Aston Villa

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We asked for your views on Jacob Ramsey leaving Villa Park in a £40m deal to Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: I would have preferred to keep him too as he is a raw talent who on his day is better than most in my opinion. His ability to carry the ball and see passes others don't will be massive for Newcastle. Good luck Ramsey!

Anthony: I really like Ramsey. I think he gives something a bit different to other players on that side. He had a great season a couple of years ago, but he's had a few injuries and not really got back to those heights. It's a harsh reality that we need to sell players and Ramsey is an obvious choice. I hope we have someone else coming in, with him and potentially Leon Bailey going. In Unai we trust!

Brian: Selling Ramsey is a big mistake. He has the potential to to be one of the best English players in recent years and to sell to a Premier League rival is crackers.

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Richard: Honestly? I'm OK with this. He's a great player, but 40m is a good price at a time when we need income. Last season, we played just as well without him as with him, and he's not an impact sub. He's a squad player at this stage.

Paul: A tough one, and also puzzling really. A player who had good moments but too often injured since his broken foot for the under-21s. Not a regular starter so feeling is we've done well to get that price. Not sure where Newcastle are going to play him, and if he would actually start either. Seems a bit of a panic buy for them. I could understand interest from West Ham but he would be too good for them. History will tell if PSR forced Villa into a mistake.

Jason: Not disappointed with this sale at all. Newcastle think they're getting Ramsey from two years ago. Great bit of business for Villa.

Ian: So disappointed to see him go. Has the profile in age and ability that fits what I would like to see coming to the club, not leaving. Only consolation is that he is going to a club with great set of fans and a talented manager under whom he can continue to progress.

We have looked into the age profile of Aston Villa's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.

For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.

The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.

Aston Villa had seven players over 30 last season but the majority of their squad was aged between 24 and 30 years old and arguably in their peak - including Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi who have since returned to their parent clubs.

The graphic shows the vast majority of Villa's squad are between 24 and 30 years old, including new signing Evann Guessand.

But the club have also invested in two players in the January and summer transfer window that are under 24. Perhaps this indicates some succession planning by Unai Emery as veteran players such as Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings are not always fit.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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The sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle is a deal Aston Villa and Unai Emery would have preferred not to have done in an ideal world.

However, this is not that world but one in which teams must abide by profit and sustainability rules - and finances are tight at Villa Park.

A youth product like Ramsey would always be an asset to sell to generate pure profit and £40m will undoubtedly help Villa comply with the rules.

It was the same last year when they had to sell Douglas Luiz despite qualifying for the Champions League.

It would be churlish to call Villa purely a selling club now, but they are not immune to financial pressures, as has been obvious over the past 18 months, and the failure to reach the Champions League this season will naturally have an effect.

Emery was a fan of Ramsey - he would have liked to have kept him - but the manager is living in reality. He knows the landscape Villa must navigate, even if it may seem rocky.

Striker Evann Guessand has joined from Nice and there are likely to be more arrivals, perhaps even the return of Marco Asensio after his successful loan last season, but Villa must continue to out-think the bigger spenders.

What do you make of Ramsey leaving Villa Park?

Tell us here

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:

5) Aston Villa

Last season: Sixth

They missed out on Champions League football on the final day of last season but I fully expect them to be at the sharp end of the Premier League once more under the outstanding guidance of Unai Emery.

Much will depend on the remainder of the transfer window, with Morgan Rogers a key figure. All overtures made towards him will be resisted by Villa, though there has also been speculation surrounding England striker Ollie Watkins. Local boy Jacob Ramsey may yet leave for Newcastle United - offering Emery funds for other incomings.

The loan spells of Marcus Rashford and Marcus Asensio have ended - though the latter may return - and it will be interesting to see how Emery utilises Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand - the new £30m forward signed from Nice.

Read the full piece

Roma are in talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Leon Bailey but have yet to make a formal bid for the 28-year-old Jamaica winger, who is also attracting interest from Besiktas and Saudi Pro League clubs. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

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Have you got a question about Aston Villa or is there a topic you want more information on? Have you spotted a theme or trend that needs further investigation?

Well, this season we're making it easier for you to get in touch and ask - and we will do our best to use our expertise here at BBC Sport to give you direct answers.

Our team can call upon a network of contacts - including our reporters, pundits and other experts - to find out everything you need to know.

No question is too big or too small, so fire away using the link below and we will answer the best of them throughout the campaign.

Ask about Aston Villa here

And find out more about BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything service here

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Former Aston Villa winger Stephen Froggatt believes that Unai Emery has to win a trophy this season to ensure this side is considered to be great.

Froggatt was part of the Villa squad that won the League Cup in 1994, beating Manchester United in the final.

While Froggatt believes the current team is better than the side he was part of, he thinks the lack of silverware is holding them back.

"Well, Unai Emery has won stuff at other clubs before," Froggatt said on BBC Radio WM. "We know his pedigree and what he can do.

" I remember the teams that I played with in 1992, 1993 and 1994, that came runners-up in the Premier League, and won the cup final. That was a great team.

"Did we have as good a squad as we have got today? No. That's because they have got a extra player in every position around the pitch, but we had a fantastic starting XI.

"You look at the team now - they have been excellent, brilliant in the Champions League and really good to watch. But to be considered a truly great side, you have to win something."

Aston Villa are hoping to re-sign Marco Asensio from Paris St-Germain following the 29-year-old Spain midfielder's successful loan spell last season. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

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David Michael
Fan writer

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For Aston Villa supporters, with Unai Emery at the helm, new season hope is no longer anchored in blind faith.

After narrowly missing out on consecutive Champions League qualifications on goal difference, and being constrained by Uefa's football earnings rules, fans will be reassured that the summer transfer rumour hurricane - swirling around Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Boubacar Kamara - ended with all three still in claret and blue.

With the team's spine still intact after Villa's final pre-season game, Watkins declared: "We've got big targets for the season."

On a personal level, the striker will be desperate to finally surpass 20 league goals in a season - a milestone that will be pivotal in Villa's ultimate goal of reclaiming a Champions League spot. Villa are also on an 18-game unbeaten league run at Villa Park, and that is a record they will be eager to extend deep into the campaign to form the backbone of their challenge.

Last season, the forward line underperformed in the first half, compounding any defensive lapses and compromising Villa's final position, despite loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio inspiring a strong finish. This time, a fully fit Watkins, a developing Morgan Rogers and the arrival of versatile forward Evann Guessand are expected to bring greater consistency up front.

In Europe, Villa will be confident of reaching the Europa League knockout stages while rotating through the league phase. That lighter early workload, compared with the Champions League's intensity faced by six Premier League rivals, could aid their domestic push - making a strong first half of the league campaign crucial.

Still, there are concerns. The Champions League six have strengthened, and Manchester United have also splashed the cash.

This feels like a sliding-doors season - a chance to reassert Villa among England's elite and end a 30-year domestic cup drought, or leave them at risk of slipping back into the also-rans' bracket.

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

Hear more from David on this page all season and remember you can sign up for Villa news notifications here

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As Aston Villa start the season at home to Newcastle on Saturday we asked you if they are ready for the new campaign.

Here's what you said:

Josh: Looking forward to the season. Expecting more goals across the frontline with the likes of Malen, Guessand, Ramsey and Rogers all looking potent. With a full pre-season behind him, Watkins means business. However, we need to address the lack of depth in defence if we want to compete.

Will: Are Villa ready? I would say a resounding yes. Fans of all clubs want to see new signings during the transfer windows - although, for me, the new contracts signed by Kamara and Digne are vital, along with Evann Guessand, who looks a steal. I'm sure there will be a couple more but my feeling is that a more compact and reliable squad without too many additions will work to our benefit in the league, Europe and the domestic cup competitions.

Prit: It was good to see Villa put in a very good performance against a very strong Villarreal, especially after the 'battle of Marseille'. But what this pre-season has demonstrated is a crying need for new defenders. With the exception of Konsa, we probably need to look right across the back four for strength in depth. I think Villa should consider PSG's goalkeeper Donnarumma. I'm still not convinced Martinez wants to stay so why not see if Donnarumma would be interested?

Ian: Delighted we have signed another striker. I still think we need cover at centre-back but it looks like Bogarde will be that option. Another front wideman would be welcome. Looking at our first six fixtures, we have a good chance to get off to a good start, which would hopefully set us up for another strong season. Feeling fairly confident.

Cassie: It's going to be a long season for Villa, not only in the league, but playing Thursday night football. It will test the strength of our mediocre squad. Will Watkins move on to another club? If he does, Emery will be under a lot of pressure to bring in another top-class player. Have a feeling that Villa will finish outside the top 10 this season.

Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is on.

It's been quite a quiet summer at Villa Park but the signing of Evann Guessand brings some extra firepower to Unai Emery's side.

Villa start the season at home to Newcastle on Saturday - but are they ready?

Get in touch

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Aston Villa wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday night. Just over 24 hours after facing Marseille in France, Unai Emery returned to his former club and saw his side secure victory thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendia.

Watkins struck in the 23rd minute, reacting quickest to a rebound from Buendia's effort, before the Argentine midfielder doubled the lead early in the second half with a crisp finish from the edge of the box.

Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was in fine form, producing a string of excellent saves to deny the Spanish side.

Buendia could have added a second to his tally when substitute Evann Guessand set him up, but Villarreal's defence stood firm.

The result means Villa picked up three wins, two draws and three defeats from their summer friendlies before their Premier League opener at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.

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Aston Villa lost 3-1 to Marseille in their penultimate pre-season match at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.

John McGinn equalised for Villa after the hosts took the lead early on but former Arsenal striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang scored twice after the break to secure victory.

This was Villa's third defeat in seven pre-season matches, of which they have won two and drawn two.

Villa now travel to Spain face Villarreal in their final pre-season match on Sunday before their Premier League campaign gets underway against Newcastle next weekend (Sat, 12:30 BST).

You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Aston Villa.

Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:

Espen: I received a slot car track as a Christmas present in the 1960s, and the cars were Aston Martins. Even though Villa played in the second division, it was thanks to the names of the cars that I started supporting Villa.

I'm from Norway and most people here supported Liverpool or Manchester United. I've never regretted choosing Villa.

I was lucky enough to win a trip for two and VIP tickets to a Premier League match. I took my daughter with me, so we ended up in London and saw Arsenal against Villa.

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We asked for your views on the signing of Evann Guessand from Nice.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: A typical Emery signing - he loves a versatile player, not someone who is stuck in one position. I don't know a lot about Guessand but if reports are correct he looks tailor-made for Villa.

Dave: Nice's Player of the Season, a clinical finisher, can take penalties, can work as a makeshift number 10 (adding further depth to our attacking midfield) AND... can hold the ball up front really well and then assist. Do we finally see a potential use of two strikers up front occasionally? Looks exciting!

Patrick: Surely he's Ollie's back-up? Let's just hope he hasn't got a screw loose like Duran (I don't think he's like that luckily).

Paul: We've lacked pace in transition since Diaby left - he brought a lot out of the team around him. Hopefully this will go some way to filling that hole. A decent record of goal involvements which hopefully will only get better under one of the best coaches in the world. Very happy.

Paul: My guess is that he's a direct replacement for Leon Bailey. I've never seen him play so I can't say how successful he'll be, but he's young, plays in a position that needed improvement and cost what seems to be the going rate for good, young European talent. Lets see. In Unai, we trust!

Matt: The permanent replacement for Duran and Rashford. He should give us great versatility to add a cutting edge when we need it, or rest Ollie/Morgan when we want to hold on to a result. I particularly like his stats on winning the ball back, running with it and creating chances so we can keep the pressure on the opponent and off our defence. Combined with his size and pace he's got the potential to be a force - and a bargain - if he can make the leap from Ligue 1 to the Premier League. Fingers crossed.

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Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Nice forward Evann Guessand for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old is a versatile signing that has played across the front line, as a number 10, right winger and number nine to date.

Happy with the latest addition?

Is he a good replacement for Marcus Rashford?

And where do you see him playing?

Get in touch with your views here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Aston Villa have signed Nice forward Evann Guessand for around £26m and he promises to be a versatile acquisition that can help replicate Marcus Rashford's role in Unai Emery's squad.

Like Rashford, the 24-year-old can play across the front line, as well as at number 10. Only 10 of his 30 Ligue 1 starts last season came at centre-forward – he also made eight starts on the right wing and nine as a support striker.

As a result, Guessand provided eight assists in addition to scoring 12 times, all from open play last season. Only five players were involved in more goals in the French top flight.

The nine-cap Ivory Coast international's numbers compare well to those of Ollie Watkins and Rashford, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park.

Guessand outperformed his expected goals tally by more than either Watkins or Rashford, but the key point of difference is that he is a more prolific dribbler, leading to significantly more involvement in terms of touches on the ball.

Depending on how he is used, Nice's reigning player of the year can also offer more defensively in terms of winning duels and regaining possession – particularly in the opposition third – making him a versatile asset for the campaign ahead.