Why Aston Villa should hijack Crystal Palace transfer for ‘exceptional’ Premier League star
Aston Villa could swoop in and snag this Premier League target from rivals Crystal Palace
Aston Villa are on the market for a new centre-back over the coming months and they could be tempted with the idea of hijacking a Premier League rival’s business.
Crystal Palace are in a similar situation, with Marc Guehi due to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season. The captain’s contract expires next summer and rumours are swirling around where his future lies, having failed to sign for Premier League champions Liverpool on Deadline Day.
The Reds remain linked with Guehi but they are no longer the front-runners, despite agreeing terms with him during the summer window.
Regardless of Guehi’s next destination, Palace are looking to sign a proven centre-back to replace him. According to TEAMtalk, the Eagles are ‘genuine contenders’ to sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City next summer. However, the Dutchman could also be a solid candidate to join Aston Villa.
Aston Villa could hijack rival move for Nathan Ake
The report claims that City will give ‘serious consideration’ to selling Ake next summer, when his contract will have just 12 months left before expiration. With starts no longer a guarantee for the 30-year-old in Manchester, next year could be the prime time for him to pursue a move elsewhere.
Palace are heavily linked with Ake as a replacement for Guehi but Villa would also benefit from an international centre-back joining the ranks. Ake is experienced within the Dutch national team and was part of the side that finished as runners-up in the 2018/19 Nations League.
At club level, Ake has won four Premier League titles with Man City, as well as the Champions League, FA Cup and four other trophies.
Back in 2023, Pep Guardiola had a lot of praise for Ake, particularly after City beat Arsenal in the FA Cup, with the Dutchman scoring the winning goal and holding his own against Bukayo Saka.
“He is really good in the duels in the box, defending the far post and set pieces is an extra bonus. He is an exceptional guy, there was a period where he didn’t play and he never complained once,” the City boss said.
Ezri Konsa linked with Aston Villa exit as multiple clubs show interest
Konsa is attracting a lot of attention right now and several clubs are interested in signing him next year. Struggling Liverpool are among those showing interest, with defence their focal point ahead of the upcoming transfer windows.
According to TBR Football, the Reds are in the mix alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Man City are also in the mix. The latter’s interest could work out in both club’s favours too – if Konsa is eager to move elsewhere to challenge for trophies, Ake could move in the opposite direction, as an almost like-for-like switch.
Chelsea and Manchester United have also been credited with interest in Konsa, along with overseas clubs. Villa do not want to part ways with the centre-back but with the constant threat of PSR concerns, every club has their price for even their best players these days.
The Aston Villa star is building up a lot of interest from rival clubs
Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa remains in the spotlight as several clubs are interested in signing him next year.
A new report has claimed the England international’s name is ‘coming up quite a lot’ amongst clubs who are looking to bolster their defensive options.
Konsa is currently under contract until 2028 and Aston Villa ‘clearly do not want to sell’ the 28-year-old. However, with just over two years left on his current terms, the club may need to enter negotiations over a fresh deal if they want to cement his place at Villa Park.
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa wanted by five Premier League clubs
According to TBR Football, five Premier League clubs are currently ‘keeping tabs’ on Konsa. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been named as parties showing interest in the 28-year-old.
Interest has expanded overseas as well, with the likes of Inter Milan, Napoli and RB Leipzig all linked with Konsa.
Aston Villa ‘do not plan on losing’ their important centre-back but other clubs believe they can lure some key names away from the club, with PSR concerns constantly in the back of the mind.
“Ezri Konsa’s name is coming up quite a lot when you talk to clubs about potential defensive options,” reporter Graeme Bailey told the outlet.
“Clearly, Villa do not want to sell but he has just over two years left on his deal, he is now one of England’s top defenders, and Villa are likely going to have to tie him down to a new deal.
“Konsa is a nailed-on Premier League performer who is now showing it at international level. It is not a shock to me that some very big clubs are keeping an eye on him.”
Ezri Konsa praised by former England manager Gareth Southgate
Konsa has earned high praise at both club and country level. Last summer, the Villa star featured in an England friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was praised for his efforts by former Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.
During that clash, Konsa played across several positions in the back four and Southgate praised his ‘confidence in an England shirt’.
“That’s his third cap, he’s done very well in all three,” the boss reflected at the time. “That adaptability is helpful to us. He’s playing in a team [at Villa] that has had an extremely good season and he’s been a big part of that.”
Konsa has started all games he has been eligible for in the Premier League for Villa so far this season. Last campaign, he made a solid 50 appearances in all competitions, including all but one of the club’s 11 fixtures in the Champions League.
He even contributed a huge goal in Villa’s attempt to snub eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. His effort put the Villans within touching distance of an equaliser but in the end, PSG progressed with a 5-4 aggregate win.
Premier League Explain ‘Disgraceful’ Penalty in Newcastle 2-2 Spurs
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Tottenham supporters were left infuriated when Newcastle were awarded a penalty in their 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. And the Premier League have now clarified why a spot kick was given.
Bruno Guimaraes had given the hosts the lead in the 71st minute, but Cristian Romero was on hand to tie the game up just minutes later. However, 10 minutes after the equaliser, referee Thomas Bramall was sent to the monitor by VAR, after the video official had spotted Rodrigo Bentancur and Dan Burn tussling during a Newcastle corner.
While the pair did fall to the floor, both players seemingly had a hold of each other. Nevertheless, the official deemed that there was enough contact from Bentancur for a penalty, leaving Tottenham players and fans in disbelief.
Premier League Clarify Newcastle Penalty Decision
The Premier League have since clarified why a penalty was given on their Match Centre account on X. They wrote: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Newcastle United.
“Referee announcement: “After review, Tottenham number 30 makes a holding offence at the back post and clearly does not look at the ball. My final decision is penalty kick.””
Despite the referee deciding that it met the threshold for a penalty, there was still bewilderment at the decision. Jamie Carragher labelled it “harsh” while commentating on the game for Sky Sports. And Rio Ferdinand went even further, describing the decision as “disgraceful” on social media.
The former Manchester United defender wrote: “Disgraceful decision to reward #NUFC penalty… whoever controlling the VAR should be ashamed + the ref then reviews and should be also. Well done Newcastle.”
Kevin Danso Calls For Consistency After Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon would go on to score the spot kick and put Eddie Howe’s side in front with just minutes to go in the tie. But, fortunately for Tottenham, Romero then levelled proceedings once again.
After Aaron Ramsdale punched a corner high into the air, the Argentine attempted a bicycle kick. Despite not making the cleanest contact with the ball, it bounced its way into the Newcastle net for his second of the night.
Neither side was able to snatch all three points at the death. But Tottenham players might feel hard done by due to Newcastle receiving a controversial penalty. Kevin Danso, speaking after the game, stated that the decision felt “tough” on the visiting side because of the lack of consistency in the Premier League regarding holding during set-pieces.
“It’s tough. It feels like some weeks a ref will give it and some weeks they won’t. We just have to focus and do exactly what we did today.”
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