Lamare Bogarde is on the list to extend his deal, which runs until 2028, along with Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans. Through some luck in 2024, improved focus changing his reputation internally and Emery's backing, Bogarde has become important to #AVFC: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

A PFA survey showed 55% of players released by pro clubs experienced clinical levels of psychological distress. The standout conclusion was symptoms frequently increased in weeks & months post release. Caring for players' aftershock remains a key issue. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Release from an academy is painful, but the aftershock - in the weeks, months and years after - can be even worse. Most acutely, it can lead to mental health falling apart. So what can football do and whose responsibility is it? Piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Aston Villa have supposedly the league's "easiest" schedule until the end of the season. Yet data does not quantify the weight of expectation, injuries, tactical issues and anxiety at home - it is dragging: #AVFC @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Emery is making attempts to be upbeat after recent matches. Knows this is not a vintage PL - Villa's rivals continue to drop points. One player stated his relief in Chelsea drawing against Burnley. #AVFC are just aiming to pick up points however they can while in this run of form

Unai Emery: "We planned the first half how they competed and performed. Everything that happened in the first half we expected. "We scored in minute 89. In minute 88, this is a fantastic point. "It is a good point. A good point. Keep going forward to improve things." #AVFC

Emery: "Sometimes (previously) we were playing like now but we were winning. Maybe because we were more clinical and our energy was full. Now, we are trying to recover our energy, our mood. I'm happy with how we are reacting. We drew here & won against Brighton. Ok, it’s not bad”

Anxiety was palpable inside Villa Park. Familiar recent traits of defeat were on display here, despite salvaging a point. What has changed in Villa's home form? Instant analysis with @berencross.bsky.social on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

FT: #AVFC 1-1 Leeds Villa salvage a point. Stops a 3rd league home loss in four. Villa got the goal when they accepted what would work & exchanged slow, precise build-up for more directness.Not always the way to play, but important when going this run of form & in a tough match

It was probably the only way #AVFC would score - Emery doesn't react but it could be a huge goal. Konsa wins the first header from a corner, with Abraham getting the flick, off his knee, looping over Darlow. 1-1

Andres Garcia and Lamare Bogarde are coming on. #AVFC

#AVFC are attacking in a 4-4-2, realising the best way to break this Leeds United team down is through moving the ball outwide and putting crosses in the box. Subs have made an impact - Barkley and Sancho - but the tension is still evident in players' decision-making

Big save from Martinez to stop Nmecha putting Leeds 2-0 up. In all truth, it probably should be. Stach and Ampadu have dominated the midfield today. #AVFC

Collective cheer as Abraham is called in and will be coming on. #AVFC

Villa Park singing Tammy Abraham's name as the substitute continues to warm up... #AVFC

Leeds sinking deeper as #AVFC are sustaining possession. Sancho coming on has actually allowed Villa to exploit the 2v1, with Villa getting to the byline. Leeds are blocking well so far, but Villa have to keep doing the same and hope the pressure pays off

Jadon Sancho and Ross Barkley are coming on. #AVFC

Considering Leeds are congesting midfield, would like to see Rogers drift out of that block and towards the right or left and pick up the ball there. Would probably combine better with Maatsen or Cash than who is currently in front of them. #AVFC

If #AVFC work the ball, they have a 2v1 down the right. Cash knows this and keeps gesturing for Bailey to move inside when he overlaps. The problem is, the quality has been so poor, they very rarely combine together

No subs at the break for #AVFC.

HT: #AVFC 0-1 Leeds A lot of what you may have feared but hoped not, has materialised. Leeds tough tactically and physically, as was expected. But the challenge is harder by their goal and Villa's toils when faced with a wing-back system who also congest the middle of the park

Alarming the number of crosses and passes constantly overhit in recent games. #AVFC

Oh my. What a free-kick and strike from Stach. Caught Martinez on the hop as everyone expected a cross. What a goal. Leeds 1-0 #AVFC

When #AVFC go back to Martinez, Leeds spring into a man-to-man marking system. Emery barking at Martinez to play long into Watkins or bailey, who have to be better in holding the ball up top

Leeds a 5-4-1 without the ball, compacting space centrally. Rogers has made just four passes & struggling to get on the ball.The space is through Maatsen & Cash/Bailey down the sides. Almost half an hour in and feels such a tough game stylistically - #AVFC just have to find a way

Great save from Martinez after Calvert-Lewin is put in. Martinez comes out and smothers well, even if Calvert-Lewin's first touch is loose. #AVFC's issues with a direct and wing-back system apparent in the opening minutes. Makes for quite a tense watch

#AVFC will work hard if they want to press. Leeds' back 3/5 is fluid, with the two WBs pushing high, while the back three behind stretches & rotates. The best way you can disturb this is by playing forward quickly after regains - onus on Rogers/Buendia then Bailey to run behind

Do enjoy #AVFC's new set piece routine of three players, usually comprising the two CBs, weirdly ambling towards the taker, only for the taker to dart the ball behind them and into the box.

Unai Emery with some warm words for Daniel Farke. Before kick-off, Emery had praised the improvements Leeds had made since they last met in November. For #AVFC, overcoming Leeds' new system, based on energy, physicality and set plays, is a challenge. Could do with an early goal

#AVFC XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Douglas Luiz, Onana; Bailey, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins Seven changes from Newcastle loss. Watkins retains his place in the league ahead of Abraham. Bailey makes first league start since returning

#AVFC remain in a very good position in the PL, but there is a feeling a proper performance is overdue.Not just because of recent form, but if the club are going to class this as a highest-pricing bracket fixture, increasing costs notably, then there should be further expectation

Asked Emery about Leon Bailey. Says the 28yo "loves it here" but needs to "add numbers." "Some circumstances helped us to take this decision (to recall)but he's committed with us. He wanted to come back again & be in our training, with teammates,the coaches & the manager." #AVFC

More pieces about Harvey Elliott than he's played games, sadly. #AVFC could play him in Europe, but often haven't so far. So many staff talk about his professionalism, character and how likeable he is, despite being so isolated for much of the season. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Matty Cash returned to training on Wednesday and is fit to face Leeds United. Alysson remains out and so too is Harvey Elliott, who has picked up an injury. #AVFC

A high-ranking sporting director shows a graph detailing modern footballing trends. #AVFC, he remarked, were in the sweet spot, able to strike the right balance every game. "They have control, pace, intensity and polyvalence." Here's why:@theathleticfc.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

“It’s so competitive… it’s ridiculous now." The under-15 age group is fiercely contested - it's the final year before agents can offer representation. So competition among them is fierce & England camps are where the groundwork is laid. @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Alysson not included in the squad due to picking up a knock in training. The initial sense is that it is just a precaution, having felt something small. A shame but for a young, explosive winger still adapting to #AVFC's physical demands, there's no point taking the risk

Alysson became aware of #AVFC’s interest at the start of December, with Alberto Benito, Emery's chief scout, attending two games - Gremio vs Cruzeiro and Corinthians away. Alysson is a deft hand at snooker, idolises Neymar and has impressed team-mates... www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

#AVFC are having to adapt to an increasingly physical league. No team has been fouled more this season - when they are no longer free-flowing, as they aren't now, Villa have to rely on physicality and toughing it out. They have done so over the past week. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

FT: #AVFC 1-0 Brighton Villa are at a stage of the season where they are labouring, so churning out points/wins is simply the only thing that matters. As Iraola said on Saturday, Villa often find a way when they aren't playing well. They did so, here - big for top 5 credentials

Mings, oddly, ran over to bailey before the corner to have a chat. Bailey then proceedes to whip in an excellent in-swinging corner, straight towards Tyrone Mings. Hinshelwood seems to get the last touch. My oh my, how #AVFC needed that! 1-0

Victor Lindelof will be #AVFC's fifth sub of the evening.

In this match, where the quality has been low and fragility high, a little bit of trickery is what's needed. Alysson, on that left wing, hopefully provides something different.

#AVFC's plan has been to kick long to Bailey since he's come on - and my word could they do with him beating his man. Villa's midfield duo have been poor this evening, especially Douglas Luiz. But Onana is subbed for Alysson, with Barkley dropping deeper. Abraham on for Watkins

Tammy Abraham is coming on. As is Alysson for his debut. #AVFC

#AVFC never the most active without the ball, but they are passive, here. Brighton are low on confidence, some creaking legs (although Gross is very intelligent in his positioning) so Villa should have enough to step it up. One of the games where you just need three points

Ross Barkley is receiving instructions from Emery and is coming on. So too is Leon Bailey. #AVFC

Kadioglu hits the crossbar from distance. Villa are sleepwalking and in one of those lulls. #AVFC

Villa Park is trying to rally its players, perhaps noticing that #AVFC look lethargic and in need of inspiration. Attacking The Holte End, Villa require one of those surges of momentum, where they sustain attacks and pressure. Passes have to be quicker in midfield.

Mitoma curls his shot wide of the far post. Comes from #AVFC passing loosely centrally and Brighton turning over the ball. The rotations and combinations between Sancho and Rogers are nice, just need more support behind and in front of them.