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Crystal Palace have said goodbye to club legend Wilfried Zaha and may be about to lose Marc Guehi to circling Premier League rivals, but Roy Hodgson's side could have a defensive alternative lined up.

What players have left Crystal Palace?

The Eagles have so far brought in only Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer following the midfielder's departure from fellow top-flight side Bournemouth.

Zaha is the most notable of those who have departed Selhurst Park, the forward officially joining Galatasaray on Monday, while the likes of Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur and Jack Butland have also reached the end of their contracts.

Guehi may be the next player to leave Palace, though the ball is very much in the South London side's court as the centre-back has three years to run on his deal.

According to The Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea are all interested in the 23-year-old, who is valued at £50m by the Eagles.

Palace could in turn make a surprise move for Aymeric Laporte, with the Daily Star reporting that the Eagles may move for the Manchester City defender in a cut-price £35m deal – a £22m loss for the European champions on what they paid Athletic Bilbao five years ago.

What is Aymeric Laporte's contract situation?

The French-born Spain international has two years to run on his City contract, meaning Pep Guardiola's men are certainly in no desperate need to offload this summer.

Laporte recently admitted he did not enjoy last season as much as his previous campaigns at the Etihad Stadium, having started just 11 Premier League games in City's treble-winning campaign.

Despite his relatively limited action in the top flight last season, Laporte still showed he is among the best centre-backs anywhere on the continent when used.

The 29-year-old ranks among the top 1% of all defenders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted (86.43 per 90), as per FBref, the top 3% for pass completion (92.7%) and the top 1% again for both progressive passes and progressive carries.

Laporte completely outperforms Guehi in each of those categories, the latter completing 'only' 85.3% of his passes, though there is nothing between the pair when it comes to tackles won per 90 (0.73), as is also the case in terms of aerial duels won (55.8% and 55.7% respectively).

Guehi does edge things in terms of blocks per 90 (1.22 v 0.91), which goes to show that, even at six years younger than Laporte, Guehi is an incredibly talented player in the purely defensive metrics – going a long way to explaining his hefty valuation.

For the here and now, though, there is no denying that Laporte is the better all-rounder for Hodgson. Indeed, the fact Guardiola would be reluctant to sell a player he previously described as "incredible" says an awful lot about the former Athletic Bilbao ace's stature.

Laporte's performances have been consistently strong across his six campaigns at City, five of which have resulted in him lifting the Premier League title at the end of the season.

Should Palace match the Citizens' valuation, and indeed persuade Laporte to join them over a bigger-name club, it could prove to be the biggest coup of the transfer window.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling has been "very poor" of late and supporters are losing patience, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Is Sterling having a good season for Chelsea?

The 28-year-old traded Manchester City for the Blues last summer, coming in as a big-money addition who would hopefully hit the ground running. It has been a grim season at Stamford Bridge, however, with Chelsea sitting 11th in the Premier League, and Sterling's campaign has got worse as the campaign has gone on.

He has scored just four goals and registered two assists in the league, which is a poor return over 22 appearances, and he hasn't found the net in the competition since New Year's Day. While he can't be solely blamed for the various struggles on show currently, he could be offering a lot more quality and consistency.

Some recent reports have even suggested that Sterling could leave Chelsea at the end of the season, departing west London after just one year at the club.

Could forward leave this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Phillips didn't hold back in his criticism of Sterling, with far more required from the England international:

"He's been poor, very poor. There are no two ways about it. Chelsea fans are getting very frustrated with his performances. When he came in at the start, I will give him credit as he did look good and not many people really complained about the signing at the time.

"For £45 million, it wasn't bad business. An England international, very experienced player, who was coming in from Man City. Obviously, he's been there and he's done it, so bringing a player like that into the squad, it didn't really get frowned upon.

"But right now, Chelsea fans have lost their patience with Sterling."

There is no doubt that Sterling has ultimately been an underwhelming signing to date, considering what a strong career he has had, scoring 131 goals for City and bring a key man for several years, as well as netting 20 times in 82 caps for England.

The hope is that his struggles are in tandem with that of Chelsea's as a team, so selling him soon wouldn't make sense, given his pedigree as a footballer, being hailed as "frightening" by Tony Cascarino last year.

Sterling has to do better between now and the end of this campaign, though, starting against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, when he could win round the doubters if he inspires the Blues to a Champions League comeback.

Sunderland have now made a “direct approach” to sign a “fantastic” midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano, having also opened talks to sign Granit Xhaka in recent days.

Black Cats looking to sign new midfielders

The Black Cats have already secured the signatures of Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra this summer, while Enzo Le Fee made his stay at the Stadium of Light permanent, meaning Regis Le Bris appears to be relatively well-stocked in the central midfield area.

However, the manager will be under no illusions about how difficult it will be to remain in the Premier League next season, and he clearly believes that signing another central midfielder could boost his side’s survival chances.

It may also be a wise idea to bring in players with Premier League experience, and Xhaka ticks that box, having spent a number of years with Arsenal, and talks over a deal for the 32-year-old have now been opened.

However, the former Arsenal man is not Le Bris’ only target in that area of the pitch, with Romano recently taking to X to reveal that Sunderland have now made a “direct approach” to the agent of Napoli midfielder Frank Zambo-Anguissa.

The Black Cats are still “working on” a deal for Xhaka, but Zambo-Anguissa has also now entered the frame as a potential target, although it could be difficult to lure him away from Napoli, as the Italian side have already offered him a new deal.

As things stand, the 29-year-old has a £38m release clause in his contract, meaning the newly-promoted side may need to spend big if they are to get a deal over the line.

"Fantastic" Anguissa would be coup for Sunderland

It appears unlikely that Sunderland will be able to secure the Cameroon international’s signature, given that Napoli are “confident” he will commit to a new contract, but it would be a real coup if they were able to get a deal done.

More exciting than Xhaka: Sunderland make contact to sign £34m star on loan

Sunderland could seal a deal even more exciting than Granit Xhaka returning to the Premier League with this world-class capture.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

The 29-year-old played a major role for the Serie A champions in their title-winning 2024-25 campaign, making 35 league appearances, during which time he picked up six goals and four assists.

Former Napoli loanee Philip Billing was also left impressed by his ex-teammate during his spell in Italy, describing him as “fantastic”. Speaking about the Cameroon international and Scott McTominay, the Bournemouth man also added: “I stick to my own playing style but also try to learn from them.

“They are both incredible, great profiles both physically and technically. They run a lot and also score goals.”

That said, Xhaka may be a more attainable target, and it is an added bonus that the Swiss midfielder already has Premier League experience.

Potential new Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has been handed a transfer boost as he looks to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

What’s the latest Man United news involving Jassim and Mbappe?

Jassim has been interested in taking control from the Glazers for months now and has placed five Old Trafford offers, with the last being a take-it-or-leave-it bid. Should the Qatar group prove successful, Jassim would clear all of United’s debt and have a separate fund for the club and local community.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group are the other main party in the race to purchase Manchester United, with both bidders yet to find out if their takeover attempts have been successful.

However, should Jassim come out on top, it appears as if he has an immediate transfer plan to win United supporters over. Reports have claimed that Jassim feels that Mbappe “belongs at Man United” and is planning a sensational transfer move for the star forward.

PSG would look to sell Mbappe if he doesn’t extend his stay at the Parc de Princes stay over the coming months and value the player at £170m.

Now, The Mirror have shared a further positive update on Mbappe and a potential move to Man United, saying:

“Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to sell Kylian Mbappe to Manchester United this summer should the Qatari-backed Sheikh Jassim takeover bid at Old Trafford prove successful.”

Is Kylian Mbappe signing for Manchester United?

Mbappe making the move to the red side of Manchester would be a huge deal and one that could take Erik ten Hag’s side to the next level.

The £893,000-a-week forward has scored a whopping 212 goals in 260 games for PSG and already has 38 goals in 68 games for France.

Still just 24 years of age, the World Cup winner netted 41 times in all competitions last season, with United scoring 58 goals in the Premier League, the fewest out of the top seven sides.

You can see how Mbappe would fit into this United side and possibly star in England, however, a lot still needs to happen before we can think about a transfer.

A deal needs to be struck between the Glazers and Jassim, and with Mike Keegan claiming it could take eight to 12 weeks for an approval process, meaning that the Glazers may remain in control at the start of next season, so a transfer could be tricky.

Aston Villa remain interested in Barcelona star Ferran Torres, with Unai Emery reportedly eyeing a move for the 23-year-old forward.

With Monchi on board, it’s expected to be a busy summer in the Midlands, with news reemerging linking the former Manchester City gem with a move to Villa Park.

The player was first rumoured to be one to watch for the Villans by journalist Graham Bailey back in May, who stated via The Talking Transfers Podcast that Villa could move for the Barcelona ace.

Fast-forward to now, and it’s been speculated that Emery’s side are ‘considering’ a loan move to lure the 23-year-old away from Catalonia, with a €25m option to buy rumoured.

That’s according to reports from Spain, where Mundo Deportivo relayed Villa’s interest in the forward last week, as per Sport Witness.

The report claims that despite the proposed approach for a loan, Barcelona may be more attracted to an immediate sale due to their ongoing financial worries, despite the player speculated to be against a ‘change in scenery’.

With Pau Torres nearing a permanent move to the Midlands, the signing of the impressive centre-back could inspire Monchi to raid La Liga once more in the bid to improve Emery’s attack.

What could Ferran Torres offer to Aston Villa?

At just 23-years-old, Torres has gathered adequate experience for his age in representing some of the continent's top clubs in Manchester City, Barcelona and Valencia.

Rising through the ranks of Valencia’s academy, the then 20-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola’s side in 2020, where he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for the Sky Blues, as well as getting his hands on two Premier League winners medals.

Adhering to a more sporadic role for the Citizens, the £165k-per-week winger showed his versatility in attack when called upon, featuring as both a wide player and a central striker with a particular eye for goal.

The youngster opted to return to his homeland just a year and a half after arriving in Manchester, signing for the Catalan giants in the 2022 January window.

Similar occurrences have happened at the Camp Nou, in which the Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order to talents such as Raphinha and Ansu Fati, finding it difficult to secure continuous game time.

The forward could be a perfect addition to Emery’s squad, who are looking to add high-profile names to the side this summer after securing a spot in Europe next season.

The Premier League has an abundance of dynamic wingers on show, with Torres being likened to one star in particular based on his statistical comparisons by FBref, showing similarities to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, a player Emery coached in north London.

Emery could obtain his answer to the 15-goal Brazilian in the Spaniard, who has recorded similar numbers to the Gunners starlet over the past year.

When comparing the two, it’s clear to see just what Torres could equip Villa with, averaging 0.39 non-penalty goals per 90, just shy of Martinelli’s average of 0.41.

A similar pattern is notable in the Spaniard’s threat on the ball, with him being lauded as “magnificent” by former teammate Dani Parejo, praise that's reflected by averaging an impressive 1.96 successful take-ons per 90.

That is incredibly close to Arsenal’s trickster with Martinelli averaging 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 as per FBref, showing the calibre of player Villa could find themselves possessing this summer.

Leeds United may have strengthened well in the summer, but there remain holes left by the damaging departures they were forced to oversee throughout a tumultuous summer.

The exit of Rodrigo saw them lose out on their key goalscorer, whilst Tyler Adams' move to AFC Bournemouth marked the second consecutive summer that they had lost their midfield orchestrator, after Kalvin Phillips' departure in 2021. Even Max Wober, who only joined in January, quickly grew into their most reliable defensive asset at the back, remaining solid when others could not.

So, with all three of them having now left Elland Road, it was no mean feat for Daniel Farke to find their replacements.

Joel Piroe is expected to offer an alternative to the former, whilst Glen Kamara hopes to be a like-for-like replacement for the USA international. However, when it came to the former RB Salzburg titan, Joe Rodon's signing arguably marked the most perfect one to fill such a vacancy, with power, poise and pure control at centre-back.

However, the only issue that remains is that the Wales international is not a permanent fix, having only joined on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur. No matter how bright his start, or how imperious he remains throughout the Championship campaign, the 25-year-old will likely be recalled next summer for Ange Postecoglou to reassess his future.

This will make it all the more painful when they lose a man who is already maintaining a 7.13 average rating in the second tier, buoyed by his 92% pass accuracy, 100% dribble success rate, 1.3 interceptions and 3.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

The Whites have merely plugged a hole in signing the defender, with a long-term replacement for Wober still needed. Fortunately, they boast an academy full of talent just waiting to be unleashed.

How good was Max Wober?

Although an unassuming signing, given Jesse Marsch was merely recruiting another of his former players after the failures Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen proved to be, the Austrian stalwart quickly proved himself to be a cut above these two flops.

The 25-year-old had shone in his homeland, but translating those talents into the Premier League posed a completely different challenge, especially with the specifications his role demands.

Given how the modern-day centre-back is forever evolving, with power and strength just as important as ability on the ball nowadays, many wondered how the 25-year-old would stand up to the physical demands of a division famed for its high-octane games.

But, with a 6.84 average rating across his 16 appearances, it is fair to say he largely succeeded. An admirable figure buoyed by a host of stellar defensive statistics, his 71% pass accuracy was saved by his 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and four clearances per game, via Sofascore.

His rating actually made him Leeds' third-best performer in the league of those who started five or more games, and earned praise from Javi Gracia: "What I can say about Max, as everybody knows when he was available he played as a centre-back playing with Robin in the middle and he had very good performances."

The Spaniard would rush to laud him on another occasion too, outlining the immediate partnership he had struck up with Robin Koch: "In my opinion, both centre backs played really well today. They had a tough challenge. As you say with a very tall player and all the defensive line was very concentrated and the good work of the team meant we got a clean sheet."

So, to find a replacement for one of their few shining lights in an otherwise dull season will be no mean feat. Whilst many might suggest Charlie Cresswell as his natural successor from the academy, given his domineering characteristics and recent experience gained out on loan, there is perhaps another quietly shining in the background, biding his time before Farke hands him his chance.

Who is James Debayo?

James Debayo may be just 18 years old, but already he has begun making a name for himself in Yorkshire for his immense defensive displays for the youth sides.

It is a testament to both his maturity and his physicality that he has already been promoted into the U21s, having featured in their first four Premier League 2 games of the new season, three of which were wins.

To emphasise this point further, the teenage colossus actually already has 19 appearances for that side, and is just two shy of already matching the amount of games he has played for the U18s. The speed with which he is rising through the ranks is commendable and surely has caught the eye.

Even last year journalist Joe Donnohue sought to mark him out, highlighting one fine performance: "Only played first 45 but was impressive before taking an early yellow card. Had to be withdrawn at the break due to the booking."

Although only a small sample size, the two brief appearances he made in the Football League Trophy last season highlighted his defensive prowess, as despite averaging just 51 minutes per game, he still mustered 1.5 interceptions and two clearances per game, via Sofascore.

With Wober clearly being a defence-first centre-back, allowing his passing to suffer as long as he remains staunch at the back, it seems Debayo too shares this warrior-like trait which could help him to thrive in the Championship.

However, a clip shared from the Rising Ballers account instead showcases a trickery that could allow him to even surpass the Austria international, pairing his solidity with a silkiness that Elland Road has been lacking in recent years.

Then, as if the youngster needed additional aid in promoting his talents, he already has grown into a mainstay for England's U18s side, having been handed his debut by Neil Ryan.

Given Farke's ability to replace the talent he has lost, showcased throughout the summer, it is no surprise that with Wober he pushed the long-term option down the road with a shrewd loan signing. Perhaps this was merely a financial decision, or perhaps his eye has in fact been caught by one of the young defenders tearing up the academy scene, just waiting to be given their big chance to shine in the senior squad.

Liverpool completing a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is ‘not hot at this stage’, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: The story so far

Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City, alongside the Reds, have all been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old, who is making a name for himself in the Bundesliga.

90min report that Jurgen Klopp has already sent scouts to watch the Croatian in action, so that he and the hierarchy are able to maintain regular updates on his transfer situation.

Marco Rose’s centre-back has publicly made it known that he supported the Merseysiders growing up and would love to one day complete a move to Anfield.

The Latest: Plettenberg’s update

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Liverpool aren’t currently in talks to sign Gvardiol. He wrote:

“News #Gvardiol: As reported yesterday #LFC is interested! He’s on the list. It would be a great fitting. But I’ve been told that it’s not hot at this stage. No negotiations. Leipzig wants to keep him 100%. Release clause in summer 2024 (!) is around €110m.”

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The Verdict: Splash the cash

Gvardiol’s release clause being £97m as of next year isn’t at all cheap for a centre-back, but Liverpool should splash the cash to secure his services whenever the opportunity presents itself.

The Zagreb native is currently averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.4 aerial wins per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga, via WhoScored, but can also be a threat in the final third.

The 6 foot 1 colossus has scored two goals in five Champions League appearances this season showing that he’s a danger at set pieces, much like Virgil Van Dijk.

Gvardiol will know what it takes to be successful having already won four trophies despite his young age, and he would only thrive further under the leadership of Klopp should he sign on the dotted line.

Paris Saint-Germain could make a fresh move for Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech in the summer transfer window, a new update has suggested.

Is Ziyech a key man at Chelsea?

The Moroccan has had a frustrating season at Stamford Bridge, struggling to consistently become a key player under both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. The 30-year-old has only actually started six Premier League games in total, with another seven appearances coming from the substitutes' bench, and just one start has come his way in the Champions League.

Back in January, it looked as though Ziyech could depart Chelsea, with PSG looking to strike a deal to sign him late in the window. In the end, however, the transfer failed to go through and the Morocco international remained in west London for the remainder of this season.

Given his lack of playing time, though, it looks as though a summer departure could be likely, even though his current Blues deal doesn't expire until 2025. A fresh update further suggests as much, with PSG seemingly refusing to go away quietly.

Could winger be off to PSG?

According to Football Insider, the French giants are "set to rekindle their interest" in Ziyech this summer, as they look to acquire the services of a long-time target. Since the January move failed to come to fruition, PSG have "continued to monitor and stay in touch" with the Chelsea man and "they are on the lookout for cheaper deals", which is where he comes into play.

Todd Boehly is also thought to be looking to trim his squad once the summer arrives and Ziyech is someone who doesn't appear to be a key part of the club's plans moving forward. It's added that PSG are "preparing another bid" to sign the World Cup star.

There is no denying the 50-cap and 19-goal Morocco international's ability as a footballer – he has been described as "incredible" by his international manager, Walid Regragui – but moving him on at the end of this season does feel like the most logical decision by Chelsea.

He has become a bit-part player, flitting in and out of matches and failing to score in the league in 2022/23 to date, and he himself is surely keen on the prospect of a new challenge where he could be more of a regular starter.

Ultimately, Ziyech's time at Chelsea has been arguably adequate but little more, although there is still time for him to go out with a bang and help inspire the Blues to Champions League glory under Frank Lampard.

Everton's season has been poor. Few people would debate that statement. But that is not to suggest that certain individuals have not performed well amidst the chaos and dogged relegation scrap.

For a period their defence was one of the best in the Premier League, and if not for a brutal mid-season collapse under Frank Lampard, they surely would have upheld this had Sean Dyche replaced him sooner.

The former Burnley boss did not waste time outlining the issues at the club, packing out the midfield to protect the back four which has resulted in a few vital wins to lift them out of the relegation zone.

In fact, since he joined the club the Toffees sit fourth in the form table, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur above them.

His impact has been borderline revolutionary and has finally seen the best of James Tarkowski once again, although his levels have never really dropped despite the rest of his team's failures.

It was therefore a huge disappointment to see him omitted from Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad, although it hardly came as a surprise.

Should James Tarkowski be picked for England?

Back in 2017, Gareth Southgate proudly proclaimed: "I never pick on reputation — form has to come into it."

However, it is quite clear that since then he has developed certain favourites who maintain their place within his squad regardless of club form.

Until recently, Conor Coady was a mainstay within the England squad despite seldom actually playing. Whilst this was likely due to what he could offer within the dressing room, the continued selection of the likes of Eric Dier, Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips have all raised eyebrows.

The latter two in particular, given how neither plays regularly for their clubs.

Meanwhile, Tarkowski has played every minute of their albeit poor Premier League campaign thus far, yet without him their situation would look considerably more dismal. For comparison, the Manchester United defender has started just five times in the league for his club.

The fact that the Toffees' stopper has also maintained a 7.19 rating throughout a tumultuous campaign too, the highest rating of any of his teammates to feature over five times, further exacerbates his importance. The 7.00 average rating of Maguire is also somewhat gratuitous given his far smaller sample size within a squad boasting far more quality. However, it still does not compare to the former.

It is no wonder that other pundits were pleading with Southgate to take the £100k-per-week titan to the World Cup, with Danny Mills even telling Match of the Day (via the Daily Star): "He's [Tarkowski] the best English centre-half we have that's playing regularly. He's been that good."

Whilst his level hasn't dropped from that period, it feels like his opportunity to feature for his national team dwindles with each passing break.

Evertonians are seldom surprised to see their top players snubbed, so Tarkowski will have to do something truly exceptional to add to the two caps earned back in 2018.

Liverpool will host Aston Villa at the start of September in the two teams' last Premier League fixture before the international break. It's always an interesting fixture and there's perhaps more at stake than ever this season.

After all, Liverpool will hope to rebound after last season and build some early momentum. A repeat of last season can't happen if they're to recapture a top-four place.

But Villa will have eyes on those spots themselves. They're back in European football after a stunning second half of the season under Unai Emery. A win over Liverpool would be a huge statement to start the season and get the team looking up the table going into the international break.

To beat Liverpool, they'll need goals, though. Ollie Watkins could be their best chance of finding them – so we at Football FanCast thought we'd look into his record against the Reds. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Ollie Watkins' goals record against Liverpool?

Watkins has come up against Liverpool six times in his career and his record against them looks pretty great. He's scored five times in that span – the most he's managed against anyone in his career.

Though, it's worth mentioning that three of those goals came in his first appearance against Liverpool. That was a crazy game, finishing 7-2 to Villa as they took advantage of some bizarre defending from the Reds. Watkins took advantage as much as anyone.

His record since is two goals in five games, which isn't quite as impressive. Still, he did manage one against them at home last season – Watkins hasn't forgotten how to find the Liverpool net.

What is Ollie Watkins' assists record against Liverpool?

Watkins only has the one assist against Liverpool, again coming in that 7-2 win. And virtually everyone got an assist in that one.

But then, it's not his game. There aren't too many teams against which he's managed more than a solitary assist, and only two – Luton and Colchester – where Watkins has three.

Don't expect him to supply the goals at Anfield, then – Villa will hope he's on the end of chances, rather than creating them.

What is Ollie Watkins' head-to-head record against Liverpool?

It's not a pretty one. In six games, Watkins has only won once against Liverpool – the 7-2 in his first appearance vs them. There's only one draw in his history, too, and that was in the most recent outing in May of this year.

But we're not sure how much you can really read into this. For one, Villa look like a much better side right now than they have in any of Watkins' previous seasons with the club. We fully expect them to give the Reds a proper match this time around, as they did back in May.

All of Watkins' games against the Reds have come in the Premier League, too. He didn't feature in the 4-1 FA Cup defeat against the Reds back in 2021.

What is Ollie Watkins' record at Anfield?

Watkins does only have three games in his career at Anfield, so there's not too much to go on here. All have come in the Premier League and usually end in defeat – two losses, one draw is his record.

As for goals, Watkins does have one. He scored at Anfield in a 2-1 defeat back in 2021 but has been unable to find the net there since that first appearance.

Who has Ollie Watkins scored against the most?

Two teams have conceded five to Watkins – the most he's managed against a single club. Liverpool are one, of course, with the other being Swansea City. His record against the Reds is slightly better, though, as he managed that total in one fewer game.

There are then three different clubs against whom Watkins has four total goals. Arsenal, Bristol City and Derby County are the unlucky trio – you can usually count on the striker to find the net against them.

How many goals does Ollie Watkins have in September?

Watkins has found the net 11 times in the month of September since the start of his career. However, it doesn't make good reading for those expecting him to net at Anfield.

None of those goals have come in the Premier League, while nine of them weren't even with Aston Villa. Watkins has nine Championship strikes in September and then two for his current club both in the EFL Cup.

He'll be hoping to break his duck against Liverpool.

What is Ollie Watkins' Aston Villa goal record?

Watkins has played 118 times across all competitions for Villa since arriving in 2020. His record in that span is pretty good, too, with 43 goals and 14 assists so far.

It means Watkins is closing in on his record haul for a club. That stands at 49 for Brentford, where he also managed his most assists – 17. There's every chance that he will overtake both figures by the end of this season.

What is Ollie Watkins' Premier League goal record?

Watkins is now 111 games into his Premier League career, with all of them coming at Aston Villa. In that time, the striker has managed 40 goals – a solid haul for three seasons of work.

Last season was his best yet, too. Watkins scored 15 times in 37 games, beating his first Premier League campaign by one goal in the same number of appearances. His middle season saw him get 11 goals,

There have been 14 assists so far, we should add. In total, Watkins has provided 53 goal contributions in 109 games – so just under one every other game.

What is Aston Villa's record against Liverpool?

Villa vs Liverpool is a fixture that dates all the way back to 1895, so there's a lot of history here. In total, the two teams have met on 201 occasions.

As you might expect, given their dominance over the last few decades, Liverpool's record is far superior in this one. They've won 101 of the 201 meetings, with Villa managing just 59. That leaves 41 draws for those keeping track.

But what about just in the Premier League era? There have been 56 meetings since the rebrand with Liverpool again winning over half. In fact, their record is even better when just counting the last 32 years – 32 wins to Villa's 13.

What is Aston Villa's record at Anfield?

As you may have guessed from the last section, it's not particularly good. This will actually be the 100th time Villa play at Anfield but they'll be hoping for what would be just their 18th win.

So in 99 Anfield fixtures, it's 17 wins, 20 draws and 62 defeats to the Reds. Not exactly a game that's brought a lot of luck their way, then, and a win this time around would be something of a surprise.

What are Aston Villa's recent results against Liverpool?

Not good. In fact, Villa have lost five of their last six against Liverpool, dating back to their last win in the fixture – the 7-2. The only time they avoided defeat came in the most recent game, too, back in May.

That was a 1-1 draw at Anfield and to be fair to Villa, it's by far the most relevant result here. Not only was it away, but it was also their only meeting with Unai Emery as boss. They shot up the league once the Spaniard took over, becoming so much better that comparing results before him seems unfair to this side.

And the previous results were particularly bad, too.

Since Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool, Villa have played 12 games against his team. They've won two of them – the 7-2 and the 5-0 win in the EFL Cup against the Reds' Under 21 side. In other words, this is a fixture they almost always struggle in.

But hey, at least the wins tend to be emphatic.

When is Liverpool vs Aston Villa?

Liverpool host Aston Villa on Sunday, September 3rd at 14:00 UK time. It'll be a huge match for both teams as we get an early idea of what they're about this season.

Liverpool want to bounce back after an incredibly disappointing campaign last time out. Their struggles saw them out of the title race incredibly early on, while they barely managed a top-four challenge in the end. A new midfield could be exactly what they needed, though – it's certainly their gameplan this season.

Villa were only one place behind Liverpool in the Premier League table, of course. A sensational run under Unai Emery saw them climb all the way up from the bottom into the Europa League spot – and they'll have plans to do even better this time around. The right transfers – and some momentum carried on from last season – could see Villa threaten to go one better.

A win in this fixture, then, would be a sign for either that they mean business from the off this time around.