Matthias Ginter makes transfer plan known amid Aston Villa interest as Juventus eye Emi Martinez
BirminghamLive brings you the latest Aston Villa transfer news and views on Wednesday, April 20
Here are your Aston Villa headlines on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Steven Gerrard's men are back in match action on Saturday, April 23 against Leicester City at the King Power
Aston Villa already know Matthias Ginter's transfer plan
Reported Aston Villa transfer target Matthias Ginter is currently assessing his options as he is set to leave German club Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the season.
The centre-back is set to find a new club as he will become a free agent this summer and has been linked with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Premier League side Newcastle United. But recent reports claim that Villa boss Steven Gerrard "wants" Ginter, as he looks to improve his squad ahead of a crucial 2022/23 campaign.
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenburg said on Twitter: "News #Ginter: Gerrard wants him! @AVFCOfficial officials have spoken to his management. But Ginter has not made a decision yet. He waits for other options." It comes after Ginter has decided to leave the Germany club when his contract expires at the end of this season.
And the 28-year-old has been speaking about his future to the German media. He was asked about his future and what club he would like to join. Ginter told Sport1: "It's also about the family environment, that was always great here in Gladbach.
"In addition, for me it is also about the club itself, about the fact that it has potential and is ambitious and that the sporting role planned for me fits. In addition, it is always important for a player that the coach likes you.
"There are a few sporty things, a few aside from that and ultimately you weigh things up. There will never be 100% security beforehand anyway, but you try to decide as well as possible."
Leicester City set to be without four senior players ahead of Aston Villa clash
Aston Villa face Leicester City this weekend as Steven Gerrard looks to complete the double over his former manager Brendan Rodgers - who could be without at least four senior players this weekend.
Villa will be keen to end their four-game losing streak this weekend while Leicester will also be eager to right the wrongs from their recent 2-1 loss to Newcastle United, which saw them lose the game just moments before the final whistle blew, thanks to Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes' second goal of the game.
The Foxes are in action at Everton on Wednesday night. Prior to that fixture, LeicestershireLive provided their fans with an injury update regarding four players who could miss the clash against Villa, which included two key players and two long-term absentees...
Jamie Vardy
Injury: Hamstring
Vardy has made just one start and one appearance as a substitute in 2022 after suffering injuries to both his hamstring and knee. The club are hopeful he can make a return soon after more treatment however.
Reports state that the striker has 'assured' his teammates that he'll be fit before the end of the season, as Rodgers' side look to continue their run in Europe and target a strong finish in the Premier League.
Possible return date : TBC
What Rodgers said : "That (final injection) was last night,” Rodgers said at his pre-match press conference for the Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg against PSV Eindhoven. “We’ll see over the course of the next week what effect that brings. Hopefully it can be positive news for us.”
Wilfried Ndidi
Injury: Medial ligament damage
Ndidi, who had been linked with a move to Villa in the past, has since been ruled out until the end of the season after picking up the injury against Rennes. Surgery has taken place and the player will now be recovering from the procedure until June.
Possible return date : Pre-season
What Rodgers said : “Wilfred Ndidi unfortunately will be out for the season, which is a shame for us. He’s been a brilliant player for me in my time here. He’s picked up a nasty injury and he has had to have surgery. He’ll recover through until June."
More HERE.
Aston Villa thrash Brentford B in secret friendly
It's a case of back to business for Aston Villa's first-team this week after being granted the Easter weekend off by Steven Gerrard. The head coach did, however, oversee a 5-1 friendly win at Brentford on Good Friday prior to a couple of days away.
Gerrard, 41, wanted to have a good look at some of his youngsters who've been around the first-team with the likes of Ben Chrisene, Tim Iroegbunam, Tommi O'Reilly, Kerr Smith, Jayden Barber, Josh Feeney, Brad Young and Hayden Lindley all featuring against Brentford's B team. Villa's squad in west London was a good mix of young and senior players with Bertrand Traore, Leon Bailey, Marvelous Nakamba, Kortney Hause and Carney Chukwuemeka also in action.
Head coach Gerrard was left fuming with his first-team group after his side's 0-4 defeat by Spurs 10 days ago, and used the Brentford friendly as an opportunity to assess those mentioned at close quarters ahead of assembling his group for pre-season. The boss has continued to speak glowingly of the likes of Iroegbunam and O'Reilly, with the pair impressing the gaffer once again.
A huge cull is expected at Bodymoor Heath this summer with a whole host of first-team stars set to depart. Gerrard is keen to add players with real pedigree while also complementing Villa's talented crop of youngsters knowing the manager wants to fight hard on three fronts in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup next term.
Gerrard said: "We want to go on a journey with players that are all in, that are going to help us get to where we want to be. We want to add players who are able to come in and make the group better."
More HERE.
Juventus handed transfer request for Aston Villa star
Juventus are reportedly lining up a summer swoop for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentina number one is said to be a top target for the Old Lady with manager Massimiliano Allegri keen to add another goalkeeper to his squad this summer. Current number one Wojciech Szczesny could be displaced for the new campaign as Juventus look likely to fall short of the Serie A top three once again this season.
The Italian giants had won nine Scudetto's in a row until last season, when they finished in fourth position. And Allegri is excepted to make big changes to his squad this summer, with Martinez reportedly a name on his transfer wish list.
Argentinean outlet TyC Sports reports that Allegri wants to replace Szczesny as his starting keeper and has made a request to the club’s chiefs for Martinez to be signed. However, it would take a huge offer for Villa to be tempted into a sale.
Martinez himself is settled at the club and is enjoying life in Birmingham having recently penned a new contract. In January the former Arsenal stopper signed a new and improved deal to remain at Villa Park until 2027.