The Aston Villa Blog Feed

Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and news conference bits

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000

In the past we were the side you wanted to play when things were not going as you’d have liked. We were the side to play when you needed a win, or that’s how it felt.

And we’ve never liked going to Old Trafford. Had I not added the head to head section on the site I’d not have been able to recall the last time we won at Old Trafford, but we do and you can see it here too.

Is this the way to Barcelona and a quick look back to Fulham

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000

I’m going to start with Jamie Carragher and I didn’t put it in the title because I don’t think that weasel deserves the exposure, but he’s backed down as we all knew he would and Aston Villa have graciously acknowledged this and said they’ll no longer proceed with anything legal.

And this was how it was always going to play out and I’m glad it did. And I’m glad our owners did what they did too because I’m fed up of this big six and what I can only say is a clear agenda from Sky and other media outlets.

Fulham tonight at Villa Park and press conference bits from the BBC

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

I don’t really care much for Saturday evening matches and it’s funny I write that even after what I wrote before the League Cup match in the week, because Unai Emery doesn’t really care much for the League Cup.

He never has and we all know that, so we take it on the chin and we move on.

What he does care about is European football and to get European football next season we need to do well in the League and tonight, we’re playing Fulham in the League and this is what matters.

Three points, best in the league and League Cup on Wednesday

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0100

I’ve written many times over the years that the most important person at a football club is the manager. I’ve probably written the next part too, but it’s also the people around that support him.

And those people are above him and below him, but there are no equals. The support from above is a crucial component, it’s the mandate they give him and if he’s the right man, he forms that into a philosophy that creates a culture. Giving the mandate isn’t always easy either and it doesn’t always happen.

Cheating Manchester City at Villa Park, broken record and news conference lines from the BBC

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0200

I think it’s okay to say that Manchester City cheated in the title of this post. I mean it was called a sham by the team that investigated the cheating and there are rumours that they’re going to be given a massive points deduction for this season and next.

That doesn’t happen if you don’t cheat. I also think the rumoured punishment doesn’t fit the crime and I think they should be expelled from the football league and never be seen again.

Champions League is back and the Vikings are coming

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0200

I know nothing about our opposition tomorrow other than they’re from Norway. I can tell you that Norway is very nice and the people are lovely and the pace of everything is very pleasing. Better in winter too!

I’m also going to guess that they play on a plastic pitch that they are very used to and it’s possibly the reason why they got a point against Bayern Munich recently.

A trip to Newcastle and no match facts from the BBC

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0200

According to the Newcastle head to head page, we’ve lost 53 of the 85 matches we’ve played against them at St James’ Park, only winning 15. That’s not a great record and I suspect it will be tough today too.

We’ve got a big game in Europe and then a big game every weekend and it feels fairly non-stop at the moment. Today will be our third competitive match in a week while this is only the second match for Newcastle after they got spanked at Coventry.

Fenerbahçe at Villa Park, Leeds City and sorry, Manchester City

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0200

We’ve played Fenerbahçe three times over the years, most recently earlier this year on the journey to Istanbul and we’ve not lost. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be three points tonight, but it does paint a picture.

But it’s not a great picture. It’s essentially telling us that the standard and quality of football is better here. That doesn’t equal fight and desire and that often wins matches like this.

Hopefully that experiment is scrapped, proper football is back, seven in 21 and Manchester City

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0200

What an absolute waste of nearly a month of the football season and I’m sorry to start this post this way, but it was nearly a month and for what exactly? That’s a serious question because I don’t see the value in the tournament. And grumpy mode is on.

I can also understand why so many players picked up injuries during this time, just to get the extra time off. Cold Palmer just deciding it was a waste of his time is the future we have to get used to because the FA are diluting what playing for England should be about.

The international friendly break continues and is it all over for Manchester City?

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0200

We’re still two weeks from the next Aston Villa match and it feels like the World Cup we just had was closer to the next Aston Villa match. Why do we need a break for international friendlies now?

It’s absolute madness and it’s not good for football, it’s only good for the FA, the same FA that had the Charity Shield this year moved to Wales so they could allow a concert to be played at the home of football.

Beating Spurs and this waste of time international break

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:42:00 +0200

So, that was a match worth waiting for but during it, I’m thinking that what I wrote in the match post about sloppy play, was going to cost us and it still bothers me a little even though I’ve created a reason to defend it below. And it didn’t cost us because Zion Suzuki kept us in it.

The sloppiness didn’t always lead to an opportunity for them though and the more I watch, I’m starting to think while it is sloppy, it’s maybe part of how we are approaching this season and that maybe we’re taking a numbers game approach to things.

Aston Villa at Spurs, the manager decision and highlights from the news conference

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0200

Spurs are not the same Spurs they were a few seasons ago and they’ve spent an awful lot of money this year to try and make themselves better.

And they have most of the ingredients. I was at the new stadium recently and it’s impressive and everyone loves London. So why, with such a wonderful stadium and all this money to spend do you let a manager like Roberto De Zerbi spend it?

League Cup at Coventry City

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:01:00 +0200

I don’t remember the last time we played Coventry City as it was or feels like a very long time ago, but we have this page and I was able to look at all past League results. Have we played them in a cup game since then?

I do think I’m right in writing that tonight will be the first time we’ve played at this stadium though. And like all matches at this level, it’s not going to be a walk in the park, but it is an important game in a competition we want to be doing well in.

Nottingham Forest at Villa Park, Glasner and match facts from the BBC

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:44:45 +0200

Tuesday was a good night and it was lovely to see us approach the game in a manner that made us think quite early on that we were going to get three points.

We’ve not seen that in the League this season, but there are reasons for that. Hopefully, the reasons for that are something that we can move on from. That doesn’t mean we will see the same approach tomorrow.

Calm heads and Europe's back: Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:53:02 +0200

I remember how last season started and it wasn’t great. But even then, I knew it would come good because of who we have as manager. And then we ended the season with silverware.

You’d think some would factor this in. I understand it’s frustrating and we’ve lost the spine of our side but the spine was getting old. The spine is now quite young.

That written, we’ve lost Leon Goretzka because he’s not ready for the Premier League and he was I think the oldest player we brought in. But I have faith that when he comes back it will be well worth the wait.

Matty Cash on Villa's transition, Danny Murphy backs Emery, Hull City draw reaction

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 07:23:28 +0200

Matty Cash has responded to external scrutiny of Aston Villa’s summer rebuild, insisting the squad will adapt despite a challenging start. According to the Birmingham Mail, Cash acknowledged the scale of change after 10 signings and several key departures, including Ollie Watkins and Emi Martínez, but remained confident: “It’s a new Villa and we are going to be fine, 100 per cent.” Villa registered their first point of the season in a 0-0 draw at Hull City, with Cash emphasising the need for patience.

Hull City stalemate, Suzuki praise and player ratings

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:39:13 +0200

Aston Villa were held to a 0-0 draw by newly-promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, extending the hosts’ unbeaten start to the Premier League season. The Tigers, who stunned Manchester United on the opening day, registered their third consecutive clean sheet against a Villa side who created enough to win the game but couldn’t find a finish.

Nicolas Jackson headed narrowly wide from an early Ian Maatsen cross, and Villa dominated from there, taking 67 per cent of first-half possession and producing an expected goals figure of 1.74 to Hull’s 0.58. John McGinn and Emi Buendía both missed big chances after the break, while Hull’s clearest opening came just after the hour when Mohamed Belloumi rattled the crossbar. Sergej Jakirović’s side saw the game out in front of a home crowd that played its part.

Window shut, Hull tomorrow and match facts from the BBC

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

The window is shut and business is done and now the manager can concentrate on getting the players to play how he wants, while as supporters we can focus on the matches and enjoying the season.

And that starts again tomorrow against Hull. And how we enjoy the matches is unique to each of us. But nobody can deny this is a great time to be an Aston Villa fan.

Arsenal at Villa Park, Ollie and Emi gone and match facts from the BBC

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:45:00 +0000

The first home match of the season is always a good one. It doesn’t tell you much these days but it does remind you that proper football is back.

And tonight, it’s back. But before looking at the match we’ve had a couple of players leave and some come in since the last post. And even though there are no surprises, something needs to be written.

Ollie Watkins transfer talk dominates Aston Villa news, Leon Goretzka signs

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:43:28 +0200

Aston Villa’s summer transfer activity continues to dominate the headlines, with Ollie Watkins’ potential departure a major talking point. Reports suggest Watkins is pushing for a move to Al Hilal, having missed Villa’s season opener against Brighton. Former Villa winger Steve Froggatt believes this may have ‘crossed a line’ with supporters, potentially tarnishing the striker’s legacy at the club according to BBC Sport.

Meanwhile, Villa have completed the signing of Leon Goretzka on a free transfer, according to the Birmingham Mail. The 31-year-old German midfielder arrives from Bayern Munich and is expected to bring experience to Unai Emery’s squad during a period of significant change. Goretzka could make his debut against Arsenal.

Martínez linked with Chelsea, Villa agree Jackson deal, Grealish loan approach

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:19 +0200

Chelsea are considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, according to The Guardian. The Argentina international, who was not in the squad for Villa’s opening Premier League match, has reportedly expressed a desire to leave after a proposed move to Juventus collapsed last week. Villa have already signed Zion Suzuki from Parma as a potential replacement.

Meanwhile, Villa have agreed a £65m deal with Chelsea for striker Nicolas Jackson, according to the same report. The Senegal international is expected to replace Ollie Watkins, who is reportedly close to a £50m move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

Ollie Watkins transfer speculation, Nicolas Jackson talks, Joel Ordonez pursuit

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:03:19 +0200

Aston Villa’s transfer activity remains focused on potential striker replacements as Ollie Watkins’ future continues to dominate headlines. According to The Guardian, Chelsea have opened talks with Villa over the sale of Nicolas Jackson, who is valued at £65m. Unai Emery previously worked with Jackson at Villarreal, and Villa are reportedly exploring payment structures to facilitate the deal. Meanwhile, Watkins is expected to join Al-Hilal, though Villa have rejected a £45m bid for the striker, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Not the result or performance we wanted, Arsenal up next and still lots to happen

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

We all know the game is rigged but it is a game and someone owns the football. And this means, for Clubs like us, we have to act the way we are acting. And is there a better word to use than rigged?

And because it’s rigged, it means we are not really going to know what position we are in until the transfer window closes. And because of that we are going to have players that will throw their toys out of the pram hoping to get what they want.

Ollie Watkins absence, injury updates and Brighton reaction

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Unai Emery offered little clarity on Ollie Watkins’ absence from Aston Villa’s 4-0 defeat at Brighton, telling reporters via The Guardian that questions about the striker’s availability “are for him”.

Emery’s pointed refusal to discuss the matter further follows reports that Watkins is considering a move to Al-Hilal. The England forward’s absence compounded a dismal team performance, with Emery acknowledging post-match to the BBC that Villa “were not at the level required”.

Konsa sold to Arsenal, Wan-Bissaka arrives and Emery's transfer window concerns

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aston Villa have confirmed the sale of defender Ezri Konsa to Arsenal for a reported £50m plus add-ons, a significant departure as Unai Emery reshapes his squad. The move comes alongside the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka on an initial loan from West Ham, providing cover at right-back. Emery has openly acknowledged the challenges of this window, stating he is both “worried and positive” about the season ahead, particularly with key players being targeted by rivals.