«Aston Villa» is very active in the transfer market, but as the transfer window enters its final days, the club still has considerable work to do. They risk losing striker Ollie Watkins, who is currently being pursued by Al-Hilal. If Watkins leaves, Villa will certainly need to find a replacement. Additionally, the team needs to strengthen their defense, and the impact of financial regulations continues to loom over the club. After a catastrophic start to the season with a 0-4 defeat against Brighton, how confident is manager Unai Emery? To answer these and many other questions, journalist Jacob Tanswell conducted a Q&A session with users today.

Here is a compilation of the discussion, edited and condensed:

What is the situation with Mateta, Jackson, and Leão? What are the defensive plans?

Jacob: If Watkins leaves, Villa has several options, and it seems increasingly likely. Villa is also willing to consider offers for Tammy Abraham, and if he also departs, the club's striker options could become very limited.

Villa and Emery have always wanted to sign Nicolas Jackson, and the Chelsea forward could be an excellent fit.

The team is currently pursuing several targets. Rafa Leão could leave Milan, and David Ornstein reported that Villa made an earlier bid for Mateta from Crystal Palace, but it was rejected.

Will Villa try to sign a right winger before the transfer window closes?

Jacob: The current situation is very complicated. I don't want to simply dodge the question, but I'm hearing different things. Some sources believe Villa will sign a traditional winger; others think they'll opt for a more versatile forward. If I had to make a judgment, I think ultimately they'll sign a winger or wide attacking player, but signing a more central attacking midfielder cannot be ruled out.

Do you know how much financial room Villa has left this summer? Excluding further player sales.

Jacob: Villa believes they comply with UEFA's financial regulations, which is extremely important. When they apply for Champions League participation, UEFA requires that the club's A-list squad maintain a positive "balance." In other words, the transfer fees the club pays for newly registered players (summer acquisitions) must be lower than the transfer revenue generated from selling departing players.

Villa's loan of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matty Cash's free transfer, along with their pursuit of Bruges defender Nayero Odionese (on loan with mandatory purchase option), all suggest they are creating space to invest in attack.

Given the financial constraints and departure of some key players, are there any concerns about Emery's future?

Jacob: Emery has been very enthusiastic this summer. When the club informed him that the team needed to sell players, he embraced this new era. He was pleased with the recruitment work but was surprised by the scale of changes to the squad. He relishes the new challenges and enjoys guiding the team into this new phase. Currently, there are no signs that his motivation or desire to manage are concerns.

Any updates on Bailey, Léon, or Damián Martínez leaving? How are Majó and Manzanbi recovering from injuries?

Jacob: Bailey and Léon are training separately, and the club wants them to find new teams, but their futures remain unclear. The obstacle to deals isn't Villa, but the teams handling their affairs and their reluctance to accept wage cuts.

Regarding Damián Martínez, he remains under consideration. The team has explored some overseas options, but there has been no substantial progress yet. Manzanbi and Majó are expected to return within a few weeks.

Watkins wanted to return early for the UEFA Super Cup but then didn't play against Brighton. What happened during that time?

Jacob: That's a very good question, and I'm still confused about it. Villa knew of Al-Hilal's interest in Watkins a month and a half ago, and each time they made contact, Villa made it clear they wouldn't consider selling Watkins. After the Paris Saint-Germain match, Emery perhaps thought Watkins would return to the squad, the noise from Saudi Arabia would gradually fade, and Watkins would be the player he had worked with for nearly four years. But clearly, things didn't go as planned.

What's your gut feeling—will Watkins stay or leave? If he leaves, who would you most want to see replace him?

Jacob: My gut feeling is that he'll leave. Jackson or Balogun would be ideal replacements.

Is another move for Tammy Abraham still possible?

Jacob: Yes, it's still possible. We've reported throughout the summer that Villa is willing to consider offers for Tammy Abraham, and other Premier League clubs have included him on their striker shortlists. However, where exactly he ranks in these clubs' transfer priorities is a question worth considering.

It seems Villa doesn't have a clear transfer strategy. Do you think that's true? Or is there a bigger plan behind it?

Jacob: I've discussed this at length, and this summer window may be the most telling example. Villa had a plan before the window opened, but they quickly adjusted it. Financial constraints are influencing their thinking, player sales are changing plans, and the current scale of squad changes has even surprised Emery. However, the manager can also revise his views on positional needs and target players. Additionally, Villa is more willing than most clubs to capitalize on "market opportunities." For example, players like Alejandro Garnacho and Rafa Leão.

What are the current plans for Alison?

Jacob: Villa's physiotherapy team has worked specifically with him this summer to help him recover from injury. The club hasn't discussed the possibility of loaning him out. Therefore, the 20-year-old is expected to be part of the first-team squad.

What are your expectations for Villa now? I was quite optimistic before, but now I'm starting to worry that the club has too much work to do.

Jacob: After the international break, Villa's squad will look completely different, and they'll have an exciting new core group.

But right now it's a genuinely unpredictable and uncertain period.

Does the club intend to keep George Hemmings or loan him out?

Jacob: At the start of the season, Villa made clear they wanted to keep 19-year-old Hemmings and might even decide whether to loan him out in the closing stages of the transfer window. But given his impressive performance against Brighton, it now seems more likely he'll remain with the squad.


Переведено ИИ.

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