Aston Villa

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers says he wants to be one of the "incredible players people speak about" after he was named Young Player of the Year at the Professional Footballers' Association awards.

"It has all happened so quickly and so fast but I suppose that's down to hard work, ambition which I've always had and a dream - I'm still trying to live that dream," he said.

"It's a really nice moment and I just want to keep going.

"Later down the line, I want to be one of those incredible players people speak about, so to do that I have to do what they did and what they followed after.

"It's a nice recognition but there's more to win and I can't wait."

The asking price for Chelsea and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, who Aston Villa are exploring the viability of a move to sign, needs to be lower than £60m due to the West Midlands club's financial restrictions. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

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

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Ian asked: Why do you think Manchester United are dragging their feet when it comes to buying a new keeper with the opportunity to buy Emi Martinez from Aston Villa or Donnarumma from PSG, when clearly there is a major keeper issue to sort out?

Phil answered: I think they felt they had priorities to sort out at the other end of the pitch first, but it is clearly something that has been preying on their mind over the summer. Andre Onana is not good enough and neither is Altay Bayindir, as he proved against Arsenal on Sunday.

Some Aston Villa fans may regard this as sacrilege, but I actually think Emi Martinez is overrated. He is certainly not "the world's number one", as we are so often told. Far from it, in fact.

Donnarumma, though, is definitely a deal worth exploring if United can get anywhere near it.

Read more from Phil's Q&A

Hannah Gowen
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The opening day stalemate in B6 wasn't quite the thriller many anticipated given the recent run of action-packed meetings between Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Eddie Howe's side were hot out of the blocks, leaving Villa startled and struggling to find their rhythm. First-game rustiness perhaps, but a stark contrast to the energy and control of Unai Emery's side when the Magpies last visited.

As Villa struggled with Newcastle's intensity, it was hard not to divert attention to a pensive Emery on the touchline. The boss was clearly uncomfortable at the lack of control his team had on the field.

Since his arrival, Emery has looked to develop Villa into an organised and well-drilled outfit. Games have become chess-like tactical battles rather than open, expressive affairs.

While they can certainly still excite, this Emery side is one designed to find calm in the chaos of top-flight football. He thrives on detail and identifying opposition weaknesses, patiently breaking down teams and building a side that can control games.

When his side are unable to dominate possession, lose the ball cheaply or fluff half-chances, Unai can be seen frantically waving his arms in a 'calm down' gesture to his players. Of course he wants a team that is great to watch, but footballing law and order comes first.

There are times when Villa's approach seems to be more of a science than an art - maybe a reflection of the game more broadly in 2025. This style might not get fans off their seats as often, but it has earned Villa three consecutive European finishes in the league. Perhaps it earned the point when down to 10 men on Saturday.

In another ruthless domestic and European season, it is hard to imagine Unai letting go of the reins any time soon.

Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is on the verge of joining Roma on loan, with the Italian club holding an option to make the deal permanent next summer. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)

Meanwhile, Villa have added Chelsea and Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson, 24, to their shortlist of attacking options, but could face competition from Bayern Munich. (Florian Plettenberg, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

David Michael
Fan writer

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It was Steven Gerrard that helped focus Aston Villa supporters' minds on the potential of Jacob Ramsey.

When Gerrard was Villa manager, Ramsey was 20-years-old and carried the tag of being the 'one most likely' to make a big impression as a home-grown player in a post-Grealish world. Regardless of Gerrard's pedigree as a manager, being one of England's greatest midfielders gave weight to his words. For Villa supporters, it was a case of game recognising game.

"He's a top talent. He is right up there, let me tell you," gushed Gerrard, before adding it was "only a matter of time" before the England Under-21 midfielder would be in the senior national set-up.

Ramsey's breakthrough season was one of few bright sparks during Gerrard's ill-fated reign. The midfielder proved himself as a rapid ball carrier, enabling Villa to surge up the pitch with intent. He also had the welcome habit of ghosting into the box to score valuable goals.

When Unai Emery arrived, he became an integral part of an electric left-hand side that re-energised and propelled a seemingly lost team into Europe.

Under Emery, he developed further, adding creativity to his game and finishing the 2022-23 season with seven assists to go with his six goals.

Unfortunately, the past couple of campaigns of injuries have shackled Ramsey's momentum. For Villa, when fit, he became a match-day squad player rather than a guaranteed starter, and that perhaps will be his initial status at Newcastle, considering their depth on the left-hand side.

That said, Newcastle will need to rotate this season, and Ramsey proved adept in the Champions League last term with a goal and two assists in four starts and two substitute appearances.

His ex-teammates' support and best wishes on social media demonstrated how he was regarded at the club, but such sentiment is increasingly drowned out by the blunt economic reality of PSR and wage-ratio rules.

A circa £40m transfer fee is widely regarded as excellent business, the kind of deal that makes even the romance of watching a home-grown talent flourish feel expendable.

Ramsey becomes the latest Villa academy graduate to be harvested for compliance - a transaction that might satisfy the spreadsheets but ultimately leaves die-hard supporters colder to the reality of the Premier League.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Jacob Ramsey says he has lived his "dream" being able to play for Aston Villa after leaving the club to join Newcastle.

The 24-year-old posted an emotional farewell, external to his boyhood and fans on social media after completing a £40m move to St James' Park over the weekend.

Ramsey had been with Villa since the age of six, working his way up through the youth sides and going on to make 167 appearances for the senior team, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists.

"It's impossible to put into words what playing for Aston Villa has meant to me," he wrote alongside a video.

"From being a young fan in the Holte End to living my dream and scoring in front of it, this club has been an extended family to me, and I've got memories for life - from making my Premier League debut, experiencing Champions League nights back at Villa Park and scoring my first goals in those competitions.

"To everyone at Aston Villa, both at the academy and in the first team, thank you for your support, belief and guidance. You've helped me become the person and player I am today. I've played with some of the best and made friends for life.

"And finally to the fans - thank you for the love and backing. To represent you, as a boy from Birmingham, has been an absolute honour.

"On to the next chapter now, but wish you all nothing but the best in the future. Thank you for everything!"

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

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Phil: Disappointed with Villa. They were sluggish in midfield, poor passing and not sure Watkins' heart is in it. The most obvious thing that summed up Saturday's game was the free-kick Tielemans put in - a superb cross and not one player went for the ball and then it went out for throw in to Newcastle.

Martyn: Lousy game and nothing positive to say other than a point was a bonus. Too many players didn't turn up and Konsa's schoolboy challenge almost cost us the match. Emery knows the size of the task and I think we all have to be realistic about the season ahead.

Robin: Very disappointing. Seemed to have learned nothing during their preparation. Passing poor. I fear that they will struggle this season. Newcastle were the better team and should have won.

Leigh: A rusty performance and pedestrian transition with what seemed a lack of creativity and never seemed to be a threat. Nothing down the left side with Rogers clearly unhappy and lacking any quality. Cash and McGinn played well. Bizot was strong and decisive. A worrying start and clearly Villa are lacking a creative striker as Watkins seemed to lack vision, creating very little, but he wasn't serviced by the likes of Tielemans. I also felt a lack of atmosphere for the opening home match. On the flip side, Newcastle were equally as poor. Come on, Villa - we know you are better than this.

Roger: Flat, flat, flat - disappointing with too many players off the pace. Rogers was non-existent and there was too much gifting of possession with stray passes. Where is the creativity going to come from?

Martin: A very poor and disappointing performance. We are desperate for new full-backs. The midfield has got old, boring and has no creativity. This season will be a struggle without new faces.

Newcastle fans

Brian: The failure in the transfer market to recruit quality players is evident, it is not only the Isak situation that results in no goals for the Toon. The fault lies with the club management in all aspects and it needs to be corrected so we can have a team that can beat a 10-man opposition. The team still have a few good players but the under-performers should be moved on and quality brought in, and we need better management to do that.

Paul: Very disappointed in Elanga. We should have signed Mohammed Kudus or Antoine Semenyo instead. Season of struggle if we don't get strikers in as we are toothless without Isak.

Jason: Newcastle just showed that they would have been better prepared if they had not wasted their time, let Isak leave and brought in a replacement in time for this game. The result would have been better.

Richard: I'd have taken a point before the game but, by the end of it, I was disappointed we didn't get all three. I think we looked rusty but then so did Villa and I don't think the elephant in the room/Swede on the pitch would have necessarily meant we would have won. Yes, we created chances but I didn't come away with the impression that Isak would have been the difference here. If we can keep the intensity of the first 35 minutes up for the whole game then I think we can still give anyone a game. That said, a new striker or two would be very nice.

John: I thought Newcastle were excellent. Villa is never an easy gig for us, and with all the negative noise around the club at the moment, the performance was all the more impressive. We could have had two or three goals in the first half but, overall, I'm happy with a point. Credit to Eddie and the lads.

Bryan: Reasonable all-round performance but, as expected, we are definitely missing a striker. Don't understand why we bring on the only recognised striker with only minutes to play. Gordon will never be a striker. Another excellent display from Dan Burn.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

• Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

• Wolves 0-4 Manchester City

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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It was Aston Villa's first opening day Premier League home game for 15 years.

It would be too far to say fans would be happy to wait another 15 for the next one but it is game which will not live long in the memory.

A stalemate against Newcastle at least ensured Villa will go a calendar year unbeaten at home in the Premier League.

But, especially in the first half, they were undercooked and second best behind a Newcastle side who are a direct competitor for a Champions League spot.

The Magpies pipped Villa to fifth on goal difference last season and, on this evidence, may put daylight between the sides by the end of the current campaign.

It is clear Villa need quality reinforcements - they are without former loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio and are about to sell Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £40m - but financial restrictions have ruled Villa's summer transfer spend.

Emery called for a "review" of profit and sustainability rules in his programme column and afterwards insisted Villa will continue to respect the rules.

"I am happy how we are managing things," he said.

"Since I've been here we have done fantastic transfer window. We have to be intelligent and the most important thing is how we are building the team and getting as strong as possible with the players we have.

"We are ambitious but we are ambitious trying to respect the rules and trying to get the best players possible. We are not going to rest in case we can be with some options in the transfer window."

Ezri Konsa's 66th-minute red card halted Villa's momentum after they managed to wrestle control from Newcastle after the break.

• Emery reflected on the match and Konsa's dismissal on BBC Radio West Midlands

Boubacar Kamara headed at Nick Pope before Ollie Watkins tested Pope but Emery had to accept a point as a positive.

He added: "We are not happy when we are losing two points at home. I think more or less they maybe deserved more because they had better chances. We have to accept it."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa drew 0-0 to Newcastle United on Saturday in their opening game of the Premier League season and manager Unai Emery believes sharing the points was 'more or less fair'.

"I am not happy with one point at home," Emery told BBC Match of the Day.

"But against a team like Newcastle, they made a lot of good chances in the first half. [In the] Second half we dominated more, created chances. But the red card changed the match completely. The players responded fantastically, the point more or less is fair.

"It was a tough match. After the red card there was more necessity to defend, but we responded to all the issues on the field."

On whether Ezri Konsa should have made the challenge leading to the red card: "It is difficult to anticipate which is best in that moment. This action for Konsa, I can't say anything about this decision.

On Marco Bizot keeping a clean sheet on his debut: "Fantastic, he did very good work for his confidence and his team mates."

Image source, Getty Images

• Only Lee Hendrie (four) has received more red cards for Aston Villa in the Premier League than Ezri Konsa (three). Indeed, no player has received more dismissals than Konsa's three in the competition since the start of 2021-22.

• Nevertheless, Villa are unbeaten in their last 19 home matches in the Premier League (W11 D8) which is their longest ever run on home soil in the competition.

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

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Sunday to find a selection of your replies

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is suspended after his red card in the final day defeat at Manchester United, which cost Villa a Champions League spot.

It means Marco Bizot, a summer signing from Brest, makes his debut in goal but he is the only new signing to start.

New striker Evann Guessand, a £26m signing from Rennes, starts on the bench.

Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins.

Subs: Torres, Maatsen, Bogarde, Buendia, Malen, Jimoh-Alboba, Iling-Junior, Guessand, Wright

Newcastle start the season without star man Alexander Isak as his transfer saga continues with the striker still trying to force a move to Liverpool.

Anthony Elanga makes his debut after a £55m move from Nottingham Forest while new arrivals Malik Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale are on the bench.

Anthony Gordon will lead the line in Isak's absence.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Barnes, Gordon, Elanga.

Subs: Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Seung-soo, Miley, Ramsdale

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)

• Brighton v Fulham

• Sunderland v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Manchester City (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport explores some of the major talking points surrounding the opening day fixture between Unai Emery's Aston Villa and Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, with both clubs experiencing a turbulent pre-season.

Only goal difference separated these sides in 2024-25, with Newcastle returning to the Champions League by finishing fifth and denying Aston Villa the chance to repeat their run to last season's quarter-finals. But the two clubs to disrupt the established order in recent years have struggled to build on their success this summer.

Villa were fined £9.5m by Uefa in July for breaching the European governing body's financial rules last season, including spending more than the permitted 80% of income on player wages. Reports suggest they have also sold their women's team to parent company V Sports to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR).

"There are rules which are pretty much unfair if you ask me," said Villa captain John McGinn when asked about PSR earlier this month. "We have got owners who want to invest in the team and want to spend to kick the club on, but they are not allowed to do it."

Forward Evann Guessand is Villa's only major signing for an initial £26m and key midfielder Boubacar Kamara has signed a new contract, but there were no significant outgoings until the imminent £40m sale to Newcastle of boyhood Villa fan Jacob Ramsey.

This is Unai Emery's sixth transfer window since he took charge in November 2022 and in that time Villa's net spend is negative, with the club £10.7m in profit once Ramsey's departure is accounted for. By comparison, Chelsea's net spend in that same timeframe totals more than half a billion.

Newcastle have also endured a turbulent summer with a string of failed bids for high-profile players.

To make matters worse, star striker Alexander Isak is reportedly attempting to force through a move to Liverpool. The Magpies rejected a £110m bid for the Swede who will not feature this weekend.

Isak scored 23 times and provided six assists in last season's Premier League and was directly involved in more than 40% of the club's total league goals, scoring 33.85% of them.

Replacing his output will be a tough ask as no other Newcastle player reached doubles figures for league goals last season. The nearest was winger Harvey Barnes with nine.

The Magpies have at least strengthened their squad with the additions of winger Anthony Elanga, 23, and centre-back Malick Thiaw, 24, plus a loan deal for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Despite the new additions, Eddie Howe's side face a tricky opener and have lost five of their last six visits to Villa Park.

Aston Villa ended the season on a 21-match unbeaten home streak across all competitions (W15, D6), their longest since a run of 24 games between September 1976 and May 1977. However, they were thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle when the sides last met on the opening day, at St James' Park just two years ago.

Newcastle's big problem is Alexander Isak, who surely won't be involved while his future is being resolved.

That means they are without one of the Premier League's best strikers and Anthony Gordon will probably play as a false nine, which is not ideal.

Villa have their own issues and they must be struggling to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR) because there has been a lot of talk of Ollie Watkins leaving this summer - they have signed another striker, Evann Guessand, but they definitely need to keep hold of Watkins too.

This is a hard one to call because, despite all the doom and gloom surrounding Newcastle, they are still a strong and exciting side.

But Villa are at home and we know how dangerous they are under Unai Emery, so I'm going to back them to edge this and pile on the misery for Newcastle.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle United at Villa Park (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed that Jacob Ramsey is "not with the squad" ahead of his impending move to tomorrow's opponents.

• Despite securing Europa League football last season, Emery believes Villa "are not contenders to finish in the top seven".

• He added: "We are starting more or less like when I arrived here. Of course we have the capacity to build a strong team, but not with the same budget [as the big clubs]. We have to be competitive with our players and keep working hard as well as staying motivated."

• He said that a trophy would be "the next step forward" for Aston Villa but put his emphasis on qualifying for European football: "Always I am thinking the more matches we play, the more we can improve. Next year I will want to play in Europe again, and try to push for the Champions League."

• On the restrictions caused by PSR: "I am not frustrated. I accept the rules. I accept where we are and how we are competing and our capacity to compete. We have to be proud of what we have done so far and we have to do it again and again. I am motivated and excited, not frustrated."

• On facing Newcastle: "It will be very difficult. They have a very good structure tactically and they are a strong team that wins a lot of duels. We are playing at home and hopefully our supporters will push us. We have to be intelligent and to adapt to the way they play tactically."

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