Aston Villa News

#AVFC news and opinion from @birmingham_live || Keep up to date with our Villa podcast: @ClaretBluePod Sign up to our newsletter here:

[John Townley @johntownley11]

🚨 Aston Villa are in the process of completing a £30m deal for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis as a replacement for Ezri Konsa. Saints boss Tonda Eckert has recently been reluctant to play the 24yo amid the prospect of him joining a Champions League club.

#AVFC

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Ollie Watkins: "Firstly, I’d like to say - never did I intend, nor did I imagine, that my time at Aston Villa would end this way. I am eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person.

"We have been through so many ups and downs, but one thing that has never changed is that I have given everything for this club. Becoming Villa’s record Premier League scorer was an achievement that I never thought was possible when I joined the club.

"I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my time here. Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and especially Unai Emery for always believing in me.

"For me personally, my two children were born here in Birmingham. To see them walk on the pitch with fans singing my name in the Holte End is something which will stay with me forever.

"Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa. After six years, it is time to say goodbye. Villa will always mean too much to me. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart."

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Ollie Watkins has left #AVFC for Al-Hilal in a deal worth £50 million.

The striker leaves Villa after scoring 105 goals in 276 games over six seasons, having joined the club from Brentford in the summer of 2020. A huge part of Villa's recent success.
https://t.co/31kewRkscd

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Ollie Watkins has confirmed his departure from Aston Villa on Instagram.

#AVFC

[Aston Villa News @AVFC_News]

Aston Villa intervene after Man Utd transfer interest emerges with new contract offer #avfc #mufc
https://t.co/JbwzMQFj5U

[John Townley @johntownley11]

#AVFC might have lost more than half of the starting XI that won the Europa League final, but Unai Emery doesn't do transitional seasons.

"In football, if you are expecting transition, maybe you are not in the right way."
https://t.co/7BiA3QRITI

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Aston Villa are pleased with progress on the North Stand redevelopment, on track for completion before next season. New corner tunnel and home dressing room also being built. Trinity Road capacity has risen by 550, with almost every seat in VP replaced in last three years.

#AVFC

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Emi Martinez has completed his move to Chelsea from #AVFC for £7.5m.

The 33yo spent six years at Villa, playing 255 games, with his last coming in the Europa League final. His form at club level gave him the platform to enjoy great success with Argentina.
https://t.co/ozs5KnDy7h

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Villa Park will pay tribute to Jimmy Rimmer on Monday night with a period of applause before kick-off and a crowdsurfer flag in the Holte End. His family will be in attendance and pitchside before the game. 💜

#AVFC

[John Townley @johntownley11]

📆 After starting their Champions League campaign in Brugge, Aston Villa will play successive home matches in MD2 and MD3, just as they did two seasons ago. PSG and Dortmund at Villa Park back-to-back, before ending the league phase in Prague.

#AVFC

[Aston Villa News @AVFC_News]

Aston Villa issue Champions League update as Barcelona and PSG match dates confirmed #avfc
https://t.co/zyt9cmW2Ts

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Aston Villa's UEFA Champions League league phase schedule…

Sep 8 - Club Brugge (5.45pm)
Oct 14 - Fenerbahce (8pm)
Oct 21 - Viking (8pm)
Nov 3 - Barcelona (8pm)
Nov 24 - Galatasaray (5:45pm)
Dec 8 - PSG (8pm)
Jan 19 - Borussia Dortmund (8pm)
Jan 27 - Slavia Prague (8pm)

#AVFC

[Aston Villa News @AVFC_News]

Alan Shearer issues Aston Villa verdict as BBC star admits – 'I don't think it's right' #avfc

https://t.co/g4mjvV4pts

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Unai Emery is hopeful that Leon Bailey will leave #AVFC and start a new chapter elsewhere.

"Hopefully he can get a good opportunity to leave and join another club and continue his career, and this is our objective."
https://t.co/OR7h8iYJmO

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Ibrahim Mbaye is set to undergo a medical on Saturday ahead of signing for #AVFC from PSG in a deal worth £47m, including add-ons.

Villa chiefs are delighted to get Mbaye through the door, with the exciting winger coveted across Europe. 🌟
https://t.co/rtWCeuVydY

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Nicolas Jackson: "I've known the coach for a long time, so when he called to explain the project, I liked it so much. Hopefully, we do amazing things together. I fight for the badge and for the coach. I am very excited to join Aston Villa, fighting for them." [Villa TV]

#AVFC

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Nicolas Jackson: "It's a massive club. I was looking forward to joining here a few years ago, so I am very happy that I am here finally. I am ready to work." [Villa TV]

#AVFC

[John Townley @johntownley11]

#AVFC have announced the signing of Nicolas Jackson, who will replace Ollie Watkins, for £47.5m plus add-ons.

Unai Emery has been trying to reunite with Jackson for some time, and has now got his man. The 25yo has recorded 34 G/A in 65 PL matches.🇸🇳
https://t.co/WCMM0iRm0P

[John Townley @johntownley11]

See you at 7pm.

📺 - https://t.co/3qMfUUzMCZ

#AVFC

[John Townley @johntownley11]

Aston Villa hope to conclude the signing of Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG after exhausting options to agree a sensible package for Rafael Leao. No doubt that the 18yo suits Villa more given his age and profile, aligning with the club's overarching summer plan to recruit younger.

#AVFC