- Aston Villa’s defence has remained the same since Unai Emery arrived in November 2022
- This summer could be a busy transfer window with a potential squad refresh
- Which defenders could stay and which could move?
As Aston Villa’s 2025/26 campaign draws to a close, Unai Emery faces a defining summer for a backline that has been both the cornerstone of his tactical identity and a source of vulnerability due to the high line they can play. With the club consistently pushing for Champions League qualification and the need to continue evolving the squad, the Spaniard may decide to refine his defensive unit in the summer.
Villa’s build-up in possession is heavily reliant on their defence’s ability to play out from the back.
Their centre-backs have to be composed on the ball and invite pressure from the opposition to create space for their midfielders to operate in.
Although more recently it hasn’t been as pronounced as a couple of seasons ago, out of possession, Emery utilises a high line.
This is to compress the pitch and force their opponents into offsides or to play long balls. While this approach has stifled elite attacks, it remains a high-risk, as occasionally seen in heavy defeats to teams exploiting the space in behind.
Over time, the defensive line has become incredibly synchronised, with Pau Torres usually initiating when his teammates should jump out and when to step up. The back four that does this so well is Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Torres and Lucas Digne.
When changes have been made to the backline, the high-line isn’t executed as well, and often it has caught them out.
Given the familiarity of the current defenders playing in Emery’s system, new signings could massively affect the current setup.
A dilemma for Emery
The problem Villa has is that their squad is ageing, and they haven’t brought in younger players due to Emery’s desire for targets to be at the level required for the here and now.
Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tyrone Mings, Victor Lindelöf are all aged between 28 and 33-year’s-old. Ian Maatsen is 23, and Andrés García is 24.
They have no centre-backs below the age of 28 in the first-team squad, and whilst Maatsen is probably the successor to Digne, Garcia is not good enough to replace Cash.
This means they need to start thinking about the future of their defence.
Who could move?
A new right-back has been on Emery’s agenda for pretty much every transfer window, but they’ve either never found the player they want or have prioritised other positions.
As Cash is having his best season at the club, this summer could be the last time they may receive a decent fee for the Polish international.
Recent links to Óscar Mingueza and Mario Gila suggest that this may be what Villa are leaning towards.
However, centre-back is the real issue due to their ages. Both Konsa and Torres have been superb together for the last few seasons, but it is possible Emery could manage without one of them.
Torres seems the most likely, given the likelihood he could be open to a move back to Spain, although Villa could get a bigger fee for Konsa.
The ideal scenario would be to move on Mings, and bring in a younger left-footed centre-back to be an understudy to Torres, with a view to succeed the Spaniard either during the season or the following one.
Tarik Muharemovic could be that player, with rumours of a potential move in recent weeks.
Finally, left-back seems the most obvious decision. Emery should keep hold of Maasten and sell Digne. The Frenchman is one of the highest earners in the squad, and his performances have declined this season.
As to who the replacement could be, Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys has been linked, as well as Alejandro Balde, although the latter would require a substantial fee. Regardless, the new player should be at the level of or even higher than Maatsen to provide competition.
Ultimately, this summer will need to be one of change.
Some players have reached their limit, and for the club to continue progressing, then higher calibre players should be brought in.
