Last Updated: April 14, 2026 | 10:44 BST

Football Insider exclusive as Jean-Philippe Mateta is in action in an Aston Villa shirt, while Unai Emery watches from a circular inset. — Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media, Imago

Aston Villa to reignite Jean-Philippe Mateta deal

Aston Villa’s primary focus right now is on ensuring they qualify for next season’s Champions League, whether that be via a top-five finish in the Premier League or winning the Europa League. But the Villans will also be preparing for the summer transfer window in the background. Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown has exclusively told Football Insider that Watkins is someone who the Villans could look to sell in the summer to boost their budget for new arrivals. Everton are linked and a £30million fee has been touted. If they were to cash-in on Watkins, then it would mean Unai Emery has to bolster his attacking ranks. Sources have told Football Insider that Villa could look to land Crystal Palace ace Jean-Philippe Mateta. Villa were previously linked with the Frenchman in the winter transfer window, while he was set to sign for AC Milan in a £30m deal before issues with his medical scuppered the deal.

SQUAD TRACKER

ASTON VILLA FC | ASSET REPORT

Report Date

PLAYER	POSITION	CONTRACT STATUS / FINANCIALS
SUMMER 2026 LOAN EXPRY
Harvey Elliott	AM / RW	£35m Obligation (after 10 PL appearances)
Douglas Luiz	CM / DM	£21m Option to Buy
Jadon Sancho	LW / RW	Standard Loan Expiry
2027 CONTRACT EXPIRY
Emiliano Buendía	AM	Full Contract
Leon Bailey	RW	Full Contract
Victor Lindelöf	CB	+1 Year Extension Option
Tyrone Mings	CB	Full Contract
Ross Barkley	CM / AM	Full Contract
Marco Bizot	GK	Full Contract

Aston Villa and Everton swap deal on the cards?

Unai Emery’s ability to add to his squad this summer is going to be dependent upon PSR. Qualifying for the Champions League will not only make it easier to attract elite targets, but also increase the club’s revenue for the 2026-27 campaign and make it less likely that star players like Morgan Rogers will have to be sold. In any case, Villa are still preparing for the summer transfer window and have been linked with two free agents: Julian Brandt and Harry Wilson.

Everton midfielder James Garner is also a reported target for Villa. Brown has told Football Insider that Villa are “keeping an eye” on the England midfielder’s situation at Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite him signing a new long-term contract earlier this year.