Aston Villa face another important summer transfer window under Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is facing another important transfer window(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Aston Villa are set for another summer of change as Unai Emery’s side close in on a Champions League place. The Villans are also focused on reaching the Europa League final and will want to consistently challenge for major honours.
Emery has continued to work miracles as the manager’s ability to balance his side’s league form with European competition is somewhat overlooked beyond the Villa bubble. That he has the club competing at the top end of the Premier League is even more impressive given the Villans’ recent signings.
Last summer saw Marco Bizot and Victor Lindelof sign as impressive back-up options, while loanee Jadon Sancho has shown flashes of form, but Evann Guessand and Harvey Elliott proved to be missteps. In January, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey and Tammy Abraham bolstered a depleted squad but only the latter has had a meaningful impact this term.
Villa will hope to learn from their past mistakes in the next transfer window. Here, Birmingham Live looks at what a dream summer could look like as Emery revamps his squad for the 2026/27 season.
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martinez appeared destined to leave last year as he bid an emotional farewell to the Villa Park faithful. The Argentinian icon faced a battle to win over sections of fans after a move to Manchester United failed to materialise but his performances have seen him build bridges. In an ideal world, Martinez would sign off with silverware in the Europa League final before sealing a move elsewhere, a year on from his first goodbye.
Replacing Martinez will be a sizeable task but Villa could repeat part of their previous formula by bringing in Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford. Similar to Martinez’s days at Arsenal, Trafford has found himself second-choice at City since his £27million transfer to the Etihad, and the talented 23-year-old has been linked with the Villans as he searches for regular minutes.
James Trafford of Manchester City
James Trafford has struggled for minutes at Manchester City(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Marco Bizot will continue to be a trusted back-up option after a strong debut campaign. Meanwhile, academy graduate James Wright will serve as the third-choice.
Defenders
Villa already have an impressive range of centre-back options in Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof. While some younger options may be needed in the near future, it is not an immediate concern.
At right-back, Matty Cash has had one of his best campaigns in a Villa shirt but finding the right competition has proven difficult over the years, with Andres Garcia getting limited minutes. Villa could finally solve one of their biggest issues by signing Celta Vigo full-back Oscar Mingueza as a free agent and allowing Garcia to gain experience on loan.
The 26-year-old, who is able to operate on both flanks, began his career at Barcelona and has thrived across his four years at Celta. Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen and Lucas Digne should continue their competition for the left-back berth in Emery’s team.
Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo
Oscar Mingueza has spent four seasons with Celta Vigo(Image: Ivan Terron/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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In a dream scenario, Villa would retain all of their centre-midfield options. When fully fit, few Premier League teams can boast a better duo than Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, with Amadou Onana also improving this term.
Lamare Bogarde has demonstrated his quality in the top-flight and Ross Barkley is an experienced option at the base of midfield or further forward. George Hemmings can stake his claim for a first team spot after a season out on loan. Douglas Luiz returns to Juventus after his second spell, while fellow loanee Harvey Elliott heads back to Liverpool.
Forwards
Villa skipper John McGinn remains the heartbeat of Emery’s team but will once again face new competition for his place. Fulham star Harry Wilson has been heavily linked with a move to Villa Park and would add a fresh option on the right wing or as a No.10. Brazilian starlet Alysson will also continue his development as part of the first team, while Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia are both sold.
Harry Wilson of Fulham
Fulham's Harry Wilson is set to be a free agent(Image: Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The perfect transfer window would allow Villa to keep Morgan Rogers without cashing in on another of their key players. Occupying the left wing, he would be competing with new arrival Jonathan Rowe, who was Bologna’s standout player against Villa in their Europa League tie.
Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, who cost City £59million, would be a marquee summer signing, having reportedly been a target in the past. The 27-year-old has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Pep Guardiola’s side but has undoubted quality and would be perfect for the second striker role previously occupied by Moussa Diaby two years ago.
Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham fight to lead the line for Villa. Additionally, youngster Brian Madjo is on the fringes of the first team squad.
Villa’s 25-man squad: Trafford, Bizot, Wright; Cash, Mingueza, Konsa, Torres, Mings, Lindelof, Maatsen, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara, Onana, Bogarde, Barkley; McGinn, Wilson, Rogers, Rowe, Alysson, Watkins, Abraham, Marmoush, Madjo.
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