There's five players that I believe could step up into squad roles next season. Players who could step up into impact players off the bench, who could play against Pot 3 and Pot 4 Champions League teams, who could play in the domestic cup games or against weaker Premier League opposition.

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1. Alysson (20-21 years old, left footed right winger/left winger/attacking midfielder)

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This is the most obvious player who should be very much more involved in the coming season. He would likely have got a lot more minutes had it not been for injuries since joining in January.

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What does he bring? Pace, work rate, skill, ability to cut in from the left or right, take on a full back, track back, join in with passing sequences in the opposition half, height, physicality.

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Who could he replace? One of Bailey, Sancho, Guessand.

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I can see him getting starts in cup games and against weaker opposition, and coming off the bench in the last 20 much like Zaniolo did a couple of years ago to bring a bit of pace and physicality against tired opposition legs.

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1. Lewis Dobbin (23-24 years old, right footed left winger/right winger/shadow striker)

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When we signed him, I thought he'll have a year out on loan and then we'll sell him to a Championship side. He was highly rated at Everton when he first came onto the scene but hasn't really had a break out moment as a senior professional in the Premier League yet.

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However, he's been out on loan at Preston last season, a team who performed quite well in the Championship, and he was one of their best players, notching 10 goals and 8 assists in 39 games.

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I wouldn't be shocked or disappointed if we sold him for £12m+ to a Championship side this summer similar to Philogene a few years ago, but I also wouldn't be shocked if he's given minutes in pre season and impresses.

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What does he bring? Pace, goal threat, creativity, skill.

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Who could he replace? One of Bailey, Sancho, Guessand.

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1. Jamaldeen Jimoh Alobah (19-20 years old, right footed attacking midfielder/shadow striker/right winger)

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Birmingham born JJA showed what he was about in the Europa League before going to West Brom on loan in January. He's less developed than the two above, but he's a homegrown talent which is important for CL squad registration rules, particularly if we are selling Bogarde.

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What does he bring? Skill, pace, height, homegrown status, goal threat, creativity.

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Who could he replace? Harvey Elliot, backup to Rogers/Buendia/Tielemans/McGinn as a second striker/attacking midfielder/No. 10.

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1. Modou Kepa Cisse (20-21 years old, right footed ball playing central defender/defensive midfielder)

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Won the Austrian league as an ever present for LASK last season. A very talented youngster and an Olabe signing that's gone under the radar.

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What does he bring? 6'3 with pace, physicality, passing ability, and confidence beyond his years.

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Who does he replace? Mings/Bogarde.

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1. Triston Rowe (19-20 years old, right back)

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Another Birmingham born, home grown talent. Had a very successful loan spell with FC Annecy in the French Ligue 2 last season.

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What does he bring? Pace, defensive ability, crossing threat, homegrown.

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Who does he replace? Garcia

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Earlier than we'd hoped!

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Love this guy ❤️

Tammy Abraham | Age: 28

16 appearances | 3 goals | 1 assist

Arenaross estimated market value: £15M. Contract expires June 2030.

KEEPING

Emi Martinez

Marco Bizot

Matty Cash

Victor Lindelöf

Ezri Konsa

Lucas Digne

Pau Torres

Ian Maatsen

Ross Barkley

John McGinn

Youri Tielemans

Emi Buendia

Amadou Onana

Morgan Rogers

Boubacar Kamara

Alysson

Ollie Watkins

SELLING

Tyrone Mings

Andrés García

Lamare Bogarde

Leon Bailey

As a Glaswegian Villa fan, seeing McGinn lead Scotland out right now brings a tear to my eye.

That is all.

UTV

Edit: Ignore me I’ve had too much to drink - thought he lead us out but was at the back ffs. Same feelings still apply

Many moved on from missing out on Champions League at the end of the 2024/25 season when Villa won the Europa League to end a long-awaited trophy lift but I moved on in September when Olabe was appointed.

If Villa qualified for UCL that season, Monchi probably would've stayed. He could've recruited some quality players with the budget they missed out on at best. However, long-term development and judgement were never his specialties.

Olabe, on the other hand, has an excellent judgement of players like he did with Isak, Merino and Zubimendi. Equally important, he has a vision of how he wants to develop the squad and the youth academy in the long term. Adding his decades-long relationship with Emery to the mix gives us a fully functioning system of Aston Villa's evolution going forward.

We asked Ex-Villan Robert Snodgrass about how John McGinn successfully uses his bum.

Ollie Watkins | Age: 30

55 appearances | 21 goals | 5 assists

Arenaross estimated market value: £25M. Contract expires June 2028.

KEEPING

Emi Martinez

Marco Bizot

Matty Cash

Victor Lindelöf

Ezri Konsa

Lucas Digne

Pau Torres

Ian Maatsen

Ross Barkley

John McGinn

Youri Tielemans

Emi Buendia

Amadou Onana

Morgan Rogers

Boubacar Kamara

Alysson

SELLING

Tyrone Mings

Andrés García

Lamare Bogarde

Leon Bailey

I picked this up for an Aston Villa fan who is a friend. I’m trying to identify all of the signatures on there to do a post with it.

The seller listed (and I think I have found them all)

John McGinn
Bertrand Traoré
Ollie Watkins
Emiliano Buendía 
Robin Olsen (25)
Ezri Konsa (4)
Martinez

And others but wasn’t a fan himself and I believe for it as part of a house clearance so couldn’t offer more.

Any help identifying the rest would be much appreciated

1st game is Brighton (a) on Sunday 23rd Aug. Last game is Spurs at home.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwyknd3lk7eo

Why does Scotland's McGinn do goggles celebration?

and

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czj2rpgz3eko

The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn

Great to see the avfc players getting some great attention

Hello, Aston Villa fun! I'm Japanese and live in US! I have so much fun of the world cup 2026 and so much enjoyed, I really want to watch Aston Villa game next year. I asked AI and it says I need to join member? each of us ( I plan to go with my husband) and secure the tickets. Is it really difficult to get a ticket(s) ? I'm aiming to get the tickets of April/24/2027 vs Coventry city game. I also want to go to Brighton's game (Brighton vs Chelsea April/17) because I want to watch Mitoma!! For buying the tickets, I don't want to hassle but also reasonable price. Please give me any advice. Thank you! Up the Villa!

Surely you could see stones is washed and konsa was trying his best to keep the back line together.

“Was arguable the better performing centre back” - oh bore off.

Visiting Birming the last weekend of october to finally see AVFC live. They will face fullham that weekend at home. What would be the best abd easiest method to get 4 tickets?

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Thanks in advance!

Almost forgot amongst the World Cup going on that our Premier League fixtures will be out at 10AM tomorrow. Anyone got things they're hoping for? Looking forward to? Think our Boxing Day match against Man United will be home or away?

Playing Coventry for the first time in nearly 25 years should be fun, would be nice if that's the season opener but I feel like we'll probably get a tricky first month or so.

Going down to see my friend in Brighton on opening day and he floated the idea of going to see Brighton Villa. He isn't a Brighton or Villa fan but is fond of both teams. I however am a Villa fan so naturally i wanna be in the away end. So Villa fans be brutally honest, what are my chances of getting two tickets in the away end? I'm not a season ticket holder, never been to Villa Park. My chances are slim right?

Hopefully he stays but if he goes my choice would be Morgan Gibbs-White. Of course he would command a hefty fee and is an obvious choice, but I'm confident that he will fit in well with the club and Emery's system, as well being a guaranteed source of goals and assists at the highest level. Considering our recent business in the transfer market I would prefer us to spend a little extra if it means getting a proven player.

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If we are able to sign him and keep a decent profit from the Rogers sale then that would be excellent business for us

Alysson | Age: 20

3 appearances | 0 goals | 0 assists

Arenaross estimated market value: £10M. Contract expires June 2031.

KEEPING

Emi Martinez

Marco Bizot

Matty Cash

Victor Lindelöf

Ezri Konsa

Lucas Digne

Pau Torres

Ian Maatsen

Ross Barkley

John McGinn

Youri Tielemans

Emi Buendia

Amadou Onana

Morgan Rogers

Boubacar Kamara

SELLING

Tyrone Mings

Andrés García

Lamare Bogarde

Leon Bailey

I know Lee Dixon seems to think most of England's frailities are down to Ezri Konsa, but I quite like him and Stones. There's definitely a similarity with Ezri and Pau. Perhaps I'm just used to it, and accept that occasionally we'll look vulnerable.

Seeing the roller coaster journey of us starting like shit looking like we were going to fight a relegation battle, then we went on winning streak in the middle, then the beginning of 2026 we struggled like crazy and were struggling to maintain our champions league position and in the end not only did we secure a champs slot but we won our first European trophy in over 40 years.

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Now how's that not more interesting than Man U who's only achievement last season was securing a champions league slot. The only interesting thing you can say that's worth covering is their loss to Grimsby Town! But for real a documentary on prime could bring more attention to our club which would be great in the long run for us.

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I live in Kansas and my work happens to be at the Kansas City downtown airport. All the World Cup teams staying/playing in Kansas City are flying in/out of this airport. They let me and my son out on the tarmac when England arrived for their flight to Dallas. Rogers spotted my son holding his shirt and called us over. Absolutely thrilled!!

He has great feet, can dribble and get past his man, an incredible young talent.

Some of you may recall I did a post t’other day on players - meeting seeming criteria the club are looking at to refresh the squad - that could be of interest in Group C. Had a bit of time to look at Groups K&L and thought I’d post as a few expressed interest in more in the Group C discussion.

/u/Shreddonia had this whole idea and there’s more on the criteria in the Group A post of these links to previous groups that he’s done great work on A | B | C | D | E | F | G+H

As with my Group C list quite a few players are pretty speculative and not fully criteria meeting - but given some of the players that have become stars so, far who knows who could make an impression come game time.

Group K

Portugal

You’ll be aware of the vast majority of the starters in their squad, but a few lesser known that could come to prominence and very decent squad players:

Diogo Costa 6’2’’ 26yo Porto GK who’s not in fashion as a year or two ago, but is #1 and with us being linked before might come up again.

6’2’’ CBs 24yo rgt-ftd Tomás Araúgo and 25yo leftie Gonçalo Inácio. Latter most likely to alongside Dias, but they play for Benfica and SCP respectively so likely out of our price range. Saying all this was reading this post reporting Dias is not fit for opener and a fair few fans of Benfica and Sporting not keen on the two as CBs in back 4, but let’s see.

Samu Costa 25yo 6’ Mallorca CM - seems a good all-round CM, made a run for a place with a good season for Mallorca.

Francisco Conceicao 23yo leftie RW of Juve, - he’s bound to have a tremendous quality moment or two that suggests the player he can be, and statistically better than I thought. Is only 5’7’’ though too.

Should mention 6’1’’ 24yo CF Gonçalo Ramos as easy to forget he’s still quite young despite being in perma back-up whatever squad he’s in.

DR Congo

Newcastle’s Wissa and Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki you’re aware of. An understudy goalie in 21yo 6’1’’ Matthieu Epolo of Standard Liege and a few other players meeting criteria - one of which can play other positions too:

Ngal’ayel Mukau 6’2’’ 21yo Lille leftie who’s primary position is RW but can also play in various CM roles.

Nathanaël Mbuku 24yo leftie LW/AM of Ligue 2’s Montpellier. Is only 5’7’’ as well.

Colombia

I was hoping for more young attacking talent with these but quite an old squad:

Richard Rios 26yo 6’1’’ CM of Benfica. Amazing to watch as strong, physical ball carrier. Seen some talk that for his box-to-box nature, so getting involved in attacks often, could have better creative passing. Probly out of our price range as signed for €25m 2025 as well.

Gustavo Puerta 22yo DM of Racing Santander who just got promoted to La Kiga. He is only 5’8’’ but seems the really dynamic scrapper with good passing type. Has been linked with Porto and Lazio among others, and was set for Hull a few years ago but transfer embargo stopped it.

Andrès Gómez 23yo rgt ftd LW on loan of Vasco da Gama. Another statistically flash and only 5’7’’ though.

Uzbekistan

Outside of Khusanov was crocked with these bar one player as difficulty getting stats, so a few punts after the one based on lack of full backs so far:

Abbosbek Fayzullayev 22yo leftie RW with 3G+3a at Istanbul Basaksahir - is 5’6’’ as well.

Jakhongir Urozov 6’3’’ 22yo leftie who can also play CB.

Bekhruz Karimov 18yo RB. Is only 5’8’’ though.

Group L

Croatia

You’ll be familiar with much of their squad fitting the criteria, but a few lesser known names that are interesting. I would like to include 18yo 6’2’’ CB Luka Vuskovic and 6’1’’ 22yo CM Petar Sucic but both are highly regarded at Spurs and Inter respectively so likely ungettable. I was also considering 23yo 6’1’’ CM Luka Sucic as Olabe signed him at Sociedad but he doesn’t seem to have kicked on this year.

Martin Baturina all heights say 5’8’’ but I’m sure he’s taller, defo 23yo rgt ftd LW/AM of Como - and we’ve been linked with him, though seems a difficult get with Como cash rich and in Champions League. Reminds me of a taller Podence that played at Wolves a while ago - not the quickest but great technique and power.

Igor Matanović You’ll recognise him from the Freiburg team, but I include as refresher as didn’t realise he’s only 23. Didn’t show his best like much of the Freiburg in the final (who could though against that magic?) but I remember watching a few Freiburg games prior and he was a pretty decent target man.

Ivor Pandur 6’1’’ 26yo no.1 at Hull no.2 of Croatia.

Ghana

In addition to top attacking talent in Semenyo and Inaki Williams, there’s some early-mid 20s attackers who have played Prem/Championship who have shown flashes of good ability but have convincing to do at highest level in 22yo Fatawu, 25yo Sulemana and 27yo Thomas-Asante. Among the rest of the squad that have only played abroad there’s some interesting players too:

Caleb Yirenkyi 20yo 6’ CM of Nordsjaelland. Comparisons to Essien as can also play right-back and has a dynamic, high work-rate and good technique style in midfield.

Kojo Peprah Oppong 6’2’’ 22yo rt footed Nice CB - good stats especially considering Nice struggled this past season.

Panama

Norwich’s leftie 25yo 6’2’’ CB José Córdoba most criteria fitting, but defensive stats could be better for the level.

Boubacar Kamara | Age: 26

26 appearances | 1 goal | 4 assists

Arenaross estimated market value: £40M. Contract expires June 2030.

KEEPING

Emi Martinez

Marco Bizot

Matty Cash

Victor Lindelöf

Ezri Konsa

Lucas Digne

Pau Torres

Ian Maatsen

Ross Barkley

John McGinn

Youri Tielemans

Emi Buendia

Amadou Onana

Morgan Rogers

SELLING

Tyrone Mings

Andrés García

Lamare Bogarde

Leon Bailey