Aston Villa transfer news surrounding Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could point towards a significant tactical change from Unai Emery, rather than simply two attempts to add defensive depth.
Villa have agreed a deal worth around £17.1million for Atletico Madrid left-back Ruggeri, who is expected to complete the final stages of his proposed move.
Emery’s side have also held talks with West Ham over Wan-Bissaka. The Championship club reportedly value the former Manchester United defender at approximately £25m.
Completing both deals would therefore represent an investment of more than £42m across Villa’s two full-back positions.
That level of spending would be difficult to dismiss as ordinary competition.
Aston Villa transfer news points to full-back overhaul
Ruggeri is arriving following Lucas Digne’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, but Villa already have Ian Maatsen available on the left.
The more interesting question is why Emery appears prepared to add another potential starter.
The Times reports that Villa have agreed a £17.1m deal for Ruggeri, while also stating that Maatsen is not currently viewed as Emery’s automatic first choice.
Ruggeri gives Villa a different profile.
Atletico Madrid describe the 24-year-old as a left-back with strong crossing ability and the stamina to cover significant ground. His background at Atalanta also included extensive experience operating as a wing-back.
That could give Villa more natural width on the left.
The Italian can advance aggressively when Villa have possession, stretch the opposition and provide deliveries from areas normally occupied by an attacking winger.
Wan-Bissaka would offer something very different on the opposite side.
Wan-Bissaka could change Matty Cash battle
talkSPORT reports that Villa have opened talks with West Ham over Wan-Bissaka, who is valued at around £25m.
Villa want greater competition for Matty Cash.
Kosta Nedeljkovic is another option, but his long-term position remains uncertain after spending time away from Villa Park and attracting interest elsewhere.
Andrés García has already been allowed to leave temporarily, with Villa confirming his season-long loan to Getafe earlier this summer.
Wan-Bissaka would provide Emery with a specialist one-against-one defender who is comfortable protecting large spaces against dangerous wide players.
Put him opposite Ruggeri and an interesting tactical balance begins to appear.
Ruggeri could be encouraged to attack aggressively down the left while Wan-Bissaka provides greater defensive security on the right.
That could allow Emery to make Villa asymmetrical in possession rather than asking both full-backs to perform identical jobs.
Why Emery may want one full-back to stay
Villa’s midfield situation makes that possibility even more interesting.
Amadou Onana is facing a lengthy injury absence, while João Gomes is also expected to miss the beginning of the Premier League season.
Giving one full-back more licence to advance while the other protects the defensive structure could reduce the amount of space Villa leave during turnovers.
It may also suit Villa’s attacking personnel.
Alejandro Garnacho can attack inside from the left with Ruggeri providing width outside him. On the opposite flank, Emery could use a more adventurous winger knowing Wan-Bissaka is positioned behind him.
Nothing guarantees Villa will complete both deals.
Wan-Bissaka remains one of several right-back options being considered, while Ruggeri’s transfer still needs to pass through the remaining formalities.
But this would fit a wider summer of significant change.
Villa have already agreed a major deal to sign Zion Suzuki as their new goalkeeper, while Emi Martinez’s situation changed again when Juventus ended their pursuit on Sunday.
Emery is not merely filling vacancies.
If Ruggeri arrives and Villa follow him with Wan-Bissaka, the defence could look and function very differently.
A potential £42m full-back overhaul would make that difficult to ignore.
