Aston Villa’s pre-season transfer activity is set to continue as Ezri Konsa prepares to join Arsenal, with Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez also facing potential exits within the next few days.
BirminghamLive has learned that Villa have tabled an extended contract proposal for Watkins running through to 2030 in an attempt to convince him to stay, while the club explores options for Martinez following the acquisition of Zion Suzuki as their new first-choice goalkeeper.
The common factor linking all three players is their classification as ‘Home Grown’ under Premier League regulations, a status they share with Morgan Rogers, who had already moved on earlier.
Indeed, Villa saw two Home Grown players leave their 25-man roster shortly after the campaign concluded, with Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho departing.
Premier League regulations require that squads include no more than 17 players who do not meet the Home Grown criteria. The remaining places in the 25-man squad must be filled by Home Grown players.
Should Watkins and Martinez depart following Konsa’s exit, Unai Emery would be left with just above the minimum threshold of Home Grown players available to him.
These would comprise Tammy Abraham, Ross Barkley, Matty Cash, Ian Maatsen, Tyrone Mings, Alejandro Garnacho, Lamare Bogarde and the anticipated new arrival Aaron Wan-Bissaka. A ninth option would be goalkeeper James Wright.
However, given uncertainty surrounding the futures of Abraham and Bogarde with the transfer window winding down to under two weeks remaining, Villa may need to sign at least one additional Home Grown player to create sufficient flexibility for selling another Home Grown player.
What defines a ‘Home Grown Player’?
A Home Grown Player refers to any footballer who, regardless of nationality or age, has been registered with a club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, whether consecutive or not, of three full seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday (or the conclusion of the season in which they turn 21).
Clubs’ Under-21 players are excluded from the 25-man squad registration and are permitted to feature in Premier League matches.
What qualifies as an Under-21 player?
For the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, Under-21 players are those born on or after 1 January 2005.