Unai Emeryplaceholder image
Unai Emery | Getty Images
Aston Villa will be able to complete some incoming and outgoing business in the January transfer window
Aston Villa are aiming to get back into the Champions League this season if possible. They missed out in the last campaign on the final day and were forced to settle for the Europa League. The Midlands club are currently having to juggle their domestic duties with European football right now.
Unai Emery’s side have seen an upturn in form over recent times after a tough start. They beat Manchester City 1-0 last time out in an eye-catching result at Villa Park. Right-back Matty Cash got their goal against Pep Guardiola’s men to help his team secure an impressive three points.
Manchester City target Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are keen on Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. The 28-year-old has made a solid start to this term for both his club and with the England national team. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have also been mentioned as potential suitors ahead of the January transfer window.
Konsa, 28, joined his current club back in 2019 and has since become one of their most prized assets. However, they could face a battle to keep hold of him this winter amid attention from elsewhere. He has made 249 appearances in all competitions to date and has chipped in with 10 goals from the back.
The Three Lions star, who has made 15 caps for his country, is aiming to be in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the World Cup next year. He rose up through the academy at Charlton Athletic and broke into their first-team as a youngster. Brentford came calling and he did well for the Bees to earn a switch to Aston Villa and he hasn’t looked back since.
Aston Villa should eye Premier League defender as Ezri Konsa replacement
Aston Villa won’t want to sell Konsa, especially to a league rival. If he did leave though, they would need to find an adequate replacement. Step forward Burnley centre-back Maxime Esteve, who would be ideal for Emery’s side if they managed to lure him away from Turf Moor.
At the age of 23, he is five years younger than Konsa and would step into his shoes well. The Frenchman has adapted well to life in England since his move to the Clarets back in 2024. He helped the Lancashire side win promotion from the Championship earlier this year along with Leeds United and Sunderland. Spurs and Crystal Palace have reportedly been admirers in the past but nothing materialised.
If Aston Villa landed him, he would give them more competition and depth at the back. In addition, the fact he is left-footed means he would add good balance to their back line. The ex-France youth international linked up with Burnley on an initial loan deal that was later made permanent.
Esteve has since played 73 matches and has found the net once. He started out at Montpellier and was a regular at various different youth levels. The Montpellier-born man became an important asset in their senior set-up as a teenager and enjoyed plenty of game time before he left for a new challenge abroad.
Scott Parker told the Burnley Express in August: "He was pivotal for us last year and we all see his quality and he'll be pivotal again for us this year. I'm delighted that we've managed to seal that contract and fair play to the club owners that we've managed to do that, because it's vitally important for us. Maxi's not just an incredible football player, he's an incredible person and showed real commitment by staying here as well, so I'm delighted to have him.”
Aston Villa will be desperate to retain the services of Konsa for as long as possible but it could prove tough to stand in the way if City, Spurs or Liverpool stumped up some big money. His deal runs out in 2028 meaning he still has a few years left to run. That means there is no immediate pressure to cash in right now and they can be calm about his future.
Continue Reading