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Aston Villa had a summer transfer window they weren't expecting, as Unai Emery saw the spine of his team ripped away and replaced by a host of new faces.
Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez all departed despite the team qualifying for the Champions League this season, while midfielder Amadou Onana has been ruled out for the majority of the campaign after rupturing his ACL at the World Cup.
Villa brought in 11 new faces during the window as a result of those deals going through, including central midfielders Joao Gomes and Leon Goretzka, as well as attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi.
But the season has started poorly so far, with Villa claiming just one win in their opening five Premier League games, and scoring just three times in the process.
So far this season, Emery has mostly opted for a midfield partnership of Boubacar Kamara and Gomes, with Goretzka yet to make his debut due to injury. But it's clear the team is missing the ball-playing ability Tielemans brought to the squad previously.
Ross Barkley has the attributes, but his fitness has always been a major concern, and it doesn't seem as though Emery considers him to be someone who can start regularly in his teams. That has left the door open for more potential transfers to be made in the January window to fill a big gap.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Villa are one of the clubs showing the strongest interest in Rangers star Nicolas Raskin ahead of 2027.
The Belgium international was expected to depart Ibrox this past summer, but a move away didn't materialise and he has become a key member of Derek McInnes' squad since the transfer window closed. But the 25-year-old's contract is still set to expire in 2028, and a move is expected to happen at some point in 2027.
The player has already admitted publicly that he was prepared to leave in the summer for the next step in his career, and a move to the Premier League seems to be the ideal next destination. But a move to Villa, in particular, would be perfect for him, and would be a huge coup for the Midlands side.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
Raskin Would Be Perfect Tielemans Replacement
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Raskin, who has been described as 'phenomenal', is considered to be one of the top midfielder in Scottish football, and has been ready to make a move to a higher level for at least 12 months now.
He has become a regular in the Belgium midfield, too, learning from players like Tielemans, and his ability on the ball, his drive, his ability to win it back, and his coachability would make him the ideal addition to an Emery squad.
With attributes similar to his international teammate, plus the leadership and drive to improve, get better, and make himself a household name makes him the perfect replacement for Tielemans, and it's clear that Aston Villa need that if they're going to improve.
A deal is unlikely to be too expensive considering his contract situation and Rangers' finances, and he could well be the missing piece to the puzzle at Villa Park, with Emery the perfect manager to help take him to the next level.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery