Aston Villa Set To Make Winter Approach For This 24-Year-Old Right-Back: The Right Choice For The Lions? | OneFootball

Aston Villa continue to look at their options as they look to steady their season and climb back among the top challengers in the Premier League. Unai Emery wants fresh energy in defence. Recent performances have shown the side’s weakness in wide areas. The West Midlands club has already missed out on a few summer targets.

According to a report by Sabah via Sport Witness, Villa plan to approach Galatasaray in the winter window for Wilfried Singo. The 24-year-old Ivorian continues to impress fans in Turkey with his pace, strength, and tactical discipline. Galatasaray value him at around €50 million, which shows both his consistency and potential. He has established himself as one of the Turkish champions’ most reliable defenders. The Ivorian plays across right-back and centre-back roles with ease.

Singo’s physicality should help him adapt to the tempo of English football. His willingness to push forward will help him fit in the aggressive style Emery wants from his full-backs. Yet the reported price tag looks steep. Villa must decide whether the investment matches their long-term plan. The club’s management believes defensive stability will determine their top-four hopes, and they meanwhile trust Singo to help them reach that goal.

Why Singo will fit Emery’s blueprint?

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 18: Wilfried Singo of Galatasaray A.S. greets the fans prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray A.S. at Frankfurt Stadion on September 18, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Unai Emery has made it clear that Villa need to strengthen their right-back position. Matty Cash and Andrés García provide experience and energy, but injuries and inconsistency often force changes. Ezri Konsa fills in at times, though he does not offer a permanent fix in that role. Emery wants two reliable options on each flank, and Singo’s versatility fits that plan perfectly.

The Ivorian’s record in domestic and European competitions shows how much he has grown. His strong duelling numbers, sharp passing accuracy, and calmness under pressure prove he can handle English football. At 24, Singo enters his best years and sees the Premier League as the perfect stage to grow further. If Villa go on to sign him, then it will show ambition and belief in their long-term vision.

However, he sometimes loses focus, and his high valuation could raise concerns. Still, Emery’s structured coaching style can fix those issues. If Villa do manage to sign Singo, they solve an immediate problem and strengthen their defence for the future. This potential move feels less like a gamble and more like a smart step toward building the depth they need for regular Champions League football.