Aston Villa Pursue Rafael Leao as Uncertainty Surrounds Watkins

Aston Villa have launched a bold move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao as Unai Emery scrambles to rebuild his attack before the transfer window slams shut.

Sky in Italy report that Villa have approached Milan over the Portugal international, with the player understood to be open to the switch. Talks between the clubs are under way as both sides race to find an agreement before Deadline Day on September 1.

Leao, 27, is no speculative punt. He hit nine goals and three assists in 29 Serie A appearances last season and can operate through the middle or off the left, giving Emery exactly the kind of tactical flexibility his squad has just lost.

Watkins future in doubt as Villa move for Leao

This pursuit comes against a backdrop of serious uncertainty around Ollie Watkins’ future.

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are in negotiations to sign the England striker and have already seen at least one bid turned down, according to Sky Sports News. The situation spilled into the public eye on Sunday when Watkins was left out of the squad entirely for Villa’s bruising 4-0 defeat at Brighton.

Asked afterwards why his main striker was missing, Emery’s response to Sky Sports was pointed and brief: “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”

Reports since have suggested Watkins returned to training on Monday and apologised to his team-mates for his absence, but the sense of instability around Villa’s front line has not gone away.

Emery’s squad stripped, gaps everywhere

That chaos was laid bare at the Amex. With Watkins unavailable and both Tammy Abraham and 17-year-old Brian Madjo injured, Emery was forced to improvise. Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley ended up leading the line in a makeshift attack that never looked like troubling Brighton.

It was another reminder of how hard this summer has hit Villa’s Europa League-winning group. Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have all departed. Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could yet follow them out of the door.

Villa do not just need bodies. They need star power, and quickly.

That is where Leao comes in. Long linked with a move to the Premier League, the Milan forward has emerged as a primary target to replace the output and versatility Rogers offered across the front line.

Leao’s profile: chaos, goals and a point to prove

Leao’s appeal to Emery is obvious. He can play as a central striker, a second forward or out wide on the left. He carries the ball aggressively, drives at defenders and threatens goal from multiple positions. In short, he would give Villa back the unpredictability they have just lost.

His reputation has dipped slightly in recent seasons as Milan have lurched through managerial changes and tactical tweaks. His role has shifted, his consistency has suffered, and the sense of a player stuck between systems has grown.

But the raw tools remain: pace, power, one-on-one quality and a knack for breaking games open. And Emery has already shown what he can do with talented forwards who need a reset. Just look at how he elevated Marcus Rashford earlier in his career and, more recently at Villa, how he pushed Morgan Rogers and Watkins to new levels.

At Villa, Leao would walk into a starring role. He would get Champions League football, a prominent place in the starting XI and a Premier League stage that still holds huge appeal. For Emery, he would plug the glaring, star-level gap created by this summer’s exodus.

Begovic: ‘This would be great news for Villa fans’

Former AC Milan and Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who played alongside Leao in Italy, did not hide his excitement when asked about the potential move on Sky Sports.

“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 the turbulence at Milan as a factor in Leao’s recent dip.

“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.”

The clock is now ticking. Villa need a new attacking leader. Leao wants a fresh stage. Milan are at the table. With Deadline Day looming, this is the kind of deal that can reshape a season in a single stroke.