Aston Villa Hell Bent On Signing This Italian Star: Why Is He The Right Choice For The Lions? | OneFootball

Aston Villa entered this season with optimism after three straight qualifications for European football. Unai Emery has endured a frustrating start compared to his previous campaigns at the club. In their first five league games, Villa scored only once and failed to win.

That raised questions about balance in the squad and Emery’s reliance on midfield strength. Even so, fortunes shifted with a narrow 1-0 win over Bologna in the Europa League. They followed it with a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Villa Park, which relieved both supporters and the manager.

In this context, transfer speculation has surfaced again. Mark Brus, writing for The Daily Briefing, and as relayed by Give Me Sport, has reported that Villa are closely monitoring Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli. Juventus told him he can leave Turin in January.

This comes as Villa’s recruitment team stays active, even though the summer window only just closed. We reported earlier that Aston Villa target Julian Brandt wants a Spurs move, while Aston Villa are set to offer a new contract to Morgan Rogers, showing the club’s determination to manage both incoming and outgoing business. Locatelli now stands out as a realistic option, particularly given the club’s past struggles in replacing Douglas Luiz.

Why Locatelli Could Be the Answer for Aston Villa?

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus FC runs with the ball during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Manuel Locatelli’s profile matches what Villa need, especially after they lost Douglas Luiz. His defensive strength and progressive passing were vital in Emery’s system. The 27-year-old offers similar qualities. He tackles and intercepts strongly, and he has the vision to play forward under pressure. The Italian thrives in a deep role and initiates moves with progressive or long passes. His ball-carrying adds a dimension that Villa have lacked this season.

Emery builds his tactics around a strong central pairing, often in a double pivot or a four-man midfield box. Locatelli’s game fits this approach neatly. He could play alongside Boubacar Kamara, forming a partnership that blends defensive cover with technical quality. That pairing would also allow Emery to release attacking players into wide areas with speed. Villa already have John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Amadou Onana in midfield.

However, Onana’s injury concerns show why they may still need another addition. Locatelli’s Serie A pedigree and experience make him both an upgrade and a reliable fit for Emery’s plans. Villa’s chances depend on financial constraints and beating rivals in the market. His arrival would show their ambition to move past a difficult start.