Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa.placeholder image
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa. | AFP via Getty Images
Unai Emery still has work to do in the summer transfer window ahead of the new season
Things have been surprisingly quiet around Villa Park thus far in this transfer window, as Aston Villa bide their time amidst huge moves by Premier League giants all around them.
In fact, most of the talk around Villa has been regarding major departures such as Emiliano Martinez or Ollie Watkins, though they are just rumours at this stage. Villa will hope to avoid selling key players, but will know that money may need to be raised to avoid further PSR concerns.
The belief is that Aston Villa have a transfer plan in place, which will come into play in the coming weeks ahead of the new season. Big-name signings could be just around the corner. We have analysed what Villa’s first-choice starting XI could look like next season if the latest transfer rumours prove to be true, with some major moves set to occur and the resulting side a match for anyone in the Premier League.
How Aston Villa’s goalkeeper and defence may line up
The future of Villa’s goalkeeping position has been up for much debate, with Martinez fast approaching the age of 33 and unlikely to be an asset ripe for a sale for much longer. He also reportedly wants to try a new challenge and Villa could demand up to £40m for the Argentine.
Assuming Martinez does depart at what would probably be the right move for all parties, Lille shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier could be the answer. He has previously been linked to the Villains in recent weeks and speculation could intensify if Martinez was sold. The 23-year-old is viewed as France’s long-term No.1 and his signing would be the perfect move for Villa.
In defence, additions are possible but Emery may decide to trust his existing back-line. Matty Cash has been the Villains’ starting right-back for the past five seasons, while Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres look set to remain Emery’s first-choice centre-backs. Left-back Lucas Digne may be sold for £10m, meaning young Dutchman Ian Maatsen could be trusted to start for the Villains next term.
Midfield stability but attacking signings on the way?
In holding midfield Emery already has several good options. Boubacar Kamara is likely to start with competition from Amadou Onana, while Youri Tielemans will create from deep alongside him after arguably his best season in a Villa shirt. Captain John McGinn will offer a strong rotation option across a variety of positions.
The forward positions are where it gets interesting. Loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are unlikely to join permanently, meaning there are gaps which need to be filled if Villa are to maintain the potent, heavily-rotated attacking unit they were in the second half of last season. Morgan Rogers will be one of the first names on the team-sheet and is likely to start in the No.10 role, where new faces could come in either side of him.
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been linked with a sensational move to Villa Park in what would be a statement arrival of the man who scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final in 2024. He has backed this up with continued goal-scoring feats, netting 20 in 40 games last season. It remains to be seen whether this rumour comes to fruition, but it would no doubt be a headline-grabbing move.
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres could line up alongside Lookman as Villa reportedly line up a £43m swoop for the Spaniard. It is believed the 25-year-old wants to stay with the Catalan giants, but his club could be persuaded to sell if the right offer comes in. Torres has morphed into a reliable goalscorer during his time at Barca, often operating in the centre-forward position, similarly to Lookman. But both players are nothing if not versatile, and may start on either wing with the option of fluid rotations with Rogers in-game.
Up front, Villa’s star striker Ollie Watkins may yet leave - but the club will hope he stays. If Martinez is sold then there will likely be no requirement to sell their top Premier League goalscorer too, as the Villa hierarchy will know how difficult he would be to replace. It is still a distinct possibility that Watkins stays to lead the line next term.
Full starting XI (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Lookman, Rogers, Torres; Watkins.
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