Aston Villa’s attack under scrutiny, Martínez criticised
Teenager Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, on loan at West Brom with 92% pass accuracy in a key game and a Villa goal v RB Salzburg, trained with England and could extend Villa’s record 63 England debutants.
Villa weigh a €25m move for Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries, whose clause activates in July. Liverpool and Man City also keen. Inter assess replacements as Villa eye value but system fit is a question.
Villa are keen on Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey after his derby winner at Newcastle, but the Black Cats want a huge fee for the Netherlands international.
Villa join Tottenham and Newcastle in the race for an ‘outstanding’ Leeds United player, aiming to hijack De Zerbi’s plans.
Critique of Leon Bailey after Jamaica’s loss to DR Congo. Played 120 minutes with poor stats, missing shots and duels. Article argues his Villa future under Unai Emery looks bleak after latest display.
Mixed internationals: Lindelöf’s Sweden beat Cash’s Poland 3-2, Ezri Konsa and Morgan Rogers start in England’s 0-1 loss to Japan, John McGinn plays late in Scotland’s 0-1 defeat, Lamare Bogarde features for Netherlands U21s.
Villa plan midfield reinforcement in summer, pursuing a £50m target dubbed a “monster”, which could impact Douglas Luiz’s status as they chase Champions League and Europa League success.
Villa’s big chance conversion is a league-worst 27%, threatening Champions League hopes. Ollie Watkins has missed 15 big chances and has 9 league goals, increasing pressure on Emery’s attack to be clinical.
Argentina journalist Horacio Pagani criticises Emiliano Martínez for saying the 2-1 win over Mauritania was ‘one of the worst games’, claiming his ‘no blood, no intensity’ remarks undermined teammates.
Sportbladet say Villa and Chelsea offered £40m for Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall in January but Spurs refused. Tottenham’s possible relegation could trigger a summer sale, with Villa poised to return.
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King suggests Villa could revisit Conor Gallagher after his poor Tottenham spell, describing his current level as ‘non-league’. A cut-price move is floated as a possible fit for Emery’s midfield needs.
