Rotterdam has a special place in the hearts of Aston Villa supporters. Villa won the European Cup at De Kuip in 1982 thanks to Peter Withe's strike off his shin and the post and a stellar goalkeeping performance from young substitute Nigel Spink. Bayern Munich were their opponents that night and they return on Thursday to take on Feyenoord in the Europa League.
Speaking after the match, McGinn revealed that Donyell Malen is now Villa's designated penalty taker whenever he is on the pitch. I've gone down the list after the Brentford one. Donyell was meant to take it, but he was off the pitch, so Ollie was next in line as the striker. It's something we need to eradicate and get better at, McGinn explained.
Aston Villa start their 2025/26 Europa League campaign at home to Coppa Italia holders Bologna on Thursday. The Villans missed out on Champions League qualification on goal difference last season but have not won any of their first five Premier League games this time around. Bologna's comeback win over Genoa on Saturday gave Vincenzo Italiano's side two wins from two home games in the new Serie A campaign but they have lost both of their away games 1-0, at Roma and Milan.
Barkley has had something of an up-and-down career down the years and it's now unclear what the future could hold for him. The 31-year-old started out as a real wonderkid in his Everton days, but struggled when he later earned a big move to Chelsea. Since then, Barkley has occasionally shown signs of reviving his career in spells with Luton Town and Aston Villa, but he's now fallen down the pecking order in Unai Emery's squad again.
Atletico Madrid are reportedly preparing to seriously step up their interest in a potential transfer move for Aston Villa central midfielder Youri Tielemans. The Belgium international has mostly been a key player during his time at Villa Park, having previously also impressed during a spell at Leicester City. According to Fichajes, Tielemans could now be set to earn himself a big move to La Liga, with Atletico prepared to make an offer for the 28-year-old.
Joel Ordonez is an outstanding young defender, and it is safe to assume that he will be leaving Club Brugge in 2026. He is going to the World Cup finals next summer, and I am told that he is almost certain to have gone before that point. Chelsea and Villa are both long-term admirers of Ordonez, so no shock they are both posting scouts to keep tabs on his progress, and seeing him in action against an international-calibre strike force like Argentina is important.
Youri Tielemans is a target for Atletico Madrid, and they are preparing an offer to sign him in the coming months. According to a report from Fichajes, they could offer a package of 45 million (39m), including bonuses, to sign the Belgian international. He could prove to be an excellent addition for them. Youri Tielemans would improve Atletico The 28-year-old has shown his quality in the Premier League, and he has the ability to do well in La Liga as well.
