Where will Aston Villa finish?published at 08:19 BST 20 August
08:19 BST 20 August
Last season: Fourth.
This season: Sixth.
Unai Emery's outstanding work at Aston Villa continued when they won the Europa League and he took them back into the Champions League.
This brilliant strategist can never be underestimated, but Villa's financial balancing act has led to the departures of key players Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.
Heavy responsibility will lie with loan signing Alejandro Garnacho, whose career has stagnated, while hopes are high for Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes, who was signed from Wolves for £38m.
Villa pulled off a real coup when they pipped Newcastle to Freiburg's 20-year-old midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was a standout performer for Switzerland at the World Cup.
Villa have brought in Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma as a long-term first choice, with Emiliano Martinez's future in doubt.
So, it is a time of churn at Villa Park, but there is no reason to believe Emery cannot work more of his magic - while teenage striker Brian Madjo could be a breakout star.
More points for bottom-half sides but bottom two cut adrift in 2025-26published at 08:19 BST 20 August
08:19 BST 20 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.
Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.
The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.
However, competition has come at a cost.
One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.
While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.
The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.
After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.
In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.
Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.
But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.
Gossip: Villa identify Konsa replacementpublished at 06:22 BST 20 August
06:22 BST 20 August
Aston Villa are interested in signing Chelsea's English defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 28, as a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa following Arsenal's deal for the England international. (Sky Sports), external
Japan goalkeeper Suzuki told VillaTV that he aims to "make some history at this great club", while Italian defender Ruggeri said he had "no doubts" about joining Unai Emery's side.
Suzuki, who has joined from Parma, said: "It was a great two seasons in Italy and also the World Cup as well. And my dream is to play in the Premier League.
"I want to prove myself at this highest level."
Left-back Ruggeri, who spent last season with Atletico Madrid, said he was "really impressed by the project of this team".
He added: "Last season was an important one for me because we [Atletico Madrid] managed to reach the Champions League semi-finals. This year, I hope to do the same with Aston Villa and win a trophy in these colours.
Although the 24-year-old only spent one season with Diego Simeone's side, the Italian was a regular starter for the Spanish club.
"I definitely want to get off to a good start straight away and give the manager a strong signal, showing him that I'm here to defend these colours and fight for big things," added Ruggeri.
'Versatile' and 'proven Premier League player' - fan views on Wan-Bissakapublished at 14:14 BST 19 August
14:14 BST 19 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Aston Villa having agreed a deal to sign West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Here are some of your comments:
Fred: Wan-Bissaka could be the right-back Villa have been looking for!
Chay: He is a proven Premier League player with West Ham and Manchester United. So I am happy about that. And he will provide some backup quality. Happy about that too. Only concern is, will he be good enough for a full 90 match if injuries hurt Villa again?
Craig: Versatile player so a good addition.
Ian: No strong feelings. Not a bad player but I imagine he'll be on pretty big wages for a player I don't expect to start ahead of Matty Cash. Other positions would have been my priority but I'm sure there's a plan!
Steve: Good signing, strong attacking flair, and a solid defender. He is also strong in the air and I like how comfortable he is in possession. Should start ahead of Cash but, knowing Unai Emery, he will share it.
Former coach 'does not see any weakness' in Suzukipublished at 10:55 BST 19 August
10:55 BST 19 August
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Dennis Rudel, Zion Suzuki's former coach at Sint-Truiden in Belgium, praises the new Aston Villa goalkeeper's distribution - both with his arms and his feet - and believes his former player can become one of the world's best.
"It is possible if he stays healthy," said the former Union Berlin coach. "With his physical strength, there is no one better in the world in terms of dynamic, jumping power, throws and kicking the ball.
"When I watched him at the World Cup [for Japan], his biggest strength was his mental clearness. His focus on the game or in training sessions is so good. He is always prepared and really disciplined.
"When I see how he has always adapted so quickly over the last four years, I'm convinced he can play at that [Premier League] level.
"There are big footsteps [to follow] from Emi Martinez, you will get measured and compared to him. It would be the same at Bayern Munich with the new Manuel Neuer - Jonas Urbig - you get compared to the former player.
"He is aiming to show he can be one of the best. He was immediately one of the top four or five goalkeepers in Serie A.
"As a person and as a player, he is a role model for how you should behave. I don't see any weakness in him."
Rudel, who worked with Suzuki when he was on loan at Sint-Truiden in 2023-24, believes Villa have signed a unique player.
"I saw his power immediately," he added. "To show your strength in the game, you have to let the beast out on the pitch. He is so powerful, I've never seen a goalkeeper like it.
"He has such big hands and he is powerful. When he can reach the ball, it is a 90-95% chance of a save. It is something really special."
Ruggeri and Suzuki become Villa Park's latest arrivalspublished at 10:02 BST 19 August
10:02 BST 19 August
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa have confirmed the permanent signings of Atletico Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri and Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Ruggeri, who lifted the 2023-24 Europa League title with Atalanta, only joined Atletico Madrid on a five-year deal in July 2025.
The 24-year-old made 47 appearances and provided seven assists in all competitions last season, as the La Liga outfit reached the Champions League semi-finals and recorded a fourth-place league finish.
Suzuki, who represented Japan at the 2026 World Cup, has spent the past two season at Parma after signing a five-year deal in July 2024.
The 23-year-old kept six clean sheets but conceded 30 goals in 22 appearances across Serie A and the Italian Cup last season.
Breakouts & wildcards: Villa's teenage triopublished at 08:11 BST 19 August
08:11 BST 19 August
Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O'Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season - but who will be next?
BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.
Aston Villa have three players on the list: Brian Madjo, Johan Manzambi and George Hemmings...
Image source, Getty Images
Name: Brian Madjo Age: 17 Position: Striker Country: England
Steve Bower: He has got a huge frame and figure for his age, bringing very early comparisons to Erling Haaland, which is a big tag to carry.
But, without putting too much pressure on a 17-year-old's shoulders, with Villa being in the Champions League this season and the extra games that brings, Madjo is going to get some minutes.
In Unai Emery, Madjo has got the perfect manager to nurture his development too, and I think he could make his mark across all competitions this season.
Name: Johan Manzambi Age: 19 Position: Midfield/forward Country: Switzerland
James Fielden: I first saw Johan play for Freiburg towards the back end of last season in their Europa League tie against Celta Vigo and said to a colleague that something would have gone wrong for him if he wasn't playing Premier League football come August. Think of Eberechi Eze in the way he effortlessly glides across the pitch with the ball.
Don't be fooled by the number nine he wore on his back for Switzerland at the World Cup - he generally plays a lot deeper than that.
He played against Villa in their Istanbul final, but him not having much of a say was more about the team than his own doing.
Name: George Hemmings Age: 19 Position: Midfield Country: England
Tom Gayle: There is hole in Villa's midfield as a result of Youri Tielemans' move to Manchester United as well as Amadou Onana's anterior cruciate ligament injury. Unai Emery will hope Hemmings could be the solution.
A regular England international throughout the age groups, Hemmings had plenty of admirers as he progressed through the Nottingham Forest academy before moving to the West Midlands at the start of 2024.
There's no doubt during the 20 months since his arrival at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground that Hemmings has been nurtured in the strict requirements of 'Emery Ball'. The Spanish head coach has admitted during this time the youngster has spent more time "working and not playing".
All this work behind the scenes led to John McGinn's striking assessment of Hemmings' performance against PSG, when he proclaimed "it's no surprise to see him as one of the best players on the pitch".
Following his breakout performance last week, perhaps the only surprise will be if we don't get to see a lot more of Hemmings this season.
Gossip: Watkins agrees personal terms with Al-Hilalpublished at 08:05 BST 19 August
08:05 BST 19 August
Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, has agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal, though the Saudi side are yet to submit a transfer offer to Villa. (Teamtalk), external
Villa move for Wan-Bissaka - send us your thoughtspublished at 19:14 BST 18 August
19:14 BST 18 August
Image source, Getty Images
So, Villa have agreed an initial loan deal to sign West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who will now travel for medical.
Villa have an obligation to buy the 28-year-old DR Congo international at the end of the season. The exact terms of the deal are not known, but the Hammers have previously asked interested clubs to pay £25m.
What do you make of the move? Does Wan-Bissaka help strengthen an area that needed greater depth or would you have gone in a different direction?
Is Martinez era nearing its end?published at 10:00 BST 18 August
10:00 BST 18 August
Media caption,
BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon discusses the latest at Aston Villa and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez: "The key here, Unai Emery is the boss - it's unique in this age. He is the man who gets the final say. I don't think he'd sanction this move for Suzuki if he wasn't prepared to let Martinez go.
"I think a lot of fans still remember the final game of the season before last when he was crying on the pitch and went to all four stands. He clearly thought a move would happen that summer. It didn't. Fair play to him, he still played a vital role and was a big part of the Europa League.
"Certainly it does feel like we are getting towards the end of his time at Aston Villa."
Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart believes consistent stories linking Martinez with a move away mean boss Unai Emery has to consider the future.
Hart explained: "Emery has to put Aston Villa first. Suzuki is a top goalkeeper. If you end up having to have both of them so be it.
"Suzuki could potentially play number two. Do you play Martinez? I think you do - I think he deserves to be number one. But I think you have to have that contingency plan.
"Emery has to put Villa first and have someone ready to play in the Premier League if Martinez moves on."
Gossip: Nedeljkovic set for Rangers loanpublished at 10:00 BST 18 August
10:00 BST 18 August
Rangers are set to sign Serbian right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, 20, on a season-long loan from Aston Villa with an obligation to buy based on appearances. (The Athletic - subscription required), external
Is gap between Champions League and Championship getting smaller?published at 08:09 BST 18 August
08:09 BST 18 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.
While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.
Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.
But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).
The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.
While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.
Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.
Atletico interest in Chelsea's Jackson but Villa remain more viable optionpublished at 17:59 BST 17 August
17:59 BST 17 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Atletico Madrid have expressed an interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson this summer.
The Spanish club's interest in the 25-year-old has lasted throughout the summer but is conditional on either Julian Alvarez or Alexander Sorloth leaving.
There is also a question about whether Atletico would sign Jackson on a permanent transfer, with Chelsea's asking price publicly known to be £65m. They would be likely to seek a loan with option move.
Premier League rivals Aston Villa remain a more viable option, though alternatives continue to be considered by both Chelsea and Jackson's representatives.
The Blues signed Jackson from Villarreal for £32m in 2023 before he moved on loan to Bayern Munich last summer for a £14.3m loan fee - though the Bundesliga club's obligation to buy was never triggered because he didn't make enough appearances.
Jackson was left out of Chelsea's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Steve: After Emi Martinez, this is a big goal to fill. Looks like some very clever succession planning might have happened by luck. Bizot is a good keeper, but not quite Champions League and Premier League standard week in, week out. Now we have two class keepers for a season, then let Emi go and play in Saudi! Great business.
Prit: Suzuki had a very good World Cup for Japan and by all accounts is a very good goalkeeper. I don't follow Parma so I can't comment on his performance in Serie A. It seems every summer Villa need to go through the on-off saga with Martinez and I'm getting a bit fed up with this circus. That said, he is a great goalkeeper and very good for Villa. If Villa have limited funds, I would rather strengthen in other areas (centre-back, right-back and striker). But if Unai Emery thinks we need to strengthen our goalkeeper options, Suzuki is as good a choice as it gets.
Andy: It looks like a good signing. Martinez has wanted to move for the past three seasons. Suzuki signing also brings the age of the squad down.
John: Martinez is a brilliant keeper. however, he - or his agent - has twice now tried to force a transfer - first to Manchester United and this time to Juventus. Did Villa try to force him out? No. So I don't blame the club for getting another keeper in. They cannot and should not have to deal with this annual fiasco!
Dave: August wouldn't be the same without the annual 'Emi Martinez is leaving, no he isn't, yes he is' debacle! Regardless of that, Suzuki looks like a very exciting potential signing, having watched him play excellently for Japan in the World Cup. The question is, though, if Emi stays would Suziuki be happy to be number two? I doubt it. As much as we love Emi, at 33 Villa are running out of time to get a good deal for a keeper who possibly has started to see his better playing days go further behind him. And with Suzuki being 23, this would further help reduce our average squad age. I'd happily welcome him to Villa Park.
Suzuki close to Villa move - what do you make of the deal?published at 13:00 BST 17 August
13:00 BST 17 August
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The Japan international has been one of Villa's top targets should Emiliano Martinez leave this summer and the deal, reportedly for around £30m, is progressing.
The 23-year-old has made 59 appearances for the Italian outfit since joining from J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds in 2024.
What do you make of the potential signing? Would you be happy with Suzuki as number one?
