Aston Villa have confirmed they have entered into a “collaborative partnership” with Japanese club Vissel Kobe to strengthen the club’s international network.
Kobe is the third club to have a link with Villa. The Japanese team joins ZED FC (Egypt) and Vitoria Sport Clube (Portugal) in the global V Sports network.
The deal between Villa and Kobe appears to be similar to that between the club and ZED FC.
In an official statement published on the club’s website, Villa said the club “will work to create a bilateral development framework for players and staff which will promote youth development, in addition to the cooperative exchange of ideas , techniques and best practices.
Galatasaray are reportedly working on signing Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans in January. The 26-year-old has had a difficult start in B6 after signing on a free in the summer.
Despite thirteen games in all competitions, Tielemans has yet to start a competition with Unai Emery.
According to the Turkish newspaper Fotomac, Galatasaray is attentive to the situation. The club is said to have made contact with a Tielemans representative.
European giants Atletico Madrid have interest in Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz as they look for midfield reinforcements in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
The Brazilian has been one of Villa’s star players since Unai Emery’s appointment last season. So far this season he has played every match in all competitions, scoring four goals.
Luiz joined the club from Manchester City in 2019 after spending two years at the Etihad Stadium.
Villa saw interest from Arsenal in the midfielder during the 2022 transfer window, with him signing a new contract at Villa Park.
Aston Villa are reportedly one of several clubs interested in Galatasaray winger Kerem Akturkoglu.
The 24-year-old featured for Turkey last week as they secured a place at Euro 2024 following wins over Croatia and Latvia.
According to TEAMtalk, Akturkoglu was being watched by several top teams.
Villa, West Ham, Brighton, Everton and Nottingham Forest are said to have ‘tested’ the winger in recent weeks while he played for Galatasaray and Turkey.
Nicolo Zaniolo could feature for Aston Villa against West Ham this weekend, despite being under investigation for his alleged involvement in the ongoing Italian betting scandal.
The Villa loanee and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali both withdrew from the Italy squad last week after the Italian Football Federation said the players were not in the right “conditions” to take part in the qualifiers of Euro 2024 against Malta and England.
It remains to be seen what the next steps will be for both Zaniolo and Tonali, with Unai Emery’s side set to face West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday.
The club has not yet commented publicly on the ongoing investigation.
Aston Villa loanee Nicolò Zaniolo is not expected to be banned from football as he seeks a full acquittal of gambling charges against him.
The 24-year-old reportedly denied betting on football after being one of three players involved in an investigation by Italian authorities into alleged illegal betting.
Newcastle United midfielder Sando Tonali and Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli are also involved, with the latter receiving a minimum seven-month ban for breaching gambling rules.
Sky Sport Italia says Zaniolo is ready to defend his cause. His lawyer Gianluca Tonozzi said on Monday that his client had “never gambled”, before adding:
“It is possible that he played card games such as poker and blackjack on illegal platforms, without knowing that they were (illegal).”
Aston Villa face transfer competition from Newcastle as battle could be on the cards in January
According to reports, Aston Villa could face competition from Newcastle United if Kalvin Phillips moves in January.
The Manchester City midfielder is one of the players who could move in the winter window as he seeks more playing time ahead of the European Championship.
Phillips helped England book their place in the competition with a 3–1 win over Italy.
Since moving from Leeds United to Manchester City last summer, it has been difficult for him to find playing time.
He has only been substituted three times in the Premier League this season.
Aston Villa will return home after the international break on Sunday (4:30 p.m.) when they take on West Ham in the Premier League.
Unai Emery’s side are aiming for a sixth win in nine games after sharing the spoils against Wolves last time out.
Prior to this draw, Villa were unbeaten for six matches in all competitions.
West Ham, meanwhile, also earned a draw against Newcastle at home. They are just two points behind Villa in seventh place.
Striker makes promise to Aston Villa amid ‘world class’ demand.
Aston Villa’s young striker Rory Wilson has said he will want to impress if given the opportunity with the club’s first team as he continues his impressive goalscoring season.
The 17-year-old has scored 11 goals in seven appearances for the club’s Under-18s this season. He has scored six goals in his last three games, including four in the 7-1 win over West Brom last month.
Wilson has been on duty with the Scotland Under-19s during the current international break. He was promoted to the U21 squad this week after scoring in the U19s’ 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
