'VILLA IN TOP 7 IS NAI ON IMPOSSIBLE'

UNAI EMERY insists Aston Villa are not contenders for a top-seven place this season - but he remains excited by the challenge of upsetting those with bigger budgets.

- BY ALAN SMITH

Villa kickoff their campaign against Newcastle at lunchtime approaching the end of a transfer window which has been hamstrung by their need to satisfy Financial Fair Play rules.

Homegrown Jacob Ramsey (circle) is set to complete a £39million switch to the Toon, while Leon Bailey will play no part today as he nears an exit.

And while Villa are under no pressure to sanction further sales, there appears little chance of a big-money arrival before September 1.