Aston Villa's ideal 2026/27 squad as Man City double transfer done and free agents arrive

Aston Villa's ideal 2026/27 squad as Man City double transfer done and free agents arriveAston Villa are preparing for another pivotal transfer window under Unai EmeryCommentsSportopinionJake Bayliss Senior Sports Writer07:15, 02 May 2026View 4 ImagesUnai Emery faces another important summer transfer window at Aston Villa(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Aston Villa are braced for another summer of upheaval as Unai Emery's team edge closer to securing a Champions League place. The Villans are also determined to reach the Europa League final and harbour ambitions of regularly competing for silverware. ‌ Emery has once again performed wonders, with the manager's knack for juggling his side's domestic duties alongside European commitments often going unappreciated outside Villa Park. That he has guided the club into contention at the sharp end of the Premier League is all the more remarkable considering Villa's recent recruitment. ‌ Last summer, Marco Bizot and Victor Lindelof arrived as solid squad players, while loanee Jadon Sancho has shown glimpses of quality, though Evann Guessand and Harvey Elliott did not have the desired impact. In January, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey and Tammy Abraham strengthened a threadbare squad, yet only the latter has made a significant contribution. ‌ Villa will be keen to avoid repeating previous mistakes in the upcoming transfer window. Here, Mirror Football examines what an ideal summer could entail as Emery reshapes his squad ahead of the 2026/27 season. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page GoalkeepersEmiliano Martinez looked set to depart last year as he delivered an emotional goodbye to the Villa Park crowd. The Argentina international faced an uphill struggle to win back sections of supporters after links with Manchester United, but his displays have helped repair those relationships. Ideally, Martinez would bow out with silverware in the Europa League final before securing a transfer elsewhere, 12 months after his initial farewell. ‌ READ MORE: Arsenal and Aston Villa were fuming in Europe - the same must not happen in the Premier LeagueREAD MORE: Unai Emery slams VAR for missing Elliot Anderson tackle - 'He could break his ankle!'Finding a successor to Martinez will be no small undertaking, but Villa could replicate elements of their previous approach by recruiting Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. Much like Martinez's spell at Arsenal, Trafford has found himself second-choice at City following his £27million switch to the Etihad and the promising 23-year-old has been linked with the Villans as he seeks consistent game time. Marco Bizot will remain a reliable deputy after an impressive first season. Meanwhile, academy product James Wright will continue as third choice. View 4 ImagesJames Trafford has struggled for minutes at Manchester City(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images) ‌ DefendersVilla already boast an impressive array of centre-back options in Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof. While some younger alternatives may be required in the coming years, it is not a top priority. At right-back, Matty Cash has enjoyed one of his finest seasons in a Villa shirt but identifying suitable competition has proved problematic over the years, with Andres Garcia receiving limited opportunities. Villa could finally address one of their biggest issues by bringing in Celta Vigo full-back Oscar Mingueza on a free transfer and allowing Garcia to develop through a loan spell. The 26-year-old, who is capable of playing on either flank, started his career at Barcelona and has flourished during his four years at Celta. Meanwhile, at left-back, Ian Maatsen should become undisputed first-choice with Lucas Digne serving as an experienced understudy. ‌ View 4 ImagesOscar Mingueza has spent four seasons with Celta Vigo(Image: Ivan Terron/Europa Press via Getty Images) MidfieldersIn an ideal scenario, Villa would keep hold of all their central midfield options. When fully fit, few Premier League sides can match a pairing of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, with Amadou Onana also showing progress this season. Lamare Bogarde has shown his credentials in the top-flight and Ross Barkley provides a seasoned option at the base of midfield or in more advanced areas. George Hemmings can press his case for a first team role after a campaign away on loan. Douglas Luiz returns to Juventus following his second stint, while fellow loanee Harvey Elliott heads back to Liverpool. ‌ ForwardsVilla captain John McGinn remains the lifeblood of Emery's side but will once again find himself battling for a starting berth. Fulham winger Harry Wilson has been strongly linked with a switch to Villa Park and would provide a fresh alternative on the right flank or in the No.10 position. Brazilian youngster Alysson will also continue to flourish as part of the first-team setup, while Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia are both moved on. View 4 ImagesFulham's Harry Wilson is set to be a free agent(Image: Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The dream transfer window would see Villa hold on to Morgan Rogers without being forced to cash in on another of their prized assets. Operating on the left wing, he would be vying for a place with new recruit Jonathan Rowe, who performed well for Bologna against Emery's side in the Europa League. ‌ Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, who set City back £59million in January 2025, would represent a headline summer signing, having reportedly been on their radar previously. The 27-year-old has found it difficult to cement a regular place in Pep Guardiola's side but possesses undeniable quality and would be tailor-made for the second striker role that Moussa Diaby filled two years ago. Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham will battle it out to lead the attack for Villa, while promising youngster Brian Madjo hovers on the periphery of the first-team squad. Villa's 25-man squad: Trafford, Bizot, Wright; Cash, Mingueza, Konsa, Torres, Mings, Lindelof, Maatsen, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara, Onana, Bogarde, Barkley; McGinn, Wilson, Rogers, Rowe, Alysson, Watkins, Abraham, Marmoush, Madjo. 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