How Aston Villa's stunning new £278m side could line up in 2026 - if Bournemouth and Brentford stars sign
Aston Villa are aiming to boost their squad in January
After failing to score in their opening four matches, Aston Villa’s mini-crisis seems to have come to an end with four successive victories across all competitions. Unai Emery’s side, who are still yet to hit top gear, entered the international break on a high with a 2-1 win over Burnley after also beating Feyenoord, Fulham and Bologna.
It means they are now 13th in the Premier League, three points behind the top six, and crucially in pole position to secure a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League at this early stage. Recent results suggest Villa are slowly starting to turn the corner but it’s likely that they’ll still need to add further quality and quantity in January under new sporting director Roberto Olabe. With that in mind, we take a look at recent transfer rumours and how Aston Villa could line-up if they get all their dream January deals over the line.
Aston Villa could move for in-form superstar Antoine Semenyo and Brentford gem
Aston Villa are ‘interested’ in a move for £70m-rated Antoine Semenyo, according to TBR Football. Semenyo has scored six goals in seven matches for Bournemouth this season and has also contributed three assists. Meaning he’s already managed more than half the 11 goals and five assists that he registered last season for the Cherries.
The Ghana international is currently the most in-form footballer in the entire division, and is also the subject of strong interest from sides such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Bournemouth have allowed the likes of Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen to depart to European giants in recent times but are likely to fight to retain Semenyo after convincing the winger to sign a new long-term contract.
Villa are also reported to be interested in Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk, as per Caught Offside. The Ukraine international, 21, is believed to be valued at around £25m and has been a regular starter for the Bees for the last three seasons. He’s formed a solid partnership with Jordan Henderson in recent weeks and is attracting interest from Villa along with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund. His contract in West London expires in 2031 after he recently penned a bumper long-term deal.
Aston Villa interested in PSG playmaker
Out-of-favour PSG playmaker Kang In Lee has also been linked with a stunning winter move to Aston Villa.
Reports from Fichajes claim the South Korean international winger could be offloaded to Aston Villa to get regular first team minutes after falling down the pecking order in the French capital. Lee is a player with bags of technical ability that has won the Champions League and Ligue 1. He played 11 times in Europe last term during the team’s first triumph and managed six goals and as many assists in the league.
With these three additions this is how Aston Villa could line-up after January: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Yarmolyuk, Kamara, Semenyo, Rogers, Lee, Watkins.