Well, isn’t astonishing how we can go from having one of the lesser injury crises in the Premier League, to then having a completely wiped out midfield in the space of around two weeks – granted you’ll all probably say, “not really”.
Football fans have a strong tendency to overreact, but it is fair to say that a call for reinforcements in the middle of the park is not an overreaction, and, as per, journalists have taken advantage of this and transfer rumours have done the rounds in the last few days.
It appears that Tammy Abraham will be first through the door in a return that seems to be anticipated by the fans, as I think a lot have effectively given up on Watkins now, despite his goal in Tyneside. It’s interesting, because I actually thought he led the line quite well, but I have received a lot of criticsm for adopting that opinion, mostly on X. As confirmed by top journalists, including Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have agreed upon a fee of around £18 million for the English striker. To be honest, it is one of them where you cannot really put your finger on it until you see him in Watkins position, but, given that he was instrumental in our promotion to the Premier League scoring over 20 goals, I am willing to give him the time he needs to re-adjust to the Premier League stage, and I am hoping that he provides reasonable competition for Watkins.
The other one, one that a lot of people called as soon as our injury crisis landed, is the return of Douglas Luiz. I actually think this is really smart business – at a point of the season where we are looking to avoid losing sight of Man City and Arsenal, I don’t think we have time to allow a player in our current most depleted part of the pitch to adjust, and, given that Dougie has played in an Unai Emery system before, with pretty much the same group of players, he should be okay to fit straight into the midfield, travelling under an hour from Nottingham to Birmingham. This deal also includes an option to buy, which I think is another bout of decent business from our recruiment team, it’s the best possible scenario in a loan deal.
Overall, I think we’ve done all we can, with the Premier League and UEFA constantly on our backs – not that I can be bothered to discuss that. We have filled some gaps that needed to be filled and provided reasonable contention with a striker who will always be remembered at this football club.
As for Thursday’s game, I’m debating whether to even purchase my ticket, but with the demand for away tickets I am thinking they may use Europa Home Games as part of the required criteria, so I may just purchase it to ensure my eligiblity to travel around the continent for the knockout stages, although, I am hoping we draw Forest in order to secure a cheap away day whilst adding a Europa game to my reference, ready for, hopefully, Champions League next season. I was hoping that Abraham would be available for selection, but it’s looking more a more unlikely – I wonder what is preventing him from being announced? I think we will rotate, but I do think this should be a sound victory, and I am going to go 2-0, and hopefully that will mean we have the home draw second in the Round of 16.
UTV.
Matt Maher is saying Guessand is on his way to London as we speak,
Loan with a £25 million option, which would only be a small hit, meaning we’ve got off lightly.
But I suspect he’ll be coming back to us ;-(
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2026/01/29/aston-villa-agree-loan-exit-for-major-summer-signing/
This has become a frequent strategy used by our board – signing players and selling them within their first year, whilst trying to keep the core of our squad e.g SJM, Tielemans, Rogers etc.
If it works, it works.
Seems more like pure neccessity to me Alfie.
We need to keep creating money to do any dealing at all. He was our only signing at £30 mill in the summer. That’s a pathetic amount to spend really, but very indicative of where we are.
I really think those 2 kids would have been it if it wasn’t for this injury crisis. Maybe Tammy too, but that’s it.
I agree on the transfer point you make Badger but Villa have shown over the last couple of years that they can move quickly if they have to respond to the managers needs.
Like last January they’ll have a strategy in place – how to strengthen and how to deal with any regulatory issues in June.
I reckon one more will come in to give Emery the tools he needs and I think we can add three players to our Europa squad after the League phase.
In the meantime it’s said Villa want Luis Henrique from Inter Milan (last season at Marseille).
He’s very much an Emery player who can operate in a number of different positions.
Bournemouth and Everton interested and the former are claimed to have made an offer of €30m which might be a challenge for Villa who would probably prefer a loan with option to buy.
May not be anything but with Guessand going one has to suspect Villa have a replacement in mind.
Going to leave us very short for this evenings game so expect at least a couple of kids to feature. A win may not be a foregone conclusion.
Big Evann’s in for a shock when he sees Selhurst Park!
R U going to the game tonight Alfie?
Fined 125 grand for a few pushes and shoves at the end of the spuds game fuckin wonder which corrupt member of the fa that money will go to
What exactly did we get fined for? Rogers telling Palhina to go f*** himself? Since when did that become illegal?
Looks weak to me, but plenty of ammo in reserve hopefully.
Very interested to see Elliot.
Martinez (GK); Bogarde, Lindelof, Mings, Digne; Hemmings, Onana; Elliott, Buendia, Sancho; Watkins.
Villa subs: Bizot (GK), Wright (GK), Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen, Rogers, Jimoh-Aloba, Young.
Expected tbh Badger.
With Luiz and Bailey, ineligible, Guessand hurtling down the motorway, all our injuries and having qualified for the last 16, Emery was always going to heavily rotate and play a couple of kids.
We have four games before we are obliged to buy Elliott, no reason why we shouldn’t use him if necessary.
I agree Hitch, max Elliot out and swap the loan to an option if he looks ok. Not much time though.
Surprised Martinez is starting though.
Should be an interesting game, which I definitely want us to win.
Yes, winning would mean playing the second leg at home right through to the final which is a huge advantage.
I don’t think it will be easy – if RBS can win they have an outside chance of getting into the playoffs and we saw what happened with RM last night – albeit Benfica were at home.
It’s always difficult bringing on the cavalry to chase a game.
Great start. I hope Elliot makes it.
Isn’t it treason or something to bore the future king stupid?
Stuttering and so far absolute rubbish to be honest.
Once again we hand the opposition a goal.
And just as I write that, the levels drop from slow to comatose and we concede. There’s no way we’re winning this. There’s not enough riding on it. It’s gonna be 0-3 at this rate.
Well looks like we have been caught yet again twatting around at the back.
Maybe we should play positively and stop going slow, slow and very slow.
Trying to conserve energy but there’s only so slow you can go before you stop. We’re about there.
Mings, you dickhead. Again
And Watkins hamstring possibly
Mateta available for 40 million. Pay it and take the points deduction next season. We practically gave ourselves a points deduction in the first 5 games anyway! 😆
Looking at the way he walked off, I just don’t think he wants it.
They’ve clocked that Hemmings is out of his depth. We haven’t got enough out there is the sad reality.
We’re all over the place.
Targeting Hemings in midfield as well – we’re all over the place
Great minds, Hitch. 😏
Harvey’s thinking put me back on the bench.
Typical Villa – like Go Ahead Eagles all over again.
There’s not enough incentive to win, Hitch. Even the crowd can’t be arsed.
I think you’re right BFR – there’s no urgency in Villa’s play and the crowd are asleep (not that I can blame them for that 😄)
Good job we signed Abraham as it looks like Ollie is now going to be out as well – even slight hamstring will be three weeks.
That’s 45 minutes I’m never getting back. 🤦♂️
Not sure I can stomach watching another 45 minutes of this rubbish
Great minds again BFR
A great couple of minutes at the start of the game followed by absolute shambles after. We look disorganised and disinterested. Salzburg are sharper to the ball and quicker in possession. Poor Hemmings is struggling so do we bring Cash on and switch Bogarde who is also having a poor game at RB. Now Watkins is injured and we might only have Abraham for Sunday without any settling in. This season is going to dwindle into nothing the way things are going.
Emery has to make changes at half time – we need more pace on the pitch.
Cash for Hemmings (the kid’s being targeted), Bogarde to move alongside Onana and Maatson for Digne. No point in messing around.
With quick forwards against two slowish CB’s need more protection in front of them
Weak midfield plus our centre back, he has to change it now, Martinez saved two goals we’ve been 3 down. I don’t think we will get beat 1-1 for me and I’m shit at prediction.
BFR – you and me called it. Cash at RB and Bogarde goes into the double pivot.
Now we’re completely f***ed
BFR you’re 0-3 looks good