The latest goings-on in and around Aston Villa as pre-season gets underway
Aston Villa player are starting to return to training
Aston Villa player are starting to return to training(Image: PA)
Aston Villa players will begin returning to Bodymoor Heath from today as preparations for the new campaign get underway.
Villa’s pre-season schedule is not yet complete, but six of the seven planned fixtures have been confirmed, with a trip to the United States set for a fortnight from now.
Before facing Eintracht Frankfurt, St. Louis City, and Nashville SC in the U.S., Villa will play Walsall next Wednesday and then Hansa Rostock in Germany the following Saturday.
AS Roma - who Villa could also meet in next season’s Europa League - will play at the Bescot Stadium on Wednesday, August 6. The final pre-season opponent has not been confirmed yet, though Villarreal or Marseille are among the possibilities.
With players returning to training, Villa’s transfer activity is expected to pick up pace.
A quiet start to the transfer window
So far, it has been a quiet transfer window for Villa, with only one incoming and one outgoing transfer completed.
Zepiguino Redmond joined on a free transfer from Feyenoord, while Kaine Kesler-Hayden was sold to Coventry City in a deal worth around £5 million.
Villa also sold their women’s team in order to remain compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. This move followed positive discussions with UEFA after the club breached financial regulations.
As a result of that breach, Villa were fined €11 million and have committed to reducing their wage bill this summer and next by nearly 20% overall.
Furthermore, the club will not be permitted to register new players for next season’s Europa League unless their “List A transfer balance is positive” - a UEFA requirement in place for at least one year.
To raise funds, Villa plan to sell players such as Emiliano Buendía, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Louie Barry, Álex Moreno, and Leander Dendoncker. Decisions are also pending on Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior.
From the first-team squad that competed in the Champions League last season, Leon Bailey and Emiliano Martínez appear the most likely to depart.
Both players would significantly reduce the wage bill and could generate up to £60 million in combined transfer fees.
Ideally, Villa hope to bring in that money sooner rather than later to allow them to get on with their business, especially with several squad gaps needing to be filled.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League - and with financial constraints and UEFA sanctions in place - this transfer window is unlikely to be straightforward.
However, a quiet start to July doesn’t mean Unai Emery won’t have a competitive squad for domestic and European campaigns.
Sporting director Monchi and director of football operations Damian Vidagany remain confident in building upon Emery’s project as he enters his third full season.
While Villa do need to sell players this summer, there will be no fire sale - Emery is expected to have a strong team at his disposal.
If Martínez does leave, a top-level goalkeeper will be signed - one that fits Villa’s financial framework and competitive ambitions.
Apart from that, Villa aim to sell fringe players who can be moved on without weakening Emery’s core group.
Several areas in the squad will require attention, especially following the end of loan spells for Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Axel Disasi. Still, a slow start to the window does not mean Monchi is idle.
Saha urges United to pursure Martinez
No club has made a formal approach for Emiliano Martínez yet, though there has been interest.
Manchester United are one of a few clubs monitoring the situation, but a move is unlikely unless André Onana finds a new club first.
As Onana is reportedly content at Old Trafford, Martínez is currently considered unlikely to join another Premier League side.
A move to Atlético Madrid has also been mooted, though Jan Oblak would need to depart before the Spanish club can make a move for Argentina’s No. 1.
Former United striker Louis Saha believes that even if Onana remains at the club, Martínez would be a smart acquisition.
“Every top side needs a top-class goalkeeper,” Saha told Coin Poker. “Emi Martínez has been voted the best in the world for two years. He’s been exceptionally consistent with Aston Villa and Argentina.
“He’s a great shot-stopper, one of the best in the world. He’s also the kind of character that gives a side confidence. If he did end up at Old Trafford, it would be very interesting.
“He might not be as strong on the ball, but I haven’t been overwhelmed by Onana’s ability with his feet either - there have only been a few assists.”
Duran set for Europa League stab with Fenerbahce
Jhon Duran’s move to Al-Nassr came as a surprise, given his youth and promising form. Just six months later, he’s back in Europe, joining Fenerbahçe on a one-year loan.
Duran could potentially face Villa next season if Fenerbahçe qualify for the Europa League.
His £65 million move in January (plus add-ons) was the second-highest outgoing transfer in Villa’s history. He scored 12 goals in 29 appearances last season, though only seven of those were league starts.
Selling him in January helped Villa stay within PSR rules for that financial year - a smarter solution than the last-minute sale of Douglas Luiz this summer.
Now under the guidance of José Mourinho at Fenerbahçe, Duran has another opportunity to fulfil his immense potential. He had been on track to becoming a £100 million player had he remained focused and earned Emery’s trust.
His goal record in both the Premier League and Champions League was impressive, and the quality of his finishes even more so.
If Villa draw Fenerbahçe in Europe, Duran could return to Villa Park or face the defenders he trained alongside just months ago.
Diego Carlos is already working with Mourinho at the Turkish club. Marco Asensio is also a target, although recent reports suggest he is waiting for other offers.
Season ticket relocation window open
Aston Villa have officially opened the seat relocation window for 2025/26 season ticket holders.
Supporters who have renewed their season tickets for the upcoming Premier League campaign can now request to move to a different area of Villa Park.
The relocation window will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. However, due to high renewal rates, availability is limited.
Seats in the Holte End and Trinity Road Stand B Blocks are currently unavailable due to extremely limited capacity.
Relocation requests must be made by calling the Villa Ticket Office at 0333 323 1874. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.