Aston Villa Pursue Mateta and Leao Amid Watkins Uncertainty

Aston Villa have moved on two fronts in the transfer market, opening talks with Crystal Palace for Jean-Philippe Mateta while pushing ahead with an ambitious move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, as Saudi side Al Hilal continue their pursuit of Ollie Watkins.

Villa have made initial contact over Mateta, who has entered the final year of 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 remains a clear gap in valuation between the clubs.

At the same time, Villa are working through a far more glamorous possibility. Leao, long linked with a move to the Premier League, has signalled he is open to joining Unai Emery’s side. Villa and Milan are in direct contact and are now negotiating in an effort to strike an agreement before the September 1 Deadline Day.

The Portuguese forward, 27, offers exactly the kind of versatility Emery has lost this summer. Leao can operate as a central striker, a second forward or from the left, and finished last season with nine goals and three assists in 29 Serie A appearances. Villa view him as the ideal answer to the departure of Morgan Rogers, both in terms of output and tactical flexibility across the front line.

The urgency is clear. Villa’s 4-0 collapse at Brighton underlined the scale of the rebuild. With Watkins missing from the squad, Emery was forced to turn to Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards, while Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo were both out injured.

Watkins’ absence only deepened the sense of unease around his future. Asked after the Brighton defeat why his leading striker was not involved, Emery told Sky Sports: “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”

Reports since have indicated that the England international returned to training on Monday and apologised to team-mates for his no-show, but the storm around him has not passed. Al Hilal are pushing hard to sign the 28-year-old, with Sky Sports News reporting that the Saudi Pro League club are in talks and have already seen at least one bid rejected.

Villa’s planning reflects that uncertainty. The club have long admired Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge before the deadline and is also attracting interest from Napoli and several other sides. Sky Sports News previously reported that Villa were likely to move for Jackson if Watkins were sold to Al Hilal.

For now, though, Leao sits at the heart of Villa’s attacking reset. Emery has watched his Europa League-winning core stripped away over the summer: Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have all gone, while Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could yet follow. The squad needs star power as much as it needs depth.

Leao brings both. His ability to drive at defences, carry the ball over distance and threaten goal from multiple zones would mirror much of what Rogers gave Emery, but at a higher, more explosive level. His reputation may have dipped recently, with Milan changing managers and using him in varying roles, but his ceiling remains obvious.

“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.”

That is the pitch Villa can make: Champions League football, a central role in Emery’s attack and the platform to reassert himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards. For a club scrambling to plug the gaps left by key departures, and for a player looking for a stable stage and a manager with a track record of reigniting careers, the clock is ticking towards a deal that could reshape both.