Aston Villa have had a busy summer in the transfer market, but as we enter the final few days, there is still work to do.They could lose striker Ollie Watkins, who has interest from Saudi Arabia, and they will surely look to replace him should he leave. But who could they bring in?Elsewhere, there is still defensive cover to sign while the spectre of financial regulations continues to hang over the club.After the disastrous start to the season against Brighton, and a summer of exits, how confident can manager Unai Emery be with what he will end up with come deadline day next Tuesday?To help answer the above questions and more, Jacob Tanswell held a Q&A with subscribers today, and below is a selection of edited responses.What is the latest on Jean-Philippe Mateta, Nicholas Jackson, Rafael Leao? And what about defenders? – Gareth L. Jacob: Hi Gareth, hope you are doing well. Villa have several options in place should Ollie Watkins depart, which does feel likely.It should not be overlooked that Villa have been willing to listen to offers for Tammy Abraham, too, so they would definitely be short in attacking positions. Villa and Emery have wanted Nicolas Jackson for some time. He is, in many ways, the ideal fit, profile-wise.Yet they are pursuing alternatives simultaneously, such as Mateta, who David Ornstein revealed had a bid rejected earlier today, and Rafael Leao, who is available to leave AC Milan. There are other strikers who Villa have looked at and are monitoring. A couple are felt to be out of price range currently, but Villa had been tracking them for some time.Jackson was on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea last season (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)Do we expect Villa to try to sign a right winger before the deadline closes? Or is the feeling at Villa that Alysson can fill that gap? – James K.Jacob: Hi James. This is a very fluid situation. Without sounding like I’m sitting on the fence, I have heard conflicting reports.Some contacts say a winger will happen; others say it will be an attacker who will be more versatile. If I had to hedge my bets, I would say they sign a winger/wide forward, although a No 10, given Emery’s system, is a possibility.Do you have any indication of how much financial wiggle room Villa have left this summer? New sales aside – Shane H.Jacob: Hi Shane, Villa believe they are compliant with UEFA regulations, which is critical because when they register their Champions League squad, they must maintain a positive List A balance. This means departing players must equal or exceed the new costs of incoming players.With the fact they have signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka on loan, Leon Goretzka on a free and are pursuing Joel Ordonez on loan with an obligation from Club Brugge, they are making room to ensure they can put the money in attacking positions.Are there any concerns regarding Emery’s future, with the PSR/SCR rules and the loss of integral players? – Aaron W.Jacob: Hi Aaron, Emery has been excited heading into the summer and ever since he was made aware that the club would need to sell, has wanted to embrace the new era.It is my understanding that he is happy with the recruitment so far, but surprised by the amount of change. He enjoys a new challenge and transitioning a team into a new era. There are no concerns about his desire at the start of this season.(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Any update on Leon Bailey leaving? Emi Martinez? Brian Madjo and Johan Manzambi’s injury/return date? Harry B.Jacob: Hi Harry, on Bailey — he has been training on his own, left to find a new club, but it is still up in the air. It’s not so much Villa who are holding things up, but those looking after Bailey and their lack of preparedness to accept a wage decrease.As for Martinez, he is stuck in a holding pattern — there are a few opportunities overseas that have been explored, but nothing too much yet. Manzambi hopefully is only out for a few more weeks, as is the case with Madjo.What happened between Watkins wanting to come back early for the Super Cup and then not playing vs Brighton? – Simon W.Jacob: Hi Simon, this is an excellent point, and I’m still stumped. Villa had been aware of Al Hilal’s interest in Watkins for more than a month and a half and after every approach, they made it clear they would not countenance his sale.I think that, after the PSG game, Emery may have been thinking that Watkins would return, the noise from Saudi Arabia would be put into the background and Watkins would be the player Emery has worked with for nearly four years. That, of course, is not what has happened.Gut feeling: Watkins staying or going? If going, who would be your personal preference to replace him? – Adam S. Jacob: My hunch is that he departs. Profile-wise, I think Jackson or Folarin Balogun are ideal fits.Is it still a possibility Tammy Abraham could move and is there interest? – John F. Jacob: Hi John, yes there is still a possibility. We have reported throughout the summer that Villa are willing to listen to offers for Abraham and he is on other Premier League clubs’ lists of striker options. How far up he is, though, is a pertinent question!Could there be an exit for Abraham? (Clive Mason/Getty Images)It doesn’t really feel like we have a transfer strategy – would you say that is the case, or is there some bigger plan going on, not just “opportunistic transfers”? – AndreasJacob: Hi Andreas, I have talked about this for a long time and this window feels the best example! Villa have plans heading into the window but then they quickly pivot.This is for a number of reasons — financial restrictions influence thinking and so too do player sales, which, in some cases, have surprised Emery this summer with the amount of change. But because Villa are primarily manager-led, the manager can change his mind on positions and targets. Also they are open more than most to “market opportunities” — see Garnacho or Leao!What is the plan for Alysson? – AuzzieJacob: Villa physios flew out to work with him over the summer to help him recover from his injury.It hasn’t yet been discussed about him going on loan, so being part of the first-team plans is the thinking at present.Where are you on the hope-o-meter? I’ve been more on the hopeful side but I’m starting to worry we have too much to do… – Matt C.Jacob: I genuinely think post-international break, Villa will look entirely different and have the core of an exciting, new outfit.But this is a really unpredictable, uncertain period.Is Triston Rowe likely to stay with the squad this summer? And what about Bradley Burrowes? – gjohal2004Jacob: Hi, no, Rowe is set to leave. Burrowes is staying at present, but very much dependent on the transfer business in the next week or so.Are the club looking at keeping Hemmings or sending him out on loan? Also any news on interest in Martinez? – Matt P.Jacob: Hi Matt. Villa made clear they wished to keep Hemmings at the start of the season and perhaps go on loan right at the end.But given he played against Brighton and has impressed, it’s likelier he sticks around. Villa are trying to find Martinez a new club as it will be so tough to keep his salary past the summer.Is there any update on our youth players and their potential moves? – Joseph I.Jacob: Hi Joseph! I like this question. Josh Feeney has options and will move on loan, Aidan Borland too. Both hopefully before the final few days.Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and Broggio will go, but the current debate facing them is what level. They may have interest at a higher level, but they are prioritising what is the right fit tactically and minutes-wise. I think Scotland or overseas would be good for Broggio and another solid move for Jamaldeen in the Championship/top end League One.