Given the credible media coverage over the last three days, the following have emerged to be all be done:
- Johan Manzambi from Freiburg to Villa – 70m euros.
- Youri Tielemans from Villa to Man United – 35m pounds (RELEASE CLAUSE)
- Lucas Digne from Villa to PSG – Under 10m pounds. (RELEASE CLAUSE)
Well, we’ll start in chronological order – Johan Manzambi to Villa. Whilst I don’t know much about him other than him being a midfielder from Freiburg, I am quite impressed that we have managed to pull out a fee like 70 million euros. Also hijacking him from Newcastle was quite a nice feeling too, hehe. I do believe that we obviously knew Tielemans was out the door so we could spend that kind of money, and I do really hope he lives up to his fee!
Tielemans. To be honest, this one hurts. Although it has opened the door to sign Manzambi, to lose one of our best players over the last few years stings. Youri has been absolutely incredible after a shaky start, and we should be grateful for his achievements. Plus, a 29-year-old with two years left on his contract, who isn’t exactly allergic to injuries – I don’t think 35 million is too bad a fee.
Digne. I think he’s always been reliable since he joined Villa, and was going to leave this season or next season. At 32-years-old, I think it’s an outstanding achievement to be recognised for his World Cup performances for France and I hope it does work out for him at PSG.
Regarding Digne, I did see we were looking at replacing him with Pervis Estupinian, who I would probably class as an upgrade.
Overall, regarding the three players overall net spend of £25m, and with Tielemans out the door I can’t see us selling Rogers now. I also see we’re looking to offload Lewis Dobbin for £9m, which is a great fee considering I can’t see it working out for him at Villa – another player who is constantly loaned out for no reason other than a reluctance to sell for some daft reason!
Overall, I think we’ve made a risk, but a statement of intent with a big money signing and I look forward to see how it all pans out, as well as all of your thoughts in the comments of the article.
Looks like the Villa summer is livening up!
Better hurry up on manzabe or we’ll lose him as well
Sad day seeing the uefa cup team being broken up
Hope we don’t mess up Manzambi, I don’t believe we would’ve been willing to sell Tielemans if we didn’t know we were going to bring him in.
Might be the other way round Alfie.
Villa didn’t want to sell Tielemans but it seems he insisted on a release clause when he signed the contract extension. Once Manure matched it there was nothing Villa could do. Simple answer don’t ever include release clauses!
As a result of being forced to sell Tielemans, Villa had to find a replacement- and quick – so I hope they can get Manzambi over the line or we’re up sh*t creek without the proverbial paddle!
Alfie; I agree with you in that I don’t believe they would have gone for Manzambi unless they knew a senior midfielder was leaving – €70m would have been too big a risk given the UEFA agreement.
Better Tielemans and Digne leave having won Villa a European trophy than having won nothing. They don’t owe Villa or our fans anything and I wish them well.
Both are players I really like but nothing ever stays the same for ever – particularly in football.
Yeah very doubtful.
Yep, the players had the opportunity to be legends or nearly men, and they chose the favourable. Fair play to them, they’ll always be rememebered no matter what. It’s why it doesn’t hurt me to see these players go now, as we have now won something.
Absolutely Hitch on the last comment too, change is inevitable.
What we are seeing is a reason why Villa will probably never win the PL or CL. Once we have desirable players come through, a big club will take them from us. Sad really that despite our owners wealth and ambitions, we will always be a nearly club having to settle for 2nd best trophies.
If Unai can get us a FA cup win, I will be satisfied that we have won all the top domestic trophies in my lifetime.
NSWE have, at last, (not wishing to appear arrogant) decided they have to put Villa’s finances on a firm (football regulatory) footing having been frustrated at not being allowed to invest as they would have wished.
We need to get past the remaining 18 months of the UEFA agreement and then, with the drive to continually increase revenue and SCR at 70%, they will have established a launch pad from which to push the club forward.
Key to this is keeping Emery happy and in place.
I think your scenario is more likely to be reflected at Newcastle – the Saudi Investment Fund will tire of not being able to financially bully their way in the EPL and have already indicated they’re reviewing their sports investments. Additionally, whilst I like Howe, he’s nowhere near the quality of Emery as coach.
Of course only time will tell!
I agree with you totally. What troubles me is the average mentality of our fanbase that believe NSWE are in it to lose money – makes no sense to me.
Visit Rwanda looks cool on the front of the shirt have to get out and buy it now yippee
I was just thinking how much I hate it. My daughter bought me the new home shirt for father’s day minus a front sponsor thankfully.
Just read that Tielemans has signed for Manure on a 5 year deal. Is it possible to wish him well while hoping that his new team win bugger all and get relegated? Here’s hoping.
It seems Visit Rwanda is controversial – which Villa never do 🫣
Don’t really see how it’s controversial to be honest. Just a buzz story.
More than ‘just a buzz story’ Alfie.
Trouble with being fans is we like what we know. As soon as a change is about to happen we start worrying.
It is time that Villa refreshed the team. They have grown old together. At times last season I believe there were as many as 8 Dean Smith acquired players still turning out for us. £35m for Tilesman is great business., especially as it is known that the buyout clause reduced as the length of his contract shortened.
I believe under Emery we can challenge and could land up top of the pile. Having money doesn’t necessarily mean success. Otherwise Man Utd would have won the title every year. With City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs occupying the top 6 places.
Look how Emery spotted Rogers. Look how he has improved pretty much every main player. It’s this added value that wins title and beats money.
In the meantime, Villa do seem to be building a stronger financial base, with much more to explore.
Further, they just need to smarten up on their transfer business and with Roberto Olabe if Zandiman is the direction of travel, I am happy.
Sid I totally agree with you. I think we got a good fee for Tielemans, could’ve been a little more but it is by no means a disaster.
I saw someone on X say that if we sold Tielemans and then signed Manzambi, people would have reacted a lot differently!
Sorry Manzambi
Digne had his arse handed to him this evening. A fantastic player for Villa but players at his age must be moved on. Likewise Tielemans at 29 if good money is offered. The problem is always, can you replace them with at least equal quality, at least 5 years younger? When you look at Bournemouth, Brighton, and Brentford, the answer is yes, they can be replaced. But can the recruitment team at Villa get it right like these so called smaller clubs?
To be fair, coming up against Yamal was never going to be easy, especially how Spain have kicked up the gear since the group stage. They deserved the victory and Digne should’ve probably been hooked at half time, not a performance to remember and I hope the scouts in Paris weren’t watching… oh wait, they’d have been supporting France probably! Haha.
I am becoming concered with the lack of prospects coming through our academy, and I agree with you about the excellent scouting of other clubs – we should take a leaf out of their book.
One club that gets it right every time is Man City as well, rare a player flops there. People won’t want to recognise it because they’re bitter about their success, but the writing is on the wall every time they sign a player.
Really hope it doesn’t go to penalties today, can see Martinez getting on my nerves.
Will be sad to see Digne go, but don’t begrudge him a few seasons back home at PSG. He’s been great for us.
Youri in a ManU kit disgusts me. Wouldn’t have minded so much if he’d have gone abroad but to a direct competitor!!!! Far from happy.
We have NO midfield. Kamara in recovery. Onana out for the season. Youri gone. I trust Emery completely, but we need to get a wriggle on!!!
And as far as tonight goes, COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!
Agreed Bum Bum, i will be happy for Digne going back to PSG for his twilight years. But Tielemans to one of the Sky 6 that we are trying to dislodge really pisses me off. I would never boo a returning player, but i hope he goes there a wins bugger all and gets relegated.
I think Kamara is back in training already so hopefully he will be fit enough to start the season. As for Tielemans vacant position, it might be easier to put McGinn there and find a replacement for his RW role.
Regarding tonights game, what are the odds on a Villa player scoring against Martinez.
BBC report below:-
Aston Villa have been warned their new £20m-a-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda will be used by the nation to sportswash its human rights record.
The African country’s tourist board will replace Betano on the front of Villa’s shirts for the men’s, women’s and academy teams in a multi-year agreement.
The Premier League club have branded the move “the most important sponsorship deal in the history of the football club” but Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s head of campaigns, has raised concerns.
Last month the Democratic Republic of Congo filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing its neighbour of breaching multiple international treaties.
DR Congo said Rwanda had dispatched forces and backed armed groups to carry out unlawful military operations on its territory following the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda has long-dismissed evidence that it backs rebel groups in the country, but UN experts and Western governments are among various parties who say Rwanda is supporting the M23, a major armed group in DR Congo’s east.
“It’s not new that Rwanda is using sportswashing to deflect attention from its terrible human rights record,” said Jakens, in a statement to BBC Sport.
“Aston Villa should be well aware that Rwanda is seeking to leverage this partnership to create positive PR. The country is prolific in arbitrary detention, torture and the repression of free speech – these are abuses at home.
“We are seeing bloodshed right before our eyes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda is playing a significant role in fuelling that conflict – both through its support to the M23 rebels and the direct actions of its military in Eastern Congo.
“Rwanda’s sportswashing needs to be called out, and we’d like Aston Villa and the Premier League to play their part in this.”
Villa needed to replace Bentano after Premier League clubs agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of their matchday shirts by the end of last season.
President of business operations Francesco Calvo negotiated the deal, his first major one since replacing Chris Heck last year.
Calvo said in a club statement: “This is a very exciting partnership for Aston Villa and a symbol of the club’s continuing expansion and growth into international markets.
“There is a great range and depth of opportunities for collaboration, learning and innovation and we are looking forward to working with Visit Rwanda to deliver meaningful activations through tourism, investment and sporting development.”
Aston Villa have been contacted for further comment.
One report suggests that the Manzambi move may be in doubt because of Villa’s new shirt sponsor as, it seems, Manzambi’s father is from DR Congo.
Might be a bit of spurious mischief making but worth keeping in mind?
Ha!!!!!! Considering their complete sportswashing of the purchase of Newcastle or Man City’s ownership and their human rights record!!!!
Visit Rwanda adverts are all over the EPL. They’re happy enough when the money is going in their pockets!!!
Bloody hypocrites. A bit like Amnesty International over the past few days.
African countries have been at war with each other for ever slaughtering their own people and committing horrendous atrocities against each other so this has to be a positive in actually supportive an African country for good me thinks
Watching the semi final.
Just one comment – Argentina are cheats and the ref is being influenced by them.
Tuchel the German Southgate.
Absolutely pathetic.
They never learn.
Watkins would have been perfect to run the channels and earn some respite in their half – over half an hour ago.
But still he doesn’t come on at the end. Shit management. Just my opinion.
Hope nobody on here says we got cheated tonight.
We were cheated 😂😂😂
Cheated ourselves as usual, Alfie. Score a goal and defend very badly for whatever is left of the match. Joke tactics. Italy all over again.
Fortune favours the brave…he who dares… and all that bollocks
Once the Argies scored, the result was a given so I turned it off.
England aren’t good enough to win anything – Nations Cup; European Cup or World Cup – 60 years and nada – not a thing; that says it all, and it will be another 60 years and we still won’t win anything because successive governments have destroyed sport at a schools level.
Here’s a fact for you (acknowledging its cricket but the same principle applies) not a single state school has a cricket pitch – not one. Competitive sport is frowned upon and most state schools no longer have playing fields or football or cricket on their curriculum.
I’m old enough to have seen England actually win something so I’m lucky I guess.
I won’t be watching the meaningless ‘Bronze’ match – who actually cares!
👏👏👏👏👏
Tuchel blew it when it really mattered. Defending against Mexico and Norway we got away with it because they haven’t got the same quality. 5 defenders and then put Burns to make it 6 meant they were just getting in each other’s way.
Agree BFR, Tuchel has become the German equivalent of Southgate. Fortune favours the brave, and we weren’t brave tonight.
The other thing is, they had both CB’s on yellow cards and we could have played that to our advantage. Spence got a lot of plaudits from the pundits but his defending was mainly down to using his speed because his positional ability is shocking. He reminds me of Maatsen who relies on his recovery speed.
And don’t get me started on Konsa’s two terrible crosses. Professional footballers paid thousands and they can’t put a cross in without pressure.
Rumoured Gomes (Wolves – £35m) flying to Villa for a medical and Villa in talks for Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich.
Gomes looks a decent player, young with potential; Palhinha direct stand in for Onana. Not sure how the Villa fans will see this one after his season ending tackle on Kamara but no denying he’s a decent defensive mid.
There will have to be more outgoings to cover these players coming in as we still need a left back, right back and winger!
UTV
Garcia to Getafe on loan
If England had Messi they would have won. He was the difference. When the extra defenders came on, he just went to the right wing and acted like a quarterback.
However, we could have made it much more difficult if Tuchel had brought Rashford on and told him and Rogers to loiter on the halfway line. As it was we just backed off and got deeper and deeper, very much like Southgate unfortunately. Still disappointed even though I should know better.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/07/16/rooney-leads-backlash-pundits-hit-out-tuchel-catastrophe/?recomm_id=6cc2a3f9-fd0b-4576-9112-5afcba28f265
All ex players are saying the same. Tuchel got it horribly wrong. Southgate is excusable as he was in unchartered waters and his players lacked experience on the biggest stage; he raised the bar. Tuchel had past lessons to look at (Southgate’s mistakes) but he didn’t. He didn’t learn from the past. The lessons were there, very clear, not to make again, and go all the way. But he failed. Inexcusable.
Not to mention the more recent lesson that Argentina can come back from more than one down with far less time than the 40 odd minutes remaining when England scored. A masterclass in ‘bottling it.’ Shocking ‘non’ tactics. Like I said before, Ollie is the perfect striker to give you an outlet and relieve pressure when you need it. But let’s put every defender on and give world-class players time and space to shoot and put crosses in. Bizarre. Absolutely bizarre. From an elite coach, apparently. Again, Southgate can perhaps be excused as he wasn’t in that bracket of coach. What’s Tuchel’s excuse? A massive shame and waste of a fantastic opportunity.
Lets not forget that Tuchel’s second and final season at Bayern Munich was the first time in 12 years the club failed to win any trophy!
Hadn’t realised that, Holte. Says it all, really. Apparently, a number of his players were shocked at the tactics. What a missed opportunity to play in a World Cup final. All they had to do was…play football for another 40 minutes or so. But they just…stopped.
I’m sure there were two banks of 5 in the penalty area at one point. Ridiculous tactics. Like Rocky telling Mr. T “ain’t so tough…” while being punched repeatedly. Not clever!