Latest Aston Villa news as Maatsen criticised and thoughts on Villa Park move are made clear
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Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa
Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
We’re still a few weeks away from Aston Villa players returning to Bodymoor Heath for the start of pre-season and the transfer window is starting to kick into action.
Many of Unai Emery’s squad have been representing their nations during this month’s internationals, while a few are also at the Under-21 European Championships.
But during pre-season, Emery will have the luxury of working with all of his players, as there are no summer tournaments apart from the FIFA Club World Cup.
Villa have not yet confirmed their full pre-season plans, but they will head out to the United States for their third successive tour across the pond in late July.
Fixtures against Walsall and Hansa Rostock will be played prior to Villa heading stateside.
Maatsen criticised on international duty
Ian Maatsen is one player who is currently at the U21 European Championships in Slovakia, but he has been criticised for his performances.
Maatsen, who is 23 years old, probably shouldn’t be picked for the U21s and is clearly capable of playing at senior level.
He also scored on his senior Dutch debut against Spain in the Nations League quarter-finals back in March.
But that hasn’t stopped ex-Dutch international Khalid Boulahrouz from claiming Maatsen should apologise to his teammates for his displays in the opening two group stage matches.
Speaking on Ziggo Sport about a 2-1 defeat by Denmark on Sunday, Boulahrouz said: “He plays football as if he is playing football somewhere in the Vondelpark. That is not possible.
“If you are talking about necessity, I hope that Maatsen apologises to the group during dinner and says: ‘I am going to rest, I am going to sleep, but I am not going to eat, because I do not deserve it’.”
He added: “He (Maatsen) has shown that he is a much better footballer than what he has shown in the last two games.
“He played in his own position today, come on man. What kind of performance is this?! If I were Reiziger, I would think: ‘I feel a little betrayed somewhere’.
“Maybe betrayed is a very big word, but: I have given you all my trust. I expect at least that you set an example for the group. And now you are a bad example for the group.”
Garnacho wants Premier League move
Villa have been credited with an interest in Alejandro Garnacho and it has been reported that the winger’s priority is to remain in the Premier League.
Emery will need to add attacking talent to his squad this summer after Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United following his loan spell, and Leon Bailey is expected to depart.
Marco Asensio has also returned to Paris, but Villa could make him a permanent member of the squad for a reasonable fee of around £12m–£15m.
According to the Independent, Villa are one of several clubs monitoring Garnacho, who is available to leave Old Trafford before the start of next season.
Chelsea, Atlético Madrid, Napoli, and Bayer Leverkusen are also in the queue for the 20-year-old.
Erik ten Hag, who is the new Leverkusen boss, wants to work with Garnacho again, but a move is said to be complicated as Garnacho wants to remain in England.
Villa, meanwhile, are hoping to sign Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis, who plays in Garnacho’s best position — on the left.
Both wingers are versatile and capable of playing on either flank, though a possible move for Garnacho would surely hinge on the future of Morgan Rogers, who Villa do not want to sell.
Villa don't plan to leave and 'sell their soul'
In our recent Claret & Blue Q&A session, we were asked about whether building a new stadium would be the silver bullet to increasing revenue.
Villa do not want to leave B6 and have no plans to. Instead, they are pushing ahead with plans to increase the stadium capacity to 50,000 by the end of 2027.
Here’s my response when asked about leaving Villa Park behind…
“Do you want to sell your soul? I don't. But what's the trade-off from a positive perspective? Personally, I don't care. I don't want to sell my soul.
“I know it's controversial for some fans, because they'll see — shall I say — the neighbors trying to do their thing. Some fans will be thinking, ‘Oh, we can't have the second-largest stadium in the Midlands.’
“I honestly couldn't care less, because it's Villa Park, and it holds so much history. Almost everything about Aston Villa is in that brickwork.
“I know Villa Park isn't the only place we've played in our long history, but I think we should avoid leaving it at all costs.
“Whoever is signing off on knocking down Villa Park — it's a massive decision that you just shouldn't make, in my opinion.
“I understand the question — revenue and all that — but I'd much rather let other teams chase Super League in 10 years' time and we be left behind in an ‘English league,’ if it means we keep our tradition and retain what we represent.”
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