Aston Villa Keep Close Eyes On This World Cup Star Ahead Of A Summer Swoop: Perfect Signing For Emery? | OneFootball

In one of his recent reports, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has shared a key update on the future of Lille attacking ace Mathias Fernandez-Pardo. Aston Villa have not only made initial contact with the player’s representatives but also sent scouts to the United States to monitor the Belgian’s performance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

The 21-year-old Red Devils international left for Lille’s academy after brief spells with Anderlecht and Mechelen back in his homeland. However, he returned to Belgium in 2020 and joined Gent’s youth ranks. There, he flourished with the reserves and was eventually promoted as a first-team regular.

A blister spell at the backend of the 2023-24 season caught the eyes of Lille, who brought him back to Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the summer of 2024. Fernandez-Pardo has since cemented a key status high up the pitch, scoring 12 and assisting 11 times in 71 appearances over the past two campaigns. His versatility, movement, physicality, runs behind the defence, pace, acceleration and finishing tick the boxes of a Premier League forward of the modern era.

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 23: Matias Fernandez-Pardo of LOSC Lille passes the ball whilst under pressure from Nahuel Molina of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atletico de Madrid and LOSC Lille at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano on October 23, 2024, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery is astounding. From battling for survival, the Spaniard led them to win the coveted Europa League last season, defeating Freiburg in Istanbul. They are going on par with the league’s ‘big six’, and his structural discipline, tactical adaptability, and controlled transitions have maximised the potential of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn. They have been Emery’s ‘front four’ for most of the season, and the gaffer is now aiming for further attacking reinforcements to emerge as an indispensable European force.

Why Emery Could Play Him From The Flank

Meanwhile, Aston Villa still lack depth down the flank, with Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey struggling for minutes all season. The pair seem surplus to requirements in Birmingham, and so is Harvey Elliott, who is set to return to Liverpool after Emery opted against playing him enough to avoid triggering the obligation-to-buy clause. Donyell Malen has been offloaded to Roma, and the manager replaced the Dutchman with Tammy Abraham as Watkins’ understudy for the ‘number 9’ spot.

Predominantly a centre-forward, Fernandez-Pardo is also comfortable from the left-hand flank as an inverted winger. With Watkins and Abraham challenging each other, the Lille sensation is likely to be deployed from the flank ahead of Buendia. The French side value him at around €70m, as they look to make a hefty profit from his sale, having snapped him up for a base fee of €10m (+€2m add-ons).