Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is personally targeting a former Norwich City star to bolster his ranks this summer, according to reports.

The trophy is in the cabinet and the planning has already begun.

Aston Villa's 3-0 demolition of Freiburg in Istanbul last week delivered the club's first European silverware since 1982, and with Champions League football secured via their 4-2 Friday night victory over Liverpool, Emery has the platform to push the squad to the next level.

The question now is how he uses it.

The answer, it seems, starts with the wide positions.

As we have reported on in recent weeks, Villa are pursuing Roma winger Matias Soule and remain interested in Marcus Rashford, whose future at Barcelona is unresolved.

Southampton's Leo Scienza has also been the subject of early discussions, while the goalkeeping situation around Emiliano Martínez — with Liverpool circling — continues to develop in the background.

But according to French journalist Sebastien Vidal, one of the most significant pieces of attacking recruitment could involve a familiar name from English football.

Emery targets Aston Villa move for ex-Norwich City star Jonathan Rowe

Vidal reports that Villa are closely following Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe ahead of the summer window.

The 23-year-old former Norwich City academy product is one of the profiles Emery has identified to strengthen the wide areas, with the expected departures of Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey creating space — and urgency — for reinforcements on the flanks.

Rowe has taken a roundabout route to this point.

He came through the youth ranks at Carrow Road, making his Championship debut as a teenager before spending the 2024/25 season on loan at Marseille in Ligue 1.

That spell convinced Bologna to move permanently, and they signed him from Marseille for around £14m last August on a four-year deal until 2029.

His first season in Serie A has been encouraging.

Eight goals and five assists across 43 appearances in all competitions represents a modest return domestically, but it is in the Europa League where Rowe has truly caught the eye — four goals and two assists in 12 appearances, including a man-of-the-match display in Bologna's round-of-16 win over Roma.

His directness, pace and willingness to run at defenders have made him one of the more exciting young wide players in Italian football, and at 23 he is still developing.

The left-footed winger, who operates primarily from the left flank, has represented England at under-21 level and holds dual nationality with Jamaica. His style — aggressive, one-on-one oriented, comfortable cutting inside onto his stronger foot — fits the kind of profile Emery has historically favoured in his attacking systems.

Villa's manager has always valued width, pace and the ability to stretch defences vertically, and Rowe ticks those boxes.

Bologna would not be keen sellers given they only signed him last summer, and his contract length gives them a strong negotiating position.

But Villa's Champions League status, their Europa League trophy and the chance to work under one of European football's most decorated managers represent a compelling pitch for any young English player looking to take the next step.