Aston Villa

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Over the course of Wednesday, we're putting your questions to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor and he has given his usual weighty analysis.

Vinny asked: I've heard that Villa may have some more PSR issues in the future as the wage bill is huge in comparison to income. Do you know if this is true? If it is true, does the club have a plan for addressing it?

Mike said: I think you can be sure that they have a plan, Vinny. We saw last year – in fact Villa described it after the event with plenty of dramatic detail – that they had a plan to duck under the PSR limbo-bar, and achieved it. We know they've stayed within the rules again so far, but they clearly have a big wage bill relative to their income – the highest proportion of the top 20 clubs on the Deloitte "Money League" on their most recent figures issued in January.

They were only on that list at all because of a significant increase in revenue, and by reaching and prospering in the Champions League – as well as drawing in a hefty profit on Jhon Duran – they are likely to move up that table next time. Their wage bill will be higher too, but a big increase in income should ease the pressure.

Only for one season, though – which is why qualifying for Europe, regularly, is so important for Villa. As you note in your question, the issue is not the absolute size of the wage bill, but its relationship to their income, which must seriously complicate forward-planning.

At this point Villa could conceivably reach any of the three European competitions next season, or none of them. After last summer, I'd be confident that Villa have a plan to stay out of trouble whichever situation arises, but I'm sure Plan A is a lot easier than Plan D.

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Over the course of Wednesday, we have been putting your questions to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor. In this part, we look at what Aston Villa might do in the summer to strengthen their hand for a tilt on all fronts next season.

Jimmy asked: What does Villa's summer look like if they don't qualify for the Champions League. Is it simply quiet or will it involve selling a first-team player or two?

Mike said: I would imagine that there might be some churn in the squad whatever happens, but the nature of it might change.

The published figures take months to come out, but internally Villa will know where they stand in each case, and assess whether they need to sell a player as they did with Douglas Luiz last year.

But that is always likely to be a moving picture. It is entirely possible that an offer arrives for a player you have no intention of selling but, combined with other moves, can become good business.

My guess is that it might actually be a quieter summer if they do qualify for the Champions League than if they do not, because there will be less pressure to sell, and players might be less eager to leave.

The prospects of making the loan players permanent might hold the key in that instance.

Steve asked: In what positions do you think Villa need to recruit for in the summer?

Mike answered: If money were no object, then I think ideally a direct deputy, or rival, for Ollie Watkins might again seem to be the most useful gap to fill.

However, Unai Emery's preferred system – and the clever signings of versatile players – make Villa less exposed in this area than it felt for most of last season, when Jhon Duran was unproven and you worried every time Watkins winced.

Had the late loan signings not been made before the window closed, this would have felt like a bigger immediate problem, so this assessment depends a lot on whether they stay. At this particular moment, though, Villa look stronger than they have at any stage this season, with only Ross Barkley injured.

Come back later for our final part where Mike dives into the ever-thorny issue of PSR...

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Over the course of Wednesday, we're putting your questions to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor.

In part three, he looks at the form of Ollie Watkins and gives his verdict on who might be next to break through at Villa Park.

Arthur asked: How do you rate Ollie Watkins' season? He remains a threat and has been creative (although less than last year). His finishing has been really poor though. If he had a better conversion rate, would we would be challenging the top of the table?

Mike said: Not as productive as last season, clearly, but still pretty good.

I'm sure nobody wishes more than Watkins himself that he had taken a few more chances, but you will have heard as often as I have when managers say the most important thing is that he was in position for the chance in the first place.

In the first half of the season, I thought the best way to assess Watkins and Jhon Duran was to think of them as adding up to one player, as they were so rarely on the field together.

Watkins ran defenders ragged for an hour, and then a fresh Duran came on to take advantage. In the days of five substitutes, this was a good method for so long as both players were content with the arrangement.

When Duran started, Villa's whole structure – a favourite Emery word – never seemed quite as productive. There are more statistics in football than ever, but I'm not sure they entirely do justice to Watkins' overall productivity.

Read below to hear about Aston Villa youngsters...

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Prit asked: Looking ahead to next season, who do you consider from our youth team and players on loan could breakthrough next season at Villa Park?

Mike said: The best-qualified at the moment would seem to be Enzo Barrenechea, one of the players Villa signed in the flurry of mid-summer transfers last year.

He is coming to the end of a second season in a major European league, and no doubt it has been a character-building one fighting to keep Valencia in the top tier in Spain.

On the other hand, midfield is quite a competitive area of the Villa squad. Potentially he could be at least an understudy for Boubacar Kamara, but it would be a challenge to get ahead of him.

Samuel Iling-Junior scored a Champions League goal for Bologna but did not feature much for them in the league. At least now, he is getting more playing time at Middlesbrough. It would be a big jump from there to become a first-team regular for Villa, but Morgan Rogers managed it.

If players on loan are not likely to make an immediate impact next season, though – and breaking into such a strong first-team squad is difficult, unless a big sale produces a vacancy – you could imagine Villa selling a few to create a little more room in the budget.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden is an interesting case – he is having a productive season with Preston, and at 22 has more than two years of regular Championship football behind him. But with Andres Garcia recently arrived in his position, is there still a route through for him at Villa?

Of the next wave, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's progress this season is worth noting.

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

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Over the course of Wednesday, we're putting your questions to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor.

In this second part, he is looking at the future of Aston Villa's January loanees, who have made a big impact at Villa Park.

Steve asked: Some rumours that Manchester United are going to raise the price for Marcus Rashford. My understanding was that a fixed option to buy of £40 million had been agreed as part of the loan deal. Is that not right?

Mike said: That was my understanding too, Steve, although the exact terms of the option have not been publicly revealed. Whether there is any negotiating room there will become clear.

But let's imagine for a moment that there is, and United increase their demand to a level beyond what Villa, or anyone else, think reasonable. That would leave them with a player who – we are told – has no desire to be there, and will cost them wages reported to be at least £15m a year when – we are told – United need to make urgent savings.

That is before we think about whether the form of his first few weeks at Villa will continue to the end of the season.

On the evidence of what we have seen so far, a full transfer could be a great move for all parties. But it will be a big commitment for Villa, so I doubt they will rush to judgement.

• Not a Villa fan? Find and follow your club here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Matt asked: They always say "never fall in love with a loan player". And here we are with three playing their way into our hearts. Can you see any of them signing for Villa in the summer?

Mike said: But we all do, don't we, Matt? Yes, I could see any one of them staying.

They all look like they are having as good a time playing as you are watching them, and a better time than they were having at their respective clubs in the first half of the season.

If you have joined a club that feels like it is going places, and a manager with a proven record of winning things, I think most players would like to see if they can stay on that train.

Whether they could all stay though is a different question, and potentially a very expensive one - at least in terms of wages if not transfer fees.

I would be surprised if none of them stayed, but I would also be surprised if all three did. The bigger the European competition Villa qualify for, the better.

Come back later on Wednesday to hear Mike discuss Ollie Watkins...

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

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Over the course of Wednesday, we're putting your questions to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor and he has given his usual weighty analysis.

In the first part, he takes a look at what Unai Emery's priority should be for the final months of the season - Champions League or FA Cup?

Rob asked: As a Villa fan I'm interested what would financially carry a better reward for the club. Winning the FA Cup or reaching the Champions League semi-final?

Mike said: You will probably have seen, Rob, estimates of how much Villa have banked from the Champions League this season – probably north of £75 million already.

No doubt there will be another packed house for Paris St-Germain in the quarters to add in and the further they get, the more valuable the exposure becomes. Let's suppose a semi-final could take that total to £100m.

In the short-term, that marginal gain would outrank the FA Cup in terms of finances, but winning that, would open up the Europa League for next season, in which you would expect Villa to be a serious contender.

Although much less lucrative than the Champions League, if Villa reached the later rounds, it would surely make up the difference and some more.

Villa's long-term plans really depend on regular European football, so an FA Cup win would be important beyond just the historical prestige of winning it again at last.

And yet I'm not sure Unai Emery is thinking in terms of prioritising one over the other, though. He talks like a man aiming for everything.

Come back later for part two where Mike will be looking into Villa's options for loan players...

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

Head coach Unai Emery is pushing for Aston Villa to sign Spain forward Marco Asensio, 29, on a permanent basis following his loan switch from Paris St-Germain. (GiveMeSport), external

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

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Manchester United have raised their asking price for 27-year-old striker Marcus Rashford, whose form on loan at Aston Villa has earned him an England recall. (Football Insider), external

Aston Villa might sell 23-year-old Argentine midfielder Enzo Barrenechea to Valencia in the summer, following a successful loan spell with the Spanish club. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Into the business end of the season and Aston Villa still have plenty of play for.

We're putting our Villa expert on the spot for any questions you've got about whatever subject you choose - from transfers to tactics or injuries or anything in between?

BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor will answer a selection later this week.

Submit your question for Mike here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the recent England squad announcement, which saw Marcus Rashford return but did not include Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Here are some of your comments:

Solo: Watkins displays incredible industry week in week out, which can compensate for him not being a natural finisher. His stats for chances missed would seem to support this claim. I often wonder if there is another way to play him to maximise his returns at Villa but England want a goal machine like Harry Kane, who is bang in form.

David: Watkins has been his usual understated self this year so will go under the radar. He also has a knock so I'm not surprised he's not in the England squad. I'd much rather he has a good rest to get ready for the rest of the season.

Prit: Surprised that Watkins didn't make the squad. Even though his numbers are not as good as last season, he's more than worth a call-up. No surprise that Rashford is in the squad as he has been outstanding since his move to Villa. Before United fans start crowing that he hasn't scored, they need to look at his assists, speed on transition and his significant contribution to Aston Villa reaching the last eight of the Champions League and FA Cup.

Steve: Was really hoping for a fresh approach. Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, Kyle Walker, Reece James and Jarell Quansah should be nowhere near this squad. No Watkins is criminal. Same old same old. What's the definition of madness?

Dylan: I think that Watkins should have joined the squad. He is doing all right in the Premier League, whereas Gordon has had a shocking season in my opinion.

Marcus Rashford could play his first international in a year after being included in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.

Having been out of favour at Manchester United and at the end of Gareth Southgate's Three Lions tenure, does the forward on loan at Aston Villa actually merit a starting berth against either Albania or Latvia?

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show why Rashford deserves his recall.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Several Premier League clubs are tracking the development of Cardiff midfielder Troy Perrett.

Perrett, 18, has been compared with Wales legend Aaron Ramsey in academy circles.

Aston Villa are among those to previously show an interest in Perrett prior to him signing his current professional contract with the Bluebirds in July 2024.

Perrett is capable of playing as a number eight or number 10 and is a Wales Under-19 international.

The teenager has trained with the first team, been an unused substitute in the Championship and was recently praised by his manager Omer Riza.

Thomas Tuchel has explained his decision to re-introduce Marcus Rashford to the England squad, highlighting his "impressive" form since moving to Aston Villa.

Rashford was omitted from Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad and has not played for his country since March last year, but has been recalled ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

The new boss was clear though that he does not wish for the striker on loan from Manchester United to fall into "old routines."

"[Rashford is] a familiar face, back in the team," Tuchel said. "I felt that he has had a huge impact at Aston Vila since he moved. Mostly from the bench but the impact has been impressive.

"The physical impact was impressive and most importantly his impact against the ball - his defensive ability, his work rate and his tracking back was impressive. I had the strong feeling that we should bring him in and to push him to stay on that level to not fall back on old routines."

Marcus Rashford's form since arriving on loan at Aston Villa in January has led toan England recall for the first time since March 2024, joining team-mates Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa in Thomas Tuchel's inaugural squad.

However, semi-final hero at Euro 2024 Ollie Watkins is missing from the group announced on Friday. has not been selected.

How are you feeling about the squad?

Did Rashford's form justify it?

And what's happened with Watkins?

Let us know here.

Read more on the England squad selection.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for you to tell us in just one sentence why Aston Villa will qualify for the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: As reigning champions.

Prit: Strength in depth and the master strategist that is Unai Emery.

Andy: Because they have an appealing mixture of youth, naivety and experience that is rolling a crest of a wave.

Nick: January transfer business!

Phil: Villa are coming into form, with a fully-fit squad, play teams around them next month and will take points from them.

Lee: One word - Asensio!

Jeremy: Squad depth, fewer injuries and in Unai we trust!

Michael: We have a better manager, better squad and a much better fanbase than the opposing teams!

Jonathan: Aston Villa are going to beat Barcelona in the final of the Champions League to qualify for it next season.

Roma and England striker Tammy Abraham, 27, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, has told friends he is keen to return to Aston Villa this summer. (Football Insider), external

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

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Ten games to go and we need your positivity.

It is looking likely the Premier League will be awarded an extra Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season, so finishing fifth will mean a seat at Europe's top table.

We want you to tell us, in just one sentence, why Aston Villa will qualify for the Champions League.

Let us know here

Aston Villa and Arsenal are the last Premier League clubs standing in the Champions League and they both face European giants in the quarter-final stage.

Unai Emery's men will have to overcome Paris St-Germain for a place in the semi-final but will have home advantage in the second leg.

Should Villa and Arsenal progress, they will play one another in the semi-final.

On the other side of the draw, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona await, meaning Villa would face one of those four in the final if they make it to the end.

Image source, Getty Images

Prince William was in attendance at Villa Park as Aston Villa progressed into the European Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 42 years.

Unai Emery's men are targeting the club's first premier continental trophy since they won the European Cup in 1982 - the year the next in line to the throne was born.