Aston Villa are racing against the clock to complete their summer transfer dealings before the window closes at 11pm this evening. Manager Unai Emery is set to confirm the arrivals of two new players, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ibrahim Mbaye. Both were seen at Villa Park’s Trinity Road Stand during Monday night’s 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, signalling their imminent integration into the squad.
These signings will mark the club’s ninth and tenth acquisitions of the summer, underscoring a significant squad rebuild. Over the past two months, Villa have experienced considerable turnover, with influential players such as Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins all departing. This represents more than half of the starting lineup that featured in last season’s Europa League final.
Harwood-Bellis and Mbaye join a growing list of arrivals that includes Johan Manzambi, Alejandro Garnacho, Gomes, Matteo Ruggeri, Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Leon Goretzka, and Nicolas Jackson. Despite these transfers, Emery does not anticipate any further incomings before the deadline.
READ MORE: Aston Villa Transfer Deadline Day: Two New Signings as Unai Emery Finalises Squad
READ MORE: HMRC Extends 5p Fuel Duty Cut and Cancels Planned Increases
“I am not expecting more,” Emery said following the Arsenal defeat. “Last year, we needed to do something. This year we have replaced the players that we had.”
In other squad news, striker Tammy Abraham is set to remain at Villa after rejecting a loan move from Ipswich Town. The 28-year-old, who joined from Besiktas for £18 million in January, is keen to continue his career with the club.
However, ahead of tonight’s deadline, one player who is expected to depart is winger Leon Bailey. Although attracting interest from several clubs including Sevilla and Al Diriyah, Bailey has yet to complete a move despite being considered surplus to requirements throughout the transfer window.
Several young players are also expected to leave on loan spells to gain experience. Overall, compared to the flurry of activity last year when Villa secured Victor Lindelof, Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott, this deadline day is likely to be relatively quiet for the club.