Aston Villa Pursue Rafael Leao Amid Watkins Uncertainty

Aston Villa have moved for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, opening talks with the Italian club as Unai Emery scrambles to rebuild a forward line that has been ripped apart over the summer.

Sources in Italy say Villa’s interest is serious. Leao is understood to be open to the switch, and both clubs are now in direct contact, working against the ticking clock of a Deadline Day that lands on September 1.

This is not a speculative enquiry. Villa need firepower, and they need it fast.

Watkins saga fuels urgency

The hunt for Leao comes with Ollie Watkins’ future clouded in uncertainty. Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are in negotiations to sign the England striker and have already seen at least one bid turned down.

Watkins was left out of the squad for Sunday’s bruising 4-0 defeat at Brighton. Asked afterwards why his main striker was missing, Emery cut a terse figure and told Sky Sports: “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”

Reports since suggest Watkins returned to training on Monday and apologised to his team-mates for his absence, but the episode only underlined how fragile Villa’s attacking options have become.

Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo are both injured. At Brighton, Emery had to improvise, throwing Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley up front in a makeshift attack that never looked convincing.

This is the context into which Leao’s name drops – and it explains why Villa are pushing.

A replacement for Rogers’ versatility

Villa’s Europa League-winning squad has been steadily dismantled. Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have all gone. Watkins and Emiliano Martinez could yet follow. The spine that powered Emery’s rise has been stripped away.

Leao, though, is not viewed as just another body through the door.

The 27-year-old, long linked with a move to the Premier League, scored nine goals and provided three assists in 29 Serie A games for Milan last season. He can operate as a central striker, drop in as a second forward or attack from the left wing.

That flexibility is crucial. Villa see him as the man to mirror the role Rogers played: drifting across the front line, driving at defenders, carrying the ball from deep and threatening goal from multiple angles.

His reputation on the global stage has dimmed slightly in recent years, but the belief around Villa is clear – under Emery, there is a platform for revival. The manager has already been credited with elevating careers, with the transformation of Marcus Rashford elsewhere cited as a template for what he can do with talented but stalled forwards.

For Leao, the offer is compelling: Champions League football, a leading role in the starting XI and the chance to showcase his talent in the Premier League spotlight. For Emery, he would plug a glaring, star-level gap left by a summer of exits.

On paper, it fits both sides.

‘An incredible signing’ – Begovic

One man who knows Leao well has no doubts about the scale of the move.

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.”

Begovic pointed to Leao’s development at Milan, where he rose through the ranks and thrived with strong senior players around him, before instability began to bite.

“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 their attack in flux, their squad stripped of key names and the clock ticking towards September 1, the Leao deal feels less like a luxury and more like a defining moment in their season.