Published Aug 23, 2026, 8:10 AM GMT+1

Either route would have secured for the Villans a place in this year's Champions League proper, but the fact they did both emphasises the first-class job Unai Emery has done.

After a summer of upheaval, it would be yet another staggering triumph for the Spaniard to rally his men and guide the club through another impressive campaign, with many of the mainstays moving on.

Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa. All gone for pastures new. There have been plenty of fresh faces drafted in, and while a lot has changed in midfield, Villa have signed some talented players, with Leon Goretzka next to arrive at Villa Park.

What Goretzka will bring to Aston Villa

With so much having changed in the middle of the park, Emery could do with another addition. He needs a leader, someone who can bring experience and mettle to help steer the project through choppy waters and anchor the club in safe harbour.

Goretzka can play that part for Aston Villa. The 30-year-old has been described as a "machine" of a midfielder by Die Roten teammate Aleksandar Pavlović; is a physical beast of a midfielder, he also boasts a depth of technicality that could be perfect for the club in this transitional phase.

With Amadou Onana sidelined with injury for the foreseeable future, this is the perfect profile to welcome through the gates. Moreover, his skill on the ball will help ease the loss of Tielemans to Manchester United, the Belgian's ball-playing expertise sure to be a big miss.

It's another example of Villa's savvy operating in the market, their resourcefulness and ability to adapt and recover to setbacks.

They may have to brace themselves for another blow. Ollie Watkins is being chased by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, and he wants to explore a move to the foreign club.

Aston Villa readying next move after Goretzka

If Aston Villa sell Watkins, it should go without saying that a replacement will be needed, even when considering Tammy Abraham, and the emergence of Brian Madjo.

According to reporter Tom Collomosse, Aston Villa have enquired about the availability of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been linked with an exit from Selhurst Park any number of times in 2026. However, Palace have no intention to sell him.

Mateta came close to joining AC Milan for £30m in January, failing his medical, but enjoyed a resurgence in the Premier League after the winter break, scoring four goals from April onwards under Oliver Glasner.

Though Goretzka is a fine player, there's no question that his levels with Bayern have dipped over the past couple of years. Crisp on the ball, he only created 0.7 chances and won 1.8 ground duels per Bundesliga game last term. There's a good chance he will struggle to displace the likes of Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes.

Mateta, however, has the quality to replace Watkins at number nine, perhaps with the England international still in the mix. He is "one of the best strikers in Europe", according to pundit Wayne Rooney.

Such strength and presence in the final third is hard to find, and the 29-year-old has such qualities in droves. His recovery of form across the final weeks of the 2025/26 campaign emphasise his tenacity and unwavering confidence in his ability, and as Emery reworks his Villa system, placing an experienced Premier League striker at the forefront could have a brilliant effect.

You could say the same for Goretzka, of course. The Germany international is accomplished and decorated in so many trophies. But he will be up against it in a fight for a regular starting berth if Gomes and Kamara combine and hit a fluent partnership.

Mateta is a proven Premier League striker with the potential to provide a Watkins-like presence at No. 9 while Madjo continues to grow into his skin.

If Emery and co can pull it off, it will be a real steal for the Villans.