Aston Villa eye Lille job, transfer calls loom
U18 midfielder Jack McGrath hit a brace in a 3-1 win over West Ham, taking him to 13 goals and seven assists this season. His form could earn Unai Emery’s attention for a senior chance.
Aston Villa host Lille with a 1-0 lead after Ollie Watkins’ header in France. Prediction: Villa 2-1 Lille, meaning a 3-1 aggregate win, as Emery’s side aim for the quarter-finals despite recent domestic struggles.
Borussia Dortmund are aligning to re-sign Jadon Sancho on a free after his underwhelming Aston Villa loan, with Niko Kovač open but demanding discipline. Sancho has no goals in 18 league games for Villa.
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King suggests Emi Buendia could leave this summer after a dip in form. He doubts Villa will recoup £33m but says clubs will want him, with Leeds links mentioned.
Kosta Nedeljkovic’s RB Leipzig loan has stalled, with just six games this season and poor metrics. Valencia is eyeing a summer move as Villa weigh options behind Matty Cash at right-back.
Coventry and Wrexham are set to compete for former Villa midfielder and England international Ross Barkley in the summer window.
Villa is preparing an opening bid for Stuttgart defender Waldemar Anton, labelled a leader, and is leading Tottenham and West Ham in the race.
Amadou Onana says Youri Tielemans’ rehab is ‘going very well’. The midfielder, out since late January with an ankle issue, could return mid-April, boosting Villa’s Champions League push after a poor run.
