Aston Villa’s predicted 2026/27 lineup has changed significantly after Unai Emery lost several important players during a summer rebuild worth almost £170million in sales.
Morgan Rogers is joining Chelsea for £117million, while Youri Tielemans has moved to Manchester United. Lucas Digne and Lewis Dobbin are also leaving for reported fees of £8million and £9million respectively.
Those four deals will generate around £169million once Rogers’ transfer is completed. However, the size of Villa’s income does not remove the challenge of replacing two established starters and their most productive attacker.
A talkSPORT assessment of Villa’s new-look squad predicts several immediate changes before the Premier League and Champions League campaigns begin.
Aston Villa predicted lineup retains defensive stability
Emiliano Martínez remains the clear first choice in goal despite interest from Juventus.
Matty Cash should continue at right-back, while Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres remain Villa’s strongest centre-back partnership. Ian Maatsen is the natural replacement for Digne on the left.
Villa have also considered Pervis Estupiñán and Emerson Royal. Neither player would necessarily enter Emery’s strongest side immediately, but both would add competition across the full-back positions.
The defence therefore looks more settled than other areas. Emery can retain four players who understand his system while using the transfer window to improve the depth behind them.
João Gomes joins reshaped Aston Villa midfield
Villa’s midfield has changed considerably following Tielemans’ departure and Amadou Onana’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Onana underwent surgery in Lyon on Tuesday and is expected to miss nine months. ReadAstonVilla has covered the full Onana injury update and recovery timeline.
Boubacar Kamara should return to the starting side after recovering from his own knee problem. João Gomes is the leading candidate to partner him.
Villa have officially confirmed Gomes’ permanent arrival from Wolves. The Brazil international brings proven Premier League experience and the aggressive ball-winning ability Emery requires.
Kamara can control Villa’s positioning from deeper areas, while Gomes presses opponents and competes for loose possession. John McGinn could start from the right but move centrally when Villa defend.
Johan Manzambi is likely to receive the first opportunity in Rogers’ former attacking-midfield role. The 20-year-old can operate as a number eight, number 10 or supporting forward.
Garnacho could complete Aston Villa attack
Alejandro Garnacho would provide the missing pace on Villa’s left if talks with Chelsea produce an agreement.
Villa have submitted an official bid for an initial loan containing a purchase clause. However, no deal has been completed with Chelsea or Garnacho.
ReadAstonVilla reported that Emery has approved Garnacho as an attacking target. The winger can run beyond opposition defences and would give Villa a direct threat after Rogers’ departure.
Ollie Watkins remains the clear first-choice striker. Tammy Abraham offers cover, although Villa are prepared to consider suitable offers for him.
Nicolas Jackson has also been discussed with Chelsea, but another expensive striker appears less urgent than completing the move for a left winger.
Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Gomes, Kamara; McGinn, Manzambi, Garnacho; Watkins.
The side would contain new energy and greater defensive intensity. However, Villa would lose much of the creativity previously supplied by Tielemans and Rogers.
Emery has repeatedly rebuilt successful teams at Villa Park. His latest squad still contains Champions League quality, but Garnacho’s arrival and Manzambi’s adaptation could decide whether the new-look attack matches last season’s output.
