Tammy Abraham has decided to stay at Aston Villa after being given the opportunity to leave Unai Emery’s side before the transfer deadline.
Ipswich Town had already reached an agreement with Villa over a season-long loan for Abraham, but the final decision remained with the striker.
That decision has now been made.
Speaking after Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, Emery confirmed Abraham wants to remain at Villa Park.
“Tammy Abraham’s decision is to stay here,” Emery told Hayters TV.
The Villa boss also revealed the club were willing to sanction an exit.
“We opened the door for him but he’s decided to stay here with us,” Emery added.
Unai Emery sets Tammy Abraham challenge
Abraham’s decision ends several days of uncertainty surrounding his future.
talkSPORT had reported that Ipswich agreed a loan deal with Aston Villa, with Abraham then left to decide whether he wanted the move.
Instead, he will remain and compete with Nicolas Jackson for opportunities.
Jackson has arrived as Villa’s new leading striker following Ollie Watkins’ move to Al-Hilal. Emery had previously hoped to have both forwards available, as ReadAstonVilla reported when his original Jackson-Watkins plan emerged.
Abraham came off the bench during Monday’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, replacing Jackson as Villa searched for an equaliser.
Emery has made clear that staying does not guarantee Abraham regular minutes.
The Spaniard admitted the striker “didn’t perform like we wanted last year” and said he intends to be “very demanding” as Abraham attempts to establish himself in Villa’s rebuilt squad.
His future now appears settled unless there is an unexpected late change.
For Villa, it also removes one significant question from their Deadline Day agenda.
