Who is Villa's number nine now?published at 13:58 12 February
13:58 12 February
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BBC Sport pundit and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has been answering your questions on your club.
Thomas asked: Who do you think should start up front for Aston Villa? Donyell Malen, Marcus Rashford or Ollie Watkins?
Nedum replied: If they are all fit and available, then as a number nine I would pick Watkins. He is still number one after all of his successes in recent years, but after him it is about trusting in Unai Emery as he is a very creative manager.
I watched Malen against Tottenham and I thought he also did a good job in that role. The way he linked up with Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey was really sharp.
I'm not sure Rashford would be pining to be played as a lone striker because some of his better traits are suited to a wider position. So he would be my third choice for that position.
But Emery will have his own ideas and it wouldn't surprise me if he finds a way to get them all into the team at some point because they are really intelligent, dynamic players.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
Aston Villa v Ipswich: Did you know?published at 13:55 12 February
13:55 12 February
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Aston Villa have lost just one of their past 14 top-flight meetings with Ipswich (W10 D3), a 1-0 home defeat in March 1994.
Excluding own goals, 95% of Ipswich's 21 Premier League goals this season have been scored by British or Irish players, the highest proportion by a team in a campaign since Wolves in 2011-12 (98% - 39/40).
Third priority? 'Give the fans what they want'published at 10:47 12 February
10:47 12 February
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, PA Media
With the possible exception of the groundstaff, Theo Walcott did everyone at Aston Villa a favour on Monday night, pulling out the relevant ball to give Villa a home draw in the FA Cup for the third round in a row.
Villa Park is going to be very well used in the next couple of weeks, with successive League games against Ipswich, Liverpool and Chelsea, and now an eminently winnable tie against Cardiff City.
All those games, and a visit to Crystal Palace, come before their Champions League last-16 matches, so Villa's domestic season may have taken a decisive course by then.
For anyone uncomfortable with the idea of the FA Cup being a poor third priority for their club, behind the Premier and Champions Leagues, there was encouragement in Unai Emery's team selection to play Tottenham, just about the strongest available to him.
BBC Radio WM's Villa analyst, Garry Thompson, spoke up for the cup before the game. "There's only so many competitions you can actually win. Look at Villa's situation now. We can maybe win the FA Cup; I doubt we're going to win the Champions League; I doubt we're going to win the Premier League title. Therefore, there's only one other thing to go for. So you should go strong, and try to win it. Fans want memories. They want their teams to win cups, and play in finals. You've got to give them what they want."
Always respectful of football's heritage, Emery sounded as if he wanted the same thing. He speaks more reverently of the FA Cup than some of his peers.
"I watched some matches, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester City… wow, so difficult always here in FA Cup to win. And when you are playing away… wow." (Emery has taken to saying "wow" quite a lot lately, in a hushed tone, about things that clearly fascinate him about the game. That sense of wonder is refreshing in these times.)
"Of course, we've played two matches at home. We felt comfortable, we felt strong against West Ham and Tottenham. OK, we have to always get balance, but [we're] happy, and now we are in the next round, of course we are going to focus."
Third priority? Perhaps. But Unai Emery knows what it feels like to win trophies, and knows what it does for a club's honour and pride. You can be sure he also knows that winning the Cup brings a place in Europe, too.
Gossip: Villa target two Olympiakos youngsterspublished at 07:20 12 February
07:20 12 February
Aston Villa and Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Olympiakos' 17-year-old forward Charalampos Kostoulas and 18-year-old midfielder Christos Mouzakitis. (Birmingham World), external
Meanwhile, Villa and Paris St-Germain did not include a buy option in 29-year-old midfielder Marco Asensio's loan deal, but both clubs are open to a potential permanent move in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
'Top-level operators' Rashford and Asensio replace 'exuberance' of Duranpublished at 12:17 11 February
12:17 11 February
David Michael Fan writer
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Unai Emery played the equivalent of a wildcard in fantasy football during the January transfer window.
Five additions and even more outgoings were made to shake up and re-energise a Villa team that still had much to play for but increasingly seemed unlikely to meet their expectations in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Villa supporters have learned over the years - from Didier Six to Philippe Coutinho - how the short-term hype of big-name stars can quickly fizzle out.
However, the key difference here is that key additions Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford only need to shine for four months to provide Villa with a good chance of success.
Villa already play in a way that suits both players and, despite the short timeframe, there is also an opportunity for them to etch their names into Villa folklore, with the club now in the last 16 of both the Champions League and FA Cup.
Emery's focus on the latter will only sharpen with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea already eliminated, making Villa the fourth favourites to lift the trophy.
The biggest question mark in this wildcard transformation was whether Villa could instantly replace the X-factor lost with Jhon Duran's untimely departure. The 21-year-old had ultimately carried Villa into the Champions League last 16 with his outrageous goals and provided fans with at least some hope that they could make an indent on the knockout rounds.
However, after witnessing Asensio and Rashford's impact in their first 30 minutes with the club against Tottenham in the FA Cup, it became clear that Villa had replaced Duran's youthful exuberance with two top-level operators capable of unlocking another level to this Villa team.
Emery had struggled to execute this evolution in the first half of the season, but now this transfer window reshuffle could generate bigger headlines than the tedious daily Rashford and Manchester United soap opera that has threatened to overshadow what it could mean for Villa.
Ask our pundit: Send in your questions for Nedum Onuohapublished at 18:26 10 February
18:26 10 February
Is there something you want to ask about a Premier League club?
Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha is ready to answer your burning questions and give his thoughts on some of the biggest talking points for a special Q&A.
Villa agree to sign Ozcan from Kasimpasapublished at 14:55 10 February
14:55 10 February
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Aston Villa have signed Yasin Ozcan from Super Lig side Kasimpasa on a pre-contract agreement.
The 18-year-old will spend the rest of this season with the Turkish club before joining Unai Emery's side in the summer.
Ozcan, who is a left-footed defender, has already been capped by Turkey Under-21s.
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:46 10 February
09:46 10 February
Media caption,
FA Cup highlights: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
We asked for your views on Aston Villa's FA Cup victory against Tottenham.
Here are some of your comments:
Aston Villa fans
Gary: At times, Villa's play going forward was absolutely fantastic. Rashford looked so hungry when he came on, and Asensio showed true class. The starting 11 all played so well. Just wish we could get through a game without an injury or letting one in. Scoreline flattered Spurs.
Mike: A lot was made of Tottenham's injuries both prior to, and post this game, yet Villa only had one recognised centre-back (Konsa) who eventually got injured himself. We absolutely dismantled Tottenham and with a more clinical display with chances taken we would have stuffed them, but I'll take the win regardless. UTV
Ian: Outstanding performance from the Villa but should have killed the game off much sooner and should have scored two or three more goals with the chances we created. Some very good individual performance's but overall an excellent team performance. The only downside was Konsa's injury. Rashford and Asensio looked sharp when they came on. If we can get our injured players fit there are exciting times ahead. Keep the faith. UTV.
Tottenham fans
Steve: If I didn't know better, I would suggest the players have no faith In Ange any more and believe the way to get him out is to play poorly. That was an awful display from a team that doesn't care. Levy needs to apologise to the fans.
Keef: We were awful again and the whole team lacks confidence and belief. Played well in patches in the second half and not sure why we couldn't start the game with the same energy and determination. On another day Son scores the first against Martinez and shoots for the second rather than passing, so he's also lacking confidence too. Not sure where we go from here.
Dan: First half was like Thursday 2.0. Glad that the second half was a different edge. Nice to see Tel get off the mark. And equally great that Kinsky more than made up for his early blunder. Just need to get that morale and confidence back up to a decent level throughout the team and maybe, just maybe, we can make a positive challenge in the Europa League. Will take 16th and at least a final in the Europa.
Gossip: Lopez rejected move to Villa Parkpublished at 07:45 10 February
07:45 10 February
Aston Villa and Manchester United were both ready to offer 70m euros (£58.3m) for Barcelona's Fermin Lopez in January, but the 21-year-old forward was not interested in a move. (Sport - in Spanish), external
'I know how much this competition means to the fans'published at 20:12 9 February
20:12 9 February
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Unai Emery spoke to BBC One after Aston Villa's victory against Tottenham: "I am very happy. It was a fantastic match against a very good team and we played really well.
"After a long time, we are in the fifth round of the FA Cup. I know how much this competition means for our supporters and us, and I am happy for the fans.
"We are playing more or less as we planned. We dominated and played with confidence and personality - everything we did today was more or less very good."
On Jacob Ramsey: "He played really well. We are happy when the player is scoring. He had more chances. Of course, we need his best performances from Ramsey. He is getting better and being consistent without injuries.
"We will need players who are physically good for the rest of the season. There are players coming back in the coming weeks. We also have players like Donyell Malen, Andres Garcia, Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford and hopefully, we can build the team in the structure we want to create."
Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham: Villa break FA Cup hoodoopublished at 20:12 9 February
20:12 9 February
Charlotte Coates BBC Sport journalist
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It is extremely hard to believe that Aston Villa have not been in the hat for the fifth round draw of the FA Cup since 2015.
But now they are there, they are looking like serious contenders to make it to Wembley with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea all out and Manchester City no longer at their sparkling best.
Unai Emery's side are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, have a chance of securing a spot in Europe once again via the Premier League and are full of confidence.
Villa started their match against Tottenham full of intensity and intent as they took the lead in just 57 seconds through Jacob Ramsey - with the help of some poor goalkeeping from Antonin Kinsky.
The hosts missed a number chances to add a second and they finally managed that in the second half when Rogers got his name on the scoresheet for the 11th time this term.
Marcus Rashford's introduction for the first time in Villa colours sparked Villa Park further into life as he hustled and harried the Spurs defence.
Villa will certainly be a team to avoid once the draw for the fifth round is made on Monday evening.
'We are trying to create something'published at 19:40 9 February
19:40 9 February
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Morgan Rogers spoke to BBC One after Sunday' victory against Tottenham: "The second goal was important, we played well but we hadn't killed the game off.
"We probably could have scored a few more but overall we are happy with the performance and the win.
"I'm trying to improve, trying to get better, but the team are trying to create something and we'll see where it takes us."
On the January arrivals of players like Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio: "It pushes us along, we want to take what we can from the experience players in the squad.
"It's massive to have people like that in the building and hopefully we can just push each other."
Did you know?published at 19:34 9 February
19:34 9 February
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Morgan Rogers has scored eight goals in his last eight appearances at Villa Park. Indeed, since the start of December, this is the most goals scored by a Premier League player at a specific venue across all competitions (one more than Cody Gakpo at Anfield).
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