Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2025/26

I think Wilson could be a bit of a trap.

Form fell off a cliff towards end of year, barring a 8-10 game spell he wouldnt be a Rogers like replacement. Fine squad player, particularly if price is right etc.

Like the sound of Mbaye.

I would keep Digne.

RB and pacey winger def a priority, if not to try and slowly wind back the age profile, as was mentioned previously.

Romano reporting that Martinez is Juventus’ number 1 target and that talks have already begun.

After the way he conducted himself in August and a more inconsistent season than normal (came good down the stretch in fairness to him) I would welcome the opportunity to go after the keeper of the future.

The bit I’d be worried about is that the decline has already begun last year. I’d rather get a decent fee now towards funding his replacement, because obviously that won’t be an option at the end.

Martinez, Mings and Digne are the 3 longterm seniors who I’d be moving on this year.

I’d keep Martinez if possible, almost certain to end up with a worse goalkeeper if we change, and down money on the transfer if we want someone younger. Maybe if a great young keeper has a release clause it could work well, like Joan Garcia last season but players like that have a lot of options, Garcia going to Barcelona shows that, and then end up on similar money to Martinez. Chevalier who we were being linked to went to PSG for €40M and ended up on the bench.

Apparently Emi and Juve have agreed terms and it’s just down to them trying to low roll Villa now on transfer fee.

Seems very clear to me that he has been trying to engineer his exit for at least 18 months and I won’t be too sad to say goodbye.

Doesn’t take away from what he achieved at Villa and at least he has ended on a very high note.

James Trafford is on approx 50k a week at City, can’t imagine he could command much more at Villa. I’m not saying Trafford is necessarily the keeper of the future. But once the club have identified the person who is, that’s probably around the going rate.

Even at that it is hard to see there being much in it for Villa, if Man City want their money back in the transfer that’s the whole of the wage savings gone, 50K on the new wage and 100K a week to cover the fee over 5 years. Whatever fee they get for Martinez then would be the financial gain to offset any loss on the field. It could all work out well but there is a lot of risk. We won’t be rebuilding the team from the money we could get for Martinez.

Apparently Juve are balking at 15 million for Martinez. If we cant get 15 million, then hold onto him. Hes still brilliant. Even if he has had a drop off, it will be extremely hard to get someone better. Hes a great shot stopper and good on the ball, its not a combination thats easily picked up.

It’s more complicated than that though, Emi Martinez is on approx 150k up until 2029. He is obviously not motivated to take a penny less until summer of 2029 when he will be 37.

Does anyone think Martinez is especially likely to be among the best keepers in the world in the 27/28 and 28/29 season?

Juve would be eating up a huge goalkeeper contract if they take him on, and if he stays at Villa, there’s almost definitely going to be a spell of his contract where he is not worth the salary he is on (questionable whether he was even one of the best goalkeepers in the world for the last 2 years IMO.

I dont think Trafford will be the replacement for Martinez. I dont think he looks great on the ball and that will be key for Emery.

I'd rather Chevalier - he was great for Lille vs us last year, and is now sitting on PSG bench. Only 24, so would hopefully be GK solution for years

Yes, I think Jose Okores made similar noises. Out of that squad one of the only players I’d have any sympathy for is Ashley Westwood, he became the focal point for a lot of the fans abuse and when we eventually did get relegated he was one of the only ones on the pitch who seemed genuinely upset.