Douglas Luiz buy option and Kamara blow lead Villa agenda
Villa’s Elliott loan has a £35m obligation after 10 apps. He is on 7, with wages covered and no Liverpool recall. Emery aims to avoid triggering it, so minutes are being limited despite injuries.
Ex-scout Bryan King calls it ‘absolutely crazy’ Villa did not swap Evann Guessand for Marc Guehi. City signed Guehi for £20m while Palace could pay £28m for Guessand, leaving Villa without the England defender.
Leon Bailey’s agent says Roma did not reject him, and Villa recalled him ‘because they needed’ him. After injuries limited him in Italy, Emery has given the winger minutes since returning in January.
Besiktas enquired for Emi Martinez during Tammy Abraham talks, but Villa wanted about £12.9m, cooling a January move. The 33-year-old’s form has been mixed as Villa weigh future goalkeeper options.
Pundit Dougie Critchley tips Jarrod Bowen as an ‘amazing’ Villa signing, valuing him at £50m if West Ham go down. He is seen as an upgrade for the right flank alongside Watkins and Rogers.
Villa’s Francesco Calvo warns a ‘buyer’s market’ for new shirt sponsors as betting deals end. With PSR pressures and 11 clubs seeking replacements, replacing Betano is framed as English football’s big test.
Douglas Luiz shines on loan with a £22m buy option as Boubacar Kamara suffers a PCL tear after surgery, potentially out up to 9 months. Juventus are paying Luiz’s wages, easing a permanent summer move.
Fans’ January ratings: Kadan Young tops after one assist, Bizot impresses, Jimoh-Aloba nets Salzburg winner, Mings returns, Rogers key. McGinn and Kamara injured, Watkins and Pau Torres dip, Guessand bottom.
Preview tips Bournemouth’s in-form Yann Kroupi to score against Villa, focusing on goalscorer markets in a tight matchup. Livescore
Sold by Villa to Al Nassr for ~£64m, Jhon Duran struggled at Fenerbahce and is set for a loan to Zenit after ending his Turkish deal, bolstering Villa’s view they sold at the right time.
