Matheus Cunha not wanted anywhere near Aston Villa after Wolves exit – ‘Joker’
Aston Villa have been told to keep Matheus Cunha well away from them ahead of his expected departure from Wolves in the summer.
The Brazilian has enjoyed an excellent individual campaign this season, which looks as though it will be key to keeping the club in the Premier League.
Inevitably that has led to plenty of speculation about a move elsewhere when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.
Premier League sides such as Man United, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal have all been linked with Cunha in recent weeks.
But amid the controversies that have surrounded the striker across the course of this campaign, Agbonlahor does not want Aston Villa to join the race for his services.
Gabby Agbonlahor makes Matheus Cunha feelings clear
Earlier in the season, the Wolves striker was involved in a clash with a member of Ipswich staff at full time in a game between the two sides, with his behaviour being heavily criticised.
Beyond that, the Brazilian has only just returned from a ban after Cunha was sent off for clashing with Milos Kerkez against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, with his losing on penalties just moments later.
Wolves fans have also been angered after Cunha has made it clear with his comments both in public and on social media that he is keen to leave the club in summer.
That is despite only signing a new contract at Molineux earlier in the calendar year, albeit with his deal containing a release clause.
All of that means ex-Villan Gabby Agbonlahor is now adamant that Aston Villa should not be getting involved in that race to sign Cunha this summer.
| Matheus Cunha key stats for 2024/25 | Total (from Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 16 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
| Reds Cards | 1 |
After being asked what he makes of the situation involving the Wolves striker, the former England international said: “The manager [Vitor Pereira] says there he’s part of a family. I wouldn’t want him as part of my family because of his negative approach.”
After being asked if he meant his “Aston Villa family”, Agbonlahor continued: “Yes, I wouldn’t want him anywhere near my club.
“I feel like Aston Villa have got a good squad of players now where no one thinks they’re bigger than the club and no one’s looking to move to a bigger club.
“He is not respecting Wolves, do you know what I mean? You’ve been suspended for four or five games games this season because you can’t control your temper.
“The way he grabbed the glasses of the Ipswich security guard or whoever it was who worked for Ipswich was a disgrace. Then you give Kerkez the headbutt as well when you’re team needs you.
“If I’m a Wolves fan, I’m thinking I want the players that have got us out of this relegation battle and kept us safe to keep playing for the rest of the season.
“This joker who only signed a new contract so you get a release clause in there, sell him in the summer, let’s use the money to bring in players that don’t think they’re bigger than Wolves.
“Wolves and me don’t get on as they’re a rival team for Aston Villa and I played for them, but putting my neutral head on I would not like this player playing for my football club, I don’t know who he thinks he is.”
Aston Villa surely won’t sign Wolves striker
Football Insider Verdict
It is hard to imagine that Cunha will still be a Wolves player come the start of next season, given the level of interest there is in him.
With the striker having also made it clear that he wants to move on, it would make little sense to keep him there being unhappy, when they could make money on his sale to strengthen the squad.
Despite that, the rivalry between Wolves and Aston Villa means it is hard to imagine the two clubs would be willing to do business here.
Considering the seriousness that Unai Emery approaches things with it would also be a surprise to see him target a player such as Cunha who has temprament he has shown this season.
That being said, it is worth noting that both Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are only on loan at Villa Park until the end of the season.
With that in mind, Aston Villa are still going to need to sign some new attackers this summer, even if Cunha will almost certainly not be one of them.