What are Aston Villa planning?
Restricted by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, Villa’s only paid signing so far is 19-year-old Yasin Özcan.
Key players like Rashford and Asensio, who were on loan, have departed without replacements. Several stars are being linked with moves away, and there’s no Champions League football. Fans may wonder if the club is at risk of losing momentum after recent progress. Call it forced or out of desperation, Aston Villa’s summer window feels more like a shake-up than strategy. Following a landmark season under Unai Emery a season ago and a return to the UEFA Champions League, the club is making calculated moves to build a deeper, more competitive squad, even though they will not be playing UCL football this year. Rumoured interest in Alejandro Garnacho, the signing of experienced goalkeeper Marco Bizot, and a possible swap deal involving Tosin Adarabioyo all signal one thing: Villa want to go deep in the Europa League this year — and they intend to finish at the top.
Yasin Ozcan: the 19-year-old from Turkey
Yasin Özcan may only be 19, but he brings serious experience to Aston Villa’s backline. With 77 senior appearances for Kasimpasa and 12 caps for Turkey’s U21s, he’s already shown maturity beyond his years. Last season, he played 1,761 league minutes, which was more than any outfield player at his club except Mamadou Fall. A calm, composed defender who broke scoring records at 16, Özcan offers Emery a versatile, ball-playing option in defence, which is perfect for a system that values youth, energy, and tactical intelligence. More importantly, his €7 million transfer fee is exactly what Villa needed given the tough situation they've been put in after their PSR compliance troubles.
Garnacho the gamble
Villa’s interest in Alejandro Garnacho is less surprising when you look at the opportunity. The Argentine winger may leave Manchester United, with reports suggesting a lowered asking price of around £40 million. Garnacho wants to stay in the Premier League and play Champions League football — preferences that complicate, but don’t eliminate, Villa’s chances. Emery is a known admirer of Garnacho’s style. At 21, he fits perfectly into the manager’s aggressive wide system. Though Chelsea are reportedly interested, Villa can offer stability and a guaranteed starring role — not a rotational one. Statistically, Garnacho brings what Villa lacks out wide. He ranked in the 90.5th percentile for progressive carries, 84.8 for completed dribbles, and 83.7 for expected goals plus assists (non-penalty xG + xA) last season — elite numbers for a young winger. With 26 goals in 144 appearances already, his upside is clear. Champions League football may appeal more, but Villa’s growing European pedigree and squad evolution could give him something just as valuable: consistent, meaningful minutes. With the window closing in under six weeks, the moment to move may be now.
Is Bizot Martinez's successor or tactical cover?
Villa’s most low-profile signing may be their smartest. With Emiliano Martínez’s future uncertain, the arrival of 34-year-old Marco Bizot from Stade Brestois suggests either succession planning or tactical depth. Bizot had a strong Ligue 1 season — 13 clean sheets, a top-four finish, and a solid Champions League play-off run. He’s also seasoned in European competition, with experience at AZ Alkmaar and Genk. His save stats (4th percentile save rate, 24th in PSxG-GA) are concerning, but context matters: Brest played an exposed, high-line system. In contrast, his short and long pass accuracy (96th and 94th percentiles) shows composure under pressure — something Emery values in build-up play. Compared to Martínez, who is elite at shot-stopping but just average in distribution explains just why Bizot adds a new dimension. He likely won’t start immediately, but his presence boosts Villa’s tactical options and goalkeeping depth.
Tosin for Rogers?
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Morgan Rogers, Villa’s 18-goal attacking midfielder. A swap involving Tosin Adarabioyo has been floated — and it might benefit both clubs. Though it looks like a positional mismatch, the reasoning is clear. With Pau Torres inconsistent and Ezri Konsa needing a solid partner at the back, Adarabioyo is the man. Even if he is brought in as a useful understudy, he provides a ball-playing, Premier League-proven option. He ranked in the 89th percentile for completed passes, 61st for progressive passes, and 67th for defensive duels won. At 6'5" and just 27, he also offers leadership — something Enzo Maresca praised during his time at Chelsea. Losing Rogers would sting. His creativity was key last season, but Emery is reportedly targeting Garnacho and ready to push Jacob Ramsey further forward. The swap would be less about losing a talent and more about balancing the squad intelligently.
Eyes on the prize
Villa are in the Europa League and have set the bar high.To put it bluntly, it would be a failure if Villa don’t win something this season. The belief stems from more than last season’s form — it's based on Emery’s record, home strength, and squad upgrades. Villa Park was nearly impenetrable last season, with just one league loss. Securing a top-four finish in the Europa League’s new league phase could give them home advantage deep into the knockout stages — a major asset. Emery, a four-time Europa League champion, knows how to go all the way. This isn’t about participating. It’s about winning.
What is Villa looking forward to?
Their summer isn't about overhaul, but rather, about smart alignment. Garnacho adds youth and flair, Bizot brings experience and composure, and Adarabioyo has that element of technical stability and ruggedness. Each player fits a defined purpose. There are questions — will Martínez stay? Will Rogers go? But what’s clear is this: Villa are no longer riding a wave. They’re building something designed to last.
