Aston Villa eye top five as Spurs visit
Villa are monitoring 18-year-old PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye as part of a youth-focused strategy. He has 21 appearances this season but limited minutes, with Liverpool and Man City also tracking him.
Former scout Bryan King tips Coventry to move for Lamare Bogarde after promotion, suggesting £15m could seal it, with Villa open as the midfielder struggles to impress under Unai Emery.
Villa target Champions League with Spurs at home. Emery has seven wins v Tottenham. Watkins has hurt De Zerbi sides before, while Rogers has 6 goal involvements in five meetings with Spurs.
Stoke’s 2008 free signing of ex-Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen proved inspired, as he starred in survival seasons and set the Premier League Danish appearance record.
Coventry plan a move for Fulham’s Harry Wilson, but Villa are in talks over a free transfer that could double his wages, making Emery’s side favourites.
Villa must decide on Ross Barkley’s expiring deal as Coventry, led by Frank Lampard, eye a free transfer. Barkley is keen to move for minutes, but high wages complicate Championship interest.
Villa are in talks to sign a highly rated Rangers player this summer, with multiple clubs also pushing a deal.
Villa and Newcastle are assessing Real Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro as a £10m alternative to James Trafford, amid financial constraints and potential interest in Emiliano Martinez.
Spurs, 18th, visit Villa Park needing points. Solanke, Simons, Romero, Kudus and Kulusevski are out, Udogie returns. Richarlison to lead a front line with Tel and Kolo Muani in predicted XI.
Villa are progressing talks to sign a Nottingham Forest target likened to John McGinn, aiming a key summer addition.
Villa chase top five at Villa Park. Amadou Onana and Kamara out, Barkley and Alysson back. Spurs 18th, missing Solanke and Simons, with Udogie set to return. Predicted XI includes Watkins, Buendía and Rogers.
Recalling Villa players at Russia 2018 during the Championship years: Birkir Bjarnason featured for Iceland, Mile Jedinak captained and scored for Australia, Ahmed Elmohamady was in Egypt’s squad.
Tuttosport link Villa and Fenerbahce with Juventus striker Jonathan David. Emery admires the Canadian, but Juve will only sell for a convincing offer and the player is not set on leaving.
Ahead of Villa, De Zerbi backs Richarlison to step up with Solanke and Simons out, and challenges Tel and Kolo Muani to deliver as Spurs fight relegation.
