Aston Villa faces an important summer ahead. Throughout the transfer window, Unai Emery will be keen on attracting yet more high-profile players to the Midlands.
While it will be the Europa League, rather than the Champions League, that the club will partake in next season, Villa’s stature as one of the Premier League’s elite sides will help massively when the window opens.
Despite a promising season, the club failed to end its 29-year wait for a major trophy, and this is clearly the next step in the Spaniard's project.
A solid core has been built, no doubt about that, but there are several positions which need to be strengthened before the start of 2025/26.
Aston Villa winger Marco Asensio
As such, what could the club’s dream starting XI look like when the league season begins in August? Well, we've taken a deeper look.
1 GK – Lucas Chevalier
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It appears as though Emiliano Martinez is set to leave the Midlands after five years as the club’s number one.
Throughout that time, he has kept 70 clean sheets across 212 matches, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League in the process. Manchester United have shown previous interest in the goalkeeper, and he will have no shortage of offers this summer.
His replacement could be Frenchman Lucas Chevalier. Emery has targeted the £40m Lille shot stopper as the ideal man to replace the enigmatic Argentinian from next season onwards.
Given his excellent form in Ligue 1, it could be a shrewd move by the manager.
2 RB – Matty Cash
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Cash may not be the flashiest player, and in time, he will be replaced as the starting right-back. This summer, however, Emery may well focus on other positions.
He made 38 appearances last season, registering three goal contributions. The English-born full-back will turn 28 in August and still has a few years left at the very top.
3 CB – Diego Coppola
Hellas Verona's Diego Coppola in action with Atalanta's Mateo Retegui
Jacob Tanswell of the Athletic claims that the club could prioritise signing a right-sided centre-back this summer. According to reports, Emery has earmarked Italian defender Diego Coppola as a player who could fit his system well.
His superb displays for Hellas Verona – winning 60% of his total duels and making 5.7 clearances per game in Serie A – have led to Villa showing plenty of interest in him.
The best part? He would only cost £8.5m.
4 CB – Pau Torres
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Pau Torres will likely continue to be one of the starting centre-backs for Villa next season.
The 28-year-old is at the peak of his career and could continue to go from strength to strength under Emery in 2025/26.
5 LB – Ian Maatsen
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The Dutchman made 45 appearances for Villa last term, playing in ten of their Champions League fixtures.
Emery must ensure he is the starting left-back from next season, as Maatsen will only continue to get better.
6 CM – Youri Tielemans
Youri-Tielemans
Throughout the whole squad, Tielemans was arguably Villa’s most improved player last season.
Indeed, he was named Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season at Aston Villa’s End of Season Awards.
15 goal contributions were registered across 53 matches. If he carries that type of form into next term, he will be unstoppable.
7 CM – Amadou Onana
Amadou Onana
The Belgian midfielder showed glimpses of his quality after moving from Everton, but he will be keen to avoid injury issues next term.
He managed just 34 games for the club, but he still managed to score five times in all competitions.
8 RW – Tyler Dibling
Southampton's Tyler Dibling celebrates scoring their third goal
Villa have shown interest in Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, who could cost around £55m this summer.
Despite the Saints suffering relegation from the Premier League, the 19-year-old was one of their brightest sparks. Across 38 games, he scored four goals and registered three assists.
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He succeeded with 1.4 dribbles per game in the top flight while also creating three big chances. Despite the price demanded by the Championship side, the teenager could turn out to be an impressive long-term star for Emery as he bids to improve his options out wide.
9 AM – Morgan Rogers
England's Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring their third goal with England's Morgan Rogers
Rogers’ 2024/25 season was arguably one that turned him from a talented attacking midfielder into a player in high demand.
Not only did he score 14 goals in all competitions for the club, but the Englishman also recorded 15 assists for Villa.
Four goals were netted in the Champions League, proving that he has what it takes to perform at the very highest level. Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing the player, but Emery will be doing all he can to keep hold of Rogers for as long as possible.
10 LW – Jadon Sancho
Sancho
Marcus Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa, but it doesn’t look as though he will return permanently, amid his desire for a switch to Barcelona.
They are looking to target a move for Jadon Sancho instead according to reports, with the winger returning from his temporary stint at Chelsea.
With his future at United all but over, Sancho could gain plenty of game time should he choose a move to the Midlands this summer. Interest is also high from the likes of Napoli and AC Milan.
No price has been mentioned as yet, but if Emery can work out a deal that benefits all parties, signing Sancho - who is valued at £31m by Football Transfers - may be a wise piece of business.