Aston Villa’s squad for the first half of the 2025/26 season is complete after a triple swoop on deadline day.
Unai Emery’s side had a busy end to the transfer window as they more than doubled their cohort of new first-team signings, taking the summer total from two to five in just one day.
Goalkeeper Marco Bizot versatile attacker Evann Guessand, who arrived from Brest and Nice earlier in the window, were joined by experienced central defender Victor Lindelof, Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho and Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott on deadline day. Then there was Zepiqueno Redmond, signed from Feyenoord to bolster the youth ranks.
It still wasn’t an ideal transfer window for Villa as they had to deal with several financial restrictions, putting them at a disadvantage to many of their Premier League rivals. The business done late on can act as some consolation, though, as Emery was able to attract some top new additions through the door.
Aston Villa’s best new line up after transfers
How could Villa line up with their new additions, then? Emery will be tempted to make wholesale changes to his side after the international break as Villa have failed to score in any of their opening three Premier League matches and are languishing in 19th place. But the structure must be maintained. With that in mind, here’s the lineup we reckon could be Villa’s strongest.
GK - Emiliano Martinez: It will take a lot of effort for the World Cup winner to win fans over again after trying to force a transfer to Man Utd, but there’s no doubting he’s a better goalkeeper than Bizot. Emery may bench Martinez to begin with, but he’s bound to come back in at some stage.
RB - Matty Cash: The Poland international, a scorer of a stunner against the Netherlands recently, is definitely at the top of the right-back pecking order as it stands. Andres Garcia and Victor Lindelof will be eager to change that, but Cash is the strongest option right now.
CB - Ezri Konsa: Probably the first defender on the team sheet, Konsa will be motivated to have another strong season with the World Cup approaching. Although he can play on the right, he’s likelier to continue in the centre as that’s where Emery prefers him.
CB - Tyrone Mings: It’s a tough choice at left centre-half, but Mings edges it on recent form. Pau Torres struggled at the end of last campaign and that’s carried over into 2025/26, with his performances well below par. Mings, meanwhile, is so strong in the air.
LB - Lucas Digne: There’s another difficult toss-up at left-back but Digne probably wins out due to his experience and superior crossing ability. Ian Maatsen left a lot to be desired with his defending off the bench against Crystal Palace, so that won’t do him any favours.
CM - Boubacar Kamara: Injured at the moment but almost certain to be in the lineup as soon as he’s back available, Kamara has committed his long term future to Villa. Emery appreciates the Frenchman’s physicality and awareness in the centre of the park.
CM - Youri Tielemans: The most recent Villa player of the season, Tielemans completes a terrific midfield double pivot. The 28-year-old hasn’t been in his best form - much like the rest of the squad - but recently scored a brace for Belgium on international duty.
RW - Harvey Elliott: Named the player of the tournament as the Young Lions claimed the UEFA European Under-21 Championship title, Elliott is expected to become a key player for Emery. It won’t take long for the versatile attacking midfielder’s loan move from Liverpool to turn permanent.
LW - Jadon Sancho: Brought in on deadline day to inject some much-needed creativity and pace down the left, Sancho may or may not head straight into the lineup. John McGinn needs a place in the team, you could argue, but then again he’s been well off it in recent games. Emery has options now, at least.
CAM - Morgan Rogers: Established as arguably Villa’s most valuable asset, Rogers has to start week in, week out when fit. The former Middlesbrough man will be as disappointed as anyone to have started the new campaign poorly and he’ll be determined to put that right.
ST - Ollie Watkins: The striker is yet to score this campaign but he’s proved over so many successive years that he’s one of the most clinical attackers in the division. Watkins is now Villa’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League and he’ll be eager to increase his tally after the international break.
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