Aston Villa weigh Bailey sale and Lille test
Aston Villa join Tottenham, Brighton and Brentford in monitoring Parma’s Belgium midfielder Mandela Keita after a standout display vs Fiorentina. Bologna and Inter are keen, with scouts tracking his form.
Real Unión president Igor Emery hails their partnership with Aston Villa as ‘an opportunity to grow’, praising Unai Emery’s heart. Villa loanee Thierry Katsukunya gains minutes in Spain’s fourth tier.
Villa may target Fulham’s Harry Wilson on a free, but sources say a right winger arrives only if Leon Bailey is sold. Bailey struggled on return from Roma, while Wilson has 9 goals and 6 assists.
Opinion piece argues Villa should not lean on fans after poor displays and rising costs, citing backlash after Wolves and a heavy Chelsea defeat. Calls for performances to repair strained relations.
Villa eye Youri Tielemans’ post-break return to restore control. Stats cited include 84% pass completion, five assists and high tackles. His absence has hurt amid injuries to Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn.
Villa’s progress stalls under PSR limits as Chelsea outspend. Buendia and Bailey back starting, squad depth questioned. Top‑four race tight, finances at risk if Champions League is missed.
Previewing Lille v Villa: hosts control possession, thrive inside the box, lack aerial threat and collect cards. Giroud, Haraldsson and Fernandez-Pardo key. Emery must restrict box entries to win.
Saudi clubs plan a summer move for Youri Tielemans. Villa, fined £9.5m for UEFA breaches, may need a major sale. Tielemans, a top earner signed for free, could raise profit. He is out with an ankle injury.
Lisandro Martínez says Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister visited him during injury recovery, praising their support from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup group.
Live blog notes Liverpool interest in ex-Villa winger Moussa Diaby, now at Al-Ittihad. Other lines include Djed Spence to Juventus and Napoli aiming to keep Scott McTominay.
