Aston Villa in ‘advanced negotiations’ with former Arsenal man as plan for key player revealed

Aston Villa still have a lot to play for on Sunday when Brighton arrive at Villa Park on the final day of the Premier League season. Unai Emery's side currently sit in seventh place, one point above eighth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and a win would secure Europa Conference League football for next season.

Those extra fixtures would, no doubt, bring a need for recruitment and these are the latest rumours surrounding Aston Villa.

Aston Villa in 'advanced negotiations' with Real Madrid star

Aston Villa are in 'advanced negotiations' with Real Madrid and former Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos to replace out-of-favour Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian dazzled when first arriving at Villa Park in 2022 but has been an outside figure under Unai Emery since the Spaniard took over from Steven Gerrard last October.

Emery has more than coped without the need of Coutinho's services as the VIllains leapt up the Premier League but Spanish outlet El Nacional reports that the Villa boss does want new blood in midfield

.The outlet has Villa lining up a £53k a week deal for Ceballos, who has also attracted interest from Real Betis but could be swayed to reunite with Emery, who he played under during a brief stint at Arsenal.

Villa World Cup winner preparing move away from Midlands

Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez is already imagining a future away from the club, according to his national team coach.

The keeper has become a permanent fixture and much-loved member of the side since arriving in 2020 and the 30-year-old lifted the World Cup with Argentina last year.

Argentina goalkeeper coach Damian Albil has unveiled a behind-the-scenes conversation with Martinez where the star shared his intentions to return to former club Independiente before his career is over.

He said: "With Dibu we always talk about Rojo and the moments he lived in the club.“He told me that if he became world champion at some point he would return to Independiente.

“As soon as the game [the World Cup final] ended we hugged each other, and I said in his ear ‘remember your promise’ and he laughed. Now is not the time but surely in the future he’s going to do it.”