Aston Villa striker search, Emi Martinez transfer reality, Kesler-Hayden, Netflix and Diego Carlos

Unai Emery will sit down with reporters this afternoon (2pm) to look ahead to Aston Villa’s fixture against Bournemouth.

It’s all about a top-half finish for the Basque now while, in the background, Johan Lange and his recruitment team are busy working on reshaping Villa’s squad in the summer.

Villa chiefs fully expect Emi Martinez to remain as their No.1 heading into next season amid constant transfer speculation surrounding the World Cup winner. Emery, tough, wants to make improvements in defence, midfield and attack.

Villa have been linked with Athletic Bilbao centre-back Inigo Martinez this week with the 31-year-old out of contract in the summer.

Elsewhere, the futures of those out on loan remain unclear with Tim Iroegbunam, Aaron Ramsey, Jaden Philogene, Finn Azaz, Lamare Bogarde and Cameron Archer all shining in the EFL.

This week, BirminghamLive’s Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece sat down with supporters to discuss some of the big talking points. Here’s the best of the Q&A in transcript form, below.

Nickvilla: Two quick questions. 1) Where do Villa see Kesler-Hayden’s career / development map panning out? I really rated what I saw and heard of him and was gutted when Gerrard sent him out on loan but Emery doesn't seem to have been in a rush to get him around the first team, either. 2) (and not the most penetrating question you will ever get but) what happened to the Matty Cash long throw?

Ashley says: Kesler-Hayden... great question. I totally get where you're coming from. I don't think KKH is involved in first-team sessions which I'm surprised about. Was brilliant across pre-season and thought he could challenge Cash this term. Wasn't the case. He's below Cash, Young, while I'd imagine Emery would turn to Konsa and others before KKH. I'm as surprised as you are. Signed a huge six-year contract in 2020... He'll probably be loaned out next season (Championship). The Matty Cash long throw - remember that! That was so 2021! Just scrapped it; Emery wants them to keep the ball as opposed to launching it long where the probability of losing possession is high.

Godmcgrath: Do you know how much exactly Villa will have to spend in the summer?

Ashley says: We’ve mentioned it a few times here and it will surely go close to or surpass the £130m expenditure from 2019/20. If Villa are serious about their European ambitions next season then the squad needs big improvements, not least because we’ve failed to fill the bench in recent weeks while having two goalkeepers on it. A bit cliche this but it’s a big, big summer. I’m intrigued to see what happens to the young lads out on loan, whether they come back in or if Villa decide to cash in.

Vfl: Re Martinez, you reckon he may go in the summer?

Ashley says: Anything can happen as we know but, judging by the noises coming out of Villa, he stays. Been linked with Tottenham and Roma this week, my colleague at Spurs has said they’re preferring a younger goalkeeper. Martinez will stay mate, I’m pretty confident but we’ll see, eh. He has said it would be “easy” to go out and join a Champions League club; wants to become a legend/cult hero at Villa Park. Wants to take Villa into Europe/win a trophy and he’s also set his sights on chasing down Bosnich’s clean sheet record which is nice to hear.

JohnOHara8: Villa will be hopping with high expectations on Saturday against a team that bullied them all over the park, without Mings don’t forget. I missed the second half against West Ham due to the Ireland rugby match… but I do believe it’s time for Duran to start.

Ashley says: Watkins was on the bench that day, and Douglas Luiz! Crazy to think but, yeah, we owe them one at the weekend, not least because Brighton and Brentford won their games last night to extend their gap above Villa. Big game in Dublin on Saturday, John, go easy on us, eh! Yep, there’s been a lot of talk about Duran being ready to start. I’ll ask Emery about this and how he’s been getting on.

Mellbergsbeard: With the new development of the North Stand and the surrounding area, do you think we will finally get a Villa museum? (With a discount for us season ticket holders lol) Just think with our history and pedigree, it would be a fantastic idea and most Villans would agree… UTV

Ashley says: Yes re museum, there will be a strong nod to Villa’s history within that Villa Live building, I’m told, with trophies, memorabilia etc. It’s something NSWE want to shout about.

Avillian: It’s clear that Emery has got that winning formula away from home, albeit still looking for more control but the missing link is our approach to home games. It drives me crazy that we are still too narrow both offensively and defensively i.e. letting too many crosses in our box and likewise not enough crosses in the opposition's box. I don’t see a change in personnel changing this system - do you agree?

Ashley says: West Ham did get plenty of crosses in last weekend; impressed with Bowen and Benrahma. Mings and Konsa dealt with it well. We are often narrow; Buendia and Ramsey were playing ahead of Dougie and McGinn in a box-shape. The width, I imagine, is to come from Bailey playing off Watkins. Emery wants Watkins to stay between the posts - which is what he did for his goal vs West Ham. The width in recent home games has come from Cash and Moreno; I suspect it’ll be the same again on Saturday. It’s Emery’s way of playing; wants more bodies centrally to keep possession.

Godmcgrath: Do you think Villa owners would ever go down the route like City, Spurs, Arsenal where they would let Amazon cameras follow the players around? Seems to have helped improve each club's profile.

Ashley says: I think it’s certainly been spoken about. Purslow especially is all about upping the ‘brand’ to make Villa more global. I’d certainly watch it, though! It’d have make sense business-wise, though. As we all know, Villa like to keep their business in-house so I wouldn’t expect an Amazon or Netflix documentary any time soon.

Holteender24: It’s a shame Jacob Ramsey’s been nowhere near his best as lots of competition in England midfield has been out of form/favour as well. Could Aaron jump to the 21s with his brother and Archer? Maybe even Tim? When’s the presser this week mate, sounds like it could be good news on Kamara injury?

Ashley says: Ramsey has dipped off a bit which is only natural for a young player. He’ll look to come roaring back, though, make no mistake about that. Yeah, expecting Cam, Aaron and Tim to make under-21s, announcement today re that squad. Presser is this afternoon so updates from around 2pm. Yeah, good news re Kamara, I did fear for the worst. Should be back after the international break which has come at a good time.

Trentaus: Thoughts on Villa changing formation when Diego Carlos is fit to a back 3 while using 2 wing-backs? Also glad to hear Kamara injury isn’t as bad as first thought. Very intrigued to see if Villa go hard for a new striker next season because of the way Watkins is playing and also having Duran/Archer playing well again in the championship. I hope he gets given a go next year. I believe we need a winger more than a striker but time will tell. UTV!

Ashley says: I can’t see that, Trent. Emery likes a back four. Yeah, the striker search in the summer will be fascinating; Emery has made a point of wanting an experienced goal-getter. With Villa playing two up there then they’ll go out and get one more at least providing Archer comes back and is deemed ready to challenge in the PL. A winger as well; need to see more from Leon Bailey don’t we? He really needs to stake his claim before the season’s out.

Up d villa: Quick question, is there any truth in the Inigo Martinez rumours that Villa have offered him a deal?

Ashley says: Just speculation at this stage. The 31-year-old centre-back is a free agent this summer and, of course, Emery will know him well from the Basque region. Emery is keen to bolster his defensive ranks in the summer. Martinez might well have been spoken about - hence those links from media in Spain.

Godmcgrath: Who is ur greatest Villa 11? Mine would be Bosnich, Staunton, Mellberg, McGrath, Delaney, Grealish, Cowans Barry, Mortimer, Shaw, Yorke…

Ashley says: Now I like this question. I was born in 1990 and I think my first match was either 1994 or 1995 so, based on that, here it goes: Martinez; Mellberg, Ehiogu, Laursen, Wright; A.Young, Merson, Barry, Grealish; Yorke, Benteke.

AaronT77: Do you really think Spurs could afford Martinez? Levy hardly covered himself in glory when trying to steal Grealish all those years ago and some of the prices i've read wouldn't pay for one of Martinez's gloves? I read today that Aston Villa's supporters trust are going to be speaking to the club regarding the fan charter, season ticket holders being moved from the North Stand during development and ST prices for next season - do you have much to do with the supporters trust and do you think ST holders will get more clarity about next season soon?

Onto Bournemouth - hoping for 3 points obviously - think it will be tight but think we will sneak a close win and fancy Ollie for another goal with the form he is in?

Ashley says: Afford… perhaps with the Kane money. Do I think they’ll shell out what Villa will demand for Emi, absolutely no chance. We know how Levy works. I know a few in the supporters’ trust so I’ll check in with them to see what I can report to fans prior to the meeting. There hasn’t been much dialogue with the club in recent months so that’s good that they’re getting together to iron out the FAQs ahead of the new season. Yeah, fancy Ollie in every game now, mate! He’ll smash his 14-goal PL record from his first season; just six away now with 12 games remaining.

Rustyavfc: Big decisions for Unai this week. No Kamara and unlikely to rush Dendoncker back into the starting line-up. Does Chambers start at CDM or does Emery start the same XI that was on the pitch last Sunday? Is there potential for a Diego Carlos start and if so, who's he replacing? Mings has been a rock this season, whereas Konsa offers something that the other two can't with his sheer impassibility. Whoever's the third wheel is unlucky to accept it for long so is there potentially secret door #3 of trialling Konsa at CDM? as I say, a lot to wade through. UTV

Ashley says: I think he’ll stick with McGinn and Douglas in the middle, Rusty. No, Diego is still weeks away. Will get some match action in the international break with some behind-closed-doors games scheduled. Who is he replacing… depends who dips below the required standard first. Mings and Konsa have been sound the last few weeks. Konsa as a CDM… don’t think he’s that comfortable on the ball to do that job, especially how Emery likes his CDMs to start build-ups from back to front.

Breslin: If we sneak into the European places this season, do you reckon it might actually be a bad thing? Our squad needs enough players in the summer just to compete in 3 competitions, we'd need a whole new side on top of that to compete in Europe too. It doesn't seem to have done West Ham any favours!

Ashley says: Europe is never a bad thing; it means Villa’s form would have been incredible for the run-in and more ££! It would just make the summer rebuild a bigger one. Totally see the fear when you’re looking at West Ham. I don’t think their recruitment has been strong, though. Emery’s first window was calculated; Moreno and Duran look good buys at £12m and £14m… no panic buys; big emphasis on the right players in the summer. Villa’s future will all come down to recruitment. Emery has proved himself as a solid operator in transfer windows. I’d snap your hand off for a Conference League place come May, Breslin.

Mattbrown: Out of the young players we have at the club or on loan, who do you think is the most likely to break into the first team squad?

Ashley says: Hi Matt, great question. Next to break into the first-team; I’ll say Tim Iroegbunam. He could fit in really well under Emery next season.

2b6nbeyond: Just wondering about the rumours about Eden Hazard. Please tell me it’s not happening. Surely Arsenal have shown this season the importance of hungry young talent.in today's high pressing game. Did we learn nothing from signing Coutinho (or United’s signing CR7, Cavani etc)?

Ashley says: Yeah, not expecting Hazard to rock up in B6 any time soon, mate. Nothing in those.

Welshvillain: Us Villains are in the 11th place limbo it seems and with Brighton and Brentford continuing to look sharp, those games will feel like finals when we play them. I think Fulham will fall off the pace, they are already starting to and we can definitely creep into the top ten and there is a slim chance of 7th as well which would be great to build on.

I think we are in a great place right now and Bournemouth is a game where I expect us to set a marker and prove we are top half material. I notice we are now winning more of the games that we should be winning against sides like Bournemouth so what do you think is behind it? I mean, before Emery I began to question if the players had the right mentality but that may have only been half the problem after all. What has Emery done so differently to get the level of discipline we are seeing from the lads lately? I am curious as although we are not the most exciting side in the world right now, pragmatism is certainly earning points and I agree with basics first, entertainment second. I am fed up with the old regimes of entertaining but losing all the time.

Ashley says: Yeah, have struggled against those below us in the table; Wolves sticks out, wasn’t great on Sunday vs West Ham, beat by Leicester, drew with Forest, not great against Leeds really. Re Emery, it’s a process and the players have had to adjust. Ramsey made some interesting comments last week saying how it’s taken time to get used to his demands. Villa are improving by the week, though, firmly believe that. And yeah, it’s now a pragmatic approach to PL games; winning/getting results over entertainment. Emery is not a fan of the chaos; likes it all calm and to ease to a win.

CUROmassfraudvictim: Can't help but be a little sceptical considering Bournemouth have just rode out three matches against Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool only shipping 7 goals and beating Liverpuddle 1-0 at the weekend. That said I'm thinking they're going to be a formidable challenge to obtain any better than a draw. Bournemouth should be quite confident heading into this weekend after such a trio of challenges that they came out of far better than Villa did shipping in 11 so unless something CLICKS in the way the Villa attacks progress and they don't sit back passing left to right and backwards.

Ashley says: It will be a toughie on Saturday, for sure. Bournemouth have that edge knowing they’ve already beaten us this season which will count for something. Villa need to box clever to come out with the points.