Why Aston Villa are about to lose 18 Premier League goals in one go
Aston Villa's summer has been rather hectic to say the least - and it could be about to be disrupted even further.
Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers are among five players to have departed Villa Park.
Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes have arrived permanently, meanwhile, and Alejandro Garnacho has been brought in on an initial loan.
That is not to mention all the talk regarding striker Ollie Watkins and goalkeeper Emi Martinez, with both continually linked with moves away.
With Nicolas Jackson potentially arriving, there has been plenty of business between Villa and Chelsea.
And that may now be set to continue in what would be another blow to the Villans.
Who is the next figure set to move between Aston Villa and Chelsea?
Villa News has already covered claims and counterclaims regarding the financial benefits behind Garnacho's move to Villa.
A deal that is definitely separate from Rogers and Garnacho - plus potentially Jackson - is one involving Austin MacPhee.
MacPhee no longer needs any introduction to Villa fans, or indeed regular watchers of the Premier League.
The 46-year-old has been a key part of Unai Emery's impressive work at Villa Park thanks to his set-piece routines.
However, BBC Sport reported on Saturday that Chelsea are in talks to snap up MacPhee.
Villa would be due a compensation sum should MacPhee make the switch to West London.
If he does exit, it will see Villa instantly lose 18 Premier League goals overnight.
Aston Villa's impressive set-piece record under Austin MacPhee
Villa were the top scorers from set-pieces among every team across Europe's top five leagues in 2023-24.
They were among the top five best teams in that department the following season, meanwhile, and second only to Arsenal in the Premier League last season.
Villa scored 18 set-piece goals in the top flight last season from an expected goals (xG) value of 14.8.
That is not to say Villa won't still muster some set-piece goals without MacPhee, but his absence will surely be felt.
If this exit does go through, it is just another hurdle Emery must overcome ahead of his latest campaign in the West Midlands.