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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.
13. Lamare Bogarde
A decent rotation option, Bogarde is one of the most versatile players in the squad. The Dutchman can play in defensive midfield, at right-back or at centre-half, so Emery will look to utilise him when alternatives get fatigued or injured. | Wolves via Getty Images
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14. Boubacar Kamara
Offered a new contract as a reward for his remarkable form, Kamara is one of Emery’s favourites. Villa are noticeably a worse team when the defensive midfielder is absent and it’s crucial his future is secured. | Getty Images
15. Youri Tielemans
The Player of the Season winner was absolutely brilliant alongside Kamara in the double pivot throughout 2024/25. Tielemans has recently spoken of a potential departure but that will only happen if Villa get really desperate, which they aren’t. What a player. | Getty Images
16. Amadou Onana
Although he’s yet to fully live up to his £50 million price tag, Onana has become quite the fan favourite. Starts haven’t been overly regular but Emery could possibly find a way of playing him, Kamara and Tielemans in the same team. | Getty Images