Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa transfer latest, Leon Bailey and ‘top’ appointment

Aston Villa confirmed Pau Torres as their second summer signing on Wednesday afternoon and he won’t be the last exciting addition to Unai Emery’s squad this summer.

Villa are now prioritising their pursuit of a new winger who can add top quality to Emery’s attacking options. Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby is understood to be a top target for Villa this summer.

Here, Aston Villa reporter John Townley hosts his weekly Villa fans’ forum discussing all of the big talking points with all eyes on the window and pre-season. The transcript is in full, below, while you can have your say on all things Villa and transfers in the comments section.

Robertavfc: Any news on how away tickets will be sold especially for European games?

Hi Robert, thanks for the message. There has been no communication on this yet, but you’d expect the Villa ticketing policy to be similar to West Ham’s last season. They were entitled to 5 per cent capacity or as agreed with the host club, who also set prices of away tickets, which were capped at €45. There should be info on this shortly given that Villa will be heading for Europe in the next month for one of the legs of their play-off tie.

trinityroad: Morning John is their anything close regarding signings?

Morning, mate. Villa’s priority at the moment is signing a winger who can play in that role which was occupied mostly by Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey last season. Moussa Diaby is their prime target, while they have a strong interest in Brennan Johnson too. Leverkusen are willing to sell Diaby if their valuation is met this summer and Villa are due to open talks. That would be another statement signing for Villa if they could pull it off following the arrivals of Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans.

VillainSpain: Morning John, anything in the Diaby link do you think?, That would be incredible wouldn’t it? Looking forward to Valencia having been at Leipsig & Rennes, incredible trips these. UTV!

Hi mate, hope you’re well and thanks for getting involved. Villa are due to open talks with Leverkusen over the possibility of signing Diaby. He’d be an excellent addition if Villa can find a breakthrough. Leverkusen are thought to want £50million for the winger this summer knowing that his value could fall next summer given that he has two years left on his current deal. He appears to be a perfect fit in that position which Emery is clearly trying to strengthen following unsuccessful moves for Nico Williams and Federico Chiesa.

Chosen in 1957: Hi John , There’s been a huge response following the article regarding Chris Heck. What I and others would like to know is he going to hold regular meetings with the media and the supporters groups to listen to our concerns and hopes for the long term future of the club. Have you actually met him face to face and what do you think of him as a person compared to Christian Purslow? Looking at his track record in the USA he has had a significant impact in Philidephia for the better, but do you envisage any major problems in his new venture?

Hi mate! Hope you’re good. Chris Heck met with the fan advisory board at the back end of last month which was his first official contact with supporters. He started work back in May and is already putting his stamp on the club’s commercial strategy. He performed a tremendous job at the Sixers. He’s a commercial expert, has over 30 years of sports industry experience and he’s got big plans to drive the club forward – I’m really excited by his arrival. A huge part of his work at the Sixers was to stay true to the local community and Philadelphia. Villa’s traditions will be honoured and he will play a key role in the club’s bright future, I have no doubt about that.

LymeLaney: Hey John. How’s it going bud? Exciting times still. Obvs gonna ask on the latest news on signings. Anything firming up? Two in (almost); four more req imho. Can you remind me what the podcast YouTube address is please; feels like I’ve missed one! Keep up the good work – loving your work!

Hi mate! All good thank you and appreciate the message pal. Villa will move for Moussa Diaby of Leverkusen. Emery has funds to spend to improve his forward line having seen approaches for Nico Williams and Federico Chiesa turned down earlier in the window. Diaby has two years left on his deal and Leverkusen will sell him this summer if their valuation is met. One to keep an eye on in the coming days. Our YouTube/podcast link is here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ClaretBlueAnAstonVillaPodcast

krfeskivilla: Hi John…IF we were to sign Moussa Diaby or Ferran Torres, they presumably occupy competition for Leon Bailey ( and are probably an upgrade). However, due to their versatility, they can also play more centrally, do they also offer sufficient cover for Ollie Watkins so we don’t need to buy another out and out striker? Hence then keeping Duran and Archer? IMO that would give us ample cover in those right hand and central attacking positions. I’m guessing we will try and move on Traore, and JP Bidace too probably ( shame). With Jacob Ramsey injury, is he covered by Buendia and Coutinho? Presumably Tielemans and McGinn could also play there if needed or are we looking at another option there? Aaron Ramsey is another option, but do you think one more season on loan in the Championship for him? Really hoping Louie Barry gets a successful loan too. Definitely a player in there. If Dendoncer goes ( shame, I like him) I presume another midfielder would come in? Guendouzi? Hopefully Tim can convince Unia he is worth keeping around, and I really like Lamary Bogarde, although another loan may be beneficial for him.. Hoping that Chrisene shows enough for the future at left back, cos once Moreno is back we are strong with him and Digne. Don’t think we need to spend there. Will Chambers be right back cover or go? Any ideas or news on a potential no 2 keeper? ( See Sinsalo is off to Exeter on loan)

Afternoon, mate. Some interesting points you raise here. On forward options, Emery wants to add a striker to his squad, and will look to do so, but Villa must start to offload players to balance their books and the squad. Archer and Duran are both suitable options to play back-up to Watkins, but Emery did say after Danny Ings’ sale that he wanted to add an experienced number nine to his squad this summer. On cover in that advanced midfield role, I’d expect one of Buendia or Bailey to drop into a role there, with Tielemans likely to compete for a spot in the double pivot where Luiz and Kamara have flourished. Tielemans could play more advanced, of course, but there’s multiple options Emery could go with here. It’s a real shame that Villa won’t be at full strength down that left side until at least September. Aaron Ramsey could step-up to the first-team this season, but it’s hard to see where he gets the game time he needs. A useful asset given the amount of games Villa could play, but is that what’s best for his development? If Dendoncker departs then Villa will look to add depth in midfield, unless Tim Iroegbunam impresses in pre-season and Emery views him as ready to compete for minutes. On Chambers, he will be free to depart given the lack of opportunities he will get next season. He’d be an astute pick-up for a number of Premier League clubs. Nothing on a new goalkeeper coming in at this stage.

Chris65: Hi John, last season Villa had an option to purchase a subscription to watch the pre season friendlies, have not seen any mention this year?

Hi Chris, Villa are due to confirm Villa TV pricing for the pre-season friendlies at any point now. Walsall, Lazio and Valencia will all be screened there. I’m not sure on the Premier League Summer Series, but confirmation on the above will drop shortly.

southshropshirelad: Hi John, Villa have been linked with both right wingers (Torres, Asensio, Johnson and Diaby) and left wingers (Williams, Goncalves, Barnes and Chiesa). If Diaby is signed do you believe Emery will abandon the search for a left winger? Or could he sign a left winger, in addition to a right winger, and perhaps not sign a fully-fledged striker? Finally, how would the acquisition of a left winger affect the roles of Moreno and Digne?

Hi mate, hope you’re well? It’s very unlikely Villa be adding two wingers to their squad this summer given how expensive their targets are. Emery wants to add depth to his forward line by recruiting a player who can occupy that role which Buendia and Bailey held last season alongside Watkins. Nico Williams and Federico Chiesa were two ambitious targets earlier in the window, as too is Diaby, so we’ll see how this one plays out. Diaby is the perfect profile of forward who Emery wants to add to his squad.

DuncanB: Hi John, Just continuing on from the earlier thread on Chris Heck, have you asked his office yet for a sit down interview? Very keen to know his his initial thoughts, remit, understanding of the game and accessibility to media and fans moving forward.

Hi Duncan. Of course, we’d love to do that, perhaps one for later down the line. By all accounts he presented himself very well in the fan consultation he was involved in last month and I’m really excited by his arrival. A top appointment from the club.

mikecoolruler: Hi John. Hope you are well? The Chris Heck article certainly created a huge amount of engagement on this platform. But like the other readers on here, I am keen to know when we can see some meaningful engagement from Chris. There should be a supporters group meeting before too long, do you know if Chris will be present for that one? The one reported several weeks ago was a last minute impromptu session, so unfortunately had a very limited number of people in attendance. Will Chris share some of this responsibility with Monchi do you think, I am sure supporters would like to hear more from Monchi. Some ideas for the coming season, some people have suggested Villa would be an ideal candidate for a new Netflix series, I am talking a fly-on-the-wall docu-thingy, recording the new phase Villa find themselves in, ie new management structure, new players, new pursuits in Europe etc.. Obviously, Netflix wont listen to some ideas from a few fans, but how do you think BM would try and build a case to develop a collaboration project with the club, with even closer engagement to management meetings, team talks, even recruiting one of 2 players to contribute to weekly blog for the coming season? Look, next season heralds a new era for Aston Villa, we need to make it count, anything to elevate the club, including fan engagement could be ground breaking for the club and this publication, or could be a wasted opportunity. Make sure you get a look-in on the state side trip, try and get out there for a few days. Would be interesting to see how Chris and Wes operate within their natural habitat