Birmingham Live

Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive brings you some early team news that will please Thomas Frank ahead of Villa's trip south

Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani could be fit to face Aston Villa after the international break.

The forward suffered a dead leg in training during an accidental collision with Pape Matar Sarr, but played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford today.

Muani joined Spurs on loan from PSG on deadline day but is yet to make his first start although is now improving his fitness.

Having not been selected for international duty with France, he is one of a number of first-team players to have been in training this week.

The 26-year-old now has another week to get ready to face Villa who travel to Spurs next weekend.

Muani has only featured once for Spurs which came when he was sent on as a substitute in the Champions League clash against Villarreal.

Tottenham have had an excellent start under new boss Thomas Frank and currently sit third in the table.

But Villa have been in improved form of late and have won the last four games in all competitions.

Their last outing saw them win 2-1 against Burnley at Villa Park, but Spurs will be their toughest Premier League test to date.

Will Villa come away with a result? Have your say HERE

Everyday, the BirminghamLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Aston Villa content. Our dedicated reporter John Townley - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows Villa home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between. So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Villa newsletter here. You can also get all your favourite content from BirminghamLive's Villa team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club. If you prefer reading our Villa stories on your phone, consider downloading the BirminghamLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Villa as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.

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Villa face Spurs immediately after the international break, on October 19

A consortium led by American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick will no longer make a bid for Tottenham.

An expression of interest by Earick's consortium, which was reportedly ready to launch a £4.5billion takeover bid, was "unequivocally rejected" by ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family Trust, on September 26.

On Monday, it was confirmed via the London Stock Exchange that Earick had pulled out of the running, which was welcomed by the Lewis family Trust, who again reiterated a long-term commitment to Spurs. This news follows Asia-based consortium Firehawk Holdings Limited also ruling out a bid.

"The Board of Tottenham Hotspur Limited (the "club") notes the recent announcements from the Firehawk and Mr Earick's consortiums that they do not intend to make an offer for the club," a statement on London Stock Exchange read.

"The Board thanks them for the constructive approach taken in the discussions with the club's and the Lewis family's representatives and respecting the clear position of the Lewis family that the club is not for sale.

"Following the announcements made by the consortiums, the club is no longer in an offer period under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers."

It was announced at the start of September that Spurs' majority owners ENIC had "unequivocally rejected" two expressions of interest in acquiring the north London club, with one from a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk.

Amanda Staveley's PCP International Finance immediately confirmed via the London Stock Exchange on September 8 that it did not intend to make an offer for Tottenham and Firehawk confirmed its intentions on October 3.

This left a consortium led by Earick as the only public interested party in Tottenham, but he has withdrawn his interest in the Premier League club.

ENIC, run by the Lewis family Trust, owns almost 87 per cent of Tottenham, but due to the remaining shares being publicly traded, the club is subject to the UK Takeover Code. This means any expression of interest or bid must be lodged with the Takeover Code panel and made public.

Since Daniel Levy was invited to step down after 24 years as chairman on September 4 by majority owners ENIC there have been three expressions of interest to buy Tottenham, but the Lewis family Trust insists the club are not for sale.

A source close to the Lewis family told the PA news agency on September 26: "This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the family's resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale."

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta before the closure of the transfer window next Monday evening. Brazil international Paqueta, who has 55 caps for his country, is also wanted by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur before the deadline passes.

Paqueta scored a superb opening goal for the Irons in their 5-1 defeat to Chelsea at the London Stadium on Friday night and, after seeing former teammate Mohammed Kudus leave for Spurs earlier this window, he is reportedly open to departing East London if he can secure European football elsewhere.

The midfielder, who has made 33 goal contributions in 122 appearances for West Ham since joining from French side Lyon for around £37m in 2022, has been linked with a move away from the club before now but has remained and been a regular for the last three years since his arrival.

Earlier this summer, Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission after the FA had charged him for allegedly getting booked "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market". He had been set for an £85m move to Manchester City prior to the FA's investigation coming to light.

Villa and Spurs have been linked with moves for Paqueta, who has two years left on his existing deal with the option of a further year, over the weekend.

Villa have shifted plenty of players off their books this summer, including Jacob Ramsey, Leander Dendoncker and Alex Moreno in the last week or so alone, while Leon Bailey and Lewis Dobbin have found loan moves. Enzo Barrenechea has also headed back out on loan but Villa are keen to add to their squad before the opportunity to do so passes.

What is Villa's transfer priority before the deadline? Have your say HERE

Everyday, the BirminghamLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Aston Villa content.

Our dedicated reporter John Townley - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows Villa home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.

So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Villa newsletter here.

You can also get all your favourite content from BirminghamLive's Villa team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.

If you prefer reading our Villa stories on your phone, consider downloading the BirminghamLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Villa as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.

Aston Villa have announced that they are selling a new range of fashion items that fans are going to be clamouring to get hold of ahead of the new season - including a limited edition of the iconic adidas Samba range.

The Villa colours are displayed on the trainers and they also show off the Villa badge. You can get your pair here

You can also find an adidas DNA hoody which comes in simple Villa colours and a low key traditional adidas design. That can be bought here

The same design can be found on classic adidas track top on offer, this is the type of track top that fans love to wear - that can be bought here

The wife of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says that the emotion he showed in the club's final home game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur, last month, is 'just who he is'.

Martinez was visibly moved as he was serenaded by the Villa Park faithful following the 2-0 victory over Spurs, on a night when the players and staff, often with their families, traditionally show their appreciation for the support they've received over the course of the season before their summer break.

The goalkeeper expressed his gratitude with his wife, Mandinha, and his children out on the pitch as part of the lap of honour following the full time whistle, and many picked up on Martinez's emotions.

What has since followed has been weeks of speculation regarding his future; it's believed that the former Arsenal keeper, who has been Villa's number one since his £20m move in the summer of 2020, has offers from the Saudi Pro League, but that he would rather remain in Europe if he were to move.

It remains to be seen how events will unfold in the coming weeks and months of the transfer window for Martinez, who has been away representing his native Argentina in their World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, but Villa are relaxed about the situation having agreed a new extended contract with the stopper only last summer.

In the meantime, his other half has suggested we perhaps shouldn't read too much into those scenes with Martinez on the penultimate game of Villa's season, in which they fell agonisingly short of securing Champions League football for a second successive season.

"He wasn't in tears," Mandinha told Ed James on BBC WM, when asked if it was a goodbye to the fans or not. "No. Anybody who knows Emi knows he is an emotional character and that's who he is. It just shows you how much he loves the Villa fans. I love the Villa fans. We love Villa."

What is Villa's transfer priority this summer? Have your say HERE

Everyday, the BirminghamLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Aston Villa content.

Our dedicated reporter John Townley - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows Villa home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.

So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Villa newsletter here.

You can also get all your favourite content from BirminghamLive's Villa team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.

If you prefer reading our Villa stories on your phone, consider downloading the BirminghamLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Villa as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.

The latest West Brom news and views from BirminghamLive as Albion go forward with Ryan Mason as their new head coach

Simon Jordan has rejected the suggestion that Ryan Mason’s decision to make the managerial jump to West Brom is any indicator about Ange Postecoglou’s future at Tottenham Hotspur.

The pundit and former Crystal Palace owner has been discussing the 33-year-old’s decision to leave Spurs and take the plunge with his first permanent head coaching appointment at The Hawthorns.

He does so having spent most of his time in football with the north London outfit both as a player and working in several managers’ back room teams. Having been Postecoglou’s assistant in their Europa League win the former midfielder has signed a three-year deal with the Baggies – at a time when Postecoglou’s own outlook is not clear.

Jordan told talkSPORT he doesn’t link the two. “Ryan Mason wasn’t part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff because Ange Postecoglou chose him. He was there in situ and Ange Postecoglou incorporated him,” Jordan said.

“I would suspect his ambitions have always lent themselves to an opportunity as a first team manger. I think he has said it himself in previous situations when he stood in for [the] interim, he has talked about wanting to be a manager.

“West Bromwich Albion is a decent club, they are becoming ensconced now in the Championship, that’s not where they want to be, they have been there for four years now, they have got no parachute payments so they are not going to be able to compete with some of the economic powerhouses that are either coming down or are already there because they don’t have the resources perhaps to be able to do that.

“I have seen nothing from Ryan that gives me the feeling that he is a great leader and a powerful character but maybe you don’t need that now, maybe you don’t need these Churchillian speeches to players to get them up, motivate them and be authoritative. Maybe he’ll grow into the job

“And maybe there’s caveats [in this] three year contract because to me giving an untried manager a three year contract means that you are potentially a hostage to fortune a year into the job because if he doesn’t work out the way you want him to you have got liabilities.

“So I am assuming there will be caveats in the contract that prevent the club having to pay big sums out if the manager doesn’t work.”

Jordan also made light of Mason’s record in caretaker charge of Spurs, when he won four of his seven matches after Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2021 and two of six in the wake of Antonio Conte’s exit, admitting Mason did well ‘to a degree’.

“I know there was a big dog and pony show made about the fact he had some coherence to the things he was saying and they got a couple of results, then reality came knocking again.”

Ryan Mason has left Spurs to take charge of West Brom

Daniel Levy has responded to Ryan Mason’s departure from Tottenham for West Brom.

Mason leaves his role as an assistant to Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou to take charge at West Brom on a three-year deal.

Levy said: "Ryan has been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years, both as a player and a coach.

“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for all his dedication and hard work over the years, and we wish him every success for the future."

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed head coach of West Bromwich Albion,” Mason told West Brom’s website.

“This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan-base and I am excited about what we can achieve together.

“Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club, I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started.

“I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”

West Brom look set to target a member of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham coaching team

Tottenham are braced for an approach for first-team coach Ryan Mason over the vacant West Brom job, the PA news agency understands.

West Brom have been on the hunt for a new manager since Tony Mowbray was dismissed on April 21.

Mason has emerged as a leading candidate for the role, but Spurs' rollercoaster 2024-25 campaign only ended on Sunday days after Europa League success in Bilbao.

Uncertainly remains over the future of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and yet a coaching restructure at the Premier League team could occur regardless of if the Australian is kept on by chairman Daniel Levy.

Highly rated coach Mason held talks with Belgian club Anderlecht in October before a mutual decision was made to remain at Spurs, which enabled the 33-year-old to play his part in the club's first trophy in 17 years.

After two previous caretaker stints across a seven-year coaching spell at Tottenham, Mason has long been tipped for a future in management and could land his first role at West Brom.

West Brom finished ninth in the Championship but dismissed Mowbray after their play-off hopes ended in April.

Mowbray had only been hired in January to replace Carlos Corberan, who left to take over at Valencia in December.

After Mason progressed through Spurs' academy, he played once for England during a decade-long playing career before he was forced to retire at the age of 26 in 2018 after he sustained a fractured skull in a Premier League match for Hull away to Chelsea.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was emotional after the win over Tottenham

Emi Martinez had to wipe away his tears after Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Tottenham on Friday night.

The victory keeps Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive, with everything to play for on the final day of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

When referee Peter Banks blew the final whistle, Villa were sitting in fourth place. However, Chelsea leapfrogged them shortly afterwards with a 1-0 win over United.

Many had expected both Spurs and United to lose to Champions League hopefuls Villa and Chelsea, respectively.

But what happened after Villa’s win over Spurs came as a surprise, as both goalkeeper Martinez and winger Leon Bailey were visibly emotional at full-time.

Some members of Unai Emery’s squad would have arrived at Villa Park knowing it could be their final home game for the club.

Given their emotional reactions, it’s fair to assume that both Martinez and Bailey are aware that Friday night may have been their last appearance at Villa Park.

Martinez stood at the edge of his box for several minutes before wiping away tears, unable to hide his emotions. Bailey, meanwhile, walked onto the pitch looking visibly upset.

After the final whistle, Bailey was seen crouched down, brushing the turf for around 20 seconds.

Bailey is expected to leave Villa this summer after slipping down the pecking order following an underwhelming campaign - especially when compared to last season, when he scored 14 goals in all competitions.

Martinez, on the other hand, signed a new long-term contract with the club back in August. However, he has attracted strong interest from clubs in both Europe and Saudi Arabia ahead of the summer transfer window.

He has a lucrative offer from a club in the Saudi Pro League on the table, though it’s unclear whether he would be willing to give up European football at this stage in his career.

While such a move may seem unlikely, a transfer to a major European club appears more realistic - particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, where Argentina will look to defend their title in the USA.

According to TyC Sports, Martinez already has “two firm offers from major European teams.”

The fee Villa would demand for Martinez is currently unknown. However, the club is believed to have an interest in highly rated Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

The Espanyol star has a release clause of around £25 million and has been tracked by several clubs, including Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi, has already scouted Garcia this season in preparation for the summer window.