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Tag: Aston Villa

  • Why I left Arsenal – Villa goalkeeper, Martinez

    Why I left Arsenal – Villa goalkeeper, Martinez

    Aston Villa shot stopper Emiliano Martinez has opened up about the time he left Arsenal.

    Martinez was the no.2 keeper at the Gunners behind Berno Leno when he chose to move on.

    Rather than continue to fight for his place, he decided to try his luck at Villa instead.

    Martinez recounted on his Arsenal career, per the Fozcast: “So Arsene Wenger, the legend, was standing in front of you, you’re going to be my number one (but) he was signing me, contract and money wise, like a number two and I was number three.”

    “(Unai Emery said) ‘Emi look, I give you this because I’m thinking you’re going to be my number one’.

    “When he left, I was 23, 24 and then I went on loan to Getafe where I didn’t play and then Unai Emery came in and was like sorry mate but you played for Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday, you know, teams that he didn’t even know.”

  • EPL: Aston Villa grab Champions League spot first time in 41 years

    EPL: Aston Villa grab Champions League spot first time in 41 years

    Aston Villa on Tuesday night qualified for the Champions League first time in 41 years after top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur lost to Manchester City on Tuesday.

    Villa have not reached Uefa’s premier club competition since it rebranded from the European Cup to the Champions League in 1991-92.

    The last four spot qualification battle between Tottenham and Aston Villa ended last night when Manchester City defeated the Whites 2-0.

    The Whites are now five points behind Unai Emery’s side with one game remaining.

    They last played in the European Cup 41 years ago in 1982-83 having won the competition the season before.

    Villa did finish second and fourth in the Premier League in 1992-93 and 1995-96 respectively, but in both those seasons only first was good enough to reach the Champions League.

  • EPL: Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho hints at leaving Leicester City for Aston Villa

    EPL: Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho hints at leaving Leicester City for Aston Villa

    Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho has agreed to play next season’s football at Aston Villa.

    The Leicester City forward has told fans they will miss him when he leaves the club in the summer transfer window.

    There are speculations about the former Manchester City star joining Aston Villa in the summer.

    It would be recalled that Iheanacho and counterpart at Leicester FC, Wifred Ndidi helped the club win the champioship and secure automatic promotions to the English Premier League.

    However, Villa coach, Unai Emery is  targeting  him as a backup striker to Ollie Watkins.

    Aston Villa have maintained a long-term interest in Iheanacho, whom they attempted to sign four years ago but a move did not happen.

    Iheanacho was spotted wearing a t-shirt with the inscription “We’ve got HISTORY. When I’m gone, you gonna miss me” after the club’s final game of the season against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

  • Iheanacho snubs Leicester’s £65k weekly pay may opt for Aston’s offer

    Iheanacho snubs Leicester’s £65k weekly pay may opt for Aston’s offer

    Super Eagles and Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has rejected a new deal from the club amidst interest from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

    The 27-year-old striker has been subjected to just ten league starts in the EFL Championships this season, with Enzo Maresca preferring Zambian Patson Daka to lead the line for the Foxes.

    Iheanacho, alongside Wilfred Ndidi, are at the tail end of their Leicester City career as their contract runs out in June 2024.

    While the defensive midfielder has set sights on a move to a Premier League top-six side, Iheanacho isn’t keen on extending his stay at the King Power Stadium.

    According to Football Insider, the highest-scoring African in the history of the FA Cup was offered an improved deal with a weekly wage of £65,000, but the Nigerian striker rejected the offer.

    ‘‘He (Iheanacho) has been offered a new deal but not prepared to sign. But we will wait till the end of the season and see’’, the report stated.

    Several reasons might have sparked Iheanacho’s reaction, with the absence of playing time at the forefront.

    According to Football Fancast, Aston Villa are interested in bringing the 2021 FA Cup winner to Villa Park as a backup for Ollie Watkins.

    The Villains have enjoyed a great season under Unai Emery and have their eyes locked on a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Should Iheanacho join Villa, he would have the luxury of playing alongside skilled players like Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.

    Aston Villa view Iheanacho as an experienced Premier League forward, representing a summer bargain that could make all the difference next season at Villa Park.

    In 10 starts for Leicester, Iheanacho found the back of the net five times and created one goal, averaging a goal involvement every two games.

  • EPL: Arsenal’s title hopes in tatters after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa at the Emirate

    EPL: Arsenal’s title hopes in tatters after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa at the Emirate

     

    Arsenal’s hopes of winning the premier League title for  first time in 20 years is hanging in the balance after succumbing to  2-0 to Aston Villa  at the Emirate.

    Meanwhile, Aston Villa revived their hopes of featuring in the Champions League next season by extending the gap between it and Tottenham Hotspurs to three points but with a match advantage.

    Arsenal started well and had the majority of the early chances but it was the visitors who almost took the lead as Ollie Watkins struck both posts following an effort from Gabriel.

    Few seconds later, Aston Villa had goalie, Emi Martinez to thank for pulling up a point blank save to deny the Gunners the lead which emanated from a counter attack.

    Both sides tried but couldn’t break the deadlock as first half ended goalless.

    But Villa took charge after half time, and struck the frame of the goal again when Youri Tielmans hit both the bar and the post with a bending shot that almost found the top corner.

    Bailey came off the bench to arrive at the back post and steer Villa in front, before Watkins doubled Villa’s lead three minutes later  with a chipped finish over goalie Raya.

    The Gunners were seven wins from their first title in 20 years, but City are now two points clear at the top after match day 32 games.

    Earlier another title favourite Liverpool also lost at home to visiting Crystal Palace by 1-0 thus throwing the league open.

    City top the log with 73 points followed strictly by Arsenal with 71 points while Liverpool dropped to third with 71 points but trail Arsenal on goal difference.

  • EPL: Injury woos for Arsenal ahead clash with Aston Villa

    EPL: Injury woos for Arsenal ahead clash with Aston Villa

    Two key players were missing from their final training session before Sunday’s Premier League home game against Aston Villa.

    Gabriel Magalhaes and Jakub Kiwior missed Arsenal training on Saturday.

    The Gunners go into the game sitting in second place on the table, following Manchester City’s 5-1 demolition of Luton Town on Saturday.

    But Mikel Arteta’s men have the chance to reclaim top spot with victory over Villa.

    However, Arteta appears to face two defensive injury headaches for the game against Unai Emery’s side.

    Gabriel, who has been nursing an Achilles issue over the last month, was absent from the training session on Friday and was not seen with his team-mates for their final preparations at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

    Kiwior, who was taken off at halftime in the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, was also missing.

    Takehiro Tomiyasu trained and could deputise at centre-back in Gabriel’s absence, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, who replaced Kiwior in the draw against Bayern, is also available.

  • We’re learning how to beat defensive teams – Villa coach, Emery

    We’re learning how to beat defensive teams – Villa coach, Emery

    Aston Villa manager Unai Emery admits they’re finding more teams playing defensively against them.

    Villa had to work hard to find a way to win at FA Cup opponents Middlesbrough on the weekend.

    Emery said: “It is our next step as a team. We are facing a lot of teams who play with a low block and are respecting us a lot.

    “Saturday (at Middlesbrough) was similar to Burnley, Zrinjski and Legia Warsaw. We know it and we are trying to add in our practice and preparation things which can help us face it.

    “It is not easy to beat teams defending like that, particularly when they do it very well.

    “For me, tactically it is exciting to face a difficult challenge and it is the same for our players.”

    Emery added: “We are playing a lot of matches like this because teams in the Premier League, in Europe and the FA Cup are respecting us a lot.

    “Our improvement means teams are facing us differently. We can improve by playing matches like this.”

  • EPL: Iheanacho set to join Aston Villa in January

    EPL: Iheanacho set to join Aston Villa in January

     

    Nigerian  and Leicester city of England  attacking Midfielder, Kelechi Iheanacho could be on his way to Villa Park come January 2024.

    Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery will look to bring Kelechi Iheanacho to the Villa Park when the transfer window reopens in January.

    Iheanacho is yet to renew his contract with Sky Bet Championship club, Leicester City, is set to run out on June 30, 2024.

    The Nigerian is not likely to sign an extension and could leave on a free transfer next summer if Leicester City failed to sell him next month.

    Aston Villa, according to Football Insider, have identified Iheanacho and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner as potential targets.

    Iheanacho has notched six goals and two assists in 20 appearances for Leicester following their relegation from the Premier League last term.

    The 27-year-old was named in the Foxes matchday squad for the away win against Birmingham City on Monday night after missing the previous two games due to illness.

  • EPL: Why I didn’t greet Arsenal coaches after the game – Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery

    EPL: Why I didn’t greet Arsenal coaches after the game – Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery

    Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager has explained why he snubbed Arsenal coaches after they won 1-0 on Saturday.

    John McGinn scored the only goal  in the 7th minute as Villa defeated Emery’s former club.

    Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta served a touchline ban for the game and in his absence assistant Albert Stuivenberg was in the dugout with information relayed down to him from the directors box via coach Carlos Cuesta, who had an earpiece.

    At full-time, Emery snubbed the customary handshake and opted to celebrate with Villa supporters near the touchline.

    When asked about the handshake snub and whether he approached any of Arsenal’s staff at full-time, Emery said: “No, because Arteta wasn’t on the bench.

    “I gave my hand to the workers inside because they were there when I was there, but only with the people I coached with and who worked with me.

    “There was nothing personal. It was because it wasn’t Arteta. I respect a lot Arsenal and Arteta. I respect a lot the workers there. I have nothing negative against them.”

  • EPL: Villa move to fourth on the log, beat Tottenham 2-1 at London stadium

    EPL: Villa move to fourth on the log, beat Tottenham 2-1 at London stadium

    Aston Villa came from behind to snatch an away win  against Tottenham at the London stadium on Sunday evening.

    Giovani Lo Celso had put the host in front in the 22nd minute, but Pau Torres equalized just before the break and Watkins grabbed the winner in the second half of the encounter.

    Villa moved above Tottenham into fourth, with Ange Postecoglou’s team falling two points behind them in fifth after a third successive defeat stalled their early-season momentum.

    Villa thought they had mustered an immediate response as Watkins glanced his header past Guglielmo Vicario from Lucas Digne’s cross.

    But, after a VAR check of almost three minutes, the goal was disallowed for a tight offside against Watkins.

    Kulusevski was inches away from doubling Tottenham’s lead with a curler before Son Heung-min’s goal was chalked off for another offside.

    For all their dashing play in attack, Tottenham were vulnerable at the back and Villa took advantage in first half stoppage-time.

    Aston Villa will be anticipating a champions League spot at the end of the 2023/24 season  after previously making it to Europa league last season following their top 6 finish.