Dan Bardell gives his verdict on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, why replacing Ezri Konsa with the Southampton defender would leave him underwhelmed and the wider concerns around Villa’s recruitment as Unai Emery prepares for another season of Champions League football.

Despite departures of key figures, manager retains club’s backing, and recruitment of young talent is keeping fans excited about new era

Arsenal are reportedly looking to bolster their scouting pedigree at a time when Aston Villa are eyeing up a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa. TEAMtalk reported earlier this week that Arsenal are inching closer to a deal worth around £50million for the Villa centre-back as they prepare for their Premier League title defence.

The match will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the U.K., NBC/Peacock in the U.S.A., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sport in Australia. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.

Aston Villa enjoyed another excellent season under Unai Emery by finishing fourth in the Premier League and they were incredibly efficient at both ends of the pitch. Despite nine teams having more shots and 12 teams having a higher expected goals figure,

An £18m bid for Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been rejected. Villa will head to Brighton without two of their summer recruits, midfielders Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi, due to injury. Teenage striker Brian Madjo has also been sidelined for the opening weeks of the campaign.

Where would a Watkins exit leave Villa? What are his and Villa's options? We look at the situation with the Villa

Atlético Madrid are looking to beat Aston Villa to the loan signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, sources told ESPN.