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

Midfield is always a big tussle in most PL matches but especially against Brighton. No natural 9 at Emery's disposal not ideal but does mean you can have an extra player in deeper, central areas. Should lend itself to rotation, even if there might be a lack of cutting edge. #AVFC

John Townley

Brighton starting XI vs #AVFC: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Boscagli, Vuskovic, De Cuyper; Ayari, Groß; Gomez; Hinshelwood, Rutter. Subs: Steele, Struijk, Promise, Osman, Kostoulas, Costinha, Svoboda, Yalcouye, Yohanna.

Jacob Tanswell

#AVFC XI: Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Pau, Maatsen; Gomes, Kamara; McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings; Barkley

John Townley

Joao Gomes has arrived at the Amex with his Aston Villa teammates. #AVFC

John Townley

Aston Villa start their 2026/27 season here at the Amex this afternoon. Looking forward to football being the focus, at least for 90 minutes. Brighton have lost 64% of their Premier League games against Villa, who have scored seven times on their last two visits. 🏖️ #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

It begins #AVFC

AVFC The Religion

Aston Villa anticipate a fourth bid from Al Hilal for striker Ollie Watkins. The 30-year-old is open to the move but so far Villa have rejected their advances - including a £38m offer last night. @SimonJones_DM

AVFC The Religion

Leon Goretzka to Aston Villa - DONE DEAL Full agreement reached. Final approval now in. Last details clarified. Medical to be finalized soon. Goretzka is expected to sign a 2-3 year contract. Unai Emery played a key role and personally called Goretzka @SkySportDE

Jacob Tanswell

New: #AVFC make approach to Club Brugge for defender Joel Ordonez. 22yo has been tracked for over a year & highly admired. Deal viewed as expensive but contact now been made with Ordonez among list of three CBs to replace Konsa. Villa & #SaintsFC still remain apart on valuation f