Aston Villa 2026-27 Season Preview - Key Departures Leave Emery with Tough Task

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

John Eastwood 2 hours ago

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Aston Villa finished 4th and won the Europa League in 2025/26.
Key players departed like Rogers and Tielmans have, but significant signings have arrived to fill gaps.
A top-six finish is the target amid major squad changes and Champions League commitments.

Unai Emery has lost some key players and his set-piece coach this summer (Getty Images).

Last Season’s Summary

Aston Villa enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning the Europa League to secure a first major trophy in 30 years. Unai Emery has done a remarkable job since taking over.
Last Season’s Summary
Aston Villa Coaching Continuity
Key Transfers In
Key Transfers Out
Three Key Players
Main Areas for Improvement
Upcoming Aston Villa Transfer Activity
Overall Season Expectations – Aston Villa

His side finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, while their European campaign last term ended with a 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final. It was Villa's first continental trophy since their European Cup triumph in 1982.

The Europa League run saw Villa beat Lille, Bologna and Nottingham Forest before comfortably defeating Freiburg in the final. The success also gave Emery his fifth Europa League title.

Aston Villa Coaching Continuity

Unai Emery remains in charge at Aston Villa and has established himself as one of the most successful managers in the club's modern history. He has been in charge since October 2022, transforming the club from a relegation-threatened side into a regular European competitor.

This season will test him for two main reasons. The first is a number of high-profile departures, and the second is the loss of set-piece coach Austin McPhee. The latter's move to Chelsea is a big blow because Villa were reliant on dead-ball situations for a huge percentage of their goals.

Key Transfers In

Aston Villa have invested heavily in rebuilding the squad, with Johan Manzambi arriving from Freiburg for around £52 million. The Swiss midfielder was one of the first major additions of the summer after shining for Switzerland in the World Cup.

João Gomes has also joined from Wolves for around £35 million, providing energy, physicality and defensive ability in midfield. Matteo Ruggeri has arrived from Atlético Madrid to strengthen the left-back position, while Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has joined from Parma for up to around £30 million.

Alejandro Garnacho has also arrived from Chelsea on an initial season-long loan, with a conditional obligation to make the move permanent. The Argentine winger gives Villa another exciting attacking option following Rogers' departure. Several more signings are expected.

Key Transfers Out

Aston Villa have experienced a huge number of important departures. Morgan Rogers completed a British-record £117 million move to Chelsea after helping Villa finish fourth and win the Europa League.

Youri Tielemans has joined Manchester United, while Lucas Digne has moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Ezri Konsa has now also agreed a £51 million move to Arsenal, removing another important member of Emery's defensive unit.

Emiliano Martínez's future has also been uncertain, although Juventus ultimately pulled out of a move and Suzuki has arrived to compete for the goalkeeper position. Ollie Watkins is another major concern, with Al-Hilal having had a bid of around £38 million rejected and preparing another offer.

The squad has therefore changed dramatically in a matter of weeks, and Emery has to replace both quality and experience. The identity of Konsa's replacement and that of Watkins (if he goes), will determine much of how their season goes.

Three Key Players

Ollie Watkins: He remains arguably Aston Villa's most important attacking player and will be expected to lead the line again if he stays at Villa Park. He scored 17 goals in all competitions last season and would leave big boots to fill if he departed. Right now, a lot of the scoring burden falls on his shoulders.

John McGinn: the Scot is huge for Villa due to his experience, leadership and set-piece prowess. His importance has increased following the departure of Tielemans and an injury would weaken the side significantly.

Emi Buendia: Maybe a surprise choice, but the Argentine is going to provide the creativity with Tielemans and Rogers gone. He showed flashes of class last term and should play more regularly this time around.

Main Areas for Improvement

Aston Villa's biggest priority is maintaining defensive consistency after losing both Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne. The arrival of Ruggeri strengthens the left side, but Emery still needs another experienced centre-back after Konsa's departure. Villa have already had a £20 million bid for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis rejected.

The midfield also needs to become more reliable. Tielemans was an important part of Villa's build-up and chance creation, while João Gomes and Manzambi now have to adapt quickly to Emery's demands.

The attack is arguably the biggest concern. Rogers has left for £117 million and Watkins could also depart, leaving Villa potentially short of proven goalscorers. Garnacho provides excitement from the wing if he regains his confidence, but Villa still need another striker if Watkins leaves.

Villa also need to cope with the demands of Champions League football. The squad already looked stretched at times last season and Emery cannot afford to enter another campaign with insufficient depth.

Upcoming Aston Villa Transfer Activity

Aston Villa's transfer business is definitely not finished because the squad still needs reinforcements in several positions. The departures of Rogers, Tielemans and Konsa have created obvious gaps, while Watkins' future could force Villa into the market for another striker.

Villa have been interested in Nicolas Jackson as a potential replacement for Watkins. The Chelsea striker worked with Emery at Villarreal and remains under consideration, although his valuation of around £65 million could make a deal difficult.

The club are also looking for another centre-back following Konsa's move to Arsenal. Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been identified as a target, although Southampton rejected Villa's opening £20 million offer and are reportedly seeking around £30 million.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also been targeted to provide competition for Matty Cash at right-back, while Villa previously explored a deal for João Palhinha. However, the Palhinha move appears to have collapsed after Bayern rejected Villa's proposed structure, with the midfielder now expected to join Benfica.

With the Premier League transfer deadline approaching on September 1st, Villa still have significant work to do.

Overall Season Expectations – Aston Villa

Aston Villa should be targeting another Champions League finish after finishing fourth and winning the Europa League last season. However, the scale of the squad changes means repeating that achievement will be considerably more difficult.

A top-six finish would represent a successful campaign, while another top-four position would underline Villa's emergence as a genuine member of the Premier League's elite. The Champions League also gives Emery another opportunity to compete against Europe's strongest clubs after Villa reached the quarter-finals in 2024/25.

The biggest question marks are over the transfer ins/outs in the next couple of weeks. Deciding the expectations before then would be unfair.

Graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2008 with a BA in English Literature before completing MA in Journalism. Began his career as a sports journalist in London before moving to the Middle East to work as a sports editor for national media companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Favourite Sports: Tennis, Boxing, Golf.