Aston Villa Team News - Soccer

Champions League scoring started early by Villa's McGinn after record rate of goals last season

The first goal of the Champions League season was scored by Aston Villa captain John McGinn entering the 11th minute at Club Brugge on Tuesday

1 HOUR AGO • Associated Press

Matty Cash - Left out with muscle soreness Cash did not travel with the squad for Tuesday's Champions League opener at Club Brugge due to muscle soreness, Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic reports.

Impact Cash's omission reads as a precaution more than a setback, with Villa choosing not to risk him on the trip to Belgium and early indications pointing to a short absence. Aaron Wan-Bissaka will take the right-back spot, an established alternative that limits the disruption. The four-day turnaround to Saturday's home fixture against Nottingham Forest gives him a realistic window to be back, and he is reported to be hopeful of making it.

9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Al-Hilal's 47-game unbeaten run in Saudi league shattered in home loss

Al-Hilal’s 47-game unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League has ended after a 2-0 home loss to Neom

21 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Johan Manzambi - Progressing but out for UCL opener Manzambi (knee) is out for Tuesday's UCL opener against Club Brugge, according to manager Unai Emery. "He's progressing very good. The doctor is keeping us updated on the informati...

Impact Manzambi has yet to make his Aston Villa debut, and while he seems to be on the verge of playing for the Midlands club, he won't be an option for the UCL opener. Thus, Emiliano Buendia is expected to remain in the No. 10 role Tuesday, whereas Manzambi could be an option to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, though that'll depend on how his recovery progresses in the coming days.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Leon Goretzka - Dealing with knee injury Manager Unai Emery confirmed Goretzka suffered a knee injury, according to John Townley of Birmingham Live.

Impact Goretzka announced he'd be sidelined until after the international break after suffering a setback while building up his conditioning, but Emery confirmed the issue is a knee problem. With Goretzka sidelined for more than a month, Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes and Ross Barkley are options to play in central midfield.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Leon Goretzka - Out until after international break Goretzka (fitness) will remain unavailable until after the international break after suffering a setback while building up his conditioning, according to the player, per John Townl...

Impact Goretzka had been pushing to make his Aston Villa debut against Hull City, but his lack of preseason has made the increased training load difficult to manage and delayed his return. The midfielder will now be given additional recovery time through the international break before attempting to resume his integration. Once available, he should provide further competition alongside Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes in central midfield, particularly with Amadou Onana sidelined by a long-term knee injury.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Al-Hilal hires Richard Hughes as sporting director after his Liverpool exit

Richard Hughes has become the new sporting director of Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal just days after stepping down from the same post with Liverpool in the English Premier League

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

John McGinn - Four crosses in draw McGinn recorded one shot (zero on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Hull City.

Impact McGinn is still searching for his rhythm after a season in which he registered five goals and four assists in 28 league starts and stood out as one of Villa's leading lights. He has been used on the right flank in a side yet to score in any of its opening three games. He has managed four shots and one pass that led to a teammate's effort, along with 10 crosses and two corners, while contributing four tackles, three interceptions and seven recoveries out of possession. He remains the safest bet in a Villa attack that will be looking to spark into life.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Emiliano Buendia - Struggles to find attacking form Buendia generated two shots (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact The playmaker was tipped to become the main attacking outlet after Villa lost Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, but the Argentine is still short of the form that saw him close last season with three goals and two assists across his final six games. At Hull, he took two shots and blazed over the best chance of the lot after good work down the left. He is at least involved, taking a share of the set pieces and now up to six shots and two chances created across the opening three games, but Villa are still without a goal in the league to open the season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Victor Lindelof - Four clearances in clean sheet Lindelof generated four clearances in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact Lindelof completed full 90 minutes again at Hull and remains a constant in the heart of the Villa back line. Villa saw plenty of the ball and he used it well, finishing with 105 accurate passes and two passes that ended with a team mate shooting. He does not offer much in the way of defensive volume, though, with four clearances here and only 13 clearances and one tackle across the season so far.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Matty Cash - Creates first chance in clean sheet Cash recorded one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact The right back keeps getting himself up the pitch for Villa, but the attacking instinct he has shown over the years has yet to surface this season, and this was the first time in the league that created a chance, on top of the one attempt of his own he had managed beforehand. He was quiet at the other end too with a single clearance, though that sits alongside the six tackles, one interception, four clearances and two blocks he has to his name in the first two games. The arrival of Aaron Wan Bissaka's arrival could put his hold on the shirt under pressure and may lead to rotation, potentially in Europe.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Boubacar Kamara - Consistent in midfield role Kamara registered one tackle (one won), two clearances and one interception in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact Kamara contributes less in attack than anyone else in the Villa side, though he went about the midfield job well enough with 88 accurate passes and a chance created. He also added an interception, two clearances, one tackle won and six recoveries. The Frenchman appears untouchable in Emery's engine room after completing the full 90 in all three games so far, with four tackles (won all of four), two interceptions, six clearances, a block and 12 recoveries across that spell.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Zion Suzuki - Keeps first clean sheet with Villa Suzuki recorded four saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Hull City.

Impact It was a fine game for Suzuki, who kept his first clean sheet for Villa on his second start. The young goalkeeper looked settled with the ball at his feet and completed eight of his 11 long balls, while three of his four saves were dealt with comfortably. He needed a slice of fortune when Mohamed Belloumi's effort came back off the woodwork, but his biggest save came late in the game when he denied Mohamed Ali Cho. Next comes his first European assignment for the club at Club Brugge on Tuesday.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ross Barkley - Four shots in draw Barkley registered four shots (zero on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact Barkley is still filling the gap left by the suspended Joao Gomes and he carried most of Villa's threat at Hull. The midfielder took four shots, the best of them a big chance that he could not convert, and he set up two shots for team mates for the third game in a row. With Gomes due back after the next fixture, he may have just one more opportunity to make his case before a likely move to the bench.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

George Hemmings - Creates big chance in liveliest display Hemmings had one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Hull City.

Impact Hemmings was the source of the best chance of the game when he carried the ball forward and picked out Emiliano Buendia, who could not keep his effort down. The winger had also drawn a save from Konstantinos Tzolakis early on, which made this his liveliest performance yet after just one chance created in his previous starts. He has held the left flank ahead of Alejandro Garnacho so far, but the signing of Ibrahim Mbaye, who watched this one from the bench, may eat into his minutes unless Unai Emery moves John McGinn into midfield instead.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ian Maatsen - Creates one chance in clean sheet Maatsen registered two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact Maatsen enjoyed real freedom going forward at Hull and should have had an assist after barely two minutes, only for Nicolas Jackson to steer his cross the wrong side of the post. The left back still handled his defensive duties, winning both his duels along with his tackles and contributing a clearance and an interception in Villa's first clean sheet of the campaign. His opening three games have brought three shots, six tackles, five interceptions and nine clearances. Maatsen has held down the left back berth since the departure of Lucas Digne, but Matteo Ruggeri arrives as genuine competition for the role. The pair could split the minutes should Villa choose to rotate, something that looks more likely when there is a European tie wedged between league fixtures and three games arrive back to back.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Jackson - More involved after quiet debut Jackson generated two shots (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Hull City.

Impact Jackson made his second straight start for Villa at Hull and was far more involved than on his debut against Arsenal, where the best defence in the league gave him nothing to feed on. The striker managed two shots and created another chance, and although he is still waiting on his first goal contribution since the move, his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play showed why he walked straight into the side after Ollie Watkins departed.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Haaland scores again as Man City maintains perfect start to the Premier League season

Norway striker Erling Haaland scores his third goal of the season as Manchester City beats Coventry 1-0 to stay top of the Premier League

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - In contention for debut Harwood-Bellis could be involved in Saturday's Premier League clash against Hull City following his deadline-day move from Southampton, according to coach Unai Emery. "We don't hav...

Impact Harwood-Bellis gives Villa another option in central defense following his arrival from Southampton, where he gained significant Premier League experience. His involvement against Hull City remains uncertain, with manager Unai Emery yet to confirm whether the defender is ready to enter the starting XI immediately. If included, Harwood-Bellis could make his Villa debut either from the start or as a substitute as he begins competing for a regular role at center-back.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ibrahim Mbaye - Could make Villa debut Mbaye is in contention to make his Aston Villa debut in Saturday's Premier League clash against Hull City following his move from PSG, according to coach Unai Emery. "We don't have...

Impact Mbaye is available immediately after completing his move from PSG, though it remains to be seen whether manager Unai Emery will hand the young winger a starting role so soon after his arrival. A place on the bench appears possible as he settles into his new surroundings, with Mbaye capable of providing Villa with another attacking option out wide during the match.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Johan Manzambi - Ruled out against Hull Manzambi (knee) will not be available for Saturday's Premier League clash against Hull City despite returning to team training, according to coach Unai Emery. "He's training with t...

Impact Manzambi continues to progress after returning to group training, but Villa are giving him additional time to rebuild his fitness rather than rushing him back against Hull. A return in Tuesday's Champions League match appears possible, while the following Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest represents another potential comeback date. With Manzambi unavailable, Emiliano Buendia is expected to start in the attacking midfield role against Hull City.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Johan Manzambi - Returns to group training Manzambi (knee) returned to group training Thursday and is progressing in his recovery, manager Unai Emery told John Townley of Birmingham Live.

Impact Manager Unai Emery stated earlier this week that he'd be careful with Manzambi's recovery, so don't expect Villa to rush things in order to have the Swiss international back as soon as possible. "We want his comeback to be clear and strong, with no risk," Emery said. As things stand now, Manzambi could be an option for the Sep. 12 matchup against Nottingham Forest, though a best-case scenario would be a return on Sep. 8 against Club Brugge in the Champions League opener.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hull City vs Aston Villa Prediction and Betting Tips | September 5th 2026 Two sides who have kicked off the new campaign in contrasting form lock horns in round three of the Premier League as Hull City play host to Aston Villa at the MKM Stadium on Satur...

5 DAYS AGO • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka issues 4-word response when asked about facing Chelsea after winning goal against Aston Villa Arsenal star Bukayo Saka gave a cold reply when asked about facing Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.

SEPTEMBER 1 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Michael Owen believes Mikel Arteta will drop Arsenal attacker for Chelsea clash after performance in 1-0 win against Aston Villa Former Liverpool and Manchester United star Michael Owen has predicted Arsenal summer signing Christos Tzolis will be dropped in the Premier League home clash against Chelsea next...

SEPTEMBER 1 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

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Champions League scoring started early by Villa's McGinn after record rate of goals last season

Al-Hilal's 47-game unbeaten run in Saudi league shattered in home loss

Al-Hilal hires Richard Hughes as sporting director after his Liverpool exit

Haaland scores again as Man City maintains perfect start to the Premier League season