Aston Villa beat Lille to reach Europa League quarter-finals
Inter Milan have Guglielmo Vicario on their shortlist for the summer, which could ease talk of them moving for Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez.
Emiliano Martinez’s save-and-launch set up John McGinn before Leon Bailey added a late tap-in as Aston Villa beat Lille 2-0, 3-0 on aggregate, to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
Villa have made an approach for Everton’s £28m-rated Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after an impressive debut season, raising fears at Goodison of losing a key midfielder.
Report claims Aston Villa want £100m for Morgan Rogers amid interest from Chelsea, Man United and Spurs, arguing a lower fee could fund a rebuild if Champions League qualification is missed.
Aston Villa are monitoring Lazio centre-back Mario Gila, priced at about £25.8m, with Real Madrid holding 50% rights. Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton are also interested.
McGinn urges Villa to be ruthless v Lille after a 1-0 first-leg lead from Watkins’ header. He targets scoring first, a two-goal cushion and warns Lille are strong in second legs. ‘We don’t want to be a maybe team.’
Tammy Abraham struggled vs Lille, completing 7/14 passes with no shots before being replaced by Ollie Watkins, who later assisted Leon Bailey in Aston Villa’s 2-0 Europa League win.
West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville suffers a minor calf injury and will miss the Premier League clash with Aston Villa and Netherlands friendlies, but remains in Koeman’s World Cup plans.
Despite assisting McGinn in the 2-0 win over Lille, Jadon Sancho was criticised by Dion Dublin for an ‘awful’ touch that took the ball out of play, though he also hit the post and worked hard defensively.
Barcelona step up pursuit of Pau Torres, with Hansi Flick keen. Villa want to keep the 29-year-old but a summer move is possible. Ferran Torres swap and Marco Senesi named as potential angles if he exits.
Ollie Watkins omitted from Tuchel’s 35-man England squad, with Solanke and Calvert-Lewin preferred as back-ups to Kane. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw also miss out.
Villa and Newcastle make contact over Marcus Thuram, who prefers the Premier League. Inter could sell for profit despite his dip in form. Decision likely in summer after the season and World Cup.
Sturm Graz want to keep Aston Villa loanee Rory Wilson beyond this season after an encouraging start despite limited minutes due to visa issues and competition.
