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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
David Michael
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThis 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 ImagesFormer 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!"
Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
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
Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist
An out-of-sorts Liverpool entertain an in-form Aston Villa with the two clubs only separated by goal difference in the Premier League table. BBC Sport explores some of the key themes ahead of Saturday night's clash at Anfield.
Liverpool's unprecedented loss of form
The defending champions' drop-off in league form is unprecedented, with the Reds the first team in English top-flight history to win their opening five matches and lose their next four.
Arne Slot's side suffered only four Premier League defeats in the entirety of last season and two of those came after they had already clinched the title.
This weekend they could lose five league matches in a row for the first time since September 1953.
A midweek League Cup loss to Crystal Palace lowered the tone at Anfield even further, although Slot decided to name eight teenagers in his matchday squad and rest the majority of his preferred Premier League team.
Strangely, the visit of Aston Villa might be the necessary tonic for Slot's ailing side. Liverpool have won six of their last seven league clashes with Villa at Anfield, drawing the other. They've also lost just once to the Midlands side in 15 Premier League meetings, drawing three and winning 11.
Villa's red-hot form
Aston Villa are one of just two Premier League teams on a current run of four consecutive victories in the competition, along with league leaders Arsenal.
The upturn in Villa's form is a complete contrast to their opponents and if Unai Emery's side take all three points then they would become just the second side in top-flight history to fail to win any of their first five games and then triumph in the next five in a row, following Preston North End in 1936.
A key protagonist in Villa's mini mid-season revival has been right-back Matty Cash and the 28-year old has signed a new contract at the club until 2029.
The Polish international scored the only goal of the game against Manchester City last Sunday and is one of only four players to score twice from outside the box in the Premier League this season, along with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Brighton striker Danny Welbeck and Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo.
"To be honest, I've always had a good shot, I've just never really shown it in games," Cash said last weekend. "This season it seems to be going my way and every time I get the ball on the edge of the box, I've got confidence and feel like I'm going to hit the target a lot of the time."
However, history is against the visitors this weekend. Not only is their recent record against Liverpool abysmal, but the Villans have also lost their past 11 games against the defending Premier League champions, conceding 35 times in the process.
Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Emery said Emi Buendia will not be available but should be back for the next game.
Elsewhere, Youri Tielemans is "progressing well" and should start training with the group next week, though Andres Garcia will still be unavailable for some weeks.
Emery was asked for the reasons behind Villa's upturn in form, which he put down to the "increase of demands" in training and the adaption of new players.
After Matty Cash's recent contract extension, Emery said the right-back is an emotional player who is a "fantastic man" to manage, adding: "He decided to stay here when he had offers to go and get other challenges elsewhere. We are happy and he is happy."
On Ollie Watkins' recent struggle for goals: "The strikers like to score goals but I feel good when he is doing his task and working for the team. I know from the experiences we have that the goals are coming. His most important quality is his consistency and he has to continue being consistent and getting confidence."
On Saturday's opponents and their poor run of form: "We have massive respect for Liverpool. They have had moments where they aren't getting good results, but the manager has experience and how they played last year was amazing. This year, it is the same coach with better players, but they are adapting and building the team. I know it will be very difficult to get something there."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany says they do not "have to put limits in our dreams" as "genius" boss Unai Emery tries to take the club to the next level.
It has been three years since Emery took charge of the club, with Vidagany arriving at the same time, and in that time Villa have gone from relegation candidates to twice being in European competition - including a return to the Champions League.
"We are creating the Aston Villa that we had the vision for when we met [owner] Nassef Sawiris," Vidagany told BBC Radio WM.
"Trying to change some things that were different than we expected or we wanted, but also, and this is very important to us, keeping the essence of the club. Keeping the people that are really good people that there were in the club.
"Maybe they need a different guidance to give the best, and I think that Aston Villa always have been a big club but now it's a big club that is getting results.
"You need to do a big effort to keep going because maybe it can be luck at the beginning but to keep the level, and this is the most difficult, this is why I think that Unai has been a genius. His spirit, his work, the coaching staff also, has been unbelievable because they are never satisfied. They always want more and more and more."
Villa have had to contend with financial constraints as a result of profit and sustainability rules in recent transfer windows, but when asked whether the club can win the biggest titles still, Vidagany said: "Why not?
"I think that is difficult because there is of course a empirical correlation between expense and success. As much you can spend with good management, you are closer to get the trophies. But I think that there is other ways to get success that is through the hard work, through the culture, through the good academy.
"I don't think that we have to put limits in our dreams, but it's going to be harder than for another club. But, I close my eyes and if we scored the fourth goal against Paris Saint-Germain, we were not far to be there.
"Big money is important - it's the most important - but big money without good management is worse that good management without money."
This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.
The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.
What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.
You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThree years of Unai Emery: rather longer already than the average managerial tenure these days, and with so much packed into that time.
Yet, as fan contributor Hannah Gowen put it so beautifully on this page on Tuesday, it does indeed feel as though Emery is "still in his adolescence at Villa".
While even the most apparently unassailable managers can be laid low by a few weeks of bad results, there is no reason to think that either Villa or Emery have even the slightest doubt that their partnership will run for another three years yet, and probably more after that.
And there is much still to be done.
Emery could doubtless list plenty of reasons why he wanted to join Villa in the first place, but foremost among them will surely have been to win things. Looking back to 2022, we find Emery talking of "a great project" and making progress "step by step". He has done that, no question. But Emery has a record of winning trophies and the owners are known to be aiming high and prepared to spend to get there.
They would like to have spent more, of course. It in no way devalues Emery's achievements to note that Villa have still, notwithstanding PSR, laid out a great deal of money during his three years. It is easy to spend money badly, as we have often seen.
However, the best measure of the difference Emery has made to Villa is not in the amount spent, but the nominal value now of so many of the players he inherited. The evidence before us, and all over his team, is that Emery makes players better, though he might say he merely helps them to make themselves better. Either way, his work enhances their value to Villa on the field, let alone the price they might command if they were ever to be sold.
With a showman's timing, one such player - Matty Cash - has both scored a splendid match-winning goal and signed a new contract in recent days. Out of contract at the end of this season, his record for club and country would have made him an attractive option around England and Europe next summer and he might have commanded a chunky wage in the free-agent market.
Many of Villa's regulars, like Cash, pre-date the arrival of Emery and his famously intense approach at Villa Park. Not many have asked to move away since Emery became their boss, which in itself feels like a good recommendation of a manager.
And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Aston Villa are holding talks with Morgan Rogers over a new contract after Chelsea and Tottenham showed serious interest in the attacking midfielder during the summer. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Meanwhile, Villa are in the race for Strasbourg and Ivory Coast right-back Guela Doue, with Chelsea and Brighton also keen. (Football Transfers), external
Finally, Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle are among the clubs considering a move for Club Brugge's and Ecuador centre-back Joel Ordonez, 21. (Ekrem Konur), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Hannah Gowen
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThe past week marked three years of Unai Emery in charge at Aston Villa.
In the modern game, it feels like managerial churn comes thick and fast, with few managers standing the test of time. Three years seems marginal in the grand scheme of things, with Emery still in his adolescence at Villa. However, it feels like a moment to celebrate and reflect on an utterly remarkable and transformational 36 months at the club.
Since his first game in charge at home against Manchester United, a jubilant 3-1 victory, Villa Park has become the fortress that the club so desperately needed. For too many years, fans arrived in B6 with little expectation. Since Emery's arrival, Villa's home record has been fierce, including going unbeaten for over a year. He has almost single-handedly raised the bar of what we expect from our football club.
The Spaniard has also coached his team into a tactical machine. Inspired by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Emery's Villa team at its best is unstoppable - hard-working, aggressive and clinical. He has improved individual players beyond what would have initially been thought possible, with a huge proportion of his squad left over from several previous managers; Steven Gerrard, Dean Smith and even a Scottish skipper inherited from Steve Bruce.
Simply, he gets the best out of his players. A well-respected man, whose reputation as a gentleman and managerial mastermind precedes him.
Wins against Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and PSG spring to mind - huge occasions where Villa have shown their mettle on the big stage - but some of my favourite Emery moments have been tactical masterclasses on the road at the likes of Bournemouth or Brighton. These are the results that have granted us three consecutive European seasons - something none of us could have comprehended when Gerrard left in 2022.
A true gift to our football club - here's to you, Unai Emery.
Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external
