Aston Villa are preparing for a significant summer transfer window as they seek to build on their Europa League triumph last month. Despite qualifying for the Champions League and benefiting from UEFA's premier competition revenues, Villa remain constrained by Squad Cost Rules (SCR), which limit spending relative to club revenue.
Financial Constraints and Squad Priorities
Selling assets would increase Villa's spending power, while reducing the average age of the squad is also a priority. Last season, only Marco Silva at Fulham utilised an older squad than Unai Emery in the Premier League.
Goalkeeping Department
Emi Martinez's future could again come under scrutiny. He was open to leaving last summer but ultimately remained. The Argentina number one will turn 34 in early September and is one of the highest earners in the squad. Villa may feel they have missed the opportunity to command a significant fee for their World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
Selling Martinez would provide more flexibility in the wage structure, but replacing one of Europe's top goalkeepers is no easy task, even if he is past his peak. James Trafford, Robin Risser, and Bart Verbruggen are younger options, though they would likely command higher transfer fees than Villa would receive for Martinez. Marco Bizot proved a capable deputy last season, making 14 appearances and keeping five clean sheets.
Right-Back Depth
At right-back, Villa face a lack of depth behind Matty Cash. Andres Garcia could be sold or loaned out, leaving Lamare Bogarde and Victor Lindelof as alternative options. An injury to Cash would be a major blow unless Villa secure a reliable backup. While Cash was one of the league's standout right-backs last season, squad depth will be crucial for a Champions League campaign.
Oscar Mingueza, who turned 27 last month, is known to be a player Villa like and is set to become a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Celta Vigo.
Midfield and Versatile Players
Lindelof and Bogarde can also operate in midfield as well as central defence, though it is difficult to see how Bogarde will secure regular minutes at this stage of his development. Emery values Bogarde's versatility, but as he turns 23 next season, consistent playing time is essential. Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, and Youri Tielemans are all ahead of him in the midfield hierarchy, and that is unlikely to change.
Villa have previously resisted offers for Bogarde, so their stance on his valuation this summer will be worth monitoring.
Left-Back Situation
Bogarde's compatriot Ian Maatsen is another potentially sellable asset. While he showed flashes of promise last season, he ultimately failed to displace Lucas Digne as the starting left-back. Maatsen joined Villa from Chelsea two years ago for £37.5 million, with Omari Kellyman moving in the opposite direction for £19 million. Interest in the full-back is expected, though Villa would likely recoup less than their original outlay.
Midfield Options
In midfield, Kamara, Onana, and Tielemans provide strong options, while Ross Barkley adds depth and contributed a handful of goals despite limited playing time. Villa retain a long-term interest in Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall, but signing him would further congest the midfield unless departures occur, particularly when other areas require strengthening.
Morgan Rogers' Future
Further forward, Morgan Rogers' future will significantly shape Villa's transfer strategy. Selling him for a substantial fee could allow Emery to strengthen multiple attacking positions. Offloading one high-value player may be more strategic than selling several key contributors, as it would preserve the core of the squad and maintain the culture Emery has built.
Rogers is an outstanding talent and would be difficult to replace. However, selling multiple players such as Ezri Konsa, Tielemans, and Ollie Watkins to generate similar funds would represent a far greater risk. Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich are all interested in Rogers, who signed a contract extension last November that runs for another five years.
Winger Search
Villa are also seeking to add pace in wide areas. Targets include Ibrahim Mbaye, Karim Adeyemi, Harvey Barnes, Crysencio Summerville, and Jonathan Rowe, while Marcus Rashford would represent an ambitious option given his wage demands.
Knowing that he would likely have to take a pay cut, Rashford could still emerge as a target for Villa, given the lack of alternative destinations and the strong form he enjoyed under Emery in the second half of the 2024/25 season. A move to Villa previously proved to be the springboard Rashford needed to rediscover his confidence and performances, so a return could appeal - especially following the club's qualification for the Champions League.
Barcelona have opted to sign Anthony Gordon instead of Rashford, while his future appears to lie away from Manchester United - and certainly not with the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool. A move to Real Madrid also seems unlikely, leaving Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain as potential top-level alternatives.
Harry Wilson is another potential free transfer option, though he does not appear to fit the profile Emery is seeking on the right wing specifically.
Outgoing Players
Leon Bailey is expected to depart, while Jadon Sancho is also in need of a new club following the end of his loan spell. Harvey Elliott saw limited action last season, with Emi Buendia preferred earlier in the campaign. Evann Guessand didn't join Crystal Palace permanently after their obligation to buy was not triggered. However, he is still expected to leave, with Villa aiming to recoup a fee close to what they paid Nice last summer.
Alysson, who joined from Gremio in January, will need to impress in pre-season or could be loaned out after struggling with injuries in recent months. Tammy Abraham also arrived in January but recently underwent surgery that impacted the closing stages of his season.
Striker Situation
Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins enjoyed one of the strongest spells of his career at the back end of last season, playing a key role in Villa's Europa League success and Champions League qualification. At 30, he is unlikely to command a fee sufficient to justify his sale, and Emery will be keen to retain his leading striker.
