Aston Villa can relegate Dean Smith's Norwich this weekend providing they register their first home win at Villa Park since beating Southampton eight weeks ago. The Canaries' fate also rests with Burnley knowing if the Clarets beat Watford then Norwich will become a Championship club again.
Villa are set for a busy transfer window with plenty of outgoings expected and in terms of incomings, the mantra will be quality over quantity. And topping Gerrard's transfer wish list this summer is a holding midfielder capable of screening the back four and allowing Villa's talented attackers to flourish further forward.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are prepared to let go of out-of-favour goalkeeper Neto Murara in the summer transfer window later this year, sparking the interest of Premier League sides Everton and Aston Villa. Neto has been with Barcelona since 2019 when he arrived from fellow La Liga club Valencia. However, he has hardly enjoyed a regular run in the starting XI and has had to settle for odd cup appearances and a game now and then when first-choice stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out with injury.
Aston Villa have, shockingly, been added to the list of clubs vying for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie. The midfield maestro has been making headlines in the last couple of months and it has continued to look like he might be playing for another club in a other league starting from this summer. Villa have been linked with a sensational transfer swoop for the Milan star, espite reports that suggest the Serie A star is close to agreeing terms with Barcelona.
Aston Villa are now on a run of three games without a win in the Premier League after their surprising 1-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Watford last weekend. They had suffered a lean defeat to hosts Newcastle United in their last game on the back of losing a 3-1 lead at home to Leeds United before taking on the Hornets at home and the result plus the performance after the game ensured that that the Aston Villa fans booed their team off the pitch.
Manchester United are now winless in their last two games in the Premier League after they threw away a two-goal advantage to record a disappointing 2-2 draw at the home of Aston Villa. The Red Devils were on course to make it two wins in a row against Aston Villa in all competitions until the one-time European champions struck twice in the last thirteen (13) minutes to rescue a well deserved point from losing position.
Argentine international Manuel Lanzini was in the West Ham United starting XI as they returned to winning ways in the Premier League thanks to the 4-1 away win over Watford who are facing the threat of relegation from the English top flight this season. Watford are back in the Premier League this season and they could be in the division for just a season as they are facing threat from the likes of Norwich City, Burnley and Newcastle United in the race to avoid the drop. Burnley, Norwich City and Newcastle United are the bottom three teams in the Premier League relegation zone at the moment. Burnley and Newcastle United are two points off Watford, while bottom team Norwich City are just three points off the final safety spot.
England international Jack Grealish made an appearance against boyhood club Aston Villa for the first time since he sealed a British record transfer to Premier League holders Manchester City. Grealish was left on the Manchester City bench on his return to Aston Villa as he gradually works his way back to full fitness after a few weeks out through injury.
Aston Villa have now lost five Premier League matches in a rowfollowing the 1-0 loss at Southampton on Friday night thanks to an early goal from summer signing Adam Armstrong.
Southampton were quicker out of the blocks than their guests and they were rewarded with three minutes on the clock through Armstrong, a £15m arrival from Championship side Blackburn Rovers. The Saints signed Armstrong as a replacement for Danny Ingswho left the club to join Villa in a £20m deal. Ings was unable to return to Southampton with Aston Villa due to injury.
Aston Villa have now lost their last three successive games in the Premier League after they were beaten at Arsenal on Friday night. In the first game of matchday nine in the English top flight this season, Aston Villa were beaten 3-1 as they paid the price for a lackadaisical first half.
