Aston Villa
Eight changes for City, Arsenal star may miss out, Baggies winger could return
The 34th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some important matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening, with Southampton and Leicester City fighting out a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. James Ward-Prowse put the home side in front from the penalty spot, but Jonny Evans bagged an equaliser for the Foxes. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made eight changes to his starting XI for the visit to Crystal Palace on Saturday. However, his tinkering didn’t impact the outcome as City eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park – Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres got the goals. Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck were on target as Br...
Aston Villa planning move for £50,000-a-week Premier League star to bolster their defence
Aston Villa could re-sign Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe during this summer’s transfer window, Football Insider reports. The Villains are planning to part company with Bjorn Engels this summer, and they are lining up a new centre-back to fill the void. The Midlands outfit are said to be planning an approach to re-sign Tuanzebe, who previously spent time with the club on loan. Tuanzebe has only 14 months remaining on his current contract, but United have the option to extend his stay for another year. It is reported that the 23-year-old could be available for around £7 million if he pushes for an exit from the Red Devils. Sportslens view: The Villans have had a stable centre-back partnership in Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. Engels has sat on the bench for the entire season. Unsurpr...
‘Outside chance’ – Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Everton vs Aston Villa
Everton will face Aston Villa in the Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park. Ahead of the match, popular football pundit, Mark Lawrenson has predicted a 2-0 win for the Toffees. Aston Villa are without a win in their last three games in the Premier League, picking up only one point. They managed a 2-2 draw against West Brom in their last game, where Kienan Davis scored in the dying minutes to salvage a point. Everton, on the other hand, are heading into this game on the back of a 1-0 win against Arsenal. The victory against the Gunners have given them a renewed hope in the Premier League top-four race, but Lawrenson feels they have only an outside chance. Lawrenson told BBC Sport: “Aston Villa got a last-minute equaliser against West Brom last time out but the wo...
Spurs and Villa closely following £22m midfielder, Klopp is a huge fan of the player – Report
Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge is reportedly wanted by a host of Premier League clubs. According to reports from The Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are closely following the situation of Berge. Premier League outfit Liverpool are also interested in securing the services of the 23-year-old midfielder, with Klopp being a ‘confirmed fan’ of the player. Klopp was so impressed with him that he once sought the Norwegian out after Liverpool had beaten Genk in the Champions League. Berge, who joined Sheffield United for a reported fee of £22m, has struggled with fitness problems. He has made just 12 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season, managing one goal and one assist for the Blades. With Sheffield being relegated,...
Leicester City to rival Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign in-demand £40m star
Leicester City could compete with Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, Football Insider reports. Abraham has had another good campaign with the Blues, registering 12 goals and six assists from 31 appearances in all competitions. However, he has fallen out of favour since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as the manager in January. He has played just three minutes since March. It was recently reported that he could be sold for £40 million this summer, and it appears that there could be plenty of competition to sign him. Villa and Wolves are keeping a close watch on his situation, and the Foxes are ready to compete with the Midlands clubs for the striker’s services. Sportslens view: Abraham appears likely to leave the Blues this s...
Report suggests 26-yr-old Aston Villa player will be told to find a new club this summer
Aston Villa are willing to cut their losses on Belgian defender Bjorn Engels. According to Football Insider, the West Midlands club will inform the defender that he is free to find a new club in the summer. Villa paid around £7 million for Engels in 2019 but they are unlikely to recoup their outlay as he has been a major disappointment at Villa Park. The defender has not featured in the Premier League this season, with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa ahead of him in the pecking order. The 26-year-old has not played for Dean Smith’s side since the 4-0 defeat at Leicester City in March 2020 and a summer move appears to be on the cards. Reports in Belgium have linked Engels with a return to his home country, with Royal Antwerp and Club Brugge thought to hold an interest. Engels has three yea...
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Everton: Smith to make three changes, 23-yr-old to start
Aston Villa face Everton in the Premier League this weekend, and they will be desperate to bounce back from their abysmal run of form with a victory at Goodison Park. Villa have won just one of their last six league matches, and manager Dean Smith is under pressure to turn their form around. Everton have an excellent recent home record against Villa, racking up a nine-game unbeaten run on their own patch. The Toffees head into this game on the back of a win against Arsenal, and they will be full of confidence here. That said, Carlo Ancelotti’s men aren’t exactly in great form. Before their victory over Arsenal, they failed to win five Premier League games in a row. However, they will be confident of beating a Villa team that is shorn of the services of Trezeguet, Morgan Sanson and Jack Gre...
Villa reportedly plotting summer move for English winger Guardiola admires
Aston Villa want to sign Burnley winger Dwight McNeil this summer and are preparing a huge bid ahead of the transfer window, according to Football Insider. The England youth international has been a key player for the Clarets over the last four campaigns, making 102 appearances and weighing in with seven goals and 16 assists. Burnley recently rewarded McNeil with a new deal that runs until 2024 with the option of another year, but that will not dissuade Villa from going after his signature. The Midlands outfit want to bolster their attacking ranks this summer in a bid to mount a stronger top-six challenge next season. Villa have largely depended on the creativity of Jack Grealish in the final third, and his injury-enforced absence has dealt a huge blow to their recent form. Dean Smith’s si...
9 goals and 5 assists this season: Aston Villa keen on 24-yr-old Premier League attacker
Aston Villa are thought to be interested in signing the West Bromwich Albion attacker Matheus Pereira. The West Brom ace has been outstanding for the Baggies this season and he has been one of their best players so far. Pereira has 9 goals and 5 assists to his name in a struggling WBA side this season. The attacker can operate on either flank as well as an attacking midfielder. According to the Athletic, Aston Villa are keeping tabs on the 24-year-old and it will be interesting to see if they come forward with a concrete offer for the player this summer. SL View: Pereira could complete Aston Villa’s attack West Brom are set to play Championship football next season and a player of Pereira’s quality should be playing in the Premier League. The chance to join a club like Aston Villa will pro...
Man Utd reportedly eyeing England international who wants to leave Villa this summer
According to The Sun, Manchester United are keeping tabs on Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton ahead of the summer transfer window. The Red Devils want a quality cover who has the needed experience to give their first-choice goalies a run for their money, and they reckon the Villa star could be perfect for the job. David de Gea and Dean Henderson have both challenged for the starting spot this season, and the Spaniard could look to leave if he is unable to force his way back into manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s XI. Heaton has lost his spot in Dean Smith’s starting line-up to Emiliano Martinez, and the 35-year-old is reportedly looking to leave Villa Park as a result. The England international goalkeeper has not featured for the Villans since January 2020 having been on the sidelines due to a...
Man Utd among the five clubs tracking Aston Villa’s midfield talent
Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. The England under-18 midfielder is rated as one of the most talented players at the Midlands club. In addition to the two Manchester giants, the 17-year-old is thought to be a target for RB Leipzig, Monaco and PSV Eindhoven. According to Guardian, the youngster is pushing for his first-team breakthrough, and Dean Smith could hand him an opportunity before the end of the season. SL View: A move to United or City would not be ideal at this stage Recently club chief Christian Purslow described the young midfielder as probably the best young player in England, and it is evident that he is highly rated at his club. Villa are under no pressure to sell their prized prospect. United and City ...
Reds go on the attack, Chelsea duo set for recall, boost for West Ham
The 33rd round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening with Everton recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal courtesy of Bernd Leno’s own goal. Liverpool’s top-four hopes suffered a blow as they were held 1-1 by Newcastle United at Anfield. Mohamed Salah put the home side ahead, but Joe Willock snatched a point for the Magpies with a 95th minute equaliser. In-form West Ham United loanee Jesse Lingard will be fit to face Chelsea in the early evening game after shrugging off the effects of cramp. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to recall Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva to his...
