Aston Villa Pursue Mateta and Leao Amid Watkins Uncertainty
Aston Villa’s forward line is being rebuilt on the fly – and fast.
With Al Hilal pushing hard to prise Ollie Watkins out of Birmingham, Villa have opened talks with Crystal Palace for Jean-Philippe Mateta and made a serious play for AC Milan star Rafael Leao.
Sky Sports News report that Al Hilal are in negotiations to sign Watkins and have already seen at least one offer knocked back. The uncertainty around their England striker is shaping everything Villa do in the final days of the window.
Watkins’ absence from Sunday’s 4-0 collapse at Brighton only sharpened the focus. Left out of the match-day squad, he became the story after the final whistle when Unai Emery was asked why his main striker was missing. The Villa head coach offered only a pointed reply: “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”
Reports since have suggested Watkins returned to training on Monday and apologised to his team-mates for not being involved at the weekend. The issue may be smoothed over inside the dressing room, but the market has already moved.
Mateta talks begin, but valuation gap remains
Villa have now made initial contact with Crystal Palace over Mateta, a player they have tracked since at least the winter window. The 29-year-old, who has just one year left on his deal at Selhurst Park, started Palace’s 2-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend and remains central to their plans.
That is reflected in the numbers. There is currently a gap in valuation between the clubs, with Palace holding firm on a player who offers guaranteed Premier League experience, and Villa looking for value as they juggle multiple deals at once.
Mateta would give Emery a physical focal point and a proven finisher, but he is only one part of a far bigger attacking puzzle.
Leao pursuit gathers pace
The headline move belongs to Rafael Leao. Villa are described as serious about landing the Portugal international, who has signalled an openness to the switch.
Villa and Milan are in direct contact and now negotiating in an attempt to reach an agreement before the September 1 Deadline Day. Leao, 27, can operate as a centre forward or off the left and finished last Serie A season with nine goals and three assists in 29 appearances.
For Emery, the appeal is obvious. Villa’s Europa League-winning squad has been stripped right down this summer. Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have all gone. Watkins and Emiliano Martinez could still follow.
The result was laid bare at Brighton, where Villa were thrashed 4-0 and forced to use Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards. Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo were both injured, leaving Emery without a recognised senior striker.
Leao would not be a stop-gap. He would be a statement.
His versatility mirrors what Rogers gave Villa: the ability to play centrally, as a second striker or wide on the left, driving at defenders and carrying a threat from multiple angles. His reputation has dipped slightly in recent seasons, but Emery has already shown what he can do for careers in need of a jolt. Marcus Rashford’s resurgence under him at Manchester United remains a reference point.
Villa can put Champions League football on the table, along with a prominent role in the starting XI and the Premier League stage Leao has long been tipped to grace. For Emery, he would plug the star-quality hole left by this summer’s exodus.
Jackson on the radar if Watkins goes
Villa’s recruitment team are not stopping there. They have been long-term admirers of Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge before the deadline and is attracting interest from Napoli and several other clubs.
Sky Sports News previously reported that Villa were poised to move for Jackson if Watkins was sold to Al Hilal. That domino has not fallen yet, but the line is drawn: Watkins out would likely mean a bid for the Chelsea striker.
Right now, Villa are working on parallel tracks – protecting themselves against a late Watkins exit while trying to seize a rare opportunity to land a player of Leao’s calibre.
‘An incredible signing’ – Begovic on Leao
Those who know Leao well believe he would light up the Premier League. Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, speaking on Sky Sports, did not hold back.
“This wouldn't be good news, it'd be great news for Villa fans! Rafael Leao would be an incredible signing,” he said.
“I have played with him. I have seen the potential, pace, power and skill.
“He will be super suited to the Premier League. His game, the talent he has and the physical attributes he has will suit the Premier League.
“At Milan, he came through the ranks and really developed. He had good senior players and had consistency. Things started to change, a lot of managers started to change.
“It hasn't helped his consistency. Everyone has played him slightly differently. Look at Unai Emery and what he has done to some of the players at Aston Villa.
“Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, taking their careers to the next level.
“Rafael Leao, working with Emery and getting the opportunity to be the main player at Villa, it would be huge.”
Villa now stand at a crossroads: sell their talisman and reshape the attack around new faces, or hold their nerve and add elite support around Watkins. The clock is ticking towards September 1, and the decisions made in the next few days will define Emery’s season.
