AC Milan Enter Race For Aston Villa’s Defensive Target: Is The Spaniard The Right Profile For Emery? | OneFootball

Aston Villa recently emerged as a top admirer for Lazio centre-back Mario Gila, but their interest has hit a major block now that AC Milan have moved to the front of the queue. Reports from Calciomercato and Gazzetta dello Sport confirm the Italian giants have already reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with the 24-year-old Spaniard.

Aston Villa face fierce competition for defensive star Mario Gila

This follows earlier updates from Sport Witness and TuttoSport, which noted the interest from Unai Emery and his recruitment team. While Gila’s agent, Alejandro Camano, previously claimed no formal bids had been made, he also hinted that they are open to offers this summer.

The Spanish defender looks set to move on, given his contract runs out in 2027, and talks over a new deal have completely stalled. Lazio president Claudio Lotito is holding out for a fee of around €25 million, largely because Real Madrid kept a 50% sell-on clause.

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has reportedly greenlit the funds for the move, putting the Rossoneri in the driver’s seat and leaving Villa playing catch-up. As a result, the Midlands club will need to make a move fast if they want to hijack a deal that currently looks destined for the San Siro.

Is Mario Gila the right profile for Aston Villa’s defence?

BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta is challenged by Mario Gila of Lazio during the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Bringing in Mario Gila would give Aston Villa a modern defender who excels in a high-line system and likes to carry the ball forward. The numbers back him up as Gila averages 1.77 tackles and 4.16 clearances per 90 minutes, showing a real knack for breaking up play.

His recovery pace is a huge plus for the tactical style Unai Emery runs at Villa Park. On top of that, his performances in Serie A show he can handle elite attackers, even if his habit of picking up yellow cards suggests he can be a bit reckless under pressure.

For all his physical gifts, Gila can sometimes struggle in the air against old-school target men, which is a potential issue in the more physical Premier League. This specific flaw means he’d likely need a partner who is dominant in the air to balance things out.

If Villa miss out on him, they lose a player entering his prime for a relatively fair €25 million price tag. Signing him would seriously improve their squad depth, but right now, all the momentum is with Milan. In the end, Villa will have to work hard to convince Gila that the project in Birmingham is more enticing than staying in Italy.