Aston Villa were one of the busiest teams in January but can we expect another lively window this time around?
Aston Villa will begin their Premier League campaign with a challenging home match on Saturday, 16 August against a Newcastle United team that secured Champions League qualification ahead of Unai Emery’s men by the finest of margins on the last day of the season.
However, it’s fair to say that the Villans have had a mixed record against the Magpies in recent years after being beaten 3-0 at St James’ Park in December while losing both encounters in the 2023/24 campaign including a 5-1 loss at St James’ Park the last time the teams met on the opening day of the season.
The match, while particularly early in the campaign, already looks to be one that could have a profound impact on the landscape of the European race come the end of the campaign, with only goal difference separating the two clubs last season.
Emery’s men are enjoying one of the club’s most fruitful spells of the Premier League era and will hope to treat the Villa faithful to even more great memories this term. PSR concerns could be a major issue heading into the window, but how are Aston Villa likely to line-up on the opening day of the season?
Goalkeeper and defence
The goalkeeping position could be a huge one to watch at Aston Villa this summer, with Fabrizio Romano sensationally claiming via Give Me Sport that Emiliano Martinez is open to a move to Manchester United.
It could leave a huge void between the posts for the first time in five seasons, as Unai Emery scours the market for a top quality replacement. Birmingham World understands LOSC Lille’s Lucas Chevalier’s is a top target as talks take place with Villa representatives to try and scope a potential deal. The goalkeeper has a value of around £40m.
At right-back, Villa are expected to stick with Matty Cash, who played 38 times across all competitions last season, with Andres Garcia providing cover from the bench.
A familiar centre-back partnership of Ezi Konsa and Pau Torres should remain intact for next season, with the experienced Tyrone Mings providing cover in that area of defence.
Ian Maatsen started to break into the first XI more regularly during the final third of the season and could potentially usurp Lucas Digne in the pecking order in what is likely to be a hugely competitive area of the pitch.
Midfield and attack
Aston Villa are expected to retain the services of Youri Tielemans despite interest from Saudi Arabia and it’s likely he’ll form a central midfield partnership with Boubacar Kamara as Amadou Onana provides cover from the bench. Ahead of the pair in a central role, Villa are thought to be working on a move to sign Marco Asensio on a permanent basis from Paris Saint-Germain after a productive loan spell at the end of last season.
Morgan Rogers is expected to remain on the right side of midfield where he predominantly played for most of last season. While out on the left, amid reports of Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey potentially leaving, Villa could make a move for 19-year-old winger Jesus Rodriguez with a figure of around£19.5m being mooted.
Leading the line, despite speculation of a move to Arsenal in January, is likely to be the club’s all-time leading scorer of the Premier League era Ollie Watkins. He registered 16 league goals last season, marking his second most productive campaign for the club so far since arriving from Brentford in 2020.
Potential Aston Villa line-up v Newcastle: Chevalier, Cash, Torres, Konsa, Maatsen, Tielemans, Kamara, Asensio, Rogers, Rodriguez, Watkins
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