Aston Villa news and transfers LIVE: sporting director ‘offer’, white paper explained, Martinez admission
Hello and welcome to our Aston VIlla Live Blog for Thursday 23rd February.
Unai Emery will look to carry on after the frustrating end of the Arsenal defeat and focus on the game’s positive results while Villa prepare for a trip to Everton on Saturday (3pm). Villa impressed for much of last week’s home game against the leaders and will be hoping to capitalize on that as they look to end a triple losing streak.
Everton are a little more optimistic about surviving the Premier League than they were a few weeks ago, having won two of their first three games under new boss Sean Dyche. However, Villa have won each of their last three meetings with the Toffees – including at Villa Park in August – and are unbeaten against them in their last seven meetings since returning to the top flight.
Off the pitch, Villa has been linked with a move from Real Betis sporting director Antonio Cordon, who is also said to be weighing an offer from Barcelona.
Elsewhere, following the fan-led review, the government has released its “radical” white paper outlining a long-term vision for English football. Also known as the Crouch Report, the review was a reaction to the failed attempt to form the European Super League and the collapse of Bury and Macclesfield Town.
Stay connected throughout the day…
08:24Jake Bayliss
Give your opinion on the government’s plans for football
08:23Jake Bayliss
Government white paper declared
The government has set out its “radical” vision to protect the long-term future of English football.
The long-awaited white paper appeared at the back of the fans-led report, also known as the Crouch Report, of English football in the wake of the failed European Super League plan and the collapse of historic football clubs like Bury FC and Macclesfield City. That review was completed back in November 2021 by Tracey Crouch MP, former Minister for Sport, and endorsed by the government five months later. However, its release was delayed by a series of leadership changes and government crises.
Read the full story
07:54Jake Bayliss
Villa linked to new transfer boss
Aston Villa are understood to be in talks to sign Real Betis sporting director Antonio Cordon. The news came this week after Cordon suddenly revealed he was stepping down from his role at Betis, having overseen the club’s transfer activities since the summer of 2020.
Estadio Deportivo in Spain have detailed via Canal Sur Radio how Cordon is “weighing two very attractive offers, one from Barcelona and the other from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa”. His assistants at Betis Jose Ignacio Navarro (recruiting analyst) and Alberto Benito (analyst) are reportedly keen on following Cordon to either the Camp Nou or Villa Park should he decide to accept an offer.
Read the full story
07:53Jake Bayliss
Martinez reveals his Aston Villa goal
Emi Martinez admits he’s had sleepless nights as Aston Villa have scored 11 goals in their last three games. Villa travel to Everton this weekend, who have suffered three straight defeats against Leicester City, Man City and last weekend Arsenal, with Martinez unlucky enough to concede an own goal on death.
Martinez also has a goal for the rest of the season: to concede fewer than 15 goals. “I’m the first one who can’t sleep,” Martinez says on Villa’s website. “I look at myself and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, 11 goals in three games’. But I never see the small picture, I always see the big picture.”
Read the full story
07:52Jake Bayliss
Villa issues ‘difficult’ transfer warning
Middlesbrough have been warned they face a “difficult” task in signing Cameron Archer permanently.
The villa borrower had a successful start to life on Teesside. archerhas scored three goals and provided two assists in five starts, with Middlesbrough winning in six of their seven games.
Michael Carrick’s side have their sights set firmly on promotion as they sit third in the Championship since November after a phenomenal run of 13 wins in their last 16 league games. Archer seems to have settled in quickly at The Riverside and a former England international has given his verdict on whether a permanent move for the striker is an option.
Read the full story
07:51Jake Bayliss
Tomorrow Villans
Welcome to our Aston Villa live blog.
Here are the big headlines as we start the day… more to come.