Unai Emery says Aston Villa's most important transfer business 'already done'

Sources close to the club have distanced themselves from reports Villa had spoken to Chelsea about a possible move for the winger.

Sterling has been told he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge but his £325,000-a-week salary makes the move a virtual non-starter for Villa.

Emery, who has made seven signings to this point, has not ruled out further additions before next Friday’s deadline.

But he added: “I am very happy with what we have now. Of course, something can change, players leaving or others joining.

“But the most important things in the transfer window, we did.”

Villa host Arsenal on Saturday evening in their first home match of the season, with Emery warning his team have their work cut out to maintain a challenge in the Premier League as they prepare for a maiden Champions League adventure.

Emery is eager to avoid the same fate as Newcastle, who missed out on Europe altogether last year after finishing fourth the year before.

The Villa boss referenced the Magpies, Manchester United and even Chelsea as possible title contenders this year but insists his team are not in the hunt.

He said: “Last year Newcastle were playing in the Champions League and two years ago in the top four.

“They did not get it last year, for different reasons. That is something we want to avoid. “Some circumstances could give us the same thing as Newcastle, or other teams in the past.

“It is not just Newcastle last year, it is my experiences in Spain with Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal when we were playing (Champions League).

“In the beginning it was very difficult to keep being consistent in the Champions League and league at the same time.

“The energy we will need this year in those competitions is going to be very high, high in the level we have to try to move.”