Jacob Tanswell
@jacobtanswell.bsky.social
Aston Villa writer for The Athletic | #AVFC | Subscribe here: https://theathletic.com
Pinned
Jacob Tanswell
@jacobtanswell.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Ross Barkley interview: ‘I haven’t drunk since the summer. It created situations I don’t want anymore’
In a wide-ranging interview, Ross Barkley discusses the up and downs of his career from Everton to Villa and all in between
www.nytimes.com
Exclusive interview with Ross Barkley:
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Off the grid and on holiday now for a little while. In that time, there will be pieces of mine going up on @TheAthleticFC and scheduled posts here, too.
January is here so interested to find out what has developed at #AVFC when I'm back!
January is here so interested to find out what has developed at #AVFC when I'm back!
January 2, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Off the grid and on holiday now for a little while. In that time, there will be pieces of mine going up on @TheAthleticFC and scheduled posts here, too.
January is here so interested to find out what has developed at #AVFC when I'm back!
January is here so interested to find out what has developed at #AVFC when I'm back!
Emery on Alysson: "He has good dribbling, he's playing usually right side offensively and defensively in the way we work. He is intense.OK, he is young & his adaptation is firstly in our training then progressively, hopefully, in the Premier League with the demands we have.” #AVFC
January 2, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Emery on Alysson: "He has good dribbling, he's playing usually right side offensively and defensively in the way we work. He is intense.OK, he is young & his adaptation is firstly in our training then progressively, hopefully, in the Premier League with the demands we have.” #AVFC
Unai Emery says Pau Torres may be out for another one-to-two weeks. Tyrone Mings also aims to be back in that period.
Amadou Onana is set to be out for longer than that, but no specific timeframe for his recovery yet. Alysson also not yet in the squad.
#AVFC
Amadou Onana is set to be out for longer than that, but no specific timeframe for his recovery yet. Alysson also not yet in the squad.
#AVFC
January 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Unai Emery says Pau Torres may be out for another one-to-two weeks. Tyrone Mings also aims to be back in that period.
Amadou Onana is set to be out for longer than that, but no specific timeframe for his recovery yet. Alysson also not yet in the squad.
#AVFC
Amadou Onana is set to be out for longer than that, but no specific timeframe for his recovery yet. Alysson also not yet in the squad.
#AVFC
Charlotte interested in signing Harvey Elliott. 22yo undecided but #AVFC want to end loan-with-obligation agreement. Villa transfer plans not contingent on Elliott & aim to strengthen in attacking areas. On @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
MLS side Charlotte interest in Harvey Elliott as Aston Villa seek to terminate loan from Liverpool
Elliott's Villa loan includes obligation to make the transfer permanent from Liverpool in summer 2026 if he makes 10 appearances this season
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Charlotte interested in signing Harvey Elliott. 22yo undecided but #AVFC want to end loan-with-obligation agreement. Villa transfer plans not contingent on Elliott & aim to strengthen in attacking areas. On @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Emery: "We have the issue with Harvey. I am respecting him all we can because he’s a very good professional, very respectful but the situation we have is something I must take a decision on but not damage the person. He’s a very good person and player and deserves the best." #AVFC
January 2, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Emery: "We have the issue with Harvey. I am respecting him all we can because he’s a very good professional, very respectful but the situation we have is something I must take a decision on but not damage the person. He’s a very good person and player and deserves the best." #AVFC
Unai Emery: "The problem we have with Harvey (Elliott) is this year he is on loan and in case he is playing matches, we must buy him. We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need. This is the issue."
#AVFC
#AVFC
January 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Unai Emery: "The problem we have with Harvey (Elliott) is this year he is on loan and in case he is playing matches, we must buy him. We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need. This is the issue."
#AVFC
#AVFC
#AVFC has announced the signing of Alysson in a deal worth up to €12million. Deal was done last month but waited for formal completion.
Winger viewed as a potential player, who, at 19 years of age, will need to be refined. Emery to take a closer look and assess him in training.
Winger viewed as a potential player, who, at 19 years of age, will need to be refined. Emery to take a closer look and assess him in training.
January 1, 2026 at 4:03 PM
#AVFC has announced the signing of Alysson in a deal worth up to €12million. Deal was done last month but waited for formal completion.
Winger viewed as a potential player, who, at 19 years of age, will need to be refined. Emery to take a closer look and assess him in training.
Winger viewed as a potential player, who, at 19 years of age, will need to be refined. Emery to take a closer look and assess him in training.
Reposted by Jacob Tanswell
Arsenal was one step too far for an Aston Villa team that had been the best-performing in Europe.
So although this was an opportunity, the result was not a missed opportunity - more so one that had been presented to them because of their previous exceptional work.
✍️ @jacobtanswell.bsky.social
So although this was an opportunity, the result was not a missed opportunity - more so one that had been presented to them because of their previous exceptional work.
✍️ @jacobtanswell.bsky.social
One step too far for Aston Villa, but the main aspirations remain
Despite the result, the recent run under Emery has led Villa to be entrenched in a Champions League spot, which was, and is, the aim.
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Arsenal was one step too far for an Aston Villa team that had been the best-performing in Europe.
So although this was an opportunity, the result was not a missed opportunity - more so one that had been presented to them because of their previous exceptional work.
✍️ @jacobtanswell.bsky.social
So although this was an opportunity, the result was not a missed opportunity - more so one that had been presented to them because of their previous exceptional work.
✍️ @jacobtanswell.bsky.social
This was one step too far for the team that had been the best-performing in Europe. So although this was an opportunity, the result was not a missed opportunity — more so one that had been presented to #AVFC because of their previous exceptional work.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
One step too far for Aston Villa, but the main aspirations remain
Despite the result, the recent run under Emery has led Villa to be entrenched in a Champions League spot, which was, and is, the aim.
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This was one step too far for the team that had been the best-performing in Europe. So although this was an opportunity, the result was not a missed opportunity — more so one that had been presented to #AVFC because of their previous exceptional work.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Having no Kamara or Onana to absorb Arsenal and with a lack of options on the bench meant it was always going to be difficult. This was a depleted #AVFC who could point to Merino not being shown a 2nd yellow. Ultimately Villa were overrun, but think it's a good lesson longer term
December 30, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Having no Kamara or Onana to absorb Arsenal and with a lack of options on the bench meant it was always going to be difficult. This was a depleted #AVFC who could point to Merino not being shown a 2nd yellow. Ultimately Villa were overrun, but think it's a good lesson longer term
Emery on the second half: "We competed fantastic. We were feeling comfortable (1st half). Then, we conceded the first goal, then we conceded the second goal and maybe as well, Onana's injury didn't help us because he's important for us in set pieces and in the middle." #AVFC
December 30, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Emery on the second half: "We competed fantastic. We were feeling comfortable (1st half). Then, we conceded the first goal, then we conceded the second goal and maybe as well, Onana's injury didn't help us because he's important for us in set pieces and in the middle." #AVFC
Mikel Arteta: "He (Gabriel) plays against the team that are probably the hardest to control and against a striker with incredible movement.
“They are really good. Extremely well coached, very efficient and can drag you in a game which is constantly on a thin line."#AVFC
“They are really good. Extremely well coached, very efficient and can drag you in a game which is constantly on a thin line."#AVFC
December 30, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Mikel Arteta: "He (Gabriel) plays against the team that are probably the hardest to control and against a striker with incredible movement.
“They are really good. Extremely well coached, very efficient and can drag you in a game which is constantly on a thin line."#AVFC
“They are really good. Extremely well coached, very efficient and can drag you in a game which is constantly on a thin line."#AVFC
Instant analysis: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa:
#AVFC's well-organised initial set-up, Martinez, and one step too far.
Piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
#AVFC's well-organised initial set-up, Martinez, and one step too far.
Piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Arsenal 4 Aston Villa 1 – Where does this leave title race? Unplayable Odegaard? Missed chance for Villa?
Our writers break down the action from Arsenal's victory in this top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates.
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Instant analysis: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa:
#AVFC's well-organised initial set-up, Martinez, and one step too far.
Piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
#AVFC's well-organised initial set-up, Martinez, and one step too far.
Piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
FT: Arsenal 4-1 #AVFC
11-game winning run ends emphatically. Good initial setup, but was undermined by the first goal. Not helped by the depleted squad, Villa then lost their way. All good things come to an end, but Villa well placed for a CL spot, which was, and is, the goal.
11-game winning run ends emphatically. Good initial setup, but was undermined by the first goal. Not helped by the depleted squad, Villa then lost their way. All good things come to an end, but Villa well placed for a CL spot, which was, and is, the goal.
December 30, 2025 at 10:12 PM
FT: Arsenal 4-1 #AVFC
11-game winning run ends emphatically. Good initial setup, but was undermined by the first goal. Not helped by the depleted squad, Villa then lost their way. All good things come to an end, but Villa well placed for a CL spot, which was, and is, the goal.
11-game winning run ends emphatically. Good initial setup, but was undermined by the first goal. Not helped by the depleted squad, Villa then lost their way. All good things come to an end, but Villa well placed for a CL spot, which was, and is, the goal.
December 30, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Big call from Emery to bring on Jamaldeen and George Hemmings when things are threatening to get very ugly, but it's great to see two brilliant academy players getting time on the pitch.
Tielemans and Rogers off. #AVFC
Tielemans and Rogers off. #AVFC
December 30, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Big call from Emery to bring on Jamaldeen and George Hemmings when things are threatening to get very ugly, but it's great to see two brilliant academy players getting time on the pitch.
Tielemans and Rogers off. #AVFC
Tielemans and Rogers off. #AVFC
December 30, 2025 at 9:52 PM
December 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
On the hour mark, like against Chelsea, Emery tweaks things. Interestingly, the change is back to what started against Chelsea (4-2-2-2), so basically it's a role reversal within the two games. Malen and Watkins up top.
#AVFC
#AVFC
December 30, 2025 at 9:38 PM
On the hour mark, like against Chelsea, Emery tweaks things. Interestingly, the change is back to what started against Chelsea (4-2-2-2), so basically it's a role reversal within the two games. Malen and Watkins up top.
#AVFC
#AVFC
#AVFC's plan has been to play through Arsenal - risky but was effective first half. But issue is when the other team has better cohesion in their pressing and you're not quite at it, that can happen.
Emery scratches his head, literally
Emery scratches his head, literally
December 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
#AVFC's plan has been to play through Arsenal - risky but was effective first half. But issue is when the other team has better cohesion in their pressing and you're not quite at it, that can happen.
Emery scratches his head, literally
Emery scratches his head, literally
December 30, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Martinez has been guilty at times this season of being too occupied with the opponent around him before a corner and the same has happened here.
After a VAR check, the goal is given. #AVFC
After a VAR check, the goal is given. #AVFC
December 30, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Martinez has been guilty at times this season of being too occupied with the opponent around him before a corner and the same has happened here.
After a VAR check, the goal is given. #AVFC
After a VAR check, the goal is given. #AVFC