Aston Villa star ‘eyed’ by rivals as Unai Emery hatches Tyrone Mings ‘transfer plan’

Aston Villa return to action this weekend when they take on an in form Newcastle United side.

The Lions claimed a big win over Brentford last weekend to improve on a disappointing start to the season, but there has been more change since then, with Unai Emery taking the helm. Villa paid more than £5million to land the serial Europa League winner, hoping to kickstart a period of success. Emery actually turned down Newcastle this time last year, so he will have a point to prove against the Magpies this weekend.

In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Villa.

Watkins links

Leeds United have been linked with a move for Villa star Ollie Watkins of late, and transfer expert Pete O’Rourke has issued his verdict on the reports.

“He’s a different striker to Patrick Bamford,” he told The Transfer Tavern. “He’s somebody who can run the channels work hard and play up there on his own as well as he has done for Aston Villa. Probably the worry for Leeds fans is that he’s (Ollie Watkins) maybe not prolific in front of goal. He gets a lot of chances but maybe doesn’t put away enough of those chances that he maybe should do.”

Emery likes his teams to operate under a press led by his striker, so Watkins should fit into that system well with his pace. It would be a surprise to see Villa allow the England international to leave.

Mings plan

Villa are said to be seeking a replacement for Tyrone Mings. According to Football Insider, Emery will be backed significantly in the January transfer window, and one of the Spaniard’s main focuses will be to find a replacement for Mings. Mings hasn’t particularly impressed this season, and he only has around 18 months remaining on his contract.