AVFC The Religion

Unai Emery on Villa Park

“It’s our fortress, and we’re feeling it with our supporters here, with our structure, with our energy, with our tactical idea.”

“The connection with the supporters is fantastic.”

#AVFC

61 - Unai Emery has won 61 of his 114 Premier League games as Aston Villa boss (D24 L29), the joint-most victories any manager has in charge of the Villans in the competition (level with John Gregory and Martin O'Neill).

@OptaJoe

Aston Villa are eyeing a surprise £50M move for Brentford's 24-year-old Brazilian striker Igor Thiago.

His goal record this season has been very impressive, scoring 11 times in the Premier League.

Only the robot Erling Haaland has scored more than him.

@MirrorFootball

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Boubacar Kamara: "Some players have good ability to shoot from outside the box. Sometimes the game is tight and the midfielder or defender tries to make something special. It's not always cross, cross, cross."

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Aston Villa are ready to make a move for Brentford striker Igor Thiago as a long-term replacement for Ollie Watkins.

The Brazilian has scored 11 goals in 13 Premier League games this season.

Birmingham Live

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Villa due to recall Louie Barry from Sheffield United with Stoke and Hull among several Championship clubs eager for a loan in January. #avfc #scfc #sufc #hcafc

@nickmashiter

Unai Emery on Donyell Malen: "One month ago he demanded that I changed him because he was tired. Progressively he has been getting fit. He is getting numbers which is fantastic. He is really performing well. Now, keep going."

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Young Boys boss Gerardo Seoane: "Maybe it was a small provocation [Malen]. That's how our fans took it. They shouldn't react so heavily. Our captain went to calm them. The police reacted. It was a pity for everybody. We apologise. It's not how we want to behave as guests."

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Young Boys boss, Gerardo Seoane: "The referee asked our captain to go with the supporters and he was going there to calm. Some supporters came down to talk. Some police reacted.

"We apologise, I don't feel good. It’s not how we want to act when we are guests somewhere." #AVFC

6 - No Premier League player has scored more home goals in all competitions since the start of October than Donyell Malen (6, just as Erling Haaland), one more than all other Villa players combined. Application.

@OptaJohan

Youri Tielemans captains tonight. Some at #AVFC had been watching him since he was 16, when he was already captaining Anderlecht. They were aware of positive character references & how well-regarded he was in Europe.

“He was a coach on the pitch for me."

@J_Tanswell

Emery: "We were not being ruthless when we were winning 2-0. We weren’t using our opportunities to score more goals, because last year we needed goal advantage to be in the top eight and in the league we lost (on goal difference) to be in the Champions League."

@J_Tanswell

In Premier League this season, Aston Villa are averaging the most touches in their own penalty area this season with 78.9 per 90 minutes, and the 5th highest volume of touches in the defensive third (201.6 touches)

@Squawka

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Unai Emery was asked about whether he wants Ezri Konsa to sign a new deal.

"I don't know when his contract is."
Reply: "2028."

"2028? It’s 2025. You are his agent? 2028, oof... so long!" #AVFC

@J_Tanswell

Emery on whether Harvey Elliott will return to Liverpool in January:"He is one of our players and hopefully he can help us. Then, we are going to decide.

"Firstly, there are other players performing very well. This is the first argument of why he is not playing.

 @J_Tanswell

Harvey Elliott is the subject of interest from Bundesliga and Serie A clubs, with Liverpool willing to sell the 22-year-old.

Aston Villa have an obligation to buy Elliott for £35M but that now looks set to be terminated by Liverpool in January.

Football Insider

Aston Villa have joined Brighton & Hove Albion in their quest to sign Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García on loan in January.

Villa have become frustrated with the lack of goals and form from Ollie Watkins and want to give him some genuine competition.

Football Insider

"Overall, I am happy with the team. Through our structure, tactically, we were disciplined and organised. We played with personality. Each player felt comfortable in their best position and getting confidence.”

Unai Emery

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Inter Milan have revived their pursuit of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

With Sommer still yet to commit to a contract extension, the possibility of a change between the sticks has reopened. Villa turned down an enquiry from the Serie A club back in 2023.

Flashscore

Inter Milan are interested in signing Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in the January transfer window.

Aston Villa are ready to listen to offers for the 33-year-old and may choose to cash in using the money to freshen up the squad with younger players.

Football Insider

Aston Villa may try to bring in Ivan Toney to add more firepower in attack, especially if Ollie Watkins’ form doesn’t pick up.

GiveMeSport

Aston Villa see Takefusa Kubo as a transfer target in January.

Birmingham World

Aston Villa are interested in Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk.

Birmingham World

Aston Villa are sizing up a ‘very ambitious’ move for RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba in January.

TEAMtalk

“Ultimately, I know I’ll always come out on top. A sportsman’s career doesn’t always go from zero to one hundred. Sometimes you take a step back.”

Donyell Malen on his time at Aston Villa

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“It wasn’t always easy in a new environment, a new league, and with a new manager but I had to keep my head down and focus on myself and keep doing the right things. Stay calm. When I came on as a substitute, always think I’m going to do it.”

Donyell Malen

Aston Villa are interested in 17-year-old Anderlecht midfielder, Nathan De Cat,

Anderlecht want more than €20m upfront, plus add-ons that could push a deal towards €35m.

Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Tottenham are also interested.

@FrazFletcher

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“I didn't think I'd be starting this many games and playing this many minutes. I want it to continue for the rest of the season and get as many goals and assists as I can and see where that takes us."

Tommi O'Reilly on his loan spell at Crewe Alexandra

"I have five more years to go at Aston Villa. I have goals to achieve there. And in four years, I’m going to Legia Warsaw!

I remember their amazing fans. But for now, I’m not leaving Birmingham. We have a great coach who believes in me."

Matty Cash via WP Sportowe Fakty

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“I’m ready. I feel 100 percent. It’s true that Aston Villa gave certain instructions about the playing time I would get but that’s logical; there’s always consultation.”

Youri Tielemans on his reduced minutes over the international break for Belgium

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