Aston Villa

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We asked who you think Aston Villa should keep, loan and sell this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

James:Keep - Emi Buendia. He was out on loan last season, but his goals in key moments have shown that class is permanent.

Loan - Lamare Bogarde. Get some minutes and prove that you can do it week in, week out.

Sell - LeonBailey and Tyrone Mings. Bailey was ineffective off the bench and Mings, despite being a great servant to Villa, his time has come as he is slipping down the pecking order.

Reece: Keep - Ollie Watkins. He always ends up performing for us even when he's been off it for half the season.

Loan - Alysson. He has looked good when he's had a few minutes, but he needs more experience before he gets first-team time.

Sell - Bailey is too inconsistent nowadays. Needs to be off our payroll - a waste of time and money this season.

Phil: Keep - Mings for his leadership around the squad. It's clear we're a better team with Pau Torres in it, especially in Europe, but I don't think Mings lets us down on the pitch and he's made other players around him better during his time with us.

Loan - Bogarde to get consistent game time. I still think there's a good defensive midfielder in there.

Sell - Evan Guessand. I don't know why we signed him in the first place.

Connor:Keep - Morgan Rogers as he'll be a crucial part of the team for us next season in the Premier League and Champions League.

Loan - Emi Martinez, though he's our number one goalkeeper so we don't want to lose him completely.

Sell - Bailey. He's just not doing anything for us and has made more mistakes than he has done good things.

Alex:Keep - Mings. Some discussion over moving him on, but his experience and personality make him worth keeping.

Loan - Alysson. I don't see where he'll get minutes so it's better that he plays, preferably at Championship level.

Sell - Bailey. No context needed here.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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In the days following Unai Emery's appointment as Aston Villa head coach, John McGinn was north of the border catching up with some old friends when some classic west of Scotland pessimism set in.

"He is going to think: 'Who is this wee Scottish guy?" he told his mates in a panic, fearing the worst about his role in the Spaniard's reshaping of the club.

If he was to replay that scene in his head almost four years on, he would surely find it difficult not to chuckle at his own expense.

McGinn lifted Villa's first major silverware in 30 years last month and the 31-year-old has just enjoyed his highest-scoring season at club level.

Whatever jersey he has on, success seems to follow the all-action midfielder - and it doesn't feel like pure coincidence.

A crunching tackle at the Holte End against Wigan on his Villa debut endeared him to the support. His first goal, a wonder strike against Sheffield Wednesday, came a month later.

He ended his first campaign in Birmingham by scoring the winner in the Championship play-off final against Derby at Wembley.

It is poignant that the lad responsible for taking Villa back to the Premier League in 2019 went on to lift the Europa League as captain seven years later. He has become a legend at the club, with more still to give.

His bubbly, larger-than-life character sets him apart from most. Last week, he was comfortable admitting to BBC Scotland that he had packed a European plug adapter for his summer trip to the United States.

McGinn doesn't take himself too seriously - possibly because he knows if he did, he would be brought crashing back down to earth by his grounded family and friends.

"He is the same person now as he was back then," his former team-mate Scott Allan said. "That is a huge credit to himself and his parents."

McGinn is 31 years old, but his story still has pages to fill.

Another Champions League campaign is on the way in a Villa side buoyed by long-awaited silverware. First, however, there is a World Cup to savour.

McGinn is a Harry Potter fanatic, but there is no fiction about the story of the boy from Clydebank who will, in the coming weeks, attempt to sprinkle more magic on the career of his dreams.

Read the full article here

Change is inevitable at football clubs during the summer months and we want to ask you something specific about Aston Villa's squad.

Tell us:

• One player who should be kept who may be on the fringes and why?

• One player who should be loaned out

• One player who should be sold

We would love names and reasons for all three - get in touch with your views here

Juventusare in talks with Aston Villa to sign their Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 33, who has already agreed personal terms. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Aston Villa have announced a pre-season friendly against Real Socieded on Saturday, 25 July (15:00 BST).

Unai Emery's side will face the La Liga outfit at Bescot Stadium, four days after taking on League Two Walsall at the same venue (19:30).

Villa travel to Germany to face Monchengladbach on 15 August, which is the Saturday before the 2026-27 Premier League campaign begins.

They will also test themselves against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Friday, 7 August in Hong Kong for the inaugural Audi Football Summit.

Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer

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With 20 Scotland goals to his name, John McGinn ranks fifth in his nation's all-time top scorer chart, a shortlist of icons from down the generations.

He's 10 behind Denis Law and Sir Kenny Dalglish, the greatest players who ever put on a Scotland jersey, three behind the 1928 Wembley Wizard Hughie Gallacher and two behind Lawrie Reilly, the Hibs immortal.

He's arriving at this World Cup in the finest form of his life, a Europa League winner, a Champions League place secured for next season and his childhood World Cup dream realised. He was three years old the last time Scotland played on the biggest stage.

McGinn was reflective when asked about his early years. "I remember going into the St Mirren changing room before one of my first starts and Stevie Thompson said, 'It's your jersey now, keep it'. And that stuck in my head my whole career."

What Thompson said to McGinn then, McGinn is saying now to the younger members in Clarke's squad - Tyler Fletcher and Findlay Curtis aged 19 (he turns 20 on Tuesday) and Ben Gannon-Doak aged 20.

"If these boys get a chance to get their jersey, whether that's mine, [Scott] McTominay's, Che Adams', it's theirs to keep.

"That's what you want in any club, any nation. We all want the one thing and that's the country to be successful.

"So the young players aren't here to make up the numbers. They're here to make an impact and start their own careers with Scotland. And if that means taking someone out of the team, that's their job."

In McGinn, they have the best mentor they could possibly have, a player with fire and class and belief, a leader who's waited his entire career for weeks like these.

The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Villans selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Aston Villa's World Cup contingent:

• Lucas Digne (France)

• Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast)

• Ezri Konsa (England)

• Victor Lindelof (Sweden)

• Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)

• John McGinn (Scotland)

• Amadou Onana (Belgium)

• Morgan Rogers (England)

• Youri Tielemans (Belgium)

• Ollie Watkins (England)

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

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We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Aston Villa before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Matt: The Villa squad needs depth. Our best XI is a match for any team in the league, as was shown on our great run earlier in the season, but a few injuries left us slow, passive and leaky. Good backups across the pitch would help take us to the next level and is especially important if we're to compete in the Champions League and the Premier League at the same time. That, and a right winger, and we're golden.

Andy: Paradigm shift in my thinking since we won a trophy - keep as many as we can and add strength in depth. New creativity on both wings and a right-back is enough.

Chay: The quality of players on the bench. We had a midfield crisis with Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans injured and had to rely on just Douglas Luiz, Lamare Bogarde and Amadou Onana. Their quality in midfield wasn't great and just shows, especially when Unai Emery played Victor Lindelof, as a defender who was outstanding in midfield, over all three of them. We need to get rid of these benchwarmers and have players who can disrupt Emery's strong XI.

Dennice: We should get all our main transfers done by August so the players can gel in well in time and adapt to Emery-ball. We need reinforcements in every department; goalkeeping, defence, midfield and attack. All of which should be done before we play PSG in the Super Cup.

Stephen: We need a striker who can bag 20-25 goals in the league. This would help with trying to maintain ourselves in the top five. I would suggest that we try to get Igor Thiago from Brentford as previous recruitment from there has been good.

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Europa League winners Aston Villa have added pre-season friendly matches against Walsall and German club Villa to face Walsall and Borussia Monchengladbach to their pre-season schedule.

Unai Emery's side will make the short trip to face League Two Walsall on Tuesday, 21 July at 19:30 BST.

Villa will also travel to Germany to face Monchengladbach on Saturday, 15 August, the weekend before the 2026-27 Premier League campaign begins.

Monchengladbach finished 12th in the Bundesliga in 2025-26.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With all 48 World Cup squads now confirmed, we look at how they shape up and compare with each other leading into the tournament.

Which clubs have the most players?

Looking just at the 20 clubs that made up the 2025-26 Premier League, only this season's top three have more players at the World Cup than Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12).

Including players out on loan over the season, Sunderland remarkably have as many representatives on the global stage as Chelsea and Liverpool (11), showing just how globe-trotting their recruitment was following promotion last summer.

The majority of Brentford, Everton and Leeds' squads can put their feet up and recharge their batteries for next season, with those clubs sending just four players each.

• Get more key stats on participation

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We asked for your views on whether Aston Villa should cash in on Morgan Rogers with reports that he is wanted by other Premier League clubs and whether Manchester City's Phil Foden could be a suitable replacement for him.

Here are some of your comments:

Joe: Villa should try their hardest to keep Rogers. Instead of "moving heaven and earth" to get Foden - who I don't think is on Rogers' level - they should move heaven and earth to keep Rogers. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League at the moment, which is clear because of the interest he is getting. So keep Morgan.

Simon: In my heart, not a chance! However, that being said, look at how the money from selling Jack Grealish helped to transform us. Overall, I would hope Rogers gives us another season and then cash in if we qualify for Champions League football again. UTV.

Paul: Foden to replace Rogers? I sincerely hope not!

Prit: In a word, NO. Foden is a very good player but he is not as good as Rogers. The last time we brought in a player from Manchester City (Stephen Ireland as the makeweight in the James Milner sale), it was a disaster. Rogers has a five-year contract so there is no obligation to sell, but if he is to go, the price MUST be in excess of £125m, not the quoted "in excess of £80m" by certain journalists. In fact, Aston Villa should build a team around Rogers so we can seriously contend for senior honours.

Rob: I know Rogers has been inconsistent at times but we must not sell him because he's one of only a few signings Unai Emery's made that gets into his best XI. Otherwise our recruitment has been hit and miss. We struggled the season we sold Grealish for £100m, even with three expensive signings, and I could see us going the same way again if Rogers leaves this summer.

Luke: No thanks to Foden. Would be astronomically expensive wage-wise and he's too lightweight. We need someone taller and stronger in that role - someone like Rogers.

MChopper: Villa should just get Foden anyway and keep Rogers. Job done. We need to grow, not stay the same.

Tony: Rogers isn't going anywhere unless you're looking at a record bid. He is the best young attacking midfielder in the Premier League based on output, but more his potential and physicality. So anything short of what was spent on Alexander Isak, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo is an insult. £150m and then maybe Villa will be tempted, but please stop with the £80m nonsense.

The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.

We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?

It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.

Let us know in detail here

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Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham has undergone surgery.

The 28-year-old posted an image of himself lying in a hospital bed along with the words "op done" on his Instagram stories on Wednesday evening.

Abraham can be seen wearing an arm sling and it appears he has undergone shoulder surgery.

The striker, signed in January for £18.2m from Besiktas, has not played since early May and was on the bench for key fixtures such as the Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest and subsequent final win over Freiburg.

AC Milan have emerged as serious contenders to sign Crysencio Summerville, 24, from West Ham, with the Dutch winger also attracting interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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With a number of Premier League clubs eyeing up a move for Morgan Rogers this summer, BBC Radio WM's Daz Hale believes Manchester City's Phil Foden could be an ideal replacement and Aston Villa "should move heaven and earth" to sign him.

Rogers made 55 appearances in all competitions in 2025-26, scoring 14 goals and contributing 12 assists, while Foden featured 50 times in all competitions this campaign, netting 10 goals and registering seven assists.

According to BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, Rogers could cost in excess of £80m this summer, but is now the right time for Villa to cash in on one of their most valuable assets?

"The club has already said that every summer they will have to do some wheeling and dealing because of the constant battle with PSR," Hale explained on BBC Radio WM's Summer Sport programme.

"They have spent a lot of money on wages of late, with people like Jadon Sancho on £300,000-a-week and Harvey Elliott being on whatever amount he is on.

"When it comes to Morgan Rogers, if he decides now is the time for him to make the step up in his mind to another club, whether that is here or abroad, I would take the money.

"Then I would be going to Manchester City and trying to bring Phil Foden to Villa Park. He needs a fresh start after not being able to get into the World Cup squad. There is probably going to be a bit of evolution at Manchester City anyway, after Pep Guardiola's departure.

"So, if the club lose Rogers, they should move heaven and earth to get Foden. He would be a superstar at Villa. He would also be back in the England team in no time."

BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor added: "Villa don't need to sell Rogers, but it is the most likely route to achieving what they need next season, which is a better squad.

"Although the current squad is bigger and tougher than it was two years ago, which is why they were able to sustain their push to the end of the Europa League, they are going to need it to be better to achieve their ambitions."

What do you think? Should Villa cash in on Rogers? Would you back a move for Foden to replace him?

Get in touch with your views here

Aston Villa are aware of interest in attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from a number of clubs, including Arsenal, but have no intention of selling the 23-year-old England international. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta remain keen to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis amid interest from Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Newcastle and Tottenham in the 28-year-old England international. (The I), external

Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are interested in Club Brugge's German striker Nicolo Tresoldi, 21, after a prolific season in Belgium. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

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In a new BBC Sport documentary, James Milner reflects on a career that has ended at 40, after making a record 658 Premier League appearances with six different clubs.

Team-mates and coaches reveal the drive behind 24 years at the top.

Watch below or on BBC iPlayer here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Aston Villa are looking to move into a new era.

A Europa League win over Freiburg earned the club's first trophy in 30 years while they also sealed a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Manager Unai Emery delivered Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons as he made good on his promise to bring silverware to Villa Park.

They are looking to challenge the established order in the top flight, having worked under strict financial restrictions.

After a historic campaign how do Villa move to the next level?

It has felt like Villa have gatecrashed a party they have not been invited to.

They have finished fourth, sixth and fourth in the past three seasons. How to continue that is the question.

Emery's team is getting older but, under him they have disrupted the top order consistently more than others.

In order to remain competitive Villa are expected to trade and, before the Europa League win, there was a growing belief the current squad had come to the end of its lifespan.

That has been challenged since the triumph in Istanbul and while the plan is to add more depth to be able to compete on all fronts, wholesale changes of the protagonists are not expected.

Although, there has been a previous willingness to allow goalkeeper Emi Martinez to leave, with interest in Manchester City's James Trafford.

Villa will still need to raise money to comply with Premier League and Uefa financial regulations, with Morgan Rogers the obvious big sale if needed and a top target for Arsenal.

In terms of incomings, a winger and a right-back, who can also play centre-back, are high on the agenda with Andres Garcia expected to move to Valencia after struggling to make an impact.

There have also been thoughts about revamping the left-back role with more physicality, while another body in midfield is desired.

Villa have also been long-term admirers of Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes.

They would be interested should the Magpies be willing to cut a deal but there is the expectation, after Barnes' 16 goals this season and Anthony Gordon's Barcelona move, he will not be available on the cheap.

There lies one of the problems for Villa. In order to improve they will need to spend and the recognition is the players who would elevate them would cost at least £40m.

Read the full article here

Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, 24, is considering his options after the expiry of a clause in his loan from Aston Villa to Crystal Palace to make the move permanent. (Evening Standard), external

Aston Villa are willing to let Spanish right-back Andres Garcia, 23, leave the club on loan in the summer, with Valencia and Elche among the interested clubs. (Tribuna Deportiva - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your memories of James Milner in an Aston Villa shirt after the midfielder announced his retirement from playing, bringing the end to a glittering 24-year Premier League career.

Here are some of your comments:

Robert: I remember Milly's last game with Villa. He knew he was going to Manchester City and yet he gave his best performance in a Villa shirt, flying into tackles and covering every blade of glass until he was substituted late on to a standing ovation. I think he may even have scored. Always a Villan despite having spent much of his career elsewhere. A model professional in an era when for many players it's all about the money.

Shak: What a player he was for Villa. An absolute beast in that Martin O'Neill side back then. Got stuck in, drove teams forward, scored and assisted. The game that stands out the most? The crazy cup game against Blackburn. He was sensational. Good luck for the future, James.

Prit: Milner was a great player for Villa and I was very sorry when he left. If he had stayed, Villa could have really challenged at the top. Every time he came back to Villa Park, he always received a great reception - a real testament of the man.

Elliot: Remember him scoring the penalty in the 2010 League Cup final as I watched from a pub in Sheffield, surrounded by Manchester United fans. The feeling didn't last, of course, as we went on to lose 2-1, but he had me on cloud nine right up until half-time. Wishing him all the best in retirement.

Dean: Best memories of Milner when playing for Villa are his work-rate and just giving his all.

Neil: I remember Milner's deal to join City was pretty much already done, yet he still played for Villa in the first game of the season versus West Ham. Although an injury may have scuppered the deal, he gave a totally committed performance in the centre of midfield - scoring a goal to top it off. What a brilliant professional. I wish him all the best in the future.