Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Usually, winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League would leave a club in a position of strength.

However, Villa have been picked apart this summer to become a victim of the system they have been vocal against.

Ensuring they comply with Uefa and the Premier League's financial rules led them to sell Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a record £117m.

Even then, Youri Tielemans - who like Rogers scored in May's Europa League win over Freiburg - was also sold to Manchester United.

Villa wanted to alter their left-back profile so Lucas Digne was allowed to join Paris St-Germain, with Atletico Madrid's Matteo Ruggeri replacing him.

Now, though, there is still huge uncertainty over Villa's squad just four days before they start the season at Brighton.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa

Ezri Konsa joined the Villans in July 2019 and has made 286 appearances over the past seven seasons.

The 28-year-old featured 48 times last term in all competitions, scoring two goals and contributing one assist, as Unai Emery's side lifted the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League to secure Champions League football for 2026-27.

Konsa has not featured at all during Aston Villa's pre‑season, including the 2‑1 defeat to Paris St‑Germain in the Uefa Super Cup, after Emery gave him four weeks off following the World Cup.

He played in every game of England's World Cup run as the Three Lions finished third.

Speaking after the final warm‑up match against Borussia Monchengladbach, Emery explained the absence of Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins, saying: "They are joining us after this match."

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Arsenal have agreed a deal worth more than £50m to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

The England international is set to have a medical before completing his move to Emirates Stadium.

BBC Sport revealed last week that Arsenal had reopened talks with Villa over a deal for Konsa but still fell short of reaching an agreement.

The Gunners then appeared to pivot to Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah.

However, Arsenal refocused their efforts on Konsa and have now struck a deal for the player with Villa.

Image source, Getty Images

But first, let's bring you up to date with the state of play in the transfer market.

Welcome along to Thursday's live page.

We've got a massive day ahead of us. It feels like every top flight manager and his dog is preparing to sit down and chat to the media before the opening weekend.

We'll be bringing you everything that's said in news conferences around the country today.

Can you feel it? The Premier League is almost here.

Image source, Getty Images