Jacob Tanswell reveals the latest on Aston Villa's incoming transfer plans

It's been a frustrating summer at times if you're an Aston Villa supporter. We've all understood why things have been slow, but that hasn't made it any easier watching other clubs strengthen while Villa seemed to be waiting for something to happen. Speaking on the latest episode of 1874, Jacob Tanswell gave some interesting insight into where things stand with several of Villa's incoming targets and, for the first time in a while, it feels like there's a bit of momentum building.

I've spoken about Joao Gomes quite a lot this week because, for me, he just looks like a really good fit for Aston Villa. 

That's why one line from Jacob immediately caught my attention.

"Joao Gomes, he's an Emery-led signing."

For me, that's a good thing,  when Emery is driving a move himself, it naturally gives you confidence. We've seen enough since he arrived to know he has a very clear picture of the type of player he wants and, more importantly, how he intends to use them.

Jacob also explained just how quickly Villa moved.

"It happened very quickly," he said, before adding that Gomes was a deal Villa acted on rapidly once the midfield picture changed.

He also revealed something pretty telling.

"They weren't looking to sign a midfielder pre-Amadou Onana's ACL injury," Jacob explained, adding that Villa were happy with the options they already had before everything changed over the space of a few days.

That probably tells you why things have accelerated so quickly. Onana's injury created one problem, but the sale of Morgan Rogers has now completely changed Villa's summer as well. Suddenly there is room to manoeuvre financially, and while losing a player of Rogers' quality is a huge blow, it should now allow Villa to attack the market in the way they've wanted to for weeks. If Gomes is the player Emery wants to help solve that, then it isn't difficult to understand why supporters are excited by the possibility.

The other midfielder Jacob provided an update on was João Palhinha, with talks continuing over a possible loan move from Bayern Munich.

He admitted Villa still have to be careful because of their financial position and the impact another significant salary would have under Squad Cost Rules, but he also suggested there was optimism the move could happen.

"They're progressing... Bayern sources are confident it gets done," Jacob said, while stressing Villa still have to navigate the financial side of the deal.

I've said before that I like the idea of Palhinha if Villa can make it work. Even with the Rogers money now available, there's no point throwing cash around for the sake of it. It's a sensible deal if the numbers stack up because you're bringing in someone with Premier League experience, someone Emery knows can play at the highest level, without committing to another huge transfer fee.

Johan Manzambi was another player discussed and Jacob admitted Villa don't even have one fixed role mapped out for him yet, which probably tells you everything you need to know about what Emery looks for when he's recruiting.

"Villa haven't actually got a set profile for him... every successful Villa signing under Emery has been based on versatility," Jacob explained.

That's something we've seen time and time again. Emery likes players who can solve different problems and operate in different positions, and from everything we've heard so far, Manzambi fits that mould.

There was also an update on Emerson Royal, a move that seems to have gone a little quieter over the last week.

Jacob explained Villa believed they could do the deal relatively cheaply, but Flamengo needing to bring in a replacement has complicated matters.

"They needed a replacement for him, so it wasn't so easy and cut and dry," he said.

Pervis Estupiñán also remains firmly in the frame to replace Lucas Digne when the Frenchman completes his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Jacob believes Villa are confident on the player's side of things, with Emery's previous relationship with Estupiñán and their shared links through Jorge Mendes helping matters. He also made it clear he thinks the Ecuador international would be a good signing if Villa can agree a fee with AC Milan.

"I think he's a good player... he's technically sound, positionally intelligent as well, so I think he'd be a good signing," Jacob said.

The biggest thing I took away from the conversation wasn't any individual player, though. It was the sense that Villa have a plan.

The Rogers sale changes everything. Nobody wanted to lose a player of that quality and replacing him individually will be almost impossible, but if Villa use that money to bring in Gomes, Palhinha, Estupiñán and continue strengthening across the squad, then at least supporters can begin to see the bigger picture.

After the scattergun nature of some of Monchi's deals, it feels like Emery and Olabe in tandem is a much better mix and that Villa are being very decisive.

Long may it continue.