Aston Villa

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Damian Vidagany's position at Aston Villa is, officially, director of football operations.

That seems to be a delightfully vague term for a role which, by his explanation to Daz Hale in an insightful interview on BBC Radio WM last week, essentially amounts to taking care of all other first-team business to allow Unai Emery to spend every minute of his working day concentrating on football.

With Emery generally accepted as having one of the sharpest football minds around, it follows that Vidagany's role is equally crucial in allowing Villa to extract maximum benefit from it.

In that interview, he also offered the most concise and measured commentary of the financial regulations heard from an official at a club in Villa's situation.

This was good because in the summer there was such a strong sense of grievance around Villa's limited ability to spend that it seemed to drag the whole club down.

Vidagany's framing was altogether more constructive.

"It's necessary in the football business that there will be some kind of financial control," he said. "We cannot be in a situation where a football club, as is happening to Sheffield Wednesday, will be close to disappearing or bankruptcy, creating a big social problem.

"But we need to look as a profession for the best rules to be equalising, or trying to create more competition on the football side. EPL [Premier League] have PSR – based on the maximum of losses that you can have. Uefa rules are based on the amount of money you can spend of your total revenues, in this case 70%.

"In my opinion, both rules could be good or bad. But they have low compatibility. So for a club from the Premier League, not one of the big revenue clubs, to compete in Europe like Nottingham Forest, us, maybe Crystal Palace, Everton, you have a double control, and UEFA is more strict than Premier League.

"When you don't play in Europe, you have one problem to solve – that's PSR. If you play in the Premier League and Europe, you have to do a double puzzle, but the pieces are not fitting in the different puzzles."

Whether Villa could drum up enough support to persuade the governing bodies to unify around one system, perhaps we will find out one day.

It might be that they are stuck with having to juggle both models for the foreseeable.

But Vidagany's constructive tone – supporting the principle of financial controls to keep clubs basically solvent – was a welcome contribution to the debate.

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Thursday at 20:00 GMT on BBC Radio WM FM frequencies

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Aston Villa content on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was a bland press conference from Unai Emery in the end.

Journalists were barred from asking questions about the political issues surrounding their Europa League game with Maccabi Tel Aviv, with away fans banned from coming to Villa Park on Thursday.

Six weeks ago, there was a chance the game might not go ahead, with calls for Israeli teams to be removed from international competitions because of the Israel-Gaza war.

The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) took into account safety concerns, with West Midlands Police holding concerns about its ability to deal with any potential protests.

The SAG - the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches - informed Villa no travelling fans will be permitted at the match in Birmingham last month.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described it as "the wrong decision".

Ahead of the a press conference, which lasted just under 14 minutes, journalists were told any non-football questions would not be welcomed, with Emery focusing on the game instead.

He added: "We have to get three points to be a contender to be in the top eight. I know it's difficult and we have to be aware about how we lost the last match against Go Ahead Eagles and how we must correct things."

Opposite number Zarko Lazetic faces the media later on Thursday where it would be a surprise for him to be similarly silenced.

Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert

Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.

This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.

It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.

The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Aston Villa player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best Traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.

Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?

Get in touch with your choices and the reasons why here

The Celebrity Traitors final will air on Thursday, 6 November on BBC One and iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa defender Matty Cash says he is "delighted" to have signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2029, adding that he has felt "at home" at Villa Park since signing from Nottingham Forest in September 2020.

The 28-year-old has now made 194 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals and contributing 12 assists in all competitions.

"I'm delighted to have committed my future here," said Cash. "It has been one of my goals to be consistent with my performances ever since I became a footballer.

"I feel at home here. I wouldn't say that I feel comfortable as such because you can never be too comfortable in football, you should always have goals and objectives that you want to achieve.

"I'm delighted about the path that this club is on and hopefully we can continue to be really successful together."

When asked about head coach Unai Emery calling him a sensitive and emotional player, Cash responded: "It is something that I've been working on over the last couple of years.

"I've had chats with the manager about controlling my emotions because you have to do that in big games. Football isn't always about being a good player, you also have to be strong-minded.

"We are all human and we all have feelings, but I've learnt to focus on the pitch and be demanding of myself every day.

"Everyone has opinions so whatever the opinion is - good or bad - you have to take it on the chin.

"I'm delighted to be playing well at the moment, but I'll never be too comfortable because I want to try to do the best I can."

Cash, who predominantly plays at right-back, has already scored two goals this season from 14 appearances in all competitions.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• John McGinn signing a new three-year deal shows his "huge commitment" to Aston Villa. He added: "In the past three years, he has shown me how he is able to lead the team in all moments. He is a versatile player that can be used as a midfielder, winger and number 10. He is going to continue being an important player for us."

• After a shock defeat to Go Ahead Eagles in their last Europa League outing, picking up points against "quality team" Maccabi Tel Aviv will be "very important".

• He explained that Aston Villa have a set objective for the league stage: "The objective is of course to be in the top 24, but the priority is seeing if we can achieve top eight because that is better. We are speaking about it in training and preparing to try to get out our best performances collectively."

• The fixture will be "another test" to see how the squad are "responding on the field" after a slow start to the season.

• When asked if it is a priority to avoid the Europa League knockout rounds in February to ease their fixture schedule, he replied: "The objective is to be first in the table. Our priority is to win every match now. We have to try to get three points to become contenders for top eight again and avoid an extra round of fixtures."

• Aston Villa are not "favourites" against Maccabi Tel Aviv but rather "contenders". He added: "In this morning's meeting we were talking about our wishes to win this competition, but we have to maintain our focus in each match. When we lost against Go Ahead Eagles, they showed us that we can lose matches if we are not 100% respecting the teams and the competition."

• Youri Tielemans trained with the first team this morning after recovering from a calf injury. The midfielder has missed the last 10 matches in all competitions but he is coming back into the fold again.

• On what his side lacks when the Belgium midfielder is unavailable, Emery explained: "We miss his qualities. He helps us play different combinations and dominate possession. He is a player that others feel uncomfortable playing against. He has been very important for us over the past few years."

Follow all of Wednesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Aston Villa's Thursday night Europa League clash at Villa Park against Maccabi Tel Aviv will see no away fans after West Midlands Police deemed the fixture high-risk, citing previous incidents involving Maccabi. Over 700 officers will be on duty, including mounted units, drones, and road policing.

Six weeks ago, there was even a chance the game might not go ahead, with calls for Israeli teams to be removed from international competitions because of the Israel-Gaza war.

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests are expected outside the ground, while Villa Park's surrounding area is largely Muslim. Safety measures, ticket checks, and school closures nearby are in place to ensure the match goes ahead smoothly.

Villa fans are cautious, with some choosing not to attend due to concerns over protests and the "toxic atmosphere" created around the fixture.

Read the full story here

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa captain John McGinn has signed a new deal to extend his stay with the club until 2028.

The 31-year-old joined the club from Hibernian in August 2018 and is one short of 300 games for Villa across all competitions.

In that time he has scored 33 goals and provided 41 assists.

A key figure for the West Midlands side, he was named club captain by then manager Steven Gerrard in 2022, replacing defender Tyrone Mings in the role.

McGinn has played in all 14 matches so far this season, scoring three times and providing one assist.

The Scotland international is the latest to sign a new contract with the club following defender Matty Cash last week.

Manchester United are willing to let 25-year-old England winger Jadon Sancho, who is on loan at Aston Villa, leave on a free transfer next summer. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

David Michael
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

This season, only the bottom two teams in the Premier League have scored fewer goals than Aston Villa's nine in their opening 10 games. It's a concerning stat made worse by the fact that Villa's squad relies on just one true out-and-out striker - and he has scored just once all season.

Ollie Watkins has long been praised for his all-round play, and rightly so. His link-up, work rate, and pressing have been integral to Unai Emery's system. Under the Spaniard, the England striker has chipped in with 14 and 13 assists in all competitions over the past two seasons. This time around? Not a single assist.

According to Opta, Watkins' expected goals (xG) tally after 10 games stands at just 1.74. He's managed only three shots on target across that stretch, an alarmingly low number for a player leading the line of a team with top-six aspirations. His conversion rate has also fallen off a cliff: down to 7.1% from 19.1% last season. To put that in context, over a season, the very top strikers typically operate above 20%.

It's not like the red flags haven't been there. He led the Premier League in most big chances missed last season. And Emery hasn't always shown full trust - benching him for both legs against PSG and hauling him off at half-time against RB Leipzig when Villa needed a result.

Yes, France somehow won the 1998 and 2018 World Cups with non-scoring centre-forwards in Stephane Guivarc'h and Olivier Giroud, but international tournament football is a very different beast from club competition. If Watkins isn't firing, Villa's entire forward line looks increasingly blunt and if the team continues to rely on moments from the likes of Emi Buendia and Matty Cash, any real ambition in the Europa League or the Premier League starts to feel misplaced.

While Watkins may be very much a confidence player, Villa can't afford to wait until he's in the mood. In a system that gives him the trust and the minutes, the goals have to come. Otherwise, he's the Achilles' heel in all of Emery's best-laid plans.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Paul Evans: A lot better from the Reds - more energy and defended better.

Jan: We need to introduce our new players slowly so that change can be integrated carefully. Resting Milos Kerkez was a good idea, he needs pressure off, not pressure cooker level on every week. The 'Real' tests are following quickly on the back of this. Arne Slot is not a disaster but this past month has been a test of character and leadership. The Slot Machine can function but maybe it is a slower build this time.

Garry: A more disciplined performance from Liverpool, no doubt due to the more settled midfield trio. However, Villa caused their own problems. I doubt either Real Madrid or Man City will provide such gifts! Hugo Ekitike is rapidly becoming a revelation and Mohamed Salah will no doubt gain confidence from his goal. Think Andy Robertson should be a regular choice at left-back.

Dax: It was a back-to-basics display with Liverpool pressing hard and further up the pitch. Dominik Szoboszlai was in electric form and Conor Bradley showed why he deserves to be a regular starter - his determination to win the ball back showing the mettle that is needed to win games. Small tweaks bring large rewards; that was the mantra last season, so it was telling that Slot chose to stick with last season's winning formula with Ekitike and Giorgi Mamardashvilli the only changes. Good result all round.

Dave: Best performance of the season for me. Reason being, we controlled a game of football for long periods, which we haven't done all season. Frankfurt was good, however they gave us lots of space. Here we had to do the work get control.

Aston Villa fans

Mike: There have been some dispiriting defeats for us this season but strangely I don't think this was one of them. The faults were plain for all to see including some exasperating complacency from Emi Martinez when passing out but on the whole I was pleased with the performance. Nice to see Morgan Rogers showing some of his considerable talent and I thought the way we began to fight back after the second goal gave cause for hope. Biggest worry is the injury list especially with a busy week ahead.

Michael: Game decided by Martinez's panicky pass - Villa brought all the pressure on themselves via their inability to play out through Liverpool's high press. Unai Emery must take some blame for this - he never varied the way Villa attempted to play out from the back, constantly inviting pressure on the back line.

Adrian: Thought we did OK overall. Looked good in patches, and not overawed at all. Another Martinez mistake and a clueless 'off script' punt from Pau Torres, combined with a lack of clinical finishing ultimately cost us. We gave Liverpool a good go, but the 'double whammy' of missing the chances we create for ourselves and creating chances for them will destroy progress at this level. Need to be more clinical, cynical, and aggressive mentally.

David: Just our luck to get last season's Liverpool XI instead of this one's. Not a terrible performance but sloppiness at the back cost us again. Another subdued performance from Ollie Watkins who should have been giving Ibrahima Konate nightmares. He needs competition - cancel Harvey Elliott's loan and get someone who really befits a number nine shirt as soon as possible.

Mal: An inadequate performance reflecting a poor defence. Mistakes all over the park. The high line and lack of flexibility in style cost us at least a draw. Ollie looks like he wants away. Most of his performances this season seem to lack interest. The January window will be vital for the rest of the season and it is up to Emery to get the right players.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Aston Villa and England goalkeeper David James says "the timing" of Emiliano Martinez's mistake at Liverpool "was so bad" because it put Aston Villa in a different head space before half-time.

Mohamed Salah could not believe his luck when he was gifted the ball from Martinez's poor pass, firing low into the unguarded net in added time at the end of the first half.

"Had it have been in the first five minutes, you would think there is plenty of time for Villa to get back in it," said James on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "But to happen just before half-time changes the mood and both managers' team talks.

"Martinez has tremendous qualities and clean sheets are not always the best judge of how a goalkeeper is doing. However, Villa have not had many in the last couple of seasons.

"The cliche from pundits is that when he makes a good save it is because 'he is the best in the world', but I don't think he has been performing at that level for a couple of seasons.

"Plus, wanting a move away can definitely rile fans!"

Listen on BBC Sounds

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester United

• Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat at Anfield: "We competed and we dominated at times. We were feeling good, created some chances, hit the post and were more or less getting confident, but here at Anfield it is hard to dominate like we did in the last 30 minutes.

"We conceded one goal which was a clear offside and the second goal we conceded by making a mistake. We have to be so demanding in how we're trying to stop the opponent, we are trying to get better. In the first half, the goal was very important for them. We had some chances to get in their box but we didn't score. We have to accept this defeat and try to keep going while looking forward to the next matches.

"We need to keep working and keep being positive after starting the season so poorly. Now the next challenge is on Sunday against Bournemouth.

"We have to get our structure back, but some need time to recover their form and be more clinical in everything they are doing. The goals will come if we keep working like we are working."

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa also spoke to TNT Sports about the performance: "I think we can take some positives from the game. We created some chances, but two sloppy passes and they scored two goals. We have to keep going, stick together and focus on the next game now.

"Mistakes happen in football and we made two of them today. When you give the ball away so cheaply, against a top side like this, you get punished and that's what happened.

"We had won the last four games prior to today so we have to keep believing. Liverpool have been on a bad run themselves and they really needed a win. They got it and we didn't."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have scored just nine goals in 10 Premier League games this season - the fewest by an Unai Emery-led side after 10 matches of a campaign in Europe's big five leagues.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

After making 10 changes for the 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, Liverpool boss Arne Slot returns to his strongest side available.

Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister are the only two players that started in midweek to stay in the side, while midfielder Ryan Gravenberch returns after an ankle injury.

Club-record signing Florian Wirtz is among the substitutes.

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Bradley, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike

Substitutes: Woodman, Pecsi, Gomez, Kerkez, Endo, Nyoni, Wirtz, Chiesa, Ngumoha

Midfielder Emiliano Buendia misses out for Aston Villa with an ankle injury, while forward Harvey Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, is not allowed to play against his parent club.

Just the one change from the side that beat Manchester City on Sunday as Evann Guessand comes in for Buendia.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Onana, Kamara, McGinn, Rogers, Guessand, Watkins

Substitutes: Bizot, Lindelof, Mings, Bogarde, Maatsen, Barkley, Malen, Sancho, Broggio

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Leeds

• Burnley v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Chelsea", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Liverpool boss Arne Slot made a lot of changes for Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat by Crystal Palace, but it still felt like another damaging defeat - their sixth in the past seven games.

Slot's side play Real Madrid and Manchester City after this, so they desperately need to end this slump in form before it gets any worse.

He rested players against Palace for this weekend, so he knows how important it is. But, on current form, Aston Villa are favourites because they have won their past four league games and are on a roll.

Looking at both teams over the past few weeks, you would expect Villa to get something here - but I need to use all of my knowledge to get the better of AI..

So I'm going to base my prediction on something that I thought about when I was a player: history.

Villa have taken only one point from their past seven visits to Anfield and have only won one of their past 15 league games against Liverpool, although that was a 7-2 success in October 2020.

I had my bogey teams - most of them felt like that by the end, to be honest - and I don't think AI will understand that part of the game.

So I'm going with Liverpool to win, with Mohamed Salah getting a hat-trick.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here