- Villa is five points ahead of Tottenham in fourth place in the Premier League
- Emery and transfer chief Monchi want to improve the selection again this summer
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Aston Villa are preparing for interest in their star players this summer as the impact of spending rules is felt across the league.
Unai Emery’s men are fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League but, like a number of Premier League clubs, must carefully manage their finances to stay within the competition’s spending rules.
The points deduction for Everton and possible further penalties for the Goodison Park club and Nottingham Forest have put the division on high alert.
Homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, valued at around £50m, was a target for Newcastle in January and any fee received could be used as pure profit for PSR (profit and sustainability) purposes as the 22-year-old is a is a product of the Villa academy. .
Brazil international Douglas Luiz has long been admired by Arsenal, while Boubacar Kamara would certainly have attracted attention had he not suffered a serious knee injury last month that will keep him out until the autumn.
Unai Emery’s side currently occupy fourth place and appear to be in good shape to secure Champions League qualification next season
Douglas Luiz (centre) has long been admired by Arsenal, while academy talent Jacob Ramsey (left) was targeted for Newcastle in January
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Villa sold homegrown players Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey and Jaden Philogene for around £40m between them last summer, but broke their transfer record by signing Moussa Diaby for around £45m, while new deals for key figures such as Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins have delivered a significant increase in the wage bill.
Emery and transfer chief Monchi are desperate to improve the squad again this summer but may have to sell to fund those plans.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Luton, Emery will include Konsa in the squad following his injury in the win at Sheffield United earlier this year, while fellow centre-back Pau Torres will also travel.