Villa move for Wan-Bissaka - send us your thoughtspublished at 19:14 BST 18 August
19:14 BST 18 August
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So, Villa have agreed an initial loan deal to sign West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who will now travel for medical.
Villa have an obligation to buy the 28-year-old DR Congo international at the end of the season. The exact terms of the deal are not known, but the Hammers have previously asked interested clubs to pay £25m.
What do you make of the move? Does Wan-Bissaka help strengthen an area that needed greater depth or would you have gone in a different direction?
Is Martinez era nearing its end?published at 10:00 BST 18 August
10:00 BST 18 August
Media caption,
BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon discusses the latest at Aston Villa and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez: "The key here, Unai Emery is the boss - it's unique in this age. He is the man who gets the final say. I don't think he'd sanction this move for Suzuki if he wasn't prepared to let Martinez go.
"I think a lot of fans still remember the final game of the season before last when he was crying on the pitch and went to all four stands. He clearly thought a move would happen that summer. It didn't. Fair play to him, he still played a vital role and was a big part of the Europa League.
"Certainly it does feel like we are getting towards the end of his time at Aston Villa."
Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart believes consistent stories linking Martinez with a move away mean boss Unai Emery has to consider the future.
Hart explained: "Emery has to put Aston Villa first. Suzuki is a top goalkeeper. If you end up having to have both of them so be it.
"Suzuki could potentially play number two. Do you play Martinez? I think you do - I think he deserves to be number one. But I think you have to have that contingency plan.
"Emery has to put Villa first and have someone ready to play in the Premier League if Martinez moves on."
Gossip: Nedeljkovic set for Rangers loanpublished at 10:00 BST 18 August
10:00 BST 18 August
Rangers are set to sign Serbian right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, 20, on a season-long loan from Aston Villa with an obligation to buy based on appearances. (The Athletic - subscription required), external
Is gap between Champions League and Championship getting smaller?published at 08:09 BST 18 August
08:09 BST 18 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
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Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.
While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.
Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.
But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).
The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.
While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.
Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.
Atletico interest in Chelsea's Jackson but Villa remain more viable optionpublished at 17:59 BST 17 August
17:59 BST 17 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
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Atletico Madrid have expressed an interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson this summer.
The Spanish club's interest in the 25-year-old has lasted throughout the summer but is conditional on either Julian Alvarez or Alexander Sorloth leaving.
There is also a question about whether Atletico would sign Jackson on a permanent transfer, with Chelsea's asking price publicly known to be £65m. They would be likely to seek a loan with option move.
Premier League rivals Aston Villa remain a more viable option, though alternatives continue to be considered by both Chelsea and Jackson's representatives.
The Blues signed Jackson from Villarreal for £32m in 2023 before he moved on loan to Bayern Munich last summer for a £14.3m loan fee - though the Bundesliga club's obligation to buy was never triggered because he didn't make enough appearances.
Jackson was left out of Chelsea's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Steve: After Emi Martinez, this is a big goal to fill. Looks like some very clever succession planning might have happened by luck. Bizot is a good keeper, but not quite Champions League and Premier League standard week in, week out. Now we have two class keepers for a season, then let Emi go and play in Saudi! Great business.
Prit: Suzuki had a very good World Cup for Japan and by all accounts is a very good goalkeeper. I don't follow Parma so I can't comment on his performance in Serie A. It seems every summer Villa need to go through the on-off saga with Martinez and I'm getting a bit fed up with this circus. That said, he is a great goalkeeper and very good for Villa. If Villa have limited funds, I would rather strengthen in other areas (centre-back, right-back and striker). But if Unai Emery thinks we need to strengthen our goalkeeper options, Suzuki is as good a choice as it gets.
Andy: It looks like a good signing. Martinez has wanted to move for the past three seasons. Suzuki signing also brings the age of the squad down.
John: Martinez is a brilliant keeper. however, he - or his agent - has twice now tried to force a transfer - first to Manchester United and this time to Juventus. Did Villa try to force him out? No. So I don't blame the club for getting another keeper in. They cannot and should not have to deal with this annual fiasco!
Dave: August wouldn't be the same without the annual 'Emi Martinez is leaving, no he isn't, yes he is' debacle! Regardless of that, Suzuki looks like a very exciting potential signing, having watched him play excellently for Japan in the World Cup. The question is, though, if Emi stays would Suziuki be happy to be number two? I doubt it. As much as we love Emi, at 33 Villa are running out of time to get a good deal for a keeper who possibly has started to see his better playing days go further behind him. And with Suzuki being 23, this would further help reduce our average squad age. I'd happily welcome him to Villa Park.
Suzuki close to Villa move - what do you make of the deal?published at 13:00 BST 17 August
13:00 BST 17 August
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Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The Japan international has been one of Villa's top targets should Emiliano Martinez leave this summer and the deal, reportedly for around £30m, is progressing.
The 23-year-old has made 59 appearances for the Italian outfit since joining from J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024.
What do you make of the potential signing? Would you be happy with Suzuki as number one?
Gossip: Martinez move to Juventus offpublished at 08:07 BST 17 August
08:07 BST 17 August
Aston Villa's Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 33, will not be joining Juventus this summer following talks between the clubs. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Villa lose in Monchedgladbach in final pre-season friendly published at 20:02 BST 15 August
20:02 BST 15 August
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Aston Villa concluded their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchedgladbach, just three days after the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris St-Germain.
Monchedgladbach captain Tim Kleindienst scored twice in four first half minutes in a dominant first half from the hosts.
Villa improved after Unai Emery made six changes at half-time and pulled one back from captain John McGinn's sharp finish from an Emiliano Buendia cut-back, but it was not enough to avoid defeat in Germany.
'We have already lost the core of the team' - fans on Arsenal Konsa interestpublished at 17:47 BST 14 August
17:47 BST 14 August
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We asked for your views on whether Aston Villa can afford to lose Ezri Konsa and if there is a price that would convince you to let him go.
Here are some of your comments:
Prit: Aston Villa needed to address weaknesses in the defence last season. We have now lost Digne, have no back-up for Cash and the one player that held the defence together was Konsa. Not only do we need to keep hold of him, we need a solid centre-back next to him - so absolutely no, we cannot afford to lose Konsa. At any cost.
Andy: If Villa can find an adequate replacement, then cash in. However, I feel that we have already lost the core of the team, so we cannot really afford to lose another. Defence has been the weak link in this Villa team recently, so to lose potentially our best defender would be a sad day for the club.
Chay: If we sell Konsa, then I agree this is a new era but then we will be further behind what we all thought Villa would have been at the start of the new season - because not only do we need a replacement for Rogers still, we would need to replace our best defender too.
John: Konsa is a key part of the Villa squad and if Arsenal want him then the board must expect at least £60m from them.
Rob: Konsa leaving would be a big loss for Villa but it has to be the player's choice. His game has developed significantly under Unai's guidance but I'd rather he went than have a player stay when he'd rather be somewhere else.
Konsa featured 48 times last term, scoring two goals and contributing one assist, as Unai Emery's side lifted the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football for 2026-27.
It is understood Arsenal have signalled an intention to improve their initial proposal of about £30m for the England international.
However, the Gunners' valuation is still significantly below Villa's £60m asking price, a figure the West Midlands club will not lower as things stand.
Following the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne this summer, can Villa afford to lose Konsa? Is there a price that would convince you to let him go?
Adrian: Maybe not a win, but certainly a win for testing all the new talent coming through. As Villa fans, I think we have a lot to still be excited about despite recent departures. I think a few Premier League clubs will be a bit more worried about playing us next season having seen that performance. I can't wait for it. UTV!
Daniel: Tough to take for Villa. Really positive displays from our young players, Brian Madjo and George Hemmings were outstanding. PSG just clinical when chances came and that is the difference in top-class football. Really proud and optimistic for the season ahead. In Emery we trust!
Duncan: No complaints about losing to the best side in the world. We gave them a tough game and on clear-cut chances could easily have won. The youngsters play with no fear, which is great to see. Looking forward to a very good season after that performance.
Woody: Early season performance with some decent stuff but plenty of mistakes. Madjo and Hemmings look like they have huge potential and hoping Emery will work his magic. Not at all disgraced by PSG and could've been different with a bit of composure. Nothing to be upset about.
Keith: Aston Villa did well to lose this game by just one goal, but what do you expect from a now depleted squad of players after losing three of their best players, and possibly losing another one in Ezri Konsa? I fear the worst for Villa this season as I think this squad is nowhere near good enough to compete with the best in Europe, I hope I am wrong.
Scott: Great performance again lads. Unfortunately, not inspiring when Matty Cash and Marco Bizot are playing. Knew we would lose with Bizot in goal, we need a better goalkeeper for backup.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue struck to win it for PSG but it did not diminish Majdo's impact, who had waited 212 days to play competitively for the Midlands club.
"Clearly, mentally he is able to deal with setbacks. He missed a few chances and scored probably the hardest of them all," said England defender Mings.
"He's a fantastic guy. I think you could see the reaction of everybody when he scored. It shows just how much he deserved it and that we were willing him to do well. I am delighted for him.
"He said he was nervous, of course, he's 17 and it's a huge game. But I did say to him: 'You get an amazing opportunity as a striker to just have one good moment and it can change everything for you'.
"I'm so glad that, after missing a couple of chances, he got that goal. He's a very humble lad. I think everybody wishes him all the very best and hopefully he can contribute in a big way for us on the pitch."
