Aston Villa chase Forest turnaround at Villa Park
Villa emerge as frontrunners to sign Parma midfielder Mandela Keita this summer, with the Serie A club open to offers for around £13m.
Villa monitor Sporting CP’s Hidemasa Morita to bolster midfield after injuries, but Leeds lead talks, with Brighton and Porto also keen. The 30-year-old Japan international is out of contract soon.
Villa remain in the hunt for Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo, but face Serie A interest from Fiorentina, Napoli and Atalanta. Burnley drop out. Fee touted at €20-30m, with a €60m clause and deal to 2029.
Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti, priced at €20-25m, rejects Galatasaray and is open to the Premier League, with Aston Villa among the interested clubs.
After rotating in a 2-1 loss to Spurs, Villa face Forest’s Europa semi second leg. Emery insists progress will continue, while squad refresh and younger signings are planned with Roberto Olabe.
Villa make initial contact for Roma attacker Matias Soule, valued at €30m, with reports stating ‘Emery wants him’. The versatile Argentine is among players Roma could sell before June for capital gain.
Ex-Villa director Monchi is set to become Espanyol’s sporting director after saying yes to Alan Pace’s project, with potential Premier League links via Burnley mentioned and appointment hinging on survival.
Swansea lodge a £2m bid for a young striker also targeted by Aston Villa and Manchester United.
Opinion warns starting Lamare Bogarde against Forest could hurt Villa, with Onana injured. Douglas Luiz tipped as safer midfield option for the Europa League second leg at Villa Park.
With a 1-0 deficit to Forest, Villa look to past comebacks, including wins over Inter in 1994/95 and Steaua in 1997/98, and the 1983 Super Cup turnaround v Barcelona, for inspiration at Villa Park.
Villa trail 1-0 but boast nine straight European home wins. Watkins and McGinn set to return, Onana a doubt. Forest’s Wood leads the line, Gibbs-White a doubt. Kick-off 7 May 2026, Villa Park.
Unai Emery says Villa’s Europa semi v Forest will not define their season. Trailing 1-0, he hails a ‘huge achievement’, stresses improvement and pride, and urges focus for the Villa Park second leg.
