Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery reached a whole new level last season as they lifted the Europa League title, the club’s first piece of major silverware for 30 years.

The Villans also finished fourth in the Premier League and will compete in the Champions League this campaign once again.

Villa will be looking to continue their progress by adding new players in the transfer window. The club isn’t in need of wholesale changes, but a few tweaks here and there may help them ensure their trajectory remains headed upwards.

One of the positions that Emery may look to make a change in is goalkeeper, with long-term number one Emi Martinez’s future unclear.

Villa scouting World Cup star

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One goalkeeper whose name has been linked with Villa in recent days is Japan star Zion Suzuki, who has made headlines for his fascinating upbringing while competing at the World Cup.

The 23-year-old was born in Newark, United States to a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father and moved to Japan as a child.

Suzuki currently plays in Serie A for Parma and is becoming one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in Europe after an impressive campaign in Italy.

A broken hand kept the Japan international sidelined for four months, but either side of his mid-season layoff, the 23-year-old made 22 appearances, keeping six clean sheets and has become Japan’s outright first-choice.

According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Premier League clubs are starting to show “great interest” in Suzuki, with Aston Villa known to have scouted the goalkeeper, while Leeds United are “also gathering information”.

Is Martinez’s time at Villa over?

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It looked as though Martinez would be leaving Villa Park last summer, especially after the Argentine was left out of a matchday squad to face Crystal Palace last August amid interest from Manchester United.

In the end, the goalkeeper stayed at Villa and went on to help the club lift the Europa League. Once again though, the 33-year-old’s future is unclear.

Having signed for the Villans from Arsenal in 2020, Martinez has played a key role in the club’s progress from relegation fodder to top-four finishers and trophy winners over the past six years.

The goalkeeper’s stock rose tremendously after helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar three-and-a-half years ago but he remained at Villa.

Now though, it feels like the shot stopper’s time in the West Midlands has come to a natural end and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Villa recruit a new number one and allow Martinez to depart for a fresh opportunity.

Tottenham Hotspur could reluctantly sell four of their best young players after a decision made by Roberto De Zerbi ahead of next season.

It was expected that Tottenham would make some big moves in the summer transfer window to back Roberto De Zerbi after he kept the club in the Premier League, but ENIC have gone into overdrive and are showing huge ambition.

They have already announced two genius low-cost signings in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, who have joined the club on free transfers, while also confirming the £52m signing of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion.

With Ben Davies and Pedro Porro also signing new contracts to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, De Zerbi now appears to be satisfied with his defensive options heading into next season.

Now, attention has turned to the midfield and the attack, with it being suggested by top Spurs source Paul O’Keefe that the club want to complete seven signings this summer.

Next they are looking to sign at least one central midfielder, as well as a left-winger, right-winger and a centre-forward.

Tottenham are already pushing hard to bring in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United with the player open to a move, while they are also showing interest in Mateus Fernandes at London rivals West Ham United.

De Zerbi Prepared to Let Young Players Leave

via Reuters

According to O’Keefe, Tottenham could lose some of their best young players this summer.

The additions of Senesi and Van Hecke already suggest that De Zerbi is ready to go with experience in his backline, which has raised doubts over the future of returning loanee Luka Vuskovic.

The 19-year-old Croatian has been the subject of three bids from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, with the player said to be keen on the move.

The teenager might not be the last potential exit for a youngster however, with O’Keefe claiming on X that De Zerbi has already decided that he wants senior professionals and that the likes of Vuskovic, Lucas Bergvall, Mathys Tel and Pape Matar Sarr are unlikely to get many minutes next term.

While Tottenham are unlikely to sell all of those players, their resolve could be tested if serious bids are submitted.

Tottenham Must Not Neglect the Future

via Reuters

While the short-term is obviously hugely important for Tottenham as they look to surge back up the Premier League and compete at the right end of the table again, they also need to consider their future as well.

Players like Archie Gray, Bergvall and Vuskovic were signed because the club believed they could be important players for many years, and it would be a long-term risk to cast those individuals aside or make them unhappy now.

De Zerbi needs to find a balance and a blend of youth and experience to ensure Tottenham can keep hold of their best youngsters, rather than seeing players like Vuskovic seek a move elsewhere to play regularly.

ITV commentator Ally McCoist has been criticised after being left confused by many inside Boston Stadium loudly booing Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi against Scotland.

The African nation flew into a dream start as Ismael Saibari took advantage of a Grant Hanley mistake to break free and fire into the top corner past Angus Gunn. That was enough to seal a 1-0 victory and move Morocco above Steve Clarke’s men in the World Cup Group C standings.

During the match, Hakimi’s every touch was met with jeers inside the stadium. It came on the same day it was confirmed he would stand trial for a rape allegation from 2023.

Ally McCoist Criticised For Lack of Research

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During the first half of the game in Boston, McCoist picked up on the fact that Hakimi was being booed. The 63-year-old, who was on ITV’s commentary team, claimed the Paris Saint-Germain full-back had done something to ‘upset the locals’. He said:

This comment was quickly picked up by fans watching from home. One X user asked: “How did Ally McCoist miss this today when he’s a commentator for the game?”

Another wasn’t too impressed at the perceived lack of preparation from the ex-Scotland international: “Has Ally McCoist really just said he doesn’t know why Hakimi is being booed? Glad to see he’s done his research as a commentator.”

“I honestly think Ally McCoist is just completely ignorant to the Hakimi news,” another added. One football fan claimed it was ‘inexcusable’ to not be aware of the situation.

Hakimi Releases Statement Over Rape Charge

Caean Couto via Reuters

Hakimi has consistently maintained his innocence, and released a statement after his appeal against standing trial was unsuccessful. Taking to social media on Friday, the 27-year-old posted:

“Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become an easy target.

“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.”

Hakimi’s trial will reportedly take place in the coming months.