Aston Villa face Lille interest in Digne as loanee Malen shines at Roma
Ex-coach Bryan Roy hails Donyell Malen’s ‘great marriage’ with Roma. The Aston Villa loanee has five goals including a brace vs Napoli, with a €25m obligation to buy.
Aston Villa loanee Samuel Iling-Junior joined Pisa on a dry loan, debuting off the bench in a 2-1 win over AC Milan. The winger says he is ‘thinking game by game’ and has not decided his future.
Ex-scout Bryan King says Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG could move for Morgan Rogers, valuing the Villa talisman at £150m after the World Cup. Villa would face a record Premier League sale decision.
Injured Aston Villa captain John McGinn criticises Scottish VAR on social media after Aberdeen vs Motherwell red card controversy, posting ‘Scottish var is a mess’ while watching his brother play.
Villa have opened talks for Bournemouth defender Marco Senesi, with Emery confident of luring the Argentine despite Barcelona interest. Arrival could hasten Tyrone Mings’ exit with a year left on his deal.
Villa are formidable at Villa Park and gain a boost with Matty Cash set to return vs Leeds. Farke’s side must balance defence and counter threat to test an Aston Villa team strong but not flawless.
Manchester United are set to let Jadon Sancho leave for free, easing a potential Aston Villa move. The winger has 1 goal and 1 assist in 25 games under Unai Emery, mostly in Europe. A wage cut would likely be key to any permanent deal.
Leeds midfielder Sean Longstaff, back from injury and solid in the FA Cup, is still likely to be benched at Aston Villa with Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach preferred in Farke’s midfield.
Aston Villa can complete a first league double over Leeds since 1999-00. Emery’s side sit third, are unbeaten in six vs Leeds and in 18 vs promoted teams, making them strong favourites at Villa Park.
Lille are eyeing Lucas Digne. The 32-year-old, under contract at Aston Villa until 2028, is an important player and dressing-room leader. Villa, chasing Champions League, would need a strong offer to consider a sale.
Tyrone Mings’ form is mixed, but after scoring the winner at Brighton he is tipped to start vs Leeds for aerial strength against Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Pau Torres and Victor Lindelof less dominant.
Emi Martinez backs ex-Villa teammate Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian says he is ‘mentally very exhausted’ and seeks to terminate his Vasco da Gama contract. Coutinho struggled after Emery’s arrival.
