Image source, Getty ImagesThe football never stops.
Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.
The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.
So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?
Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesIn Amadou Onana, Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of a 22-year-old holding midfielder with two seasons of Premier League experience and a queue of Europe's top clubs previously waiting to sign him.
So are they getting a £50m bargain? Not according to the Everton fans we asked (see 13:44 post), who seem pleased to pocket the cash.
What is the reality?
Onana made 63 Premier League appearances for the Toffees, scoring three goals and supplying two assists, while only two Everton players made more tackles than him last season.
Generally deployed in front of the back four, he was a cog in Sean Dyche's physical machine, winning the ball back before playing it to more creative influences such as James Garner or Dwight McNeil.
Similarly, at this summer's Euro 2024 finals, Belgium played Onana in a deep-lying role with the remit of breaking down attacks and letting Kevin de Bruyne and co get on with it moving forward.
Not that anyone shone in Dominic Tedesco's ragged system - albeit the manager entrusted Onana with sole responsibility in central midfield against France in their last-16 game.
Yet the simple truth is Everton's revival at the end of the season came without him really being on the pitch, starting only one of the four wins in five that kept them in the Premier League.
And the Blues' record without him starting was six wins in 14 (43%) as opposed to seven from 24 with him in the first choice XI.
At Villa, can he replace Douglas Luiz's excellent 2023-24 season of nine goals and five assists? Unlikely - and he will not be their first-choice penalty taker any time soon.
At the same time, history suggests it is unwise to bet against Unai Emery from taking a player with such clear raw attributes and moulding him to his tactical plan.
Do not be surprised if Onana turns out to be one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League, this season and beyond.
That would make £50m a bargain.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for the views of Everton fans on Aston Villa closing in on Amadou Onana. Is it a good deal for the Toffees? Have Villa overpaid or is the midfielder a star of the future?
Here are some of your thoughts:
John: Tatty-bye. He only shows up when he can be bothered and he goes missing in games. There is definitely a good player in there, but how much better is Adam Wharton for half the dosh?
Darrel: The £50m price tag is a direct reflection of an underwhelming two years where, quite honestly, all he wanted to do was get dressed up for the shop window by playing well in certain games. Over time, I think he will be shown up as a fraud. He is a good player, but he is unreliable. Evertonians aren't daft, you can't fake application.
Dixie: Onana didn't win over the supporters with some of his performances at Everton. He liked to show up for the bigger games but he still didn't perform to the potential he initially offered. Champions League? He was more Championship. It is good business for Everton but he might go on from this and turn into a really class player, just maybe.
Ben: Onana has bags of potential but he is a luxury that we cannot afford right now. We need players that are ready today and £50m would buy a few of them. It's a shame because I like him, but much like Stones, Lukaku and Rooney before him, the needs of Everton are more important than holding on to a future great - unless his name is Branthwaite.
Jeff: We are not in the financial position to turn this offer down. Besides that, it is good money for such an overrated player. In fact, can't we throw in Dominic Calvert-Lewin for free just to make sure this deal really takes place?
Lee: We all knew one of Onana or Branthwaite had to go - I'm happier that it is Onana! We will make a small profit, if the £50m figure is right. I just hope that at least some of it is given to Sean Dyche to spend!
We asked for your views on Aston Villa moving closer to signing midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton and whether he will fit into Unai Emery's team.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Rob: A very astute signing for us. Emery has clearly identified an area that needs strengthening. The fact that Onana and Tielemans will have some familiarity from national football will hopefully reduce the time needed to build a relationship on the pitch, which is a bonus. I was very surprised to wake up to the news of this transfer and I was very pleased.
Jonny: He is a waste of money. He was rubbish at the Euros. We should be using the money to get Cole Palmer instead.
Daniel: This has the potential to be a brilliant signing! Although Douglas Luiz is a very fine player, Villa were missing an imposing player in the double pivot and also on defensive and offensive set-pieces. Onana would bring this to the team while also adding quality in transition. These are exciting times!
Elliott: He is the type of midfielder we have been crying out for in terms of stature, height and aerial presence. He will complement Boubacar Kamara, when he is back from injury, down to a tee. A midfield of Onana, McGinn and Tielemans seems to have everything you would need. They are great options to have as a Villa fan.
Jacob: From what I've seen, he looks like a really good player that is perhaps not playing at his best in Everton's system. He has got a high ceiling, he can defend and score goals, and he brings some much needed height and physicality. I think it is a good signing, although it is a bit more than I would've liked to pay.
Stephen: We need a creative midfielder, so I would rather see us try to buy Christoph Baumgartner from RB Leipzig. We also need a quality second-choice goalkeeper as it will be a tough season playing Champions League football and trying to maintain a high position in the Premier League.
Image source, ReutersWhile many in England are lamenting the loss to Spain at Euro 2024, there are a number of players returning to their Premier League clubs draped in silverware.
Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani lo Celso, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez all played their part as Argentina edged Colombia in the Copa America final.
Indeed, it was Lo Celso’s clever through ball that finally unlocked their opponents’ defence in the second half of extra time to set up Inter’s Lautaro Martinez for the winner.
United's Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute as Argentina backed up their 2022 World Cup win with a second consecutive Copa America title.
Some consolation for sad England fans of these clubs this morning.
Image source, ReutersFormer Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey says Ollie Watkins gave England "something different" at Euro 2024 and backed the 28-year-old to continue his rise.
Watkins' strike in the semi-final against the Netherlands was his fourth goal in 15 international appearances where he has largely been used as back-up to captain Harry Kane.
However, with Kane not at his best, Watkins' importance at the tournament grew.
"He gives something different with his willingness to run in behind," Heskey told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "It is always good to have that and it was one of the reasons why everyone was calling for Ollie to be in the squad.
"Sometimes you don't need that though, especially when teams camp in front of their box. Then you probably need someone to face up, be bouncing balls off and be getting crosses in to.
"The final [against Spain] probably called for more Ollie."
Image source, PA MediaOllie Watkins says he is "absolutely gutted" to miss out on Euro 2024 glory after England were beaten by Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
The Aston Villa forward was a popular introduction off the bench for captain Harry Kane having scored a late winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final.
His pace and mobility troubled the Spanish backline and helped England equalise, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to win it for their opponents.
"I really thought it was going to be our night," Watkins told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "It is such a shame we have fallen just short again.
"Reaching back-to-back finals is some achievement but no one wants to finish second. There has been so much hard work from everyone - the backroom staff, the players, the coaching staff - so to come away not winning definitely really hurts."
It was Watkins' first experience of tournament football with England having missed out on the World Cup squad for Qatar in 2022 and he had mixed emotions as it came to an end.
"I've had an unbelievable seven weeks and couldn't speak more highly of everyone," he said. "But I'm absolutely gutted. This loss is hurting."
Arsenal are favourites to beat Aston Villa in the race to sign 28-year-old Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino this summer. (Mundo Deportivo, via Goal), external
So, Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton for about £50m.
What do you make of the news, Villa fans? Would you be happy with the signing? And how would he fit into Unai Emery's team? Have your say here, external
And what are your thoughts, Blues supporters? Can you afford to lose Onana? How should the money be spent? Let us know here, external
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa's Ollie Watkins says he "wasn't shocked" by his stunning late winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final win over the Netherlands and hopes to be called on again in Sunday's final against Spain.
"It has been an unbelievable feeling, one that I was taken back by," he said.
"I wasn't shocked that I did that really because I have full belief. I knew when I was going on the pitch I would score. I manifested it. I was not shocked.
"Our focus is now on the final. It's just back to base camp and keep focusing."
"I've got that fire in my belly. I'm ready whenever I'm called upon. Hopefully I get the call to come on to the pitch again and hopefully I can produce.
"Progressively as the tournament has gone further on, we're playing better football and controlling games.
"We've come back and shown the togetherness, the attitude that everyone is there as a team to work hard and pull together. We are only getting stronger game by game.
"We're all here on merit. We're regular starters for our club teams. It's hard to adapt to being a substitute but everyone's together. It [England's run to the final] has brought the group together."
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea's Cole Palmer speaking on Lions' Den, England's YouTube show, about setting up Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins' winning goal against the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 semi-final: "We were playing together at half-time, just passing the ball to each other, and he said to me, 'we’re going to come on and you're going to set me up and I'm going to score'.
"When it happened, it was mad, but even in training when he runs, I just know. Every time I get it I look for him because I know he's going to make those runs in behind. When I got it, I knew he was going to be there. All I had to do was play it and see what he can do."
On substitutes making an impact: "That's what we're there to do. When the manager shouts us we've got to be ready. We've just got to keep being ready.
"It's crazy to see the fans and players enjoying it together. It's amazing."
Watkins on his winning goal: "To be fair, I thought I was too wide, so my first touch was good, then the defender didn't really get too tight to me. But he's opened his legs and I just thought 'hit it hard and low, it may get a deflection or something like that'. But I've just caught it so sweet. As I’ve seen it go into the bottom corner, it's just like slow motion.
"It was the best feeling ever. If you see from my reaction, I don’t even know what to do."
On reaction to Wednesday's win: "[I've had a] few hours' sleep - I'm buzzing! It's the best feeling. We're in a little bubble so you don't see it so you just move on to the next game. It's a massive achievement, back-to-back [Euro finals]. Obviously, it's my first tournament - Cole's as well. It's special."
Image source, Getty ImagesDefender Calum Chambers has left Aston Villa in pursuit of "more first team football".
The 29-year-old joined the club from Arsenal in January 2022 and went on to make 36 appearances, scoring once.
Chambers still had a year to run on his Villa contract but has been allowed to leave the club.
He is expected to sign a permanent deal with Championship side Cardiff City.
In a statement, Villa said: "Keen to play more first team football at this stage of his career, Calum departs with the best wishes of everyone at the football club."
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott says Ollie Watkins late goal against the Netherlands on Wednesday reminded him "of a young Thierry Henry".
Watkins seized the opportunity on his second appearance at Euro 2024 to score a stunning last-minute winner to send England to the final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
"Ollie Watkins has been incredible - he has been so patient," Walcott told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"What I love about him is he always keeps you guessing and he can finish. He showed that in the Premier League with Villa with none of his goals coming from penalties as well.
"He's really put a stamp and is another great weapon Gareth Southgate has."
Watkins scored 19 Premier League goals last season, with many of his finishes similarly as sharp as the one that sealed victory against the Dutch.
"He hit it so early - it reminded me of a young Thierry Henry where the keeper can't set," Walcott added.
"It catches everyone off guard. It was an incredible finish and you could see the emotion in his reaction."
Saudi Pro League Al-Ittihad are closing in on Aston Villa forward Moussa Diaby. (Yahoo), external
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa and Ipswich target Jaden Philogene has joined his Hull team-mates on their pre-season trip to Turkey.
The 22-year-old was initially left behind by the Tigers after Villa matched Town's £18m offer earlier this week.
But the England Under-21 international has now re-joined the squad at their training base Riva, just north of Istanbul.
Villa sold the 22-year-old to the Tigers last September but retained a buy-back option under certain conditions.
It is understood Villa inserted a clause meaning they would have three days to match any bid once a deal had been agreed.
Newly promoted Ipswich had their £18m offer accepted by Hull and Villa moved to bring Philogene back to Villa Park after less than a year away.
He came through the academy at Villa and made just six appearances before moving to the Tigers.
