Aston Villa enters the 2025–26 campaign on solid footing after a notable 2024–25 season—landing 6th in the Premier League, just missing Champions League qualification on goal difference, while reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals . The club’s pre-season has injected optimism, capped by a commanding 4–0 win over Roma, with goals from Emi Buendía, Jacob Ramsey, Ollie Watkins, and Donyell Malen . However, the celebrations were tempered by a worrying ankle injury to Morgan Rogers—villa’s influential attacker who accumulated 14 goals and 16 assists last term .
In the transfer market, Villa have moved cautiously amid financial regulations. They secured Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot earlier in the window and, on August 8, completed the high-profile capture of Ivorian striker Evann Guessand from Nice. The deal is valued at up to £28 million (or €35 million) over five years, with Guessand donning the number 29 shirt .
Club skipper John McGinn remains firmly off the trade block, after Villa rebuffed an £18 million bid from Everton; interest from Newcastle also continues .
Off the pitch, Villa are progressing with infrastructure improvements at Villa Park. Recent redevelopment plans include expanding the North Stand to increase capacity to over 50,000, alongside new fan-centric additions—though earlier phases of the project were briefly paused due to logistical concerns .
As Unai Emery’s squad prepares for Europa League action, the mood is one of cautious optimism: the additions of Guessand, the return of players from injury, and continued infrastructure investment all point to a club focused on balancing ambition with sustainability.