Aston Villa have moved quickly this summer after completing Alejandro Garnacho’s loan from Chelsea with an obligation to buy. The 2025-26 season ended with Villa in fourth place on 65 points, 20 adrift of Arsenal, and their squad reshuffle continues under Unai Emery.
Who could follow Garnacho at Villa Park?
Villa’s transfer business has already seen Morgan Rogers leave for Chelsea in a £117m deal and Youri Tielemans join Manchester United for £35m. But the arrival of Johan Manzambi and João Gomes has softened the blow, while Garnacho’s switch provides attacking depth ahead of the Champions League return.
Pervis Estupiñán - the most likely arrival
Villa need a left-back after Lucas Digne’s move to Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed on 2026-07-15. Estupiñán, 33, has struggled for minutes at AC Milan and would compete with Ian Maatsen. Reports suggest the Ecuador international is set to join Villa Park this summer, making this the most realistic of the three targets.
James Garner - a tough but doable chase
Everton’s James Garner has impressed for the Toffees and earned England recognition. Villa’s Champions League football could tempt him, though Everton’s reluctance to sell and David Moyes’ midfield plans complicate matters. The deal remains difficult but not impossible if Emery pushes hard.
Nicolas Jackson - the least likely option
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is open to a move to Villa Park, where Emery coached him at Villarreal. But Garnacho’s loan from Chelsea blocks a second domestic loan from the same club. A permanent deal within 45 days would trigger accounting issues, while waiting past that point takes the transfer outside the window. A Jackson reunion looks unlikely this summer.
Villa’s next fixture is away to Hull City on 2026-09-05, with the Villans on a four-game winning run and unbeaten in their last five matches.
