John Townley
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John Townley
@johntownley.bsky.social
Aston Villa correspondent for Birmingham Live | @claretbluepod.bsky.social
#AVFC
Unai Emery says Harvey Elliott has needed more time to adapt at #AVFC than others, and he currently prefers different options, including Emi Buendia.

"He's working very well - he's a good guy and his commitment is fantastic - but others are performing."
Unai Emery makes Harvey Elliott admission as loanee's game time discussed
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has preferred Emi Buendia to Harvey Elliott so far this season
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins has his - and Aston Villa's - full support as he works to end his goal drought.

Watkins has scored just once in 16 matches this season, and only four times in his last 30 appearances for Villa.

#AVFC
Unai Emery makes Ollie Watkins stance clear amid Aston Villa goal drought
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has only scored four goals in his last 30 appearances for the club
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Lamare Bogarde, and Andres Garcia are all available for selection this weekend, and Unai Emery is confident Amadou Onana will get through training tomorrow as well.

#AVFC
Villa handed injury boosts ahead of Leeds clash as Unai Emery provides updates
Aston Villa may only be without one player for their trip to Leeds United
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Unai Emery asked about Birmingham City's plans: "I am focusing on our matches and everything here that we are trying to build. We have a lot of teams around the city, and I am not focusing on them. Nothing. Only on our way."

#AVFC
Unai Emery gives blunt response to Birmingham City Powerhouse stadium plans
Unai Emery has been asked about Aston Villa's cross-city rivals Birmingham City building a new stadium
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
We're 1,000 up on Claret & Blue, so here are 100 minutes of our typical nonsense. Enjoy! 🎉

📺 - youtu.be/uam6jzZZOoU?...

🟣🔵 #AVFC | @claretbluepod.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Poland boss Jan Urban said Matty Cash didn't play on Monday after feeling discomfort in training.

Lamare Bogarde and Ezri Konsa both withdrew from their respective national teams last week, while Amadou Onana won't feature for Belgium tonight.

#AVFC
Manager confirms Villa injury concern as defender in 'discomfort'
Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash was an unused substitute against Malta on Monday night
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Emi Buendia admits the summer may have unsettled Emi Martinez, but says he's now fully refocused at #AVFC.

"After the break and transfer window, he's shown everyone he's really focused in the club. He showed for five years that he always tries his best."
Buendia makes Martinez summer transfer admission as Villa feelings made clear
Aston Villa's Emi Buendia has been speaking about how his compatriot Emi Martinez has refocused after a difficult summer
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Morgan Rogers has signed a new contract with Aston Villa, valid until 2031. The 23yo has made 86 appearances for the club since joining from Middlesbrough in January 2024 for just £8m rising to £15m.

#AVFC
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Amadou Onana on Emi Buendia's free-kick: "He practices it a lot. Hundreds and hundreds of times. Austin, our set-piece coach, was speaking about it this morning and showed us the free-kick he scored against Roma in pre-season. Really happy for him, he’s a special player."

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Amadou Onana on his goal: "I think I can have that in my locker! One touch and shoot. Reminds me of that goal against Young Boys. Really happy with that goal - it means a lot."

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
#AVFC have won eight of their last 10 in all comps, taking 15/18 PL points in the last six weeks, and Unai Emery is beaming.

"I'm so happy, after the poor start, how we are getting better. We sent the message inside to increase our demands every day."
Emery 'so happy' as Villa boss gives glowing verdict after 4-0 Bournemouth win
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery spoke to the media after the 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
#AVFC played some of their best football of the season today, but Emi Martinez's contributions were crucial.

The last few months have been far from ideal, but as shown today, Villa still need him to play a key role this season, with so much to fight for.
Emi Martinez sends reminder after difficult Aston Villa truth
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez put in his best performance of the season to help Unai Emery's side defeat Bournemouth
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Unai Emery: "Now our balance is better in the squad with the players, more focus and getting the challenges we have. The players are responding well on the field. It's important how we finished today [before the break], winning and feeling good."

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Unai Emery: "How the players got the commitment before the match to focus and in the way we played is really something. This is how we are building and trying to recover, feeling better in the league and Europa League to get the performances we need for the future."

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Unai Emery: "The effort physically was a huge effort. We can feel proud after the game. This is the level of the players. We are trying to set our standards in everything, every day how we prepare the game and the quality of the players is important."

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Courtesy of strikes from Emi Buendia and Amadou Onana, this was the first time Aston Villa had scored 2+ goals from outside the box in the first half of a Premier League match since April 2008 vs Derby County.

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#AVFC claim their sixth successive home win with a 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth.

Lovely goals from Emi Buendia and Amadou Onana set Villa on their way, before Emi Martinez made a crucial penalty save. Barkley and Malen then sealed the +3. Proper win! 💪
Aston Villa player ratings as 9 and 8s awarded after 4-0 Bournemouth thrashing
John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings as Unai Emery's side defeat Bournemouth in the Premier League
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
GOAL: It's four! Another well-worked set-piece. Youri Tielemans' strike from the edge of the box goes in off Donyell Malen.

#AVFC 4-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
GOAL: Ross Barkley makes it three! The midfielder heads in from Lucas Digne's corner.

#AVFC 3-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
SAVED: Emi Martinez saves Antoine Semenyo's penalty! Top stop from the Villa 'keeper.

#AVFC 2-0 Bournemouth
PENALTY: Bournemouth penalty. Morgan Rogers handball.

#AVFC 2-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
PENALTY: Bournemouth penalty. Morgan Rogers handball.

#AVFC 2-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
HT: Villa lead Bournemouth by two goals at the break, scored Emi Buendia and Amadou Onana. Lovely goals too. Villa played some of the best football they've played this season in that half. Still need a strong second half to secure the points.

#AVFC 2-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM
GOAL: Amaaaaadou Onnaaaana! A piledriver from the Belgian doubles Villa's lead. He's got that in his locker!

#AVFC 2-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
GOAL: Emiiii Buuueeendia! A beauty of a free-kick to hand Villa the lead. It came after he was bundled over on the edge of the box having been picked out by Matty Cash.

#AVFC 1-0 Bournemouth
November 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Brillaint work from the 1897 Group and Military Lions to organise today's Remembrance Sunday display.

#AVFC
November 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM