'I don't like the look of it' - Lescott on Tielemans handshakepublished at 09:09 GMT
09:09 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Unai Emery played down pushing Youri Tielemans during Aston Villa's win at Fenerbahce, stating "he's my son".
The incident took place late in the fixture when Tielemans left the pitch and in analysing it afterwards, former Villa defender Joleon Lescott told TNT Sport: "It might be innocent, but I don't like that.
"Regardless of what it was for, if it was the other way around and the player refused to shake his manager's hand, there would be uproar, and his mentality and professionalism would be questioned.
"I'm sure it's more innocent than it looks, but I don't like the look of it."
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:19 GMT
08:19 GMT
We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Fenerbahce and Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
John: A win is a win. It cements a top-eight place and shows what we can do. A little ropey at the back on occasion but we shall gladly take the three points. Man of the match for me has to be Marco Bizot. He made some great saves in a hard environment.
Peter: Hard fought win with every player putting a shift in. It also proves what a top manager we have in Unai Emery, especially after resting players!
Cassie: Villa played a great game and should have been three goals up at half-time. Emery got the tactics right, yet again, and Morgan Rogers had another good game. I wonder what Villa play like if they sign and play an orthodox number nine. Well done lads.
Mossy: Truly a massive win in one of the most hostile places on earth football wise. A huge boost for the club. To be honest, it was unexpected as I thought we would struggle. I'm elated and delighted for the club, and all us fans of course! In Unai we trust.
John: Possibly my favourite ever away Villa European performance. Rotterdam doesn't count as it was a neutral venue. We were absolutely immense. Every single player understood their role perfectly. Jadon Sancho picked a good time for his most committed Villa performance. What else is there to say about Unai? The best manager in this country by a mile.
Barry: An impressive display from a depleted Villa side in a difficult environment. Emi Buendia was excellent and had it not been for some delayed final passes in the final third it could have been a bigger score line. Bizot was superb and is arguably challenging Martinez as first choice goalkeeper. Evann Guessand still looks out of his depth at this level and I think Villa need to move him on.
Gossip: Elliott targeted by MLS published at 08:02 GMT
08:02 GMT
Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC are interested in England Under-21 international midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool. (Sky Sports), external
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa: What Emery and Sancho saidpublished at 07:52 GMT
07:52 GMT
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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "We have clear objectives in this competition to be a contender for a trophy.
"We want to be a contender in case we need this trophy to play in the Champions League. Through our league it is very difficult.
"I am dreaming to be here getting trophies and the Europa is one objective we have this year.
"We are building the team with some circumstances not helping us.
"But next week we can finish the transfer window and hopefully we can get everything we need to complete the squad for the next months and the competitions we have."
Matchwinner Jadon Sancho speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm just happy to get my first goal for Aston Villa and to top it off it's a win.
"I was pointing at Ezri [Konsa] and Ian [Maatsen] because in training we've been practising some headers, so it was kind of funny that obviously I scored a header.
"I just take it day by day in training. Obviously, the manager and the team are helping me to get to my best. Honestly, I know I can do a lot more. I'm very hard on myself in that aspect. But again I'm very grateful that I got my first goal for Aston Villa and I hope it continues."
Did you know?
Aston Villa have won 20 of their last 25 matches in all competitions. Since the start of this run on 25 September, only Arsenal (21) have won more among teams in Europe's big-five leagues.
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa: Sancho impresses in Turkeypublished at 20:20 GMT 22 January
20:20 GMT 22 January
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Jadon Sancho scored his first Aston Villa goal by latching on to Matty Cash's deflected cross and nodding the ball beyond Fenerbahce keeper Ederson from close range.
He should have doubled his tally in the 42nd minute when he rounded Ederson after being played through by Morgan Rogers, but his eventual shot was blocked on the goalline by Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar.
Still, along with Rogers, he was Villa's most creative player in a hostile atmosphere in Turkey, constantly popping up in Fenerbahce's box
Sancho was playing in his 19th game for Villa, having joined on loan from Manchester United in September.
His United contract expires next summer but the Old Trafford club have an option to extend it.
The 25-year-old has only started two Premier League games this season, but in the Europa League he has been in Villa's starting line-up for each of their past five matches.
Fenerbahce v Aston Villa: Team newspublished at 17:07 GMT 22 January
17:07 GMT 22 January
Image source, BBC Sport
So many familiar names in the Fenerbahce line-up. In goal is ex-Manchester City stopper Ederson. In defence there's former Wolves full-back Nelson Semedo. Fred, once of Manchester United, is in midfield. And up top is ex-Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
Plenty of changes for Aston Villa. Only Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins survive from the side that started against Everton at the weekend.
Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Digne, Mings, Lindelof, Cash, Tielemans, Bogarde, Buendia, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins.
'I've got the capabilities to offer something different'published at 11:07 GMT 22 January
11:07 GMT 22 January
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Media caption,
Rogers reveals how 'genius' Emery has improved him
"Unique. I can be anything."
Morgan Rogers refuses to be labelled - and while the Aston Villa star is talking about his positional flexibility, rather than boasting about his quality, his confidence is well-placed.
The 23-year-old is third-placed Villa's top scorer this season during their surprise Premier League title challenge.
Rogers' fine form means he has been picked ahead of Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham for England, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel clearly a fan.
And regardless of who he is competing against for a spot in England's XI at this summer's World Cup, Rogers feels he has an edge.
"I think I'm a bit different to everyone that plays in my position. I like to see myself as someone that can do different things on the pitch," he said.
"When asked, I can be a number 10, I can be a winger, I can be a striker.
"If you ask me to do it and you give me the instructions to do it, I think I've got the capabilities to offer something different to maybe what other people don't have, which is a nice thing."
'Emery has a lot to think about'published at 08:48 GMT 22 January
08:48 GMT 22 January
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The man from the Birmingham Mail asked for a list of the players who weren't able to travel, and Villa's head coach breathed deeply.
"OK. Maybe… it's long…"
The list is not especially long by the standards of a Premier League club at this stage of the season, even after adding Emi Martinez, who will miss a fourth Europa League game out of seven.
The point is less the number, more the substantial qualities of the main names on the list: John McGinn, Villa's captain and inspirational leader; Martinez, their biggest personality; and Boubacar Kamara, their midfield gyroscope, most responsible for keeping the team in perfect balance.
The particular strengths of all three seem most appropriate for the challenges of visiting one of the Istanbul giants.
On Wednesday, in the area of the city where Villa fans have been instructed to stay, they will have seen Atletico Madrid supporters waiting for their Champions League fixture against Galatasaray.
If they see them again this morning, they might ask if their ears are still ringing.
Villa supporters and players watching that game in their bars and hotels will have heard the frenzied atmosphere, seen the wildly open game it inspired, and know they might be in for the same.
Fenerbahce are unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig, a point behind their neighbours.
They are not unbreakable at home – Rangers won here in the last sixteen in March last year, before collapsing at Ibrox – but have enough players of known Premier League or similar quality to represent a proper test even without their fans at their back.
This is not a fixture to take lightly.
Three days from now, though, Villa will be in Newcastle, against another strong team and another big noise, and in the competition that comes before all others, as Emery himself insists.
That means, probably, tricky choices about how to prioritise his strained resources.
His record confirms there is nobody better qualified to be making those decisions.
That record does not make the decisions easier.
The nature of Sunday's tired performance against Everton, especially after the injury to McGinn, raised a worry also expressed by some Villa fans I spoke to in Istanbul yesterday.
They are concerned that the fatigue that weighed Villa down in the Conference League semi-final two years ago may deny them again.
That list of names gives Emery a lot to think about. And we haven't even mentioned the transfer window.
A season of injuries - how does your club rank?published at 08:33 GMT 22 January
08:33 GMT 22 January
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
From the Premier League's elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, injuries are part and parcel of football - but which top-flight teams have been worst affected so far this season?
With help from injury expert Ben Dinnery, of premierinjuries.com,, external BBC Sport has examined which sides have been hit the hardest, the impact injuries can have on under-fire managers - and whether things are always as bad as they seem.
'Breweries, hotels and restaurants' - commercial revenue key in Deloitte studypublished at 08:32 GMT 22 January
08:32 GMT 22 January
Liverpool generated more revenue than any other English club during the 2024-25 season, according to the annual Deloitte Money League survey.
In the survey's 29th season, the Reds brought in more than 836m euros (£729.5m). The figure moved the Reds from eighth in 2023-24 to fifth overall, while Manchester City dropped from second to sixth.
Manchester United dropped from fourth to eighth with the club's broadcast revenue falling from €258m (£225m) to €206m (£180m) largely due to a lack of Champions League football.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea each occupy the exact same positions in the Money League as last season, while Aston Villa moved up four spots. Newcastle and West Ham remain in the top 20, despite both dropping in position.
Across the study, clubs cumulatively reported record revenues of €12.4bn, an increase of 11% on 2023-24.
A major feature of the study points to clubs generating most of their revenue commercially, with about 43% of income coming from this source. Broadcast revenue and matchday income continue to take up smaller pieces of the revenue pie.
Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said: "This year's Money League showcases the evolving commercial landscape of elite football, with clubs continuing to take greater ownership of their revenue-generating capabilities. It is no coincidence that the clubs in the top half of the ranking are those with the ability to focus on commercial revenue development, particularly as domestic broadcast rights plateau.
"There is a pivotal shift in some club business models with an increased focus on maximising the impact of their brand and their stadium assets. The presence of on-site breweries, hotels and restaurants is now commonplace and illustrates a strategic move to diversify income and create year-round entertainment destinations. This innovative approach is broadening revenue streams significantly, allowing clubs to unlock opportunities far beyond the traditional matchday experience in a drive to secure more sustainable financial futures."
Gossip: Villa have eyes on Loftus-Cheekpublished at 07:57 GMT 22 January
07:57 GMT 22 January
AC Milan and England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 29, is a target for Aston Villa, who are looking to bolster their midfield ranks after France international Boubacar Kamara, 26, sustained a serious knee injury. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Villa have enquired about Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri in the past 24 hours, and the 28-year-old Morocco forward will decide his future soon with Napoli and Juventus also interested. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Emery on team news, facing Asensio and Fenerbahcepublished at 18:57 GMT 21 January
18:57 GMT 21 January
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Fenerbahce at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "Emi Martinez is not (available), Kamara is not, John McGinn is not, Alysson is not, Barkley is not."
Emery confirmed that they are "still waiting" on McGinn's injury updates as he is "still visiting some doctors to have a decision on what to do" and he is potentially out for "some weeks".
On facing Marco Asensio and Jhon Duran: "Of course, we know them and they are fantastic players. Asensio, with his career being amazing, and a lot of experiences and of course with us, he performed very well last year. And this is one example. Fenerbahce, they can have players like that. And Jhon Duran, we saw him last year performing very well with us, to Saudi and then Fenerbahçe signed him. And of course, tomorrow we will play against them, and we respect them a lot and of course, to stop them is not easy. Every player they are very dangerous."
Emery stressed the importance of the match by saying that "they have 11 points, for them it's very important, the match. For us, we are in the advantage to get top eight, but in case they will win tomorrow, against us, they can have as well, possibilities to be in (the) top eight".
On Fenerbahce: "It's a very difficult match, and they have (a) very good team, historic team, experienced team. They have very good players. They have (a) fantastic atmosphere here with their supporters, very passionate supporters. We respect them a lot."
Exploring Europe - Villa fans in Istanbulpublished at 14:36 GMT 21 January
14:36 GMT 21 January
BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor has been catching up with Aston Villa fans in Istanbul before Thursday's Europa League fixture against Fenerbahce.
Villa fan James explained he thinks some "excessive" rules have been put in place with regard to how supporters can attend the game, with mandatory bus transport taking place by 15:00 locally, when the fixture will not kick-off until 20:45 in Istanbul.
In theory, fans will be in the ground hours before Villa's players warm up, let alone kick off.
Fans have been told items such as coins, battery power banks and portable chargers, cameras, vapes and lighters will probably be confiscated on entering the stadium.
Supporter James said he thinks the list of rules and timings is "excessive" and is curious about how fans will entertain themselves when in the ground so early, with an inability to charge phones being an issue.
"I've been to all of them since getting into Europe a couple of years ago for the Conference League," he told BBC Radio WM. "I thought it would be one season, then we got Champions League. It's become a routine now.
"We looked really tired against Everton. I think Emery will prioritise the Newcastle game, which I think he should. We are more or less there in this tournament so even if we lose it's not the end of the world. I don't think he'll pick a strong team. I'll go draw 1-1."
Supporter Callum added: "I've only missed four or five since we qualified for the Conference League. I've always gone to the usual places for holiday but places like Istanbul, Bosnia, it's places I wouldn't have thought to go. I go and really like them."
Access pre-match discussion from 1730 BST and full commentary on BBC Radio WM (not available online)
Bailey returns to Villa from Romapublished at 11:33 GMT 21 January
11:33 GMT 21 January
Image source, Getty Images
Roma have announced that forward Leon Bailey is returning to Aston Villa by "mutual agreement" after spending the first half of the season on loan in Italy.
The 28-year-old made 11 appearances for the Serie A side.
Gossip: Villa make Mateta enquirypublished at 06:22 GMT 21 January
06:22 GMT 21 January
Aston Villa have expressed their interest in signing 28-year-old Crystal Palace and France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the Eagles exploring a move for Villa forward Evann Guessand. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Villa are also stepping up their efforts to sign Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is on loan at Besiktas, with club officials watching the 28-year-old England international play in Istanbul on Monday. (Sky Sports), external
Meanwhile, Leon Bailey's loan spell at Roma has been cut short and the winger has returned to Aston Villa. (Sky Sports - in Italian), external
Finally, Inter Milan are considering moving for Emiliano Martinez but the Villa goalkeeper would have to accept a wage cut to sign next summer. (Sky Sports), external
Why are Villa walking a 'financial tightrope?'published at 17:01 GMT 20 January
17:01 GMT 20 January
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa's financial restraints in the January transfer window have been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Aston Villa' form.
Financial restrictions have already impacted Aston Villa's January business. The club missed out on signing Conor Gallagher, who joined Tottenham.
Forward Donyell Malen, Villa's second top scorer this season, has been sold, while squad depth and growing injury worries have added to Emery's problems.
So does Villa's season hinge on the final two weeks of the transfer window?
It is the balancing act Emery has to get right while Villa walk the financial tightrope, which has harmed them in more ways than one.
Gallagher would have at least eased a growing midfield injury crisis, with Emery losing John McGinn on Sunday while he was already sweating on Boubacar Kamara's fitness and Amadou Onana already out.
There are also no plans for Leon Bailey to return from his loan at Roma, despite his struggles.
This month Villa have signed Gremio winger Alysson and 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo from Metz - both with a view to the future.
Villa tried to change the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in 2024 but failed to get the loss limit raised from £105m to £135m over three years after the proposal was rejected at the Premier League's AGM.
Co-owner Nassef Sawiris previously said the rules "do not make sense" because they cement the bigger clubs' powers. To comply, Villa had to sell, and Jacob Ramsey went to Newcastle for £40m in the summer, the academy graduate banking pure profit for Villa.
Yet Villa had been sanctioned by Uefa in July, along with Chelsea, and fined £9.5m for breaching financial rules.
With Villa eight points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League, a return to the Champions League next season is increasingly likely, which would almost end their financial concerns, according to finance expert Kieran Maguire.
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