Aston Villa have accelerated their summer rebuild following several major departures and a damaging injury to Amadou Onana.
Unai Emery’s squad has already gained two midfielders in Johan Manzambi and João Gomes. Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans has joined Manchester United and Morgan Rogers is closing in on a British-record move to Chelsea.
Villa are preparing for another Champions League campaign after lifting the Europa League last season. Their transfer work must leave Emery with enough quality to compete across a demanding schedule.
The 2026 summer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday, 1 September. Here is the latest Aston Villa transfer news, including confirmed arrivals, completed departures and the club’s reported targets.
Confirmed Aston Villa summer signings
Villa completed their first major deal by signing Manzambi from Freiburg. The Switzerland international arrived after an impressive World Cup and will wear the No.44 shirt during his first season.
The deal is reportedly worth £59.5million, making Manzambi the most expensive signing in Villa’s history. Newcastle United had also pursued the midfielder, but Champions League football helped Villa secure his signature.
The 20-year-old recorded seven goals and nine assists across 47 appearances for Freiburg last season. He can operate centrally or further forward, giving Emery another flexible midfield option.
Sky Sports confirmed the club-record agreement to sign Johan Manzambi before Villa unveiled him at Bodymoor Heath.
João Gomes followed on Monday, completing a permanent transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Villa officially announced the Brazilian midfielder after he completed his medical.
The initial fee is understood to be £34million, with a further £4million available through add-ons. Gomes made 130 appearances for Wolves after joining from Flamengo in January 2023.
Those two additions give Emery greater energy and ball-winning quality in midfield. However, they also respond to significant losses from the squad.
ReadAstonVilla has already assessed the three major issues Villa must solve before their Champions League return. The midfield has received urgent attention, but further work remains in attack and defence.
Young goalkeeper Blade Earley has also joined Villa’s academy from Cambridge United. Modou Kéba Cissé has arrived from LASK following an agreement completed in 2025.
Villa rebuild midfield after major setbacks
Villa’s midfield plans changed quickly following Tielemans’ departure and Onana’s serious knee injury.
Tielemans completed a permanent move to Manchester United after three seasons at Villa Park. The reported £36million fee represented a strong return on a player signed for free from Leicester City.
The Belgium international became one of Emery’s most important players. His passing range and composure helped Villa control matches from deeper positions.
Onana is expected to miss between six and nine months after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. His absence leaves Villa without another senior midfielder during the opening stages of the campaign.
Manzambi and Gomes offer different qualities. Gomes brings Premier League experience, aggression and defensive intensity. Manzambi provides greater attacking freedom and can carry the ball through midfield.
However, Villa may still add another player in the position. The club have been linked with João Palhinha, while Nico Raskin is reportedly being monitored following his performances for Rangers and Belgium.
Rangers are thought to value Raskin at around £20million. Villa face competition from several European clubs, so their interest has not yet developed into a formal offer.
Aston Villa departures continue as Rogers closes on exit
Villa have already sanctioned several permanent departures during the window.
Tielemans has joined Manchester United, while Lewis Dobbin has moved to Southampton. Enzo Barrenechea has signed for Benfica and Louie Barry has left for Sheffield Wednesday.
Yeimar Mosquera and Sil Swinkels have also departed permanently. Andrés García, Zépiqueno Redmond and Kadan Young have secured loan moves. The current list of confirmed Premier League summer deals records Villa’s early activity.
The largest departure is still expected to be Rogers. Chelsea have agreed a £117million deal for the England international, who is undergoing the final stages of his move.
Rogers produced 14 goals and 12 assists last season. His sale would set a new record fee for a British player and give Villa substantial funds to reinvest.
Villa signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in January 2024 for an initial fee of around £8million. The proposed Chelsea transfer would deliver an enormous profit, even after any sell-on payment owed to his former club.
However, replacing his output will not be straightforward. Rogers developed into one of the Premier League’s most effective attacking midfielders under Emery.
Villa need a player who can carry possession, create chances and contribute goals from the left. Their next attacking signing may define how successfully the club responds to his departure.
Aston Villa target Rogers replacements
Crysencio Summerville has emerged as one possible replacement. The West Ham United winger is available following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Roma have already submitted a proposal worth around £40million. Villa are considering whether to enter the race before the Italian club reaches an agreement.
ReadAstonVilla has covered Villa’s possible £40million move to hijack Roma’s Summerville deal. The Dutchman’s pace and ability from the left would give Emery a natural replacement for Rogers.
Rafael Leão represents a more ambitious option. AC Milan are reportedly willing to consider offers worth around €60million, while the Portugal international is open to playing in England.
Villa have joined the group of clubs monitoring his situation. However, they have not submitted a formal bid.
The reported Aston Villa interest in Rafael Leão suggests the club are assessing several profiles rather than focusing on one target.
Leão would offer elite speed and one-against-one ability. His wages and the overall cost of the transfer could still present a major obstacle.
Villa have also been linked with forwards who can play centrally. Ollie Watkins remains Emery’s leading striker, but additional competition would strengthen the squad before the Champions League begins.
What Villa still need before the new season
Villa’s midfield rebuild has progressed quickly. Manzambi and Gomes offer immediate quality, while both players should retain considerable resale value.
The next priority is replacing Rogers if his move to Chelsea is completed. Villa need creativity from the left and cannot rely on one player to recreate his entire contribution.
A defensive addition may also be required. Arsenal have shown interest in Ezri Konsa, although Villa’s valuation is understood to be well above the figure considered by the Gunners.
Lucas Digne’s future has also attracted attention. Any senior defensive departure would create another position for the recruitment team to address.
Villa’s approach has remained controlled despite the scale of the changes. The club accepted significant fees for Tielemans and Rogers before moving for players suited to Emery’s system.
Manzambi offers long-term potential, while Gomes already understands the pace of English football. Their arrival gives Villa a stronger midfield platform once Onana returns.
However, the window cannot be judged on those deals alone. Replacing Rogers and protecting the depth of the defence remain essential before the Premier League campaign starts.
Villa have raised considerable money through sales and have already reinvested a large portion. The remaining weeks will reveal whether Emery receives the complete squad required for another season in Europe’s leading competition.
