Aston Villa have opened direct transfer talks with one player over joining Unai Emery next season, according to reports, as the Premier League top five contenders attempt to build upon another impressive campaign.
Aston Villa seal vital win over Tottenham in Champions League race
Nerves were rife throughout Villa Park in their crunch encounter against Tottenham on Friday night, before their opening goal 30 minutes from full-time, with defender Ezri Konsa breaking the deadlock before Boubacar Kamara doubled their advantage.
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Monchi is reportedly a fan of the Argentine midfielder.
Villa eventually ran out 2-0 victors over Ange Postecoglou's side and cemented a crucial win in their chase for Champions League qualification.
Ezri-Konsa
The result means Emery's side are still right in the thick of it, as they contend for a top five finish heading into the Premier League final matchday, and it is shaping up to be a dramatic last game with six teams involved in the battle for Europe.
Race for Champions League qualification Points
2. Arsenal 68
3. Newcastle United 66
4. Chelsea 66
5. Aston Villa 66
6. Man City 65
7. Nottingham Forest 62
Emery, speaking after their victory against struggling Spurs, heaped praise on his players for making their home ground a serious fortress.
“I’m very grateful for the supporters,” Emery said. “Here, we are feeling strong and we’re feeling comfortable. We only lost one match here in the Premier League, the first match against Arsenal. Progressively, we were getting better. Of course, we drew some matches in the way, and now we are missing some points from those moments, but we have to accept it.
“We have to accept the 37 matches we’ve played being consistent, more or less, and getting the moment we are in now, feeling good and in our best moment. We’re achieving the challenges we are facing. We enjoyed in the FA Cup and in Carabao Cup, but mostly our moment in the Champions League.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before the match
“The Premier League is the most important competition we are facing because through it we are getting again our main objective, and the objective is to be in Europe.
“We are in Europe next year, but we are in the running for the Champions League positions, and we can have chances in the last match in Manchester to get it.”
Aston Villa open talks with Axel Disasi over joining next season
The result of their Champions League chase will have direct effects on their recruitment plans off the field, but that hasn't stopped NSWE and Monchi from making moves behind-the-scenes.
axel-disasi-aston-villa (2)
Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi could remain beyond 2024/2025, with the Frenchman very highly-rated by Emery, his coaching staff and Villa's transfer chiefs.
That is according to Foot Mercato, who state that Villa have already opened talks with Disasi over joining them next season.
The 27-year-old cost Chelsea £39 million to sign from Monaco in 2023, and Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that they're keen to sell him for profit this summer. It is unclear how much Villa would be willing to pay to keep Disasi in the Midlands, but he could be a significant addition.
The defender has been called a "leader" at times, and his experience at the top level could be invaluable for Emery.