It doesn’t seem to stop with the Villa at the moment, does it? Late last night Al-Hilal submitted an official bid of £45 million for Ollie Watkins, a move which Watkins is reported to be interested in, likely for the sizeable financial promise. Then, this morning we wake up to the good news that Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri are officially Aston Villa players for respective fees of €35 million and €26.5 million (both fees include add-ons). The good news soon takes a turn, in the opinion of most, and Ezri Konsa is all but confirmed for a move to Arsenal for a fee of around £50m plus add-ons after saying goodbye to Aston Villa players and staff yesterday.
This is in need of a break-down. Firstly, Al-Hilal have been reported to have had considerable interest in the England striker Ollie Watkins, who missed out on Super Cup action, however had informal offers rejected by Villa. It appears now that after an official bid of 45 million was submitted yesterday, Watkins is interested in the move and it is down to the club to accept Al-Hilal’s bid. Watkins has pushed for twenty-goal seasons arguably four times since joining Villa, narrowly missing out in the 23/24 season, and with strikers being very hard to come by, it is very understandable why moving Watkins on will hurt Villa fans.
I think timing is our biggest enemy, all of this happening towards the end of the window makes it very difficult to find replacements in key positions, and I think this will end in Ollie Watkins moving to Al-Hilal and Villa bringing in Nicolas Jackson for a fee just under what we sold Ollie for. It makes the most sense.
The good news, however, is Zion Suzuki, the first player who represents Japan to sign for Aston VIlla, is a Villa player, along with Matteo Ruggeri. As mentioned in the previous article, with Martinez always seeming to have one foot out the door, I think this is a smart piece of business by the club, signing a player who kept Japan in matches in the World Cup, and not to mention the huge Japanese fanbase that this could bring in, though I have heard that South Korea are the biggest Asian nation for that sort of thing, but it will no doubt help.
Ruggeri signs after weeks of speculation and somewhat confirmation. Though I do not know too much about him, a fresh full-back was definitely needed, and with Konsa going, I am really hoping we have signed a defensively-minded full-back as we will be very light in the defence, based on what we saw last season with the full-backs struggling to defend and our defence relying on the work of Ezri and Pau. Having said that, Maatsen had a defensively solid game against Paris Saint Germain, and will no doubt compete with Ruggeri for that spot, and has a good chance of starting against Brighton, with Matteo being broken in as a substitute.
The big news coming out today, which cannot be ignored, is Ezri Konsa being out the door. This seems to be the big hitter for all Villa fans, and it’s actually something I was open to before the window opened, but the timing is frankly terrible! The club are seriously entering dangerous territory offloading our main striker and arguably our main centre-back (although I personally think Torres is) this late in the window. Another story that has surfaced is us lowering the valuation to suit Arsenal’s end of the sale? If that’s true, it’s totally pathetic and weak, though I do not know how credible that story is.
The worrying thing is, is that we never seem to be linked with top level centre-backs, and as much as I rate Lindelof and think he will definitely be a starter at the beginning of the season, I think we definitely need to bring another centre-back in, but there’s no way we’re going to bring someone in on the level of Konsa, or even close.
The lineup for Brighton, as I imagine it, will be something similar to; Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara, Barkley, McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings, Abraham (if fit).
It’s not a bad lineup, it’s just one that hasn’t properly gelled together. I think if we lose heavily on Sunday then we could really risk dividing our fanbase, so I’d take a point and run if I were the players. We’ve no doubt Emery won’t do that though.
Overall, a serious rebuild is on the cards, so I would like to know if people believe that this rebuild will produce positive results. However, I would like contributors only to think about this season – I think it goes without saying that assembling a younger squad is better in terms of achieving long-term goals. Hopefully you can take the time to vote;
United! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
Youri should’ve considered the calibre of managers he was leaving and joining. Honeymoon period well and truly over for Carrick.
Yep. Youri became world class because of Emery. And now he’s under a less than mediocre Carrick, who won’t see out the season.
What was that he said about winning bigger trophies?
Well done Hull!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Unai’s response to what he said was spot-on, as usual.
He was very funny. In a round about way he said you were all shit before you met me!!! Without me you’re nothing!!!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Considering Youri’s performance today, he may well be right!!
That’s exactly what I thought!
Arse looking to offload 25 yr old Martinelli. Would you???
Leroy out, then yes.
25 with Unai’s guidance. He may be unplayable when he peaks…
Looks like Goretzka is a done deal! Onana’s replacement, much cheaper than Pahlinha, and it’s not a loan, so we should have a solid, top-drawer midfielder for 2-3 years. Not long-term this one, but very necessary and that steel and experience in the centre should prove to be priceless alongside the younger lads. Serial winner at Bayern! Look forward to the official announcement…
Now let’s get the lad from Southampton signed and sealed…
Oh, and someone give Leroy a nudge so we can get a new winger in…
Romano says we have agreed a free transfer for midfielder Leon Goretzka (31) who’s out of contract have left Bayern Munich last month. Capped 71 times by Germany and multiple winner with Bayern including one CL.
It appears this deal replaces Palhinha as a replacement for Onana. If it’s half as good as our recent frees (Tielemans and Lindelof) it’ll be a good move.
I personally know nothing about him – any Bundesliga experts on here?
Nien.
😂
BBC article re: Goretzka
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cnvnvjer47mo
If he comes we’re starting to get a nice mixture of youth and real European experience.
If anything struck me during Emery’s presser it was his genuine interest and delight (is that the right word) in them achieving higher performance levels and achievements under his guidance which has allowed them to seek new challenges elsewhere. He appears to be genuinely happy for them whilst relishing the challenge of doing the same for the new players coming in and, in so doing, create an even better team.
Honestly admitting that the number of changes are greater than he envisaged he also recognised the changing nature of football and (paraphrasing) ‘if it’s to the benefit of the player and the club then it’s the right thing to do’
I think (hope) were assembling a balanced squad of quality senior professionals and more than a sprinkling of excited younger talent.
As supporters we need to be patient, as when Emery first joined the club, and support him, the owners and the players.
UTMV
Crazy to think that without kicking a ball we are 6 points in the bank after man u and totteringham’s halves
Games even.
Spurs! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
*It’s probably our turn tomorrow but might as well enjoy it while we can!
🖕
Massive opportunity with arsehole clubs dropping points already…
Hitch. Good review of Uni’s presser. I also liked his comment re Ollie. “I don’t want to sell him but it can change because if it’s a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving. “Keep it simple stupid” and even I understand.
Great to see Manure and Spursy reverting to type.
Regarding our departures so far with Rogers, Tielemans, Digne and Konsa, they all went to big clubs and Martinez was poised to leave for another huge club in Juventus before they switched to a different target. Watkins however, I would be massively disappointed in him leaving for a pub league when he is still a top drawer striker. He’s 9 goals I think in getting to the 100 club and more importantly playing Champions League football. He’s purely putting money ahead of his career. Any chance of playing for England will be gone. He always gave the impression that he had career goals to achieve. Beating Gabbys Premier League goals record for Villa was accomplished. I heard him say in an interview about reaching the 100 club! An opportunity to play in the Champions League for just the second time in his career sacrificed for greed! He probably could leave next summer and still bank a couple of seasons of ridiculous wages.
Thankfully we still have our captain marvel and big Ty who have stayed loyal since the Championship era.
I complete agree with you Holte – well said.
But £250k a week tax free…Blimey!!!
Spot on BumBum! Watkins has been a great servant for Villa. He is a professional footballer. A key objective has to be financial. Like you say £250k tax free per week, who of us would turn that down? As for England, the last two managers have repeatedly shown that they don’t trust him, based on how little game time he gets.
Watkins goes with my best wishes. Thank you for those 6 years and the memories you have created. The king is dead, long live the king!
Agreed.
Aston Villa upheaval is a risk but Emery can release v2.0 and reap rewards | Aston Villa | The Guardian https://share.google/RIeknMGu12xgmEAYw
Worth a read.
Thanks for posting the link BFR.
Well considered article which clearly sets out Villa’s twin objectives – financial and squad rebase – giving Emery a platform for the future.
It might not be this season so, as fans, we will have to be patient as we were when Emery first joined us.
If I have a concern it’s losing Rodri, Pako and McPhee all at once.
First challenge though is to get everyone fit and keep them fit.
UTV
Agree about the coaches, Hitch. Mcphee aside, I think the others were Unai’s decision to change things…
What do you guys think triggered this mass turnaround? It isn’t for lack of success. Emery is an incredible Manager. We still pay decent wages. We are going places. ManU, Chelsea, Spuds and a Pep-less Citeh are all headcases. We have awesome owners.
Was it all instigated by Emery? I do think this squad peaked last year. Shame to lose Konsa and Youri to near rivals, but quite frankly, f*ck the pair of them. And the horse they rode in on.
I’d love the inside story on all this…
Following the Europa League win, Guillem Balague promised to write an update to his book ‘Rise of The Villans’. Think we’ll have to wait for that to find out the background to this summer’s transfer window and exodus of coaches.
Hope he delivers on his word; will be a fascinating read.
The history page turns. Thats a better side than I thought we would start. Good luck Villa.
Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen, Gomes, Kamara, Barkley, McGinn, Buendía, Hemmings.
Subs: Suzuki, Mings, Ruggeri, Bogarde, Rowe, Garnacho, Burrowes, Lynch, Alysson.
Match preview is live.