'We have to push for every competition we're in' - Abrahampublished at 19:22 GMT 27 January
19:22 GMT 27 January
Image source, Getty Images
Tammy Abraham thinks Aston Villa are positioned to "push for every competition we're in" after putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal.
The striker played for Villa back in the 2018-19 season and has since featured for Roma, Ac Milan and Besiktas.
On returning to England in an £18.25m deal, he told the club's website: "It still doesn't feel real.
"Since this first time I arrived here, I fell in love with the club. Ever since I left this club, I've pretty much watched every game, so I've been keeping track."
Abraham - who helped Villa to promotion via the Championship play-offs in 2018-19 - said he will be "emotional" to run back out at Villa Park.
"I feel like I left here as a boy and I'm definitely coming back as a man," he added.
"I'd like to bring my experience to help the team as much as possible and achieve something with this club.
"I've played against most of the boys here, and I know a few of them also, so they've helped me settle in quickly.
"I just can't wait to get out there on the pitch with them and make more memories.
"Right now, the world's our oyster. We've got a good team, a good squad. I don't think it's out of reach to say we can push for every competition we're in.
"I'm here and I want to win. I want to win trophies, so we have to push for every competition we're in. I'm excited, I just can't wait."
'Abraham has taken a wage cut' - analysispublished at 18:02 GMT 27 January
18:02 GMT 27 January
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It is not the first time Villa have tried to re-sign Tammy Abraham - they remained interested in him and were at the table when the striker previously moved.
However, in 2021, when Abraham opted to join Roma, Villa were not the club they have since been transformed into by Emery.
Abraham also turned down Arsenal on that occasion, as he viewed Roma's project under Mourinho as the ideal platform to progress - and the forward's time in Serie A should be viewed as a success.
One of the key factors behind his decision to return to the Premier League is a desire for an England recall, with this summer's World Cup looming.
Abraham has not played for his country since starting against Italy in the Nations League in 2022 - and would have remained on the periphery if he stayed in Turkey.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered his form in the Premier League for Leeds -so if Abraham can hit the ground running under Emery it could put him back in the selection conversation, almost four years since his last cap.
Abraham also has two young children and the lure to return home for personal reasons was strong.
Chelsea had a buy-back option, but with the change of ownership at Stamford Bridge that was never on the cards.
He has taken a wage cut to join Villa, underlining his commitment, and having won the Champions League and Conference League he has the chance to complete a European hat-trick in the Europa League with his new club this season.
The return to Villa Park is seen as perfect timing, even if it has come sooner than expected and just six months into a spell at Besiktas.
But Emery's plan and vision for the striker convinced him - not that he needed much persuading.
Abraham enjoyed his time in Turkey but the opportunity to return to the Premier League - and Villa - was ultimately too good to refuse.
We want you to have your say on Tammy Abraham returning to the Premier League to rejoin Aston Villa.
Do you think this is a good deal for Villa? Will Abraham have an instant impact?
Emery 'refuses to let any obstacles dim his ambition'published at 08:09 GMT 27 January
08:09 GMT 27 January
David Michael Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
A week ago, Unai Emery was visibly irritated in his post-match interviews following Aston Villa's 1-0 defeat by Everton. While many assumed his frustration was directed solely at the result, it was the bigger picture that appeared to trigger him: the financial handcuffs placed on the club in the transfer window and a midfield stretched increasingly thin.
The long-term loss of John McGinn had bitten, compounded by another season-ending injury for Boubacar Kamara, a player who has averaged 22 Premier League games in each of his four seasons since joining Villa.
Villa's midfield is its core asset and, at that point, it was also without Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley. Interest in Conor Gallagher hinted that Emery was seeking an additional insurance policy to sustain the team's progress and ambition. Two daunting away trips to the hothouses of Fenerbahce and St James' Park, where Villa had not won for two decades, threatened to compound his frustration and put the club back in its place.
Instead, Villa responded with two away victories that underlined the clarity of roles and organisation within the squad. There is a structure that players understand and can execute, even when key personnel are missing. This is far from the beginning of the end for Emery's side.
Behind the scenes, Villa have been working whatever transfer leverage they can within the constraints of their Uefa arrangements, which prevent them from running at a loss during a window. Donyell Malen's exit was largely shaped by that reality, creating room for potential incomings.
Villa have had to get creative and, judging the most recent matchday squad, compromise has been unavoidable. Leon Bailey appears to be getting one last roll of the dice to see whether he can rediscover the form he showed in the 2023-24 season, while Harvey Elliott's unexpected return to the matchday squad and publicly stating he would not play for Charlotte FC in the MLS, raises questions about a possible reworking of his loan clause between Villa and Liverpool.
Emery certainly is not feeling sorry for himself and refuses to let any obstacles dim his ambition for the season.
Villa skipper McGinn could miss up to two months published at 12:12 GMT 26 January
12:12 GMT 26 January
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Captain John McGinn could be out for up to two months in a further injury blow to Aston Villa.
The midfielder was forced off early in last week's defeat by Everton with a knee injury.
It means the Scotland international could miss up to nine games as third-placed Villa try to maintain their Premier League title push and Europe League hopes.
"Normally, he is going to be out for some weeks, maybe even one or two months. But I want to wait for the doctor's opinion on it," boss Unai Emery said.
McGinn's injury comes with Boubacar Kamara expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury he suffered in the FA Cup win at Tottenham this month.
Youri Tielemans also came off in Sunday's win at Newcastle leaving Villa with a midfield injury problem.
"It was his ankle. Hopefully not a lot, but we must check him with the doctor and wait. I can't say anything more," Emery added following the victory at St James' Park.
Newcastle 0-2 Aston Villa - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:04 GMT 26 January
09:04 GMT 26 January
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
Newcastle fans
Barry: Frustrating game. Score line flatters Villa, but Martinez was player of the match by a country mile. We've got to start being more direct - no point in high press if you waste it by constantly passing across midfield.
Paul: It's all well winning in Europe against teams from lesser leagues but as soon as we play good quality Prem teams we aren't up to it! Can't help but feel we squandered our money in the summer transfer window and this has affected our ability to compete at the top level.
Leon: I think Howe's time has come. He has done great things for the club but his tactics are outdated and conservative, befitting of a relegation threatened team. It lacks ambition and never seems to use the squad to its fullest. And hey, change seemed to work for United and Chelsea.
Trevor: Poor performance today, some poor crosses in from out wide. Eddie needs to look at his tactics because Premier League teams have worked out our current way of playing.
Villa fans
Colin: Outstanding performance when you consider how thin our squad is and after playing a tough game Thursday. Emery is a genius!
Andrew: Great win. Great performance. Thought Ollie Watkins was a personification of what Villa are all about. They are showing a resilience/bouncebackability that wasn't there before (under Emery). Believe boys. Just believe. See where it takes you.
Mark: Great professional display today by everyone in a claret and blue shirt. Unai has done amazing things with the means he has. A few more signings and some money and he could elevate us to places that all Villa fans dream off. Come on you Lions UTV.
Anthony: Great game of football from two teams. Villa wanted the win more. Martinez comfortable saves. Outstanding goals from Watkins and Buendia. Aston Villa are outstanding.
Missed Old Trafford move leaves questions for Martinez published at 09:04 GMT 26 January
09:04 GMT 26 January
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Emiliano Martinez is arguably not as imperious as he once was. But it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why.
A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, having joined Villa for £17m in 2020, he has been one of the club's best performers.
This season, though, the cracks have begun to show - for which it is easy to blame his failed move to Manchester United.
An emotional Martinez appeared to be saying goodbye after Villa's final home game of last season, against Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Villa were open to letting him leave, looking at Brentford's Mark Flekken among others, but then United manager Ruben Amorim lost the battle to bring him to Old Trafford.
United's data suggested Senne Lammens was going to be one of Europe's best; although he was not as good as Martinez now, signing the Belgian made more sense, financially and for the future.
They wanted to spend money in attacking areas - signing Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo - with Amorim overruled on a move for Martinez as Lammens joined from Royal Antwerp instead.
On 31 August, the day before the transfer deadline, Martinez was left out for a 3-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace. When asked about Martinez's whereabouts, head coach Unai Emery repeated the name of stand-in keeper Marco Bizot several times.
He returned after the international break for a 0-0 draw at Everton on 13 September - with Emery calling him "the best goalkeeper in the world", and one who had a "massive" commitment to Villa.
But has Martinez been as consistent this season?
There has been more than one late withdrawal from a game - including two following the warm-ups before matches against Brighton and Feyenoord.
He has saved 76.1% of the shots he has faced this season - the most in the league - and is fifth on Opta's 'goals prevented' stats list with 17.
He has made 55 saves - the 12th-highest total of any Premier League goalkeeper this season. His 'expected goals on target conceded' tally - which measures the likelihood of an on-target shot resulting in a goal - is 20.85.
Villa have conceded 25 this season, but eight of those have been with Bizot in goal so Martinez's stats should not be worrying.
It is the three mistakes leading to a goal - the highest in the league - which will gnaw away, though.
The most obvious was his error at Anfield in November, gifting the ball to Mohamed Salah to score, and giving Liverpool a platform for a 2-0 win.
Yet, Villa went on to win their next 11 games, before losing 4-1 to Arsenal on 30 December, when Martinez again faced scrutiny.
He spilled the ball under pressure from Gabriel from a corner, allowing the defender to score, although Villa argued the goal should have been disallowed for a high elbow by the Arsenal man.
Last Sunday's mistake, failing to catch or clear Dwight McNeil's shot, contributed to Thierno Barry's winner for Everton.
He missed Thursday's 1-0 Europa League win at Fenerbahce with a calf injury, with Bizot keeping his fifth clean sheet in 11 games this season.
Dutchman Bizot, signed from Brest in the summer, is 34 and not a long-term replacement for Martinez.
But the Argentine is being linked with Inter Milan, and Villa are expected to assess his future in the summer.
Analysis: The perfect blend of goals for Villapublished at 17:14 GMT 25 January
17:14 GMT 25 January
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Have Aston Villa cracked the code?
In an era where xG is so prevalent, Unai Emery's clinical team have scored 13 goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League this season – the most of any side in the competition.
Emiliano Buendia's opener was the latest in a long line of sensational strikes.
The forward collected the ball, following a deft lay-off from Morgan Rogers, and Newcastle players stood off him, almost imploring him to shoot from distance, which always felt a risky strategy given his record.
Buendia certainly did not need a second invitation.
He had the split second he needed to look up, pick his spot and fire his side in front as the Villa supporters up in the gods repeatedly sang his name.
But Villa also hurt Newcastle from inside the box.
Ollie Watkins will soon have increased competition from striker Tammy Abraham, who is set to complete a move from Besiktas, and you suspect he will relish that challenge.
Nick Pope may have foiled him twice previously, but Watkins eventually found a way through to power a bullet header past the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Villa are capable of scoring all types of goals - and that's what makes them so dangerous as they responded in style after losing in the Premier League at home to Everton last week.
Newcastle 0-2 Aston Villa: What Emery and Buendia saidpublished at 16:44 GMT 25 January
16:44 GMT 25 January
Media caption,
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory at Newcastle: "I am so, so happy. The players were extraordinary. We spoke about this match and the difficulties some teams have with their level here. It is the highest level we can face this season and the players respond fantastic.
"The commitment to the fans... being so disciplined individually and collectively got us through it. We can only helped the players tactically. Out on the field they need to show the attitude and commitment to work to the game plan and they did it.
"Emiliano Martinez played a fantastic match. He focused on the match and his character, skills and commitment...because we need every player...really fantastic.
"Last week we lost and we were so disappointed, but we can be calm again and have confidence. We were comfortable in what we were doing."
Villa's first goalscorer Emiliano Buendia, also spoke to BBC Match of the Day: "I think mainly really to compete well, be strong and fight in every duel for the ball. We haven't had success in this stadium for a while and we knew how difficult they make it for opponents. We fought for every ball and had the patience with the ball.
"It's a tough schedule for us but it is what we want to do, play in European competitions and fight for these places in the Premier League so we have to adapt, fight and play and recover and go again.
"I am really proud of this team. we made a huge effort on Thursday and again today.
"We have to look to be there and fight until the end. We know what we want to achieve, fighting for the Champions League spots. To score is always a nice feeling but the main thing is to help the team. To open the game with that kind of goal helps the momentum of the game turn in our favour.
"I am really happy and we deserved the three points"
Thanks to Buendia's opener, Villa led at half-time in an away Premier League game for the first time this season - with only Burnley and Wolves now failing to complete that feat in 2025-26.
Villa have netted 13 goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League this campaign which is the most of any side in the competition and their most as a club in the top-flight since 2007-08 (16).
Newcastle v Aston Villa: Team newspublished at 13:04 GMT 25 January
13:04 GMT 25 January
Image source, BBC Sport
Injured captain Bruno Guimaraes misses out as Newcastle United make one change for the visit of Aston Villa.
Guimaraes has not been named in the squad after coming off with an ankle issue in the 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven midweek. Lewis Miley replaces the Brazilian in the side.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Manchester United", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Aston Villapublished at 10:00 GMT 25 January
10:00 GMT 25 January
Aston Villa's home defeat by Everton last week showed again how difficult it is to make predictions this season.
Villa had won their past 11 home games before then, and had been pretty dominant against Everton in the league in recent seasons too. I was extremely confident they would win to keep the pressure on Arsenal... and I was wrong!
Now? Well, Unai Emery's side have a long trip to Turkey in the Europa League before this game and they have a few injuries to contend with too. John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara will be badly missed and I am slightly concerned about their options up front now Donyell Malen has left.
That's why I'm backing Newcastle here. They are so strong in midfield but they are especially good at home - I always fancy them to win at St James' Park.
Newcastle United v Aston Villa: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:11 GMT 24 January
13:11 GMT 24 January
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both be looking to bounce back after disappointing Premier League results last weekend when they meet at St James' Park on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
Newcastle were unable to find a breakthrough against bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 0-0 draw, continuing their woes on the road this season. On home soil, they have been much more effective and will be boosted by a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek.
Qualification for the Europa League knockout stage was the positive from a rough week for Aston Villa. Their 11-game home winning run was ended by Everton last weekend, and they then received the brutal news that key midfielder Boubacar Kamara is set to miss the rest of the season through injury.
Woltemade and Wissa still strangers
Although Newcastle have been strong at home this season, much of their attacking output lately has come from midfield and wide areas.
Bruno Guimaraes, who is a doubt for this game because of an ankle injury, is their leading league scorer with eight goals and would be a huge miss. Newcastle have never won a top-flight match he has missed.
Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are the main striker options, but both have found life difficult domestically.
Since Wissa made his debut after recovering full fitness, Newcastle have lacked a consistent focal point up front. He has managed just one goal in the top flight so far, while Woltemade has scored in only one of his past 14 games – a brace in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Wissa was impressive on his Champions League debut in midweek, grabbing a goal and an assist in the win over PSV, and could earn another start this weekend as a result.
Could Eddie Howe potentially pair the duo in an attempt to spark them both into life? At this stage, it appears unlikely. Remarkably, of the 268 minutes Wissa has played in the Premier League for Newcastle so far, Woltemade has been on the pitch for none of them.
Villa face critical moment as midfield falls apart
After the week they have endured, it feels as though Villa's campaign has reached a defining stage.
Not only will they be without the imperious Kamara for the foreseeable future, but captain and driving force John McGinn is also facing a spell on the sidelines after his injury against Everton.
Amadou Onana returned as a substitute against Fenerbahce on Thursday but the lack of midfield options appears to be having a knock-on effect in attack too. Morgan Rogers had six shots against Everton, his most in a game for Villa without scoring, and he has now had more shots than any player (15) since Christmas without a goal.
Villa had scored in 10 consecutive Premier League games before travelling to Crystal Palace. They have now failed to score in their last two and the sale of Donyell Malen leaves Ollie Watkins as the only senior striker.
Even with a fully-fit squad, Villa do not relish trips to Newcastle. The Magpies have not lost to Villa in their last 17 home league meetings, winning the last four at St James' Park by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Image source, Getty Images
