Aston Villa Targets Mateta and Leao Amid Watkins Uncertainty
Aston Villa’s summer overhaul has lurched into a critical phase, with the club opening talks for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and AC Milan star Rafael Leao while Saudi side Al Hilal continue their pursuit of Ollie Watkins.
Villa have made initial contact with Palace over Mateta, who has just a year left on his deal at Selhurst Park and has been on their radar since at least the winter window. The 29-year-old led the line for Palace in their 2-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend, but there is understood to be a gap in valuation between the two clubs.
At the same time, Villa have approached Milan about Leao, a marquee attacking target who has indicated he is open to the move. Talks between Villa and Milan are under way as both sides work against the clock to reach an agreement before the September 1 Deadline Day.
All of this is happening under the shadow of Watkins’ uncertain future.
Watkins cloud hangs over Villa
Al Hilal are pushing hard to sign the England striker, with Sky Sports News reporting that the Saudi Pro League club are in talks and have already seen at least one bid rejected.
Watkins was conspicuously absent from the match-day squad for Villa’s bruising 4-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday. Asked afterwards to explain the omission, Unai Emery gave a pointed response to Sky Sports: “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”
Reports since have claimed Watkins returned to training on Monday and apologised to his team-mates for his absence, but his long-term future remains unresolved and is driving much of Villa’s late-window planning.
Sky Sports News has previously reported that Villa were expected to move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson if Watkins was sold to Al Hilal. Jackson, a long-term Villa target, is expected to leave Stamford Bridge before the deadline and also has interest from Napoli and several other clubs.
For now, though, Mateta and Leao sit at the top of Villa’s attacking agenda.
Leao lined up to fill Rogers void
Emery’s squad, which delivered Europa League glory, has been stripped piece by piece over the summer. Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have all departed. Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could yet follow.
The 4-0 collapse at Brighton underlined how thin Villa’s forward options have become. With Watkins missing and both Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo injured, Emery was forced to use Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards. It looked like a stopgap. It played like one too.
That is why Leao is more than a luxury name on a shortlist. He is a solution.
The 27-year-old, long linked with a Premier League move, is being viewed as the player to replicate Rogers’ output and tactical flexibility across the front line. Leao can operate as a central striker, a second forward or off the left, offering the same capacity to drive at defenders and threaten goal from multiple angles.
He scored nine goals and added three assists in 29 Serie A appearances for Milan last season. His reputation has dipped slightly in the wider European conversation, but the talent remains obvious. The belief at Villa is that Emery’s coaching could reignite him, just as his work has elevated careers before.
As Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe pointed out, Villa can put serious weight behind their pitch: Champions League football, a prominent role in the starting XI and the stage of the Premier League. Leao, in turn, would give Emery the star quality and versatility ripped from the squad by this summer’s exits.
‘An incredible signing’ – Begovic on Leao
Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has no doubts about the scale of the potential coup.
“This wouldn't be good news, it'd be great news for Villa fans! Rafael Leao would be an incredible signing,” he told Sky Sports.
“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.”
Huge is exactly what Villa need right now.
With the clock ticking towards September 1, key players gone, others unsettled and Champions League nights on the horizon, this window will define whether Emery goes into that campaign with a patched-up front line or a rebuilt attack led by Leao, Mateta – and possibly still Watkins.
