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Tottenham and Aston Villa are fighting to sign a talented Premier League prospect

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Tottenham Hotspur are leading Aston Villa in the race to land in-demand Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling this summer.

Birmingham World understands that Villa are huge admirers of the former Chelsea academy prospect, who has been one of the only bright sparks in a bleak season for a Saints team that have been rooted to the bottom of the table for almost the entirety of the campaign.

Dibling made just one appearance for Southampton during the promotion season, but has now stepped up to become one of the team’s most important players and arguably their biggest hope if they are to get more points on the board and at the bare minimum surpass Derby County’s record low points tally of 11 in a Premier League season during the 2007/08 campaign.

The 19-year-old has been widely spoke about as a prospect for a number of years and is attracting attention because of his excellent ball control, agility, pace and his ability to seamlessly beat defenders.

Football Insider reports that Tottenham are the main contenders to sign Tyler Dibling this summer. It is believed Southampton will struggle to keep hold of Dibling this summer following their inevitable relegation from the Premier League. This reports comes after the Telegraph sensationally claimed that Dibling was valued by the St Mary’s club at a staggering £100m.

Football Insider explains that while Dibling is a huge asset to the Saints he will likely leave for much less than that figure so that the team can use any potential funds to aid their effort to win promotion next term. His current deal is set to expire in 2027, and this summer is seen as their main chance to make a significant fee from his sale while his stock is highest.

Mick Brown, a writer for Football Insider, who once worked as a scout at a number of England’s biggest clubs including Manchester United claims that from his understanding Spurs have already held internal talks with Dibling’s representatives and feels they are the most serious about making a deal happen.

Why are Aston Villa interested in Tyler Dibling?

Aston Villa are likely to look for additions to the front three this summer, especially if they are unable to secure the permanent signings of loan stars Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. Rashford has a £40m option in his loan deal to make the move permanent which looks increasingly likely following his England term. While no such clause is in place for Asensio.

Dibling is seen as a player with bags of potential, who at 19 while playing in a weak Premier League side, is yet to realise just how his ceiling can be. In April 2022, he scored a hat-trick of near-identical goals in a Premier League 2 game against Newcastle United, with a video of the goals going viral, earmarking him as a talent to the footballing world. A short-lived spell of less than two months with Chelsea followed before he opted for a return to home to continue his development.

Dibling signed his first contract a year later and since then has been capped for England at Under-21 and Under-19 level while consistently showing that he’s one of the few Saints players with the bravery and imagination to make things happen in the Premier League with two goals this term and creating the bulk of his sides chances across the season.

It's likely that sporting director Monchi will look to sign a new striker to provide depth and competition for Ollie Watkins. Dibling would be among the preferred options, but his spiralling price may force Villa to look elsewhere with Bournemouth’s Dango Outtara also being mentioned in recent days.

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A surprise transfer could be completed between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Aston Villa are reportedly monitoring the situation of out-of-sorts Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma ahead of the summer transfer window.

Unai Emery is keen to improve depth at the base of his midfield following injury struggles in that position throughout the course of this season. At one stage, when Villa were playing twice a week consecutively during January and February, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn were hardly afforded a rest as the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley were all sidelined at the same time.

Bissouma is surprisingly an option - if a recent report is to be believed - despite struggling to lock down a starting XI spot in an injury-stricken Spurs side. To make matters worse, the Mali international hasn’t been able to get into what has been statistically Tottenham’s worst side since 2003/04, when they finished 14th in the Premier League.

Nonetheless, Emery loves working with players who were previously excellent and have lost their way, with Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio the best recent examples. Perhaps Villa could offer Bissouma some reprieve from what appears to be - from the outside at least - a toxic environment at Spurs.

That’s what has been suggested by TEAMtalk, anyhow, with the publication claiming Bissouma is a “confirmed target” for Villa ahead of the summer. The report states Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has already decided to part ways with Bissouma in the next transfer window as he has failed to live up to expectations.

“I just feel Biss can sometimes let the game drift by him,” Postecoglou said of Bissouma last week. “He needs to be a little bit more dominant in the way he gets on the ball. At times I think the game gets away from him and we need more in that position.

“I need him to play though, because he hasn’t played a lot. At the same time, you’ve got to perform. It’s fair to say, Biss and a few others are probably lacking a bit of confidence. That’s affecting him but we’re at the point of the season now where we need guys to get out there and put those things to one side and perform,” he said.

Could Aston Villa revive Yves Bissouma’s career?

Bissouma is undoubtedly a top talent; it’s just not gone his way over the past few years. The Malian’s first campaign at Spurs was a struggle as he played just 1,004 minutes in the Premier League, but the season after was far better as he racked up more than double that game time. It’s been back to square one this term, however, with a total of only 1,145 league minutes so far.

What Bissouma probably needs - as Postecoglou alluded to - is a proper run in a team that’s feeling confident. Villa, albeit not quite as strong this season compared to last, are firing on all cylinders to be competitive in as many competitions as possible. Then, most importantly, Emery is the man in charge.

Bissouma was widely considered one of the Premier League’s best midfielders when he left Brighton & Hove Albion for £30 million in 2022, and rightfully so as he dominated the centre of the park in what was at the time the Seagulls’ best-ever top-flight season. If anyone can help Bissouma get back on track and rediscover that form, it’s got to be Emery. Surely.

Would you like to see Bissouma at Villa Park? Let us know in the comments section.

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The latest transfer news as Aston Villa take a look at a Tottenham Hotspur target.

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Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea winger Noni Madueke this summer but face competition from several other Premier League clubs.

Unai Emery is weighing up his options ahead of the next transfer window as he seeks to bolster his squad’s quality and depth in wide areas. Final decisions are yet to be made for signing Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United or extending Marco Asensio’s loan from Paris Saint-Germain, so Emery is considering alternatives just in case.

Madueke began the season as a regular starter - and he dominated the headlines for an impressive hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in August - but the winger has recently struggled to nail down a spot in Enzo Maresca’s XI. A hamstring injury has kept Madueke out for the past few weeks, too, halting his progress.

TBR Football reports Chelsea are willing to let Madueke depart in the summer if a bid in the region of £30 million is received. This possibility is said to have alerted Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, as the three clubs all hold a strong interest.

The report suggests Newcastle held talks with Chelsea over Madueke last summer and could reignite negotiations as their intrigue remains. There’s competition, however, as Spurs have added Madueke to their shortlist and it’s claimed a move to Villa “cannot be ruled out” in case Emery decides against signing Rashford and Asensio for the long term.

If Madueke were to leave Chelsea for £30 million, the 23-year-old would earn the Blues a narrow profit of £1.5 million following his 2023 arrival from PSV Eindhoven. The five-time England international has had mixed success with his move to Stamford Bridge, scoring 17 goals and making seven assists in 74 appearances to date.

A return to Spurs would be quite the full circle as Madueke was with Tottenham as a teenager before joining PSV’s academy in the Netherlands.

Will Aston Villa sign Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio permanently?

As it stands, it’s certainly feasible that Villa sign both Rashford and Asensio for the long term this summer. The Villans already hold a £40 million buy option for Rashford as Man Utd are keen to let him go and PSG are open to the possibility of selling Asensio for a cut-price fee.

Emery has been impressed by both players since their loan arrivals on Deadline Day. Rashford is yet to score for Villa but he’s notched four assists in nine matches so far. Asensio, meanwhile, has scored seven goals in his first eight appearances, matching his PSG tally in 39 fewer games and averaging a goal every 55 minutes.

Birmingham World understands Villa are yet to decide on Rashford as it depends on whether the 61-time England international is willing to lower his wage demands. In regards to Asensio, Emery is pushing to negotiate with PSG before the summer transfer window opens so he can plan well ahead for alternatives if required.

When Birmingham World asked Emery if he’d like to sign Asensio permanently, the manager replied: “It depends. We are happy with him.

“How he is connecting with other players, getting good positions is really important for us. His skills, it is in my idea structurally and tactically, how I want to build the team. One player like him is very important,” he said.

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A significant transfer update involving Wolves, Spurs and West Ham.

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly lodged a first official bid to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ange Postecoglou is seemingly keen to get going with his transfer business several months before the next window even opens. Spurs, 14th in the Premier League and on track for their worst finish since 2004, are down in the dumps and need a significant lift.

Activity in the transfer market could provide a much-needed boost as Postecoglou aims to plug gaps, with left-back being eyed as a priority position to improve. Ait-Nouri, an option understood to be on Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Andrew Robertson, appears to be a serious option.

In fact, Spurs have already submitted their first offer for Ait-Nouri if a groundbreaking report from Africafoot is to be believed. The African publication claims Spurs are the “most likely candidates” to sign Ait-Nouri and have proceeded with a bid worth €35 million (£29.3m).

Africafoot claims West Ham United also hold a strong interest in the left wing-back and could make an approach of their own in the not-too-distant future. Premier League champions-elect Liverpool, meanwhile, are mentioned in a similar light.

Wolves won’t let Ait-Nouri leave easily

Ait-Nouri, signed from Angers SCO for around £9.5 million in 2021, has racked up 148 appearances, 11 goals and 13 assists for Wolves. The 23-year-old took two or so years to properly adapt to English football but he’s been excellent since the start of 2023.

The 13-time Algeria international has been in particularly impressive form this season, with three goals and five assists in 28 Premier League matches so far. It’s been by far Ait-Nouri’s most productive campaign in front of goal, aided partly by former manager Gary O’Neil’s occasional switch to a back three and new boss Vitor Pereira’s permanent shift to that formation.

It awaits to be seen just how much Wolves would demand to sell Ait-Nouri. If Spurs’ bid is true and the fee is accurate, it’d be tempting to cash in for a profit of over £20 million. The wider picture must be considered, however, with a like-for-like replacement difficult to find, especially in the current market.

Not only has Ait-Nouri proven himself as one of the best left wing-backs in the Premier League, but it’s a position notoriously tricky to source talent in. The former Angers man also fits into Pereira’s system like a glove as the new manager demands strong technical attributes - alongside great stamina - to get involved in both boxes.

It’s important Wolves get this call right as the summer transfer window will be pivotal ahead of next season. The winter signings of Emmanuel Agbadou, Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga were significant but the summer acts as Pereira’s first opportunity to make a proper mark on the squad.

Matheus Cunha could leave when his £62.5 million release clause becomes active in July, too, so that’s another factor to consider. Selling not just one player but two could have an irreversible impact. At least those decisions don’t need to be made just yet.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are projected to have an action-packed summer transfer window with significant sales and new signings.

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Vitor Pereira has done a superb job of steering Wolves well clear of the Premier League relegation zone this season but the job isn’t done yet, with many years of progression being eyed.

Wanderers are yet to seal mathematical safety but the nine-point buffer to the bottom three feels comfortable with just nine games left to go. A win or two more would probably be enough to absolutely secure Premier League status for next season but, in reality, it’s all but confirmed already.

In turn, one eye can become fixated on 2025/26, with Pereira aiming to go one step better and compete for a mid-table finish – or possibly even better if everything goes swimmingly. Transfer business will influence Wolves’ chances with some mega deals already being tipped.

As supporters wait with eager anticipation, we loaded up the latest edition of Football Manager to run a simulation, predicting every player the club would sign before the end of the 2025 summer window.

Which players did Football Manager predict Wolves would sign and sell?

Time travel doesn’t exist, they say, but in the parallel universe of Football Manager we were able to jump into the franchise’s very own version of Doctor Who’s Tardis.

Wolves, 17th-placed finishers as expected, didn’t hesitate when the transfer window opened as they got the vast majority of their significant business done in July.

Talisman Matheus Cunha rather unfortunately left the club just four days into the window as Arsenal, eager to sort their attacking woes, activated the Brazilian’s £62.5 million release clause. There was another significant departure, too, as Rayan Ait-Nouri left for AC Milan in a mega £39 million deal.

Two huge blows to start, then, but the funds raised allowed Wolves to bring in some significant new signings. First up, versatile 20-year-old forward Kaide Gordon arrived in a surprise £6.25 million package from Liverpool, before promising Uruguayan centre-back Alan Maturro was acquired from Serie A club Genoa for £11.75 million.

Then came the main event as Wolves incredibly signed Djed Spence and Archie Gray from Tottenham Hotspur for £25 million and £48 million respectively. Arriving in a combined £73 million swoop, Spence and Gray put huge smiles on the faces of the Molineux faithful.

Spence, one of the Premier League’s most in-form full-backs in real life, earned Spurs a tidy profit of £12 million. The 24-year-old, who can play on either side as a full-back, wing-back or winger, was favoured by Pereira due to his pace, physicality and versatility.

Gray was another picked up because of his ability to play in multiple positions. The 19-year-old, 20 by the time he signed, has been a regular starter as an auxiliary centre-half for Tottenham in real life. The teenager, capable of playing in any defensive role or anywhere in midfield, has lived up to the £40 million fee paid to Leeds United last summer. His time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium didn’t last long in Football Manager, however, with Wolves remarkably securing his services.

All other departures throughout July and the start of August were on loan as Boubacar Traore headed to the Swiss Super League with Grasshoppers, Hugo Bueno joined up with German Bundesliga team Borussia Monchengladbach and Tawanda Chirewa continued his progression with a move to Championship outfit Millwall.

Who did Wolves sign on Deadline Day?

The final hours of the transfer window are so often action-packed but Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan was left immensely disappointed outside the Molineux gates on Deadline Day as Wanderers completed just two deals.

A shock phone call to Newcastle United resulted in the signing of former Aston Villa defender Matt Targett for £2 million, providing cover for Spence at left-back. There was then a mind-boggling exit as South Korea international Hwang Hee-Chan left for Russian top-tier club CSKA Moscow on a season-long loan, bringing in a £1.1 million fee.

It may not have been the most exciting Deadline Day but it was a mega transfer window with a total bill of £91 million and £102.6 million in sales. Wolves fans could be in for quite the emotional rollercoaster if similar is replicated in real life this summer.

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Aston Villa are back in action next weekend

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Aston Villa face an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Preston North End next Sunday. A place at Wembley in the semi-final awaits the winner of that tie.

Unai Emery’s side are sat in 8th place in the Premier League table as they look to get into the top four again. They also remain in the Champions League.

They have the chance to bolster their ranks this summer when the new transfer window opens. The Midlands outfit also have the opportunity to let some players head out the exit door if needed.

Aston Villa latest regarding linked-player Jobe Bellingham

Aston Villa were credited with an interest in Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham ahead of January, as per TBR Football. The report claimed they have ‘watched’ him this season.

In this latest update regarding his situation at the Stadium of Light, Football Insider claim the Black Cats could demand a fee over £20million for his signature. The likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked so his current club could face a battle to keep hold of him later this year.

Bellingham, 19, has been a key player for Sunderland since making the move up to the North East in 2023. Prior to his transfer, he rose up through the academy ranks at Birmingham City and broke into the Blues’ first-team as a youngster before they sold him.

The prospect has made 80 appearances for the Black Cats in all competitions to date, 33 of which have come in this campaign, and he has scored 11 goals. He penned a new long-term contract last year.

Time will tell whether Aston Villa end up lodging an official offer at some point. They would need to see off competition from elsewhere if they were to get him though.

Aston Villa latest update following Champions League win

Aston Villa beat Club Brugge 3-0 in the second leg of their Champions League clash. They will now face PSG in the next round.

Speaking after their latest victory, Emery said: “I’m very proud of our supporters, our work, the players, the club, the workers because we’re increasing our demand. In increasing our demand we have to get the objective we are facing in the high level we have to get. This season, playing in the Champions League was a very good opportunity when we started and we’re really focusing a lot in the Champions League about how we can be a protagonist.

“Today we competed against one team and performed very well. I’m very happy with how we are in the way and we’re going to play a quarter-final against PSG. This is two matches more for our supporters to be with us, to share with us their emotions and we’re going to try to prepare as best as possible to continue like we are doing.”

He added: “In the second half we changed completely and we were speaking at half-time about how we could change how the match was going. We did and the players took responsibility to get our plan strongly to dominate like we did in the second half.”

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Aston Villa could land a priority transfer target with a clever Southampton swap deal this summer.

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly leading the race to sign Southampton winger Tyler Dibling this summer, potentially setting up Aston Villa for disappointment.

Unai Emery is a big admirer of Dibling and Villa’s interest in signing the teenager has been well documented for many months now. BirminghamWorld understands the Villans have spoken directly to Southampton to enquire about Dibling’s availability but there’s been no advancement on that.

Reports elsewhere, meanwhile, suggest Tottenham are moving forward with an attempt to sign Dibling this summer. If Villa aren’t careful, their target could very quickly slip away from their grasp.

If Emery does decide he wants to proceed with a swoop, it probably won’t be until the start of the summer transfer window as there are still decisions to be made for Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio who play in similar positions. There’s an option to buy Rashford permanently for £40 million from Manchester United whereas Paris Saint-Germain are open to extending Asensio’s stay in the West Midlands.

That got us thinking here at BirminghamWorld, if Villa do decide they want Dibling in a few months’ time, there’s a chance Spurs may already be very advanced with a move of their own. As a result, Villa may have to do something spectacular to ensure Southampton pick their offer instead.

Could Aston Villa swap Louie Barry for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling?

One move that could potentially make sense is proposing a swap deal as that would cut out Southampton’s need to source a replacement.

Dibling is expected to want to leave St Mary’s Stadium once Ivan Juric’s side’s likely relegation is sealed and Saints won’t want to be weakened for their push to gain promotion straight back to the Premier League.

In our view, Villa winger Louie Barry could be the perfect makeweight. Seen as one for the future but unlikely to force his way into Emery’s immediate plans, Barry has succeeded out on loan this season but isn’t quite at Premier League level just yet.

Before being recalled in January, Barry scored a sensational 15 goals in 23 League One matches for Stockport County, helping move the Hatters up into play-off contention. Villa decided Barry had outgrown the English third tier and opted to loan him to Hull City in the Championship instead.

Regrettably for everyone involved, Barry has only played four times for the Tigers and has since returned to Villa for treatment on a potentially season-ending injury. Nonetheless, Barry was highly sought-after in the winter transfer window - with over a dozen Championship clubs understood to have enquired about his availability - and he’s probably good enough to play for a promotion-chasing club.

As Barry’s stock is lower than Dibling’s, Villa would still have to offer a fee along with the player. Barry being involved could make for a discounted deal, though, and would provide Southampton with an easy route to life without their prized academy asset.

Another option could be Villa being offered a slight discount if they give Southampton first dibs on loaning Barry for next season. Either way, in our view this could make great sense for all parties. Other than Tottenham, of course. Snooze you lose, Spurs.

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An update as Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur battle to sign Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

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The race is hotting up as a host of Premier League clubs hope to sign Tyler Dibling once Southampton’s return to the Championship is confirmed.

A bright spark in a dark season, Dibling has emerged as a new success story from Saints’ notoriously successful academy. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a terrific breakthrough season after being promoted from the Southampton youth ranks, with 28 appearances racked up across all competitions this term, including 23 in the Premier League.

Villa have been monitoring Dibling’s development this term and were linked with signing the 19-year-old both last summer and during the recent winter transfer window. The same can be said for Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, too, with both clubs sharing just as much interest.

There’s one club said to be in the driving seat, however, as talkSPORT reports Spurs are confident they are leading the pack. More still, chairman Daniel Levy believes Southampton will be unable to maintain their valuation of around £55 million, making the deal far more realistic for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

BirminghamWorld understands Saints have told Dibling he can leave if they are relegated and a suitable offer arrives in the summer. It would be unfair for such a talented player to be denied a continuation in the Premier League, after all, given he’s looked capable of competing in the top tier so far.

With Ivan Juric’s side now 13 points adrift from safety with 11 matches to go, it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to avoid the drop down to the Championship. As Southampton have only been able to claim nine points from the first 81 available, it would be take an absolute miracle to turn around their fortunes now.

How would Tyler Dibling fit in at Aston Villa?

If Villa are unable to beat Spurs to Dibling’s signature, it would be a huge coup as Unai Emery really appreciates the attacker’s profile as he would offer plenty of versatility – a trait Emery favours in most players he signs.

Predominantly a right winger but also capable as an attacking midfielder, Dibling has a great turn of pace, is rapid when he gets up to speed and has already showcased excellent technical ability in the final third. Four goals and two assists in 28 appearances might not sound groundbreaking but considering Saints have only scored 31 goals in 33 matches altogether, it’s not bad going.

It has to be said, Dibling is unlikely to join Villa if Rashford or Asensio - or both - join on a permanent basis this summer. Emery’s side have the option to buy Rashford from Manchester United for £40 million, whereas BirminghamWorld understands Paris Saint-Germain have already floated the idea of Asensio extending his loan.

As Asensio’s contract expires in June 2026 anyway, there’s the potential for Villa to sign the Spaniard on a permanent basis. The three-time Champions League winner has already won the hearts of the Villa Park faithful, too, as he has scored five goals in his last four appearances in claret and blue.

In other news, two players scored 8/10s in the 3-1 win away at Club Brugge – read on to find out who they are.

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A transfer race is hotting up between Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Aston Villa have reportedly entered discussions over the potential signing of Southampton winger Tyler Dibling this summer.

The Villans, anticipating major interest in the Saints winger, are eager to get in ahead of the competition with dialogue already said to be underway. Dibling has enjoyed a terrific breakthrough season after being promoted from the Southampton youth ranks, with 28 appearances racked up across all competitions this term, including 23 in the Premier League.

Villa have been tracking Dibling’s progress for some time and were linked with signing the 19-year-old both last summer and during the recent winter transfer window. The same can be said for Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, too, with both clubs sharing just as much interest.

The Daily Mail reports Villa have opened very early talks over the possibility of signing Dibling by making several tentative enquiries to Southampton. Unai Emery has been impressed by what he’s seen from the teenager and wants to know the conditions of a possible summer deal.

This follows an earlier claim from The Daily Mail that Southampton were reluctant to sell Dibling in January, with a whopping £55 million price tag laid out to bat away interest. It’s since been reported by Football Insider, however, that the Saints will let Dibling go when they are relegated from the Premier League.

With Ivan Juric’s side now 13 points adrift from safety with 11 matches to go, it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to avoid the drop down to the Championship. As Southampton have only been able to claim nine points from the first 81 available, it would be an absolute miracle to turn around their fortunes now.

How would Tyler Dibling fit in at Aston Villa?

Predominantly a right winger but also capable as an attacking midfielder, Dibling would offer Villa plenty of versatility – a trait Emery favours in most players he signs. It doesn’t matter what end of the field a transfer target is, Emery typically won’t sign them unless they’re capable of filling in out of position when required.

This was certainly the case with the marquee winter deadline day additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio as the former can play off the left or as a striker, while the latter prefers the number 10 role but is also comfortable on the right flank. Donyell Malen settles into this conversation, too, with the former Borussia Dortmund man capable of playing anywhere across the front line.

Dibling has a great turn of pace, is rapid when he gets up to speed and has already showcased excellent technical ability in the final third. Four goals and two assists in 28 appearances might not sound overly impressive but considering Southampton have only scored 31 goals in 33 matches altogether, it’s not exactly bad going.

It has to be said, Dibling is unlikely to join Villa if Rashford or Asensio - or both - join on a permanent basis this summer. Emery’s side have the option to buy Rashford from Manchester United for £40 million, whereas BirminghamWorld understands Paris Saint-Germain have already floated the idea of Asensio extending his loan.

As Asensio’s contract expires in June 2026 anyway, there’s the potential for Villa to sign the Spaniard on a permanent basis. With four goals in three starts so far, Asensio has already gained the hearts of supporters.

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Aston Villa ended up having a busy January transfer window

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Aston Villa ended up having a busy January on the transfer front. They brought in Donyell Malen, Andres Garcia, Axel Disasi, Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to bolster their ranks.

The Midlands outfit also cut ties with Jhon Duran, Jaden Philogene and Diego Carlos to free up space and funds. Meanwhile, the likes of Emi Buendia, Lewis Dobbin and Joe Gauci went out on loan, among others.

Unai Emery’s side are sat in 8th place in the Premier League and remain in the Champions League and FA Cup. They are aiming to get into the top four once again this year like last year.

Aston Villa’s goalkeeper and defence

Emi Martinez has been Aston Villa’s number one over recent times. The Argentina international has been on the books of his current club since 2020 and has since made 191 appearances in all competitions, 32 of which have come this season already.

At right-back, Matty Cash is their strongest option and the former Nottingham Forest man has fresh competition for his position from Garcia. On the other flank of defence, Luca Digne probably gets the nod ahead of Ian Maatsen due to his superior experience.

Ezri Konsa is a key member of the starting XI and when fit, Tyrone Mings usually joins him. However, with Mings out injured, they have other options to pick from at their disposal including recent recruit Disasi.

Aston Villa’s midfield

Youri Tielemans has established himself as a crucial asset for Aston Villa. He linked up with them from Leicester City and is expected to line up for them alongside John McGinn, with Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley, Boubacar Kamara and Lamare Bogarde ready to step up as well if needed.

Just in front of the midfield pair lies an attacking midfielder and Asensio will be looking to make this position his own. He can play there as well as the wing and he will be eager to make an impact.

After joining, he has said: “I’m really happy to join Aston Villa. I’m looking forward to being able to contribute to this club, to add to this team with eagerness and with lots of excitement.

“Unai is a coach that I’ve known for a while. He’s had a great career, he’s a top coach, he’s been key in me being able to come here because of his idea of how he wants to play football. I love it, it suits me perfectly and he’s a really important person as to why I’m here right now.”

Aston Villa’s attack

Morgan Rogers has to start for Aston Villa on the wing, with Rashford on the other side. The former Manchester City man has been a hit since his switch from Middlesbrough and has adapted well to the step up to the top flight.

Rashford’s switch from Manchester United has raised eyebrows and he will need to hit the ground running. Up front, Ollie Watkins has no longer got competition from the departed Duran and that is something that needs to be addressed in the summer.