Matty Hewitt

Aston Villa have set a £60 million asking price for Ezri Konsa, £20 million above Arsenal’s reported initial valuation of the England defender. Arsenal view the 28-year-old as a key target because of his versatility in central defence and at right-back, as well as injury concerns involving Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. Villa are reluctant to sell after several departures and would require a substantial offer, while manager Unai Emery remains optimistic about the club’s squad rebuild.

Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee is poised to leave the club for Chelsea, where he is expected to join new manager Xabi Alonso’s staff. MacPhee has reportedly said goodbye to Villa players and staff after four years at the club, having earned praise for his influence on the team’s set-piece tactics. His departure follows Morgan Rogers’s £117 million move to Chelsea and represents another significant loss for Unai Emery’s side.