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Pre-season is fast approaching ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and Aston Villa’s squad is beginning to take shape. Not much transfer business has taken place just yet but several players have departed at the end of their contracts and loans and many deals are in the works, both for ins and outs.
Villa have managed to escape their concerns regarding the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) but still need to focus on reducing their wage bill to meet the demands of UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR). Several high-earning players could leave in the coming weeks to facilitate that, with the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey among those linked with moves away.
Once the SCR situation is resolved, Unai Emery can begin to look at improving his squad. The Villans still won’t be able to go gung-ho with new additions but Monchi and Emery will have a bit more freedom to address what the squad needs. Villa want to be in the fight for Champions League football again, after all, while a decent run in the UEFA Europa League and domestic cup competitions will be targeted as Emery eyes his first trophy as Villa boss.
Who could come and who could go this summer, then? Well, so much is still up in the air but we here at Birmingham World have taken a deep dive into the likeliest sales and signings. With that in mind, click through the pages to see how Villa’s squad could shape up for the 2025/26 season – as well as explanations for each and every player listed.
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9. Tyrone Mings
After coming back from what could’ve been a career-ending knee injury, Mings has been terrific. The 32-year-old recently signed a deserved new contract and he can expect to be rotated in for Pau when Villa need a bit more physicality at the back. | Getty Images
10. IN: Yasin Ozcan
Signed from Kasimpasa for £5 million in the winter ahead of a summer arrival, Ozcan will head into first-team contention. The 19-year-old Turkey international has a big future ahead of him and Villa are keen to tap into his potential. | Getty Images for DFB
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11. Ian Maatsen
The former Chelsea man finally thrust himself ahead of Lucas Digne in the pecking order towards the end of last season. Maatsen, who loves to invert inside and link up with the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Marco Asensio, found some great form in March, April and May. | Getty Images
12. Lucas Digne
Onto Digne, and the Frenchman is among those who could potentially be sacrificed for SCR reasons. Emery and Monchi are eager to keep hold of him if possible, though, and we reckon Digne will remain at Villa Park for a while longer yet. It’s great to have such depth at left-back. | Getty Images