Aston Villa have been tipped to offer a lucrative contract to a Man City legend who ‘plays every week’ for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Villa drop points to Forest in race for Champions League spot
Villa’s push for Champions League football took a small step backwards on Sunday afternoon, though the point earned at the City Ground leaves them in a reasonable position heading into the final stretch of the season.
A 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest — coming three days after Villa’s 3-1 win in Bologna in the Europa League — was probably a fair outcome given the circumstances, even if the chances Villa spurned in the second half will frustrate Unai Emery.
Villa took the lead early in the second half of the first half, with exit-linked Morgan Rogers’ driven cross deflecting off Forest centre-back Murillo into his own net on 23 minutes.
Rogers hit the bar shortly afterwards when a second might have killed the game.
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Aston Villa’s final six Premier League games of the season |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Sunderland (home) |
April 19 |
|
Fulham (away) |
April 25 |
|
Tottenham (home) |
May 2 |
|
Burnley (away) |
May 9 |
|
Liverpool (home) |
May 17 |
|
Man City (away) |
May 24 |
Instead, Neco Williams levelled before the break, sweeping in from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pass to draw Forest level.
The second half produced more chances than goals — Ollie Watkins, Rogers again and John McGinn all went close, with Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels in sharp form. Both sides had to settle for a share of the points.
Villa were without Emiliano Martínez, who withdrew in the warm-up — the third time that has happened this season, with Marco Bizot deputying.
Villa stay fourth, three points clear of Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification with six games remaining.
The Europa League second leg against Bologna at Villa Park on Wednesday presents an opportunity to progress to the semi-finals — a fixture that could yet produce a two-legged tie against Forest if both sides advance.
For now, the focus returns to the league, where the margin above fifth place is narrow enough to demand consistency.
Villa backed to make £30m Bernardo Silva contract offer with Man City exit confirmed
That being said, Villa are already looking ahead at recruitment, with former club scout Bryan King urging the club to move for Bernardo Silva this summer.
The City legend’s contract expires in June, making him available on a free transfer — a category Villa have exploited to considerable effect in recent seasons through the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara.
Silva, 31, has spent nine years at the Etihad and won virtually everything the game has to offer, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.
City assistant Pep Lijnders, when asked about the Portuguese international’s future, acknowledged that “every good story comes to an end” and expressed hope that Silva would receive the send-off he deserves over the final weeks of the campaign.
Speaking to Villa News, King made the case for Villa to table a contract offer.
“They say Silva wants to go back to Lisbon, but he won’t get the money there like in the Premier League,” he said.
“He’s a free, but Villa could put him on a two-year deal worth around £30m. That package wouldn’t be a bad deal for a player like him.”
King also addressed what would motivate a player of Silva’s standing to choose Villa.
“He won’t be in it for the money; he’ll want to play games, so why not try to win something with Aston Villa?”, he continued.
“He’s a quality player and plays every week for Manchester City. If Villa can bring in a player like that for that sort of money, they’ll do well.”
Whether Silva’s preference for a return to Portugal holds firm remains to be seen.
Villa’s offer of Champions League football — assuming they secure fourth — and the kind of salary package that Lisbon cannot match may prove persuasive.
It is exactly the type of free-agent opportunity the club has made its calling card under Villa’s current ownership.
Tottenham & Aston Villa chasing in-demand Southampton star who’s open to move
He’s enjoyed an excellent season.