Aston Villa still have four first-team positions to fill before the summer transfer window closes, with Unai Emery plotting a late push for creativity and depth in the final third. The club finished fourth in the Premier League last season on 65 points from 38 games, with a seven-goal goal difference, 20 points behind champions Arsenal and fresh off a 2-1 win at Manchester City on 24 May 2026. Emery’s side are now on a four-game winning run and face Chelsea away on 19 December 2026.
Why the late scramble?
Villa’s summer has already brought three arrivals: Alejandro Garnacho joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea with a conditional £43 million buy clause, João Gomes arrived for £35 million to replace Youri Tielemans, and Johan Manzambi arrived in a club-record £52 million deal after Villa hijacked Newcastle United’s move. Tielemans left for Paris Saint-Germain after his £35 million release clause was activated, while Morgan Rogers completed a British-record £117 million switch to Chelsea. Lucas Digne is also closing in on a move to PSG, leaving Villa short at left-back and right-back. Amadou Onana remains sidelined after an ACL injury suffered at the World Cup, adding midfield cover to the shopping list.
Which positions need filling?
Villa need at least two full-backs and another midfielder to shore up depth behind the striker. Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martínez are not for sale, but fringe players like Leon Bailey, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Samuel Iling-Junior could leave. Lamare Bogarde is in the frame for a bigger role, but his future is uncertain amid reported interest from several clubs. Emery has also been linked with a loan move for João Palhinha from Bayern Munich and Everton’s James Garner, who can play in midfield or at right-back.
How thin is the attack?
Garnacho, John McGinn, Manzambi and Emiliano Buendía are the four players Emery expects to operate across the three attacking positions behind the striker next season. Evann Guessand and Alysson remain options, but neither has nailed down a starting spot. With only four guaranteed outlets, one injury or suspension could leave Villa exposed. Tielemans’s departure also removes a player who could play as a number 10, a role Gomes has yet to prove at this level.
What’s next for Villa?
Villa are expected to stay busy until the window shuts, with the club’s hierarchy open to selling fringe players to fund further arrivals. The next fixture is at Chelsea on 19 December 2026, with Aston Villa tenth in the table. The squad’s attacking depth will be under the microscope as Emery plots his final moves before the Premier League curtain lifts.
