Aston Villa

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ollie Watkins has told Emery that he is "happy to stay" after Villa rejected Arsenal's approach for the 29-year-old: "We asked him how he is feeling being with Villa and he is happy here."

• Emery said that Watkins' commitment to the club has been "huge": "He appreciates Aston Villa have always supported him, helped him and tried to get the best of him. Now we need him - like he needed Aston Villa."

• More on Watkins: "I speak with him a lot. He is always adapting to every circumstance we have in the squad and with him individually. When teams are interested in our players, of course it is very good for us and very good for the players. Some prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us here and to be with our challenge. One of those is Ollie Watkins."

• On the impact of the transfer window on Villa: "Of course we are changing the squad because we need to improve at everything – individually and collectively. We will miss some players in the squad because we did not change Diego Carlos or [Emi] Buendia. We have the last player leaving - it's not official - but it's Jhon Duran. The players we have are trying and showing their commitment."

• Matty Cash will not be available to play at Wolves, with Emery confirming he will be out for "three to four weeks". Tyrone Mings has also a "small injury" and "will need some days more to be ready to play".

• On whether his side are at a disadvantage on Saturday given their Champions League exploits: "For a long time I have played in Europe and I know how to prepare each match as best as possible - resting, [eating] good food and preparing with work on the field and in meetings. The idea is to accept, adapt, be intelligent and have strong players consistently playing. And to have our subs ready to play at the level we have."

• On the challenge posed by Wolves: "The challenge is to compete - we have to dominate. They are the values we are trying to set with the players we have."

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

Full commentary of Wolves v Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 17:25 GMT on Saturday

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The Champions League knockout phase play-off draw is complete.

Aston Villa now know they will play either the winners of Club Brugge v Atalanta or Sporting v Borussia Dortmund in the last 16, as they look to take another step closer to the final.

The play-off first legs will take place on 11 and 12 February, with the second legs on 18 and 19 February.

The Villains will then find out their last-16 opponents - and their route to the final - in the next Champions League draw on Friday, 21 February.

See the full draw here

Aston Villa fan Richard Sutherland recognises the club's progression into the last 16 of the Champions League will have "a number of benefits" - from easing profit and sustainability concerns and having more freedom in the transfer market to giving the opportunity to rest the players.

Unai Emery's side could face either Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Sporting or Club Brugge in the next stage of the competition, with the draw taking place on Friday, 31 January at 11:00 GMT.

"They are all going to be very tough games, but it gives us a real chance to progress in the competition," added Richard.

Find more from Richard Sutherland at The Villa Park Podcast, external

Paris St-Germain forward Marco Asensio is one of a number of attacking players Aston Villa are interested in signing before the transfer window closes. (Mail), external

Villa are also considering a bid for 25-year-old Wolves striker Matheus Cunha. (Guardian), external

Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Joao Felix is another target for Aston Villa boss Unai Emery. (Express), external

Finally, Ollie Watkins would be open to joining Arsenal this month, but Villa are determined to keep the 29-year-old. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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One of the things that makes Unai Emery such an interesting speaker on the game is the impression that, behind all the professional intensity his job requires, he is really in this for the same thing as you and me: for the thrills.

"The atmosphere was FAN-TAS-TIC," he said expressively in the press room last night, as his thoughts and emotions tumbled out.

It had been an especially vivid occasion, even by the standards of the past year or two. Fittingly, given Emery's urgings to his players and Villa's supporters to make the most of every moment of this Champions League campaign, their position was in question even after their game ended, extending the drama.

Nobody wanted to rush off anyway.

It was almost too much. To make sure he would always remember, Morgan Rogers – still a Championship player a year ago – cradled the match ball and his man-of-the-match trophy in one arm, while taking a selfie in front of the man-of-the-match sign. The photograph will be his keepsake of a year of exceptional progress.

The grand occasion was bookended by reminders of the colder realities of modern football. Some around the ground were put out before kick-off by reports of Arsenal's offer for Ollie Watkins - not that the Gunners made it given Watkins' obvious ability, but more that it should become known just before such a significant game.

Watkins did not play as if distracted. Yes, he might have scored far more than one, but his all-round centre-forward play was vital. Maybe Emery's comments on Arsenal's interest left open the possibility that he might move, but really he was only acknowledging that for every player, there is ultimately a deal too good to reject. But it would have to be a very big number.

He seemed resigned though, to Jhon Duran moving to Saudi Arabia: "The players have the objective, the ambition. Sometimes they are impassioned. If he is leaving, it is because he prefers to do another way in his career."

The reported numbers probably make it good business for Villa, although Emery seemed to find the player's motivation hard to compute: "I told you, I want him here. But what does he want?"

Emery did not speculate. But you could imagine Villa fans thinking of the delirious celebrations in the Holte End and wondering: "Jhon, don't you want THAT?"

Wolves v Aston Villa – live commentary on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM/DAB/Freeview 714), Saturday 17:30 GMT

BBC Radio WM Football Phone-In – weeknights 18:00 GMT

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Former Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov says Morgan Rogers looks like he is enjoying his football under Unai Emery at Villa.

"Another great game for Morgan Rogers - he was too much to handle for Celtic," Petrov told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"With his movement and the way he plays, it seems like he enjoys his football but I'm not surprised.

"That's why Unai Emery was brought to the club, to bring these great European nights again at Villa Park. He has definitely managed to do that but he also finds a great solution for players - to develop them and make the team better."

With Aston Villa rejecting an approach from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran reportedly set for a medical before a move to Saudi side Al-Nassr, we want to how you feel about the prospect of losing one or potentially both strikers, just days before the transfer window ends.

What would you like to see happen? If one was to leave would you like to see a replacement brought in before the window closes? Or do you think you can't afford to lose either of them?

Have your say here

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Ollie Watkins is the subject of an approach from Arsenal.

The 29-year-old has found the net 11 times this season and fits the mould for Arsenal given the widespread analysis around Mikel Arteta's need for a centre forward.

On Match of the Day, former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock said: "Money talks. If Arsenal up their bid, you might see some wheeling and dealing.

"I don't think you would want to lose Watkins.

"He is the focal point of attack. But are you going to get that money again as a 29-year-old? That's a business decision then and that's when it becomes difficult.

"PSR has changed everything. It's a bigger decision now."

European football expert Julien Laurens added: "I think Arsenal looked at other potential signings like Benjamin Sesko at Leipzig.

"I guess maybe towards the end you see clubs who are are more open too, as we saw with the bid for Jhon Duran.

"Aston Villa will have a replacement list already of strikers they can go and get."

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Aston Villa and Celtic.

Here are some of your comments:

Duncan: Great result, although nerve-racking at times. We were stunning going forward but there was awful defending at times. Credit to Celtic, who looked very competitive. We are in dreamland to qualify in the top eight, which I did not expect. The lack of play-off games will be a help in the sense of giving the players a rest.

Rob: A dogged performance from the lads. Despite some poor finishing at times, we were ruthless in our play. I'm really pleased for Morgan Rogers, he should have took the penalty and he was my man of the match.

Stephen: What Unai Emery is achieving with this squad of players is nothing short of remarkable. Rogers has announced himself as a top-class player.

Adrian: Celtic gave Villa some nervy moments but Rogers, Watkins and Ramsey were magnificent. I'm looking forward to the draw.

Matthew: Great win for Villa. The team looked a lot more balanced and were creating a lot of chances. We are still missing a bit of quality in key positions but hopefully, with a couple of new players and injured players coming back, things should look better. Well done lads!

Want to hear more analysis of a gripping night in the Champions League?

BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast has reaction to games involving Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City.

All four English clubs remain in the competition at the conclusion of the League Phase.

Listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal are expected to make an improved second attempt to sign 29-year-old Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who grew up as an Arsenal fan. (Mail), external

Jhon Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday, ahead of the 21-year-old's proposed 77m euro (£64m) plus add-ons move from Aston Villa to Al Nassr. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Those finishing in the top eight automatically progress to the last 16, where they will be seeded.

They will await the winners of eight two-legged knockout play-off ties featuring the clubs ranked from ninth to 24th.

Liverpool could possibly face the following four teams - PSG, Benfica, Monaco or Brest.

Arsenal could possibly face the following four teams - AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus.

Aston Villa could possibly face the following four teams - Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge.

Image source, Getty Images

"It is a massive, massive deal for Aston Villa to finish in the top eight" of the Champions League qualifying league, says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

"You think about how they are trying to develop under Unai Emery and looking to compete on the domestic and European fronts, to get a top eight place is credit to the manager and the team," Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The pressure was on them tonight against Celtic, and there was a little wobble before half time. But they got there in the end and Morgan Rogers was unplayable.

"They can now put their feet up as the other teams go head to head in the play-off."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock says "Morgan Rogers is at the heart of everything good" in Unai Emery's team.

Speaking on the Champions League special Match of the Day: "More often than not, when you look at a youngster you want goals and assists and against Celtic, he was outstanding.

"He is another who has had up and downs in the squad, but on a whole he has been magnificent."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to TNT, on whether Jhon Duran will leave the club: "Tomorrow or Friday we can talk about the transfer, or maybe next week. Until everything is done I don't want to speak because in football everything can happen. The club is working and trying to compete in the transfer window because we need some players. Some can leave, but it is not time to speak about it."

"I don't know if Duran is leaving but if he is, it is good news for us because he is leaving because it is good money. It is for the club, the players and the team. I don't know if he will leave or not.

"Watkins is our striker."

On Arsenal's bid for Ollie Watkins: "I know you want to ask about it, but I told you, today is not the day."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers speaking to Uefa: "Definitely the highlight of my career so far. It's a crazy experience and a crazy game to be a part of. It's a massive achievement and we should be proud of ourselves."

On being the first player in Champions League history to score twice in the opening five minutes: "It's something we had to address starting games behind and giving ourselves a mountain to climb. Still something to work on but the good start is something to put us on the right foot.

"I felt we were on top for the large majority. We scored two goals and that's what changed the game. We are a bit shorthanded at the back at the moment. We got the win.

"We had to dig deep, we know we can, we do it in the Premier League every week. We thoroughly deserve it. We've got the hunger and the drive and we've got a manager who pushes us every day."