Crippy Cooke

Aston Villa announced on Friday afternoon that Danny Ings would wear the #9 shirt for the 2022/23 campaign. The 30-year-old wore the #20 short upon his arrival from Southampton last summer, but he’s been given a show of faith by Steven Gerrard that may also double as a message to supporters. Ings had an uncertain […]

Aston Villa are still trying to tie Douglas Luiz down to a new deal as he’ll be out of contract in 2023 and free to leave for nothing. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to AS Roma and doesn’t appear keen to sign an extension at Villa Park, but the Midlands outfit are […]

Aston Villa may be forced to sell Carney Chukwuemeka this summer, as the 18-year-old is out of contract in less than 12 months but won’t sign a new deal. He’s asking for £100k-per-week before he puts pen to paper on a contract extension, so Villa are resigned to losing him. Chukwuemeka has interest from AS […]

Aston Villa confirmed on Wednesday that John McGinn would be the new captain, stripping Tyrone Mings of the responsibility. Emiliano Martinez is now vice-captain while Ashley Young is the club captain, but Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Mings ‘will be upset’ to lose the armband. He told talkSPORT: “I think Mings will be a bit upset, because […]

Aston Villa loaned out Jaden Philogene-Bidace to Cardiff City this summer after identifying he wouldn’t be in Steven Gerrard’s plans but still had a future, but he won’t be the only youngster sent to the Football League to develop. Read Aston Villa predict Aaron Ramsey could follow in his footsteps, as he’s got great potential […]

Aston Villa confirmed on Tuesday that Jaden Philogene-Bidace signed a new deal and would spend the 2022/23 season on loan at Cardiff City. It’s not a surprise to see the 20-year-old dropping to the Championship to get first-team football, but it is surprising that he was handed a contract extension. Philogene-Bidace has risen through the […]

Aston Villa travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in their opening Premier League game on Saturday afternoon, but Steven Gerrard is unlikely to name Keinan Davis in the matchday squad. The 24-year-old had an uncertain future after falling down the pecking order and being loaned out last season, but he hasn’t managed to […]

Bertrand Traore had a lot to prove ahead of the new season after struggling for form and playing time under Steven Gerrard in 2021/22, but it doesn’t appear his situation has improved after a disappointing pre-season campaign.  The 26-year-old had an uncertain future this summer and hasn’t done his chances of staying any favours after […]

Marvelous Nakamba featured in both of Aston Villa’s pre-season friendlies before making the squad for their tour or Australia, but the 28-year-old hasn’t had a single minute of football since which raises uncertainty over his future this summer. Nakamba was given 45 minutes in Villa’s 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9 and 45 minutes […]

Morgan Sanson was given an olive branch by Steven Gerrard this summer, making the Aston Villa squad for their pre-season tour of Australia, and the 27-year-old has taken his chance to impress with both hands. Sanson made only 10 Premier League appearances last season and spent much of the campaign as an unused substitute, but […]

Frederic Guilbert was brought back in from the cold by Steven Gerrard this summer and given the chance to prove his worth during Aston Villa’s tour of Australia, but it doesn’t appear he’s done enough to convince his manager that he’s worth retaining. The 27-year-old didn’t feature in Villa’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on […]

Steven Gerrard admitted days ago that the Aston Villa squad is too ‘bloated’ and needs trimming this summer, so a lot of out-of-favour players could be moved on before the transfer window shuts. Anwar El Ghazi should be one of them after falling down the pecking order last season. The 27-year-old initially joined Villa on […]