Aston Villa's summer transfer window is about to kick into high gear following the club's Europa League triumph last month. Qualification for the Champions League gives Villa greater flexibility in the market, but UEFA squad cost rules (SCR) will still restrict how much Unai Emery can spend to improve his squad. Player sales will boost Villa's ability to spend, though the potential sale of Morgan Rogers would leave a significant gap in attack. Below, BirminghamLive takes a look at each player this summer.
Goalkeepers
Emi Martinez nearly left Villa last summer and could be open to a new challenge again in the coming months. However, after Villa qualified for the Champions League, there are few clubs in need of a goalkeeper that could offer the Argentina number one anything better. Selling Martinez would free up wage bill space, but a sale would not raise a big transfer fee, and it is unlikely Villa could improve in this position.
Marco Bizot was an excellent addition to the squad. No longer is it a huge problem if Martinez is unable to play. Bizot could be a number one elsewhere but is settled as back-up in Emery's squad.
Defenders
Matty Cash was one of the best right-backs in the Premier League last season. His consistency across all competitions earned him a Player of the Season nomination. He is loving life at Villa and signed a new deal in October last year.
Andres Garcia could be sold this summer but, at the very least, needs a loan move elsewhere. Ideally, Villa can recoup the £5 million they paid to Levante in January 2025, but if not, the Spanish right-back needs to play football elsewhere next season.
Ezri Konsa has two years remaining on his contract at Villa and, at age 28, his value is probably at its peak. However, there are other means to raise money elsewhere in the squad rather than selling Konsa, which would be a huge risk considering his importance to Emery's team structure.
Victor Lindelof might have been frustrated by his lack of game time in the first half of last season but was exceptional in the final weeks. Signed on a free transfer on deadline day in September, Lindelof was an unsung hero, playing across different positions.
Pau Torres is happy at Villa and expected to stay this summer. A key player in Emery's system, the Spaniard will continue to impress in the heart of the defense, playing out from the back at a level few others can in the Premier League.
Tyrone Mings might be suitable for all parties if he earns another contract elsewhere in the Premier League this summer. With only 12 months left on his deal at Villa, this is the final opportunity for the club to extract a fee for the defender, and the player could land a longer deal at the top level. It would also be the perfect time to move on, having just won a European trophy with the club he joined in the Championship on an initial loan.
Lucas Digne started 21 of Villa's league games last season and remains Emery's first choice despite reduced game time. There is little need to sell Digne given he was given a new deal last year and, at age 32, holds little market value.
Ian Maatsen failed to really kick on last season and is one of a few sellable assets due to his age. There is no need for Villa to actively look to move the Dutchman on, but if the right offer presents itself, it would be hard to imagine it being turned down. Maatsen needs to start more games at this point of his career to establish himself in the Netherlands team.
Midfielders
Boubacar Kamara will return from another long-term injury next season. Had he stayed fit for the duration of last season, Villa might have sustained pressure on Arsenal and Man City past January. He has a contract until 2030 after penning fresh terms last year.
Lamare Bogarde has deputised well across different roles, and Emery values his versatility, but it is hard to see when he will nail down a starting spot. For his own development, a move away may be needed. Villa will not be in a rush to accept offers unless it suits them.
Amadou Onana can become a top midfielder, and Emery knows what a talent he has. Injuries are holding his progress back, however. Next season is an important one for the Belgian.
Youri Tielemans has two years remaining on his deal and, like Konsa, has probably reached his peak market value. Signed on a free transfer, Villa could make big money from the midfielder, but he is one of the top midfield players in the division and fits Emery's system perfectly.
Ross Barkley Villa should not stand in Barkley's way if he wants a move elsewhere at this point of his career, but he still plays a role and is often bright when he comes into games. He started more from the off at the back end of last season and scored against Manchester United and Burnley.
John McGinn is irreplaceable for Villa. The catalyst for mid-season revivals last term, McGinn is not going anywhere this summer, and most fans will hope he never leaves.
Emi Buendia proved his worth at Villa last season, scoring a number of key goals, none more so than in the Europa League final against Freiburg following Tielemans' opener. He is in need of a new contract.
Forwards
Morgan Rogers future will shape Villa's summer window. Villa can extract a huge fee for him this summer, which would help Emery add quality in other positions needed, such as wide areas. Selling one player for a huge fee rather than offloading several to reach that same amount could be wiser, as it would retain the core group and allow Emery to build on the culture he has implemented. Rogers is a superb player and would not be easy to replace. For argument's sake, offloading Konsa, Tielemans, and Watkins to generate similar funds would be a far bigger gamble. Villa have sold players before and improved.
Leon Bailey will be allowed to find a new club this summer. He showed positive signs in the 2-1 win at Man City on the final day of the season but largely failed to impress after returning in January.
Evann Guessand spent the second half of last season at Crystal Palace and won the Conference League with them. However, the obligation to buy Guessand was not activated, meaning the forward is set to return to Villa. He will be allowed to depart again this summer, with Villa hopeful of bringing in most of the money they parted with to sign the Ivory Coast international.
Alysson could leave Villa on loan this summer, depending on what Emery makes of his level during pre-season. While a promising talent, the Brazilian winger struggled to stay fit after joining Villa following his first full campaign in professional football with Gremio in Brazil.
Ollie Watkins endured a difficult first two-thirds of the season before catching fire in the final weeks. Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave him out of the England squad for the March internationals galvanised Watkins. Certainly a player to keep after showing some of the best form of his career to help Villa get over the line in the Champions League and win the Europa League.
Tammy Abraham underwent surgery for an injury after the season ended, which explained his lack of involvement towards the back end of the campaign. He returned to Villa from Besiktas for £18 million back in January.
