Aston Villa Report

John Townley

Unai Emery has confirmed that Emi Martinez asked to embark on a new challenge away from #AVFC this summer, just as he did last year, and that Zion Suzuki was signed to play now, not in the future. Villa say Martinez is not injured and has been training. https://www.birminghammail

Jacob Tanswell

#AVFC reject a new bid from Al Hilal worth £45m for Ollie Watkins. 30yo has made clear to Villa he wishes to leave. Emery wants to keep - club offered new deal until 2030 - but admits there is "an issue." Al Hilal continuing pursuit. Story w/ @david-ornstein.bsky.social on @theat

John Townley

Unai Emery has confirmed that Emi Martinez has asked for a new challenge this summer - as he did last year - and that Zion Suzuki is his replacement. He says it's 'not a bad scenario' to have both goalkeepers in the squad. Martinez can, of course, still leave. #AVFC

John Townley

Unai Emery on changes: "The only thing that doesn't change is the supporters. The supporters from Aston Villa will be there always - they are the most important. Aston Villa supporters start as Aston Villa supporters and finish their life as Aston Villa supporters." #AVFC

John Townley

Unai Emery prefers to keep Ollie Watkins but has confirmed that he could leave #AVFC should the club receive the right offer and find a replacement in the market. "We have an issue with him, it is clear. I don't want to sell him, but it can change." https://www.birminghammail.co.

Jacob Tanswell

Emery on Watkins: "We have an issue with him, it’s clear. He’s another player we can have because we have offers for him. He’s our player I don't want to sell him, but that can change because if it's a good option for him, a good option for the club & I can replace him, this is t

AVFC The Religion

Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to sign England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton with an agreement nearing over a big-money deal after Unai Emery’s side had seen an opening bid fall short on Thursday, @TEAMtalk can reveal. @GraemeBailey

John Townley

John McGinn: "We're going to be very different this season but our preparations have been strong, they’ve been tough. We're excited by the challenge; we’re excited by the new Aston Villa, and hopefully we can do as well as last season." [Villa TV] #AVFC

John Townley

Unai Emery is due to hold his first press conference of the new season shortly. #AVFC

John Townley

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has made exactly the same number of Premier League appearances as John McGinn (233), putting him ahead of the likes of Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins. Only Ross Barkley has more appearances in the Aston Villa squad. #AVFC [contains quote post or othe