Aston Villa

Latest updates

  1. What's the latest on Arsenal's reported bid for Watkins?published at 19:54 29 January

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring a goal for Aston Villa at ArsenalImage source, Getty Images

    There are several reports of an Arsenal bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

    BBC Sport has been told by a source Villa have no intention of selling the forward, who has 10 goals in 31 games this season.

    Villa are unhappy with the timing of the news of the reported £60m bid, which broke just hours before their Champions League game against Celtic.

    Outlets, including the Press Association, have reported the offer, while the Daily Mail has written it has been rejected.

    BBC Sport is looking into those reports to try to verify any approach.

    Arsenal have been approached and have so far declined to comment.

    Aston Villa's Unai Emery is expected to address the issue in his post-match news conference.

  2. Follow Wednesday's Champions League games livepublished at 18:08 29 January

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    All four English teams take part in Wednesday's Champions League action.

    • Aston Villa v Celtic

    • Girona v Arsenal

    • Man City v Club Brugge

    • PSV v Liverpool

    All kick-off times 20:00 GMT

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

  3. Aston Villa's group stage in picturespublished at 16:08 29 January

    Henry Brownsey
    BBC Sport journalist

    Aston Villa have a great chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League in their first season in Europe's elite club competition for 41 years.

    The likeliest route to a top-eight finish for Villa is that they beat Celtic and Atalanta fail to beat Barcelona away.

    Alternatively, Villa would overtake Bayer Leverkusen if they win by two goals more on the night (eg. 3-0 to Villa, 1-0 to Leverkusen).

    Here's how it has unfolded so far.

    Youri Tielemans celebrates scoring for Aston VillaImage source, Getty Images

    In their first-ever Champions League game, Villa triumphed in Switzerland with a 3-0 win over Young Boys.

    Goals from Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana ensured Unai Emery's side got off to the perfect start.

    Jhon Duran and Aston Villa players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Their second game of the campaign was a repeat of Villa's 1982 European Cup final success against Bayern Munich.

    Jhon Duran scored nine minutes after coming on and then Emi Martinez produced heroics to save Harry Kane's header in the dying minutes of the game and secure three points.

    John McGinn celebratingImage source, Getty Images

    More success came at Villa Park 20 days later, with Duran on the scoresheet once more as Villa won 2-0 against Bologna.

    John McGinn got the other, his free-kick evading everyone to clinch the victory.

    Emiliano Martinez and Aston Villa players surround the refereeImage source, Getty Images

    The first bump in Villa's campaign came against Club Brugge when Tyrone Mings was penalised in controversial fashion for handball in the penalty area.

    The Belgian side scored the spotkick and held on to win 1-0, spoiling Unai Emery's second anniversary at the club.

    Ross Barkley and Aston Villa players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    A 0-0 home draw with Juventus followed before Villa travelled to Germany to face RB Leipzig.

    Unai Emery's side went ahead twice through McGinn and Duran only for Leipzig to peg them back each time. However, two minutes after coming off the bench, Ross Barkley scored a deflected winner to win the game 3-2 and take Villa up to third place in the table.

    Monaco players celebrate Image source, Getty Images

    Finally, Villa missed the chance to effectively qualify for the last 16 against Monaco as the French side won 1-0.

    However, Villa still approach tonight's game in a very promising position to automatically progress to the knockout stages. Opta's supercomputer gives Emery's side a 52.6% chance of finishing in the top eight, and a 76.8% chance overall of getting through to the last 16.

  4. Verdict on new Champions League formatpublished at 14:59 29 January

    Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown and BBC Sport's John Bennett join Ben Croucher on The Football News Show to discuss why they feel the revamped Champions League format has been a success and why we should be excited by the final round of group games on Wednesday.

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  5. Aston Villa struggles 'worth it' for Champions League nightspublished at 09:27 29 January

    John McGinn consoles and injured Tyrone MingsImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa look a "very tired team" from their Champions League exploits so far, but it is still "worth it" says fan and host of Married to Claret and Blue podcast Rupert Pybus.

    Unai Emery's side have the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League top eight when they host Celtic on Wednesday night.

    Having been plagued by injury issues this season, Villa will be desperate to avoid the two additional games required should they finish ninth or below.

    "I think we've played seven times in the league after Europe, and we've lost or drawn six times," Pybus told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "We don't play well afterwards.

    "We're a very tired team at the moment, and that's where Celtic have a big chance because again, we played quite poorly at the weekend, particularly in the second half and we looked shattered.

    "They had the weekend off because of the storms, so I think it's a good opportunity for Celtic. However, Villa have spent 40 years in the wilderness outside the Champions League, and so that's a positive thing.

    "We're all really enjoying it, and even if it means that we've had to accept some poor league form, we have had amazing nights against Bayern, beating Bologna, and nearly beating Juventus. So, it's been worth it, even if we're struggling along.

    "I think overall, the Villa fans are just delighted."

    Listen back on BBC Sounds

  6. Gossip: Villa still have Cunha interestpublished at 07:34 29 January

    Gossip graphic

    Wolves are expecting one or more offers for Brazil forward Matheus Cunha before the transfer deadline, with Aston Villa, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest interested in the 25-year-old. (Football Insider, external)

    Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, 22, is no longer a target for Bayer Leverkusen, with the Bundesliga side set to sign Argentina playmaker Emiliano Buendia, 28, from Aston Villa. (Florian Plettenberg, external)

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  7. A divided Petrov family for Aston Villa v Celticpublished at 18:11 28 January

    Stiliyan Petrov spent a combined 14 years at Aston Villa and Celtic, but it is not just his own playing career that means he has divided loyalties when it comes to their Champions League meeting at Villa Park.

    The former Bulgaria midfielder tells The Football News Show why his sons' allegiances could create a headache in the Petrov household on Wednesday.

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  8. Emery wary of 'prestigious' Celticpublished at 16:57 28 January

    Jack Herrall
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Unai EmeryImage source, SNS

    Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says his side are facing a "fantastic coach" and "prestigious club" when they host Brendan Rodgers' Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday.

    The Spaniard has won two of his three previous games against Celtic, with his PSG side winning 7-1 and 5-0 in Champions League meetings in 2017.

    He also faced Celtic as manager of Spartak Moscow in 2012 when an injury-time goal from Georgios Samaras gave the Scottish side a historic first away win in the group stage.

    "It doesn't matter!" Emery said when asked how those games had finished.

    "Brendan is a fantastic coach, he showed here in Leicester.

    "The last matches we played together was when he was at Leicester and it was always very difficult to beat the team he was managing.

    "With PSG it was a different moment, we won but it was different teams."

    Both sides have already secured a play-off spot in the new-look league phase and a win could still lift either of them into an automatic qualification spot, with Villa currently a point better off than Celtic and only outside the top eight on goal difference.

    "Tomorrow we will respect them like they deserve and they are a winning team, their mentality is usually winning matches in their league," Emery added.

    "They are going to play feeling confident and trying to face us feeling they can be close to us as well.

    "I know because I respect and analyse them. They have good players and a good coach, the club is a prestigious club and the players feel they are a team to play in Europe."

  9. Ramsey hopes for 'pinch me moment'published at 15:57 28 January

    Jacob RamseyImage source, Getty Images

    Walking out to the Champions League music again will be a "pinch me moment" for Jacob Ramsey, who will be hoping to help Aston Villa automatically qualify for a place in the knockout stages.

    Speaking before Wednesday's game against Celtic, Ramsey said: "Any Champions League game is always big, especially at Villa Park.

    "We need three points for a chance of automatic qualification. It will be a tough match, Celtic fans will bring atmosphere and so will Villa fans.

    "From where I've come from, the academy when I was eight, to play [in the] Champions League at 23, at Villa Park, with family and friends in the stadium, before the game I'm sure when the music and anthem come on I'll be looking to family and friends - it's a pinch me moment, then after that - focus on the game."

    Ramsey scored his first goal for Villa since September against West Ham on Sunday and after a spell on the sidelines he said it was "really good to get the feeling again".

    "I hadn't scored in a while at Villa Park, the past 12 months I've had three/four big injuries, but when you come back from injury it takes three/four games to get the rhythm back and I'm doing that now," said Ramsey.

    It's now almost five years since the Englishman made his debut for Doncaster Rovers against Tranmere on a loan move from Villa. He remembers the "terrible" pitch on that February day in 2020 and notes that a Champions League night offers a "completely different" environment.

    "Five years later I'm playing Champions League - which shows how quickly football and life can change - I hope tomorrow brings a good moment like five years ago," he said.

    "I'm still only 23, I'm still young in the game and I've played a lot of football for my age. One minute you're 10/10 the next you're 3/10. I try to keep a level head and stay humble as football can change so quickly."

  10. Emery eases fears over Villa's defensive crisis published at 15:06 28 January

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Tyrone Mings is comforted by John McGinn.Image source, Getty Images

    Unai Emery has backed Aston Villa to cope with their defensive crisis before their crunch Champions League game with Celtic.

    Ezri Konsa is Villa's only fit centre-back with Pau Torres out with a broken foot and Tyrone Mings a major injury doubt to face Celtic at Villa Park Wednesday.

    Diego Carlos was also sold to Fenerbahce last week to deplete Villa's options further.

    Mings came off in tears in Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham but Emery hopes he has an outside chance of facing the Scottish champions.

    "If Tyrone Mings is available he will play. We have injured players but this is something everyone has," said Emery.

    "We had Diego Carlos, he wanted to leave and he was pushing us to let him leave. Even we wanted to replace him but we couldn't do both at the same time.

    "We had to accept it because the circumstances come like that. We have to work, prepare, believe and be ready. I believe we have the players we have in the squad."

    Left-back Lucas Digne played as centre-back for over 50 minutes in the draw with the Hammers after replacing Mings.

    Emery added: "Of course we are playing on Sunday, tomorrow, on Saturday. We have players injured but it's a new objective for players getting less minutes. I want to get into the top eight because it's a good opportunity."

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  11. Emery on Mings' injury, Celtic and automatic qualificationpublished at 14:33 28 January

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Celtic at Villa Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • The club "will see this afternoon" how Tyrone Mings is after the defender was substituted in the first half of Sunday's draw with West Ham, with Emery stating "if he is available he will play" and "it's not a big injury".

    • The manager said Lucas Digne is also an option to play at centre-back "in case we need - like Sunday".

    • Lamare Bogarde has been training with the squad but Emery said "we are thinking about letting him leave on loan - he needs more experience to be ready to play with us".

    • On Jacob Ramsey: "It's been tough for him this year and last, not being consistent and playing different circumstances. We believe he can recover again - his good form and scoring on Sunday is good for his confidence. Last week he was telling us he was not feeling strong playing three matches in a row."

    • On Celtic Emery said: "They are a very prestigious club - they won the European Cup as well. It is a special match for the supporters."

    • Villa sit in ninth position in the Champions League table and Emery said: "We have 13 points with the possibility to be in the top eight - we are doing fantastic in the Champions League this year."

    • He added: "It's not in our hands but other teams as well have to win tomorrow. I want to play the match and enjoy it with our supporters - we are excited and motivated. At the end of the match we will watch the other results."

    • On if it would be good to not have two extra play-off games: "It could be good if we are in the top eight to rest, try to recover players and in training - I want to get into the top eight because it's a good opportunity."

    Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Aston Villa v Celtic at 20:00 on Wednesday

    Follow all of Tuesday's football news here

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  12. Aston Villa v Celtic: Did you know?published at 12:34 28 January

    Emiliano Martinez playing for Aston VillaImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa and Celtic will meet for the first time; the Villans' only previous European fixture against a fellow British club came in qualifying for the 2023-24 Conference League, winning 8-0 on aggregate against Hibernian.

    Based on the quality of shots on target faced (via expected goals on target), only Girona's Paulo Gazzaniga (+5.1) has prevented more goals than Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez in the Champions League this season (+4.7 - four conceded from 8.7 xGoT).

    Overall, the Villa goalkeeper has saved 31 of the 35 shots on target he has faced (88.6%).

  13. Villa and Chelsea's January windows intertwinepublished at 08:54 28 January

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Joao Felix lining up for Chelsea against BournemouthImage source, Getty Images

    In the last 24 hours, Axel Disasi and Joao Felix's exits from Stamford Bridge have risen up the Chelsea news agenda.

    Chelsea have reportedly had contact from Aston Villa and Wolves for defender Axel Disasi.

    It is understood that Villa is the preferred destination to Disasi, who joined Chelsea 18 months ago in a £38.5m move from Monaco.

    However, Felix's situation is less clear and could be a function of Villa holding historic interest in him.

    Speaking of historic interest, could Villa striker Jhon Duran somehow be roped into the situation - having long been a target of transfer bosses at Chelsea?

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  14. Gossip: Buendia on verge of Leverkusen loanpublished at 08:06 28 January

    Gossip graphic

    Argentina midfielder Emiliano Buendia, 28, is on the verge of joining German champions Bayer Leverkusen from Aston Villa on loan. (Florian Plettenberg, external)

    Aston Villa have agreed personal terms with Chelsea and France defender Axel Disasi, 26. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

    Chelsea and Portugal forward Joao Felix, 25, also interests Aston Villa but they would only be able to take one player on loan from Stamford Bridge. (Talksport, external)

    Villa are also in talks with 27-year-old Villarreal and Argentina defender Juan Foyth. (Telegraph, external)

    Villa and Colombia striker Jhon Duran, 21, is a 100m euro (£84m) target for Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr as they look for a new strike partner for Cristiano Ronaldo. (Football Transfers, external)

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport