Aston Villa hold firm on Watkins as Wan-Bissaka nears
John McGinn is set to help Motherwell with insight on Freiburg before their Conference League play-off tie.
Emile Heskey says Villa must keep Ezri Konsa amid Arsenal interest. Villa are holding firm at £60m after Arsenal's reported £30m offer for the England defender.
Villa remain keen on Joao Palhinha, but the piece suggests his arrival could complicate Ollie Watkins's future after their clash in Tottenham's 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Villa.
Villa are back in talks for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Joao Palhinha. West Ham rejected a straight-loan bid, while Bayern want a permanent deal for Palhinha.
Villa are close to signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka on an initial loan from West Ham, with an option that can become an obligation if certain conditions are met. He would give Matty Cash long-needed right-back competition and add experienced Premier League depth.
Al Hilal have bid £38m for Ollie Watkins. The striker is open to the move, but Villa want to keep him and still expect him to be available for Sunday's opener at Brighton.
Villa U21s lost 3-2 at Wigan in the EFL Trophy after fighting back from 2-0 down through Tommi O'Reilly and Kane Taylor, before Dara Costelloe's late winner.
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso said hiring ex-Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee gives his staff Premier League know-how and specialist support before the new season.
Villa have agreed to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham on an initial loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season. The right-back has permission to travel for a medical in the Midlands before Sunday's trip to Brighton.
