Aston Villa Pursue Mateta and Leao Amid Watkins Uncertainty

Aston Villa’s attack is being rebuilt on the fly, with the club opening talks for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta while also pushing hard to land AC Milan star Rafael Leao – all against the backdrop of intense Saudi interest in Ollie Watkins.

Al Hilal are driving the move for Watkins and have already seen at least one bid turned down, with the Saudi Pro League side in active discussions to sign the England international. Villa, wary of how quickly a deal could accelerate before the September 1 deadline, have started moving through their list of replacements.

Villa make their move for Mateta

Initial contact has been made with Crystal Palace over Mateta, who has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park and has been on Villa’s 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 already a clear gap in valuation between the two clubs. Palace want a fee that reflects his importance; Villa see an opportunity based on his contract situation. Those numbers will decide whether this interest turns into something more serious.

The urgency is obvious. Villa’s 4-0 collapse at Brighton on Sunday underlined just how thin Unai Emery’s attacking options have become.

Watkins was nowhere to be seen in the match-day squad. Asked about the omission after the game, Emery offered a pointed response to Sky Sports: “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”

Reports since have indicated Watkins returned to training on Monday and apologised to his team-mates for his absence, but the sense of instability around his future remains.

Leao talks step up as Villa look for star power

While Mateta would help plug a gap through the middle, Villa are working on a marquee move as well. The club are serious about signing Rafael Leao and have already approached AC Milan, with both clubs now in contact and negotiations expected to continue in the push to strike a deal before Deadline Day.

Leao, 27, has signalled he is open to the move. He scored nine goals and provided three assists in 29 Serie A appearances last season and offers exactly the kind of versatility Emery craves. He can operate as a central striker, a second forward, or off the left – mirroring the flexibility Morgan Rogers gave Villa before his departure.

That loss has been keenly felt. Against Brighton, Emery was forced to improvise, using Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley as makeshift forwards with Watkins missing and both Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo out injured. It looked makeshift because it was. Villa lacked a focal point, any real threat in behind, and the result was a humbling 4-0 defeat.

Leao, in theory, changes that picture instantly.

His stock in world football has dipped compared to his peak years in Milan, but Villa believe Emery is exactly the kind of coach who can reignite a career. The Spaniard’s impact on attacking players is a major selling point – just look at how he elevated Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, or more recently the strides made by Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins under his watch at Villa Park.

Champions League football, a prominent role in the starting XI and the stage of the Premier League: Villa can put all of that on the table. Leao, in turn, would give Emery the star quality and direct threat he has lost during a brutal summer of exits.

Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already gone. Watkins and Emiliano Martinez could yet follow. This is no gentle evolution of a Europa League-winning squad; it is a tear-down happening at speed, and Villa need elite reinforcements to keep pace with their ambitions.

Jackson on the radar as Watkins saga looms

Leao is not the only forward Villa have tracked. The club are long-term admirers of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge before the deadline and is drawing interest from Napoli and several other clubs.

Sky Sports News previously reported that Villa were likely to move for Jackson if Watkins was sold to Al Hilal. That stance has not changed. For now, Watkins remains a Villa player, but the Saudi pressure is not going away, and Villa’s parallel negotiations for Mateta and Leao show they are bracing for every scenario.

‘An incredible signing’ – Begovic on Leao

Those who know Leao well believe he would light up the Premier League.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, speaking on Sky Sports, did not hold back on what Villa would be getting.

“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.”

Huge is exactly what Villa need right now. With their squad stripped, their main striker unsettled and the clock ticking towards September 1, the next few days will tell whether this is a reset or a full-scale reimagining of Emery’s frontline.