Aston Villa backed as 'in driving seat' for 18-assist winger as Unai Emery talks 'intelligent' transfer plan
The latest Aston Villa transfer news ahead of their Tottenham Hotspur clash.
Aston Villa will face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend as they look to continue their unbeaten run. Unai Emery’s side have registered just one defeat in the Premier League so far this season, and have scored 16 goals in their opening nine games.
If Villa can beat Spurs, they will keep their place in the top four, keeping some distance between them and Chelsea, Brighton and Nottingham Forest. While they prepare for their clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we’ve rounded up some of the club’s latest headlines.
Villa in ‘driving seat’ to sign £55m star
Aston Villa have been linked with signing Spanish winger Álex Baena, with CaughtOffside recently reporting that both the Villans and Newcastle United are ‘interested’ in his services. The report claims that Villarreal have valued Baena at €65 million (£55m) following his impressive 18-assist 2023/24 season.
Baena was previously managed by Emery during their time in La Liga together and Bryan King believes this could be the edge that Villa need to take pole position in this transfer race. Speaking to Villa News, the former Villa scout has backed the West Midlands sides to take the edge over any other rivals for Baena.
“Villa will have an advantage in this transfer race,” King said. “Emery knows the player and the player knows him. I’m sure that will be the deciding factor. I’d say that Villa are in the driving seat when it comes to that deal. I think being in the UEFA Champions League helps as well.”
Emery discusses ‘intelligent’ Villa transfer approach
Emery has shed some light on his side’s approach to the transfer market, which has involved them selling players in order to balance the books over the past two windows. Notably, the in-demand Douglas Luiz was sold to Juventus in a £42 million summer move.
Speaking ahead of their clash with Tottenham, the Villa boss said the club are ‘trying to increase the budget’ through their Champions League and Premier League campaigns, as well as their approach to buying and selling players.
“But the budget the others have is more than us. That is the big gap between them and us. I do not speak a lot about it but I think it makes sense, everything I am saying. Then, we are going to try and focus how we can get better, individually with the players, then improve tactically, intelligently when we are deciding to make changes.
“It is not changing one player for another and we are going to sign four players for £50 million. We are trying to use our capacity, being intelligent and use our capacity to buy and sell and then try to increase individually and collectively our players and our style being stronger.”