How Aston Villa could line up for the 2024/25 campaign if each major transfer rumour is true about the squad.
The summer transfer window presents another great opportunity for Unai Emery and Monchi.
After all their success in the 2023/24 campaign which saw the Birmingham outfit qualify for the Champions League, there is now a chance to improve Villa’s first-team squad.
Since the season came to a close, there have already been plenty of transfer rumours surrounding Villa.
This article looks at how Villa’s starting line-up may look for the 2024/25 campaign if each rumour came to fruition with multiple changes being made.
GK – Emi Martinez
Villa’s everpresent ‘keeper looks set to keep his place between the sticks for the upcoming campaign. The Argentine international has been a mainstay in the Villains’ starting XI for years and there is nothing to suggest that will change next season.
RB – Denzel Dumfries
The first of many new faces in the starting XI, as each week passes it seems more and more likely that Matty Cash will leave. The Polish defender struggled for consistent form in 2024. As a result, Villa may be willing to part ways with AC Milan interested in Cash.
A potential replacement that has been touted is Denzel Dumfries. Villa are believed to be interested in the experienced Inter Milan right-back and he could be a direct replacement for Cash.
CB – Pau Torres
Keeping his place in the starting XI is Pau Torres. The Spaniard was crucial in Villa’s push for the Champions League last campaign and rarely put a foot wrong.
Now set to enter his second year at Villa Park, there are hopes that the defender will only continue to improve as the club embarks on another important season.
CB – Ronald Araujo
Joining Torres at the back is Ronald Araujo. The Barcelona centre-back has been linked to a move to England with Villa reportedly interested.
The club are willing to let Diego Carlos go this summer and Araujo could be seen as an ideal replacement. Throughout his career, he has plenty of experience and has won La Liga. Therefore, any transfer to Villa Park would make him an automatic starter.
Read more: Who is Ronald Araujo? The Barcelona centre-back piquing Aston Villa’s interest.
LB – Lucas Digne
Another player keeping his place in the starting XI is Lucas Digne. While the Frenchman may not have set the world alight in his time at Villa Park, he has proved to be a consistent figure on the pitch.
With Villa set to take part in even more games during the 2024/25 season, an experienced head in the XI could do the side the world of good.
CM – John McGinn
The Villa captain will almost certainly be in the starting XI next season. John McGinn has only improved since he joined the club and is now an integral part of the squad. However, he is likely to have a new partner in midfielder.
CM – Weston McKennie
Joining McGinn is Weston McKennie. It has been rumoured for some time that Douglas Luiz will be parting ways with Villa this summer and now this looks likely to be finalised.
According to reports, Luiz will be moving to Italian side Juventus with McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior coming the other way in addition to a cash sum. While the American did not have much luck during his last spell in the Premier League, he is likely to be the starter while Boubacar Kamara recovers from injury.
CAM – Ross Barkley
The final midfield position goes to current Luton midfielder Ross Barkley. Joining the Hatters during the 2023/24 campaign, the former England international managed to revive his career despite their eventual relegation.
Villa are believed to have offered Barkley a contract with the midfielder likely to make a return to Villa Park this summer.
RW – Moussa Diaby
Out on the right wing, Villa’s record signing Moussa Diaby keeps his spot. While the winger struggled at the start of his career at the Birmingham outfit, his form gradually became more consistent as time went on.
The 2024/25 campaign is likely to be a big season for the Frenchman but he has shown every sign that he can kick onwards.
ST – Ollie Watkins
Arguably the most undroppable player in the Premier League, Ollie Watkins has been on fire for the past 12 months. After netting 27 times in all competitions last season, it is hard to see how any incoming striker could push him out of the starting XI.
LW – Samuel Iling-Junior
The final player in the line-up may be unknown to some. As previously mentioned, Iling-Junior is likely to join Villa as part of the swap deal involving Luiz.
The young Englishman can play on both wings but is more suited to the left than the right. If Emery wants to keep Leon Bailey as an impact player from the bench, Iling-Junior may get the nod to start.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Aston Villa’s potential new signing Samuel Iling-Junior.
