Aston Villa weigh options as Sancho suffers injury, Barkley stakes claim
Inter are ready to sell Luis Henrique after an unimpressive spell, reopening the door for Aston Villa, Everton and Bournemouth. A €25m bid from January could suffice as Inter eye replacements.
Pau Torres praises Villa’s Spanish staff as ‘exceptional’, says he is convinced he made the right move with Unai Emery, and sets a simple target: keep playing in Europe and win a title, with Bologna next.
Lewis Dobbin, on loan at Preston, has 8 goals and 6 assists in 34 games. He aims for a Villa chance but is open to a move. With PSR pressures, his Rogers-like trajectory could earn a look in 2026-27.
Youri Tielemans’ error on Belgium duty may see Ross Barkley, with 88% pass success and rising form alongside Amadou Onana, keep his Aston Villa midfield spot as Emery weighs selections.
Aston Villa and Newcastle tried to loan Manuel Ugarte but were rebuffed. Man United now open to a summer exit, with Ugarte preferring a top European league and aiming to move before the World Cup.
Villa have recruited a young striker touted as the ‘new Duran’, viewed as a potential future replacement for Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn defends Scotland’s cautious approach after a 1-0 loss to Japan, warning going ‘gung-ho’ could see them ‘embarrassed’ before facing Ivory Coast.
Villa are keen on Famalicão centre-back Ibrahima Ba, 20. Porto, Sporting, Benfica, Braga and Vitória also want him. Famalicão seek at least €10m, with Ba under contract to 2029 after a breakout run in 2026.
Juve-linked Marcos Senesi is also wanted by Aston Villa and Barcelona. TuttoSport label Villa a ‘clearly less attractive club’ and claim a move to Villa would be for money, with Juve offering a starter role.
Everton are monitoring Ollie Watkins as a summer option, with claims Villa could sell due to finances. Ex-scout Mick Brown calls him ‘outstanding’, though the striker’s goals have dipped this season.
Reports in Italy say Roma will trigger a €25m deal to sign Donyell Malen permanently after his prolific loan. The forward has 7 Roma goals plus 7 for Villa this season after joining for €2m in January.
Jadon Sancho suffers a shoulder injury in a friendly at Elche after impressing for Villa in Europe and vs West Ham. His guile and 56.5% dribble success could be a big miss as Emery juggles options.
Adidas’ bold Aston Villa 2026-27 pre-match shirt images leak ahead of release, offering fans an early look at next season’s warm-up kit.
