Tuesday delivered a stack of Aston Villa news on almost every front at once: a closed-door denial on Emiliano Martínez, a Manchester United medical for Youri Tielemans, two fresh midfield names on Unai Emery’s radar, and a record shirt sponsorship edging towards confirmation — all while five Villa players trained for World Cup semi-finals and the rest of the group returned to Bodymoor Heath for pre-season.
It is the clearest single-day snapshot yet of where Emery’s rebuild stands in mid-July: one position — goalkeeper — now publicly ring-fenced, another — central midfield — being worked from multiple angles after Tielemans’ exit, and the club’s commercial department closing in on the most lucrative sponsorship deal in its history.
Add in seven senior departures already banked or agreed this summer, and the pace shows no sign of slowing before the World Cup-delayed transfer window builds towards its 1 September deadline. Here is everything Aston Villa news broke on Tuesday 14 July, and what it means.
Is Emiliano Martínez Leaving Aston Villa For Juventus?
No — Villa moved to shut the story down entirely. Director of football operations Damian Vidagany told 365 Scores that Martínez “will stay with us”, with the club having “no intention” of selling this summer. The comments, relayed by Fabrizio Romano, followed weeks of Italian reporting linking Juventus with the World Cup-winning goalkeeper, and came with Villa having already dismissed an earlier reported €6m valuation before Juventus’ own €10m offer was effectively rejected outright.
Has Youri Tielemans Completed His Manchester United Move?
Not yet officially, but it is close. Tielemans began his Manchester United medical on Tuesday after United triggered the £35m release clause in his contract, according to Sky Sports News. David Ornstein reported Villa “had no wish to sell” and had offered a new deal before the clause was activated, while Fabrizio Romano indicated terms on a long-term contract running to 2031 were being finalised alongside the medical. An official announcement from both clubs is expected within days.
Who Could Replace Tielemans In Villa’s Midfield?
Villa are working the phones on more than one name. João Palhinha has emerged as a target, with Portuguese outlet Record reporting Villa are monitoring the Bayern Munich midfielder’s situation alongside Juventus, Benfica and Sporting CP following his loan spell at Tottenham. Bayern are said to want around €25m. That sits alongside Villa’s longer-standing interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall, with Wharton’s tackling and interception numbers making him the closer statistical fit to the outgoing Belgian. Tielemans is one of seven senior departures sanctioned by Emery this summer — the club’s full rundown of who has left and who could replace them shows more than £41m already recouped from permanent sales, with defender Andrés García also closing in on a season-long loan to Getafe.
Are Villa Still Chasing Nicolas Jackson?
It remains an exploratory interest rather than an active pursuit. Villa are reportedly considering a late-window move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, per transfer reporter Simon Phillips, with the Senegal international familiar to Emery from their time together at Villarreal. Chelsea are believed to value Jackson at around €70m, and Villa have not opened advanced negotiations, with any move likely to depend on how Chelsea’s demands develop late in the window.
What’s Happening With Villa’s New Shirt Sponsor?
Villa are understood to have agreed a record front-of-shirt deal with Visit Rwanda worth up to £20m a season, according to The Athletic, replacing Betano ahead of the Premier League’s ban on front-of-shirt betting sponsors from 2026/27. The agreement, led by president of business operations Francesco Calvo, has not yet been formally announced by either party, and arrives alongside scrutiny of Rwanda’s links to the M23 conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo — a tension Villa will need to address once the deal is confirmed.
How Are Villa’s World Cup Stars — And Villa Women — Getting On?
Pre-season is under way at Bodymoor Heath, with Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía, Matty Cash and Leon Bailey among those back in training on Monday, while five Villa players — Martínez, Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Lucas Digne — remain involved as England and Argentina, then France, contest the World Cup semi-finals. Off the pitch, Villa Women’s season-ticket renewal deadline landed at 5pm on Tuesday, with prices frozen ahead of the Barclays Women’s Super League expanding to 14 clubs for 2026/27; unclaimed seats go to general sale on 22 July.
| Player / Deal | Direction | Club | Reported Fee | Status (14 July) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emiliano Martínez | Stays | — | — | Villa publicly reject Juventus interest |
| Youri Tielemans | Out | Manchester United | £35m (release clause) | Medical under way |
| João Palhinha | Target | Bayern Munich | ~€25m | Assessment stage, no offer |
| Nicolas Jackson | Target | Chelsea | ~€70m valuation | Exploratory interest only |
| Andrés García | Loan out | Getafe | Season-long loan | Closing in |
Aston Villa Facts — 14th July 2026
Is Emiliano Martínez leaving Aston Villa? No. As of 14 July 2026, director of football operations Damian Vidagany has publicly ruled out a sale to Juventus this summer.
Has Youri Tielemans completed his Manchester United transfer? Not yet formally confirmed by either club as of Tuesday evening, though his medical is under way and Fabrizio Romano reports a long-term contract to 2031 is being finalised.
How much is Villa’s Visit Rwanda shirt sponsorship worth? Reportedly up to £20m per season, according to The Athletic, though the deal has not yet been formally announced.
When do Aston Villa Women’s season tickets go to general sale? Unclaimed seats go on general sale from Wednesday 22 July 2026, after Tuesday’s 5pm renewal deadline for existing holders.
How many first-team players have Aston Villa sold this summer? Seven senior departures are completed or all-but-completed, with more than £41m already recouped from permanent sales alone.
