Aston Villa

European champions Spain broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina in extra-time to win their second ever World Cup in New Jersey.

Barcelona's Ferran Torres was the difference maker in what was an overall disappointing final that was littered with interruptions.

Spain created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra time.

Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams' header to beat Argentina and Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.

Seven Premier League players will now return to their five respective clubs for the new 2026-27 season having won the biggest honour in world football.

Aston Villa have held talks with Chelsea over the possibility of signing both Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Bologna's 23-year-old English winger Jonathan Rowe remains on Aston Villa and Chelsea's shortlists. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

AC Milan's Portugal forward Rafael Leao would prefer a move to the Premier League rather than Turkey, with Aston Villa a potential destination for the 27-year-old. (Gazzetta - in Italian), external

Juventus' number one goalkeeping target is Aston Villa's 33-year-old Argentina international Emiliano Martinez, while the Serie A club is also keeping an eye on Fiorentina's 35-year-old Spain goalkeeper David de Gea. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Norwegian side Hamarkameratene are in talks to sign 20-year-old Aston Villa's striker Rory Wilson on loan. Anthony Joseph on X, external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will help Argentina's bid for back-to-back World Cups against Spain - live on the BBC from 19:00 BST - while also bidding for his second title.

Martinez was Villa's first player to reach a World Cup final and played a crucial role in Argentina's victory in 2022, saving one spot-kick in the shootout against France.

He then picked up the Golden Glove award before his side collected the trophy.

Since then, he has won the 2024 Copa America and had club success with Villa in the Europa League.

The 33-year-old has started all seven games at this tournament so far, keeping two clean sheets in Argentina's journey to the final.

Can Villa's number one make it back-to-back World title wins? Only European champions Spain stand in their way.

Watch the World Cup final on the BBC

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We asked for your views about how excited you are about the signing of Johan Manzambi and whether the Switzerland international and Joao Gomes from Wolves are enough to replace Youri Tielemans and the injured Amadou Onana.

Here are some of your comments:

Sam: Great signing and looking forward to seeing what Johan brings. Our transfer business is beginning to look very similar to how we sold Jack Grealish - get the players in before the big sale. Got a feeling this might mean we may not see Morgan Rogers back after the World Cup, which is a concern.

Simon: Very good signing. Sad to see Tielemans leave but that's modern day football business for you, I suppose. Gomes is also a solid signing. Pleased to have him on board after losing Onana for the season. This will be a very difficult season where I see us with a struggle on our hands. All that being said, this was always going to be an upheaval. In Unai, I trust! UTV!

Phil: Totally underwhelmed with this signing. We are replacing proven Premier League quality with a gamble on a young player from a mid-table team in a league that is totally different to the English top flight.

Rob: Too soon to make any judgements yet. Several more to come in and maybe one big outgoing just to satisfy the PSR vultures. Reports of Joao Palhinha on loan and Pervis Estupinan, if as expected, Lucas Digne goes to PSG. That should further bolster our resources and with Boubacar Kamara and Alysson now fit and several quality youngsters about to breakthrough, the season ahead should be exciting.

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So, Aston Villa have completed the signing of midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for a club record fee of just over £50m.

The 20-year-old scored three goals for Switzerland as they reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup before losing to Argentina.

He was named Europa League Young Player of the Season as Freiburg were defeated by Villa in the final, and scored seven goals in 47 appearances last term to help his side finish seventh in the Bundesliga.

Villa are also close to completing the £38m signing of Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes who left the Championship club's training camp in Portugal on Thursday to have a medical.

Villa need midfield reinforcements after selling Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35m as the Red Devils triggered the Belgium international's release clause.

Unai Emery's side are also without Amadou Onana until next year after he suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup with Belgium.

Villa fans, how exciting a signing is Manzambi? And would he and Gomes be enough to replace replace the departed Tielemans and the injured Onana?

Get in touch with your views here

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With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Leigh: Three things: 1) What our team, and principally our midfield, will look like on day one. 2) What the stadium and the North Stand developments look like and how work on them will affect the atmosphere at Villa Park. 3) What this new kit looks like in the flesh, especially with this mysterious and subtle hue of blue replacing the classic version.

Michaela: Even though I'm super excited for another amazing season, I'm broken hearted about Lucas Digne's upcoming departure. I loved watching his 'another one' on Facebook after a great win.

Harjinder: I'm sad to hear about Youri Tielemans and Digne's departures, but on the plus side, if we get Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Joao Palhinha in this transfer window, I would be made up! We need another forward and then we will be OK.

Prit: As an Aston Villa supporter for more years than I care to remember, I am really looking forward to the transfer window closing and us hopefully having still kept hold of Morgan Rogers, Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn. Every summer is always a nerve-jangling time as we have to fend off the vultures taking advantage of the draconian PSR rules.

Kevin: I'm looking forward to having another successful season, getting top four in the league, winning the Carabao Cup or FA Cup, and doing well in the Champions League.

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Former Aston Villa forward Garry Thompson believes Johan Manzambi could be a "great signing" for Villa as they close in on deals for the Swiss international and Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.

Manzambi lit up the World Cup with his nation - scoring three goals and providing two assists as Switzerland made the quarter-finals - and looks set to make the move to Villa Park this summer.

Gomes also looks close to making the switch to join Unai Emery's side with a £38m deal close to being completed.

Speaking to BBC Radio West Midlands about Manzambi, Thompson said: "I think he's a talented kid. We saw him show a little bit at Freiburg and then he gets in the Switzerland squad, there's talk about him and he was the little spark they had.

"He looked very, very good. He's one of them that you think Unai could do a lot with and he could turn him into another Morgan Rogers type that starts a lot of games. I think that could potentially be a great signing."

And touching on the Gomes deal, Thompson said: "I heard early last season that Manchester United were looking at him and they're a big club.

"I've seen him play a lot of times but not really noticed him. But I spoke to Wolves experts who said he's good in tight areas, receiving the ball, he's a decent passer and aggressive as well."

Hit play below to hear more from Thompson on Villa's potential squad revamp, or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Arsenal have expressed an interest in Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa, 28. (Guardian), external

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Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is poised to join Aston Villa in a deal worth £38m.

The Brazil international has left Wolves' training camp in Portugal and will have a medical on Thursday.

The deal is worth an initial £34m with another £4m in add ons.

They are also close to completing the signing of Switzerland international Johan Manzambi for a club record fee of over £50m from Freiburg.

Read more from Nick

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Former Aston Villa striker Gary Thompson has expressed his disappointment that Ollie Watkins did not get any game time during England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina on Wednesday.

Watkins only played six minutes during the tournament - as a late substitute in the dead rubber final group game against Panama - and was not turned to by Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions chased the game in Atlanta.

Instead, the German bought on three defenders with the score at 1-0, and Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford after Argentina turned it round to lead 2-1.

"I'm disappointed for Ollie because he never got a sniff at all," Thompson told BBC Radio WM.

"I kept thinking, especially when we needed to stretch the play in the second half, we needed someone like him to send the ball to in attack.

"With a couple minutes to go when I saw Ivan Toney lining up, I thought: 'What's that all about?'

"I feel sorry for Ollie but he did have a great end to the season and I am looking forward to seeing him next season for Villa."

Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers did start the last-four tie and assisted England's goal, while Ezri Konsa was dropped to the bench.

"Rogers showed a lot of intelligence and ability on the right-hand side and put in a lovely cross for the goal for Anthony Gordon," Thompson added.

"Hopefully he will still be at Villa next season because there are a lot of rumours.

"The Villa players held their own and did all right. I felt bad for Konsa being left out but these things happen. You just have to suck these things up and carry on."

Listen to the full chat from 08:14 on BBC Sounds

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Aston Villa full-back Andres Garcia has joined La Liga side Getafe on loan for the 2026-27 campaign.

The 23-year-old has only made 18 appearances since arriving at Villa Park from Spanish club Levante in January 2025.

Garcia featured just eight times for Unai Emery's side in 2025-26, as the Villans became Europa League winners, secured a fourth-place Premier League finish and progressed to the FA Cup fourth round.

The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.

As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is an Aston Villa fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.

So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?

Get in touch here

Manchester City are now looking at Paris St-Germain's Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, after interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham. (FootMercato), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Andre: Ibrahim Mbaye of Senegal. I know Villa are interested in him, and watching him against France confirms to me he is exactly what we are looking for. He is so direct and quick, and he would help take the pressure off Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers (if he stays), Tammy Abraham (if he plays) and Emi Buendia for goals.

Ian: The Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. He is a good family man, he has a massive presence and we could get him on the cheap. It would allow us to sell Emi Martinez for decent money.

Steve: Daniel Munoz. He has played well at right-back for Colombia and he would be a good replacement for Matty Cash.

Fin: Johan Manzambi of Switzerland. He looks a promising talent, he was Freiburg's best player in the final against us. He has a strong, tall and athletic build, similar to Rogers. He looks to be very good on the ball, with strong driving ability and he can break defences down. He would be a good replacement if we decide to move Rogers on. 13 goals and assists this season for Freiburg and he has been superb this World Cup.

Chizzy: I would sign Oscar Mingueza and Dani Olmo of Spain, as they are quality and have no signs of decreasing.

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Aston Villa winger Lewis Dobbin has completed a permanent move to Championship club Southampton for a fee of almost £9m.

The 23-year-old, who joined Aston Villa from Everton in June 2024, never made a senior appearance in claret and blue.

Dobbin spent last season on loan at Preston North End, where he made 41 appearances, scoring 11 goals and registering eight assists.

During his time at Villa Park, the England youth international also spent time on loan at West Brom and Norwich City.

Image source, Aston Villa FC

Aston Villa have announced a new front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026-27 season, with president of business operations Francesco Calvo stating the deal is a "symbol of the club's continuing expansion".

Visit Rwanda will become the club's principle partner, official tourism partner and official coffee provider - and the Rwandan Development Board's branding will appear on the front of all men's, women's and academy kits.

"This is a very exciting partnership for Aston Villa," Calvo said. "There is a great range and depth of opportunities for collaboration, learning and innovation.

"We are looking forward to working with Visit Rwanda to deliver meaningful activations through tourism, investment and sporting development."

Supporters who have already purchased the new home kit will be able to take their shirt into an Aston Villa store to have the sponsor branding printed free of charge.