- Aston Villa have added Como’s Jesús Rodríguez and Osasuna’s Víctor Muñoz to their list of summer targets
- This is alongside their interest in Real Betis’ Ez Abde
- Unai Emery is keen to add a young winger to his attack
Aston Villa’s summer refresh is beginning to take shape. Como’s Jesús Rodríguez and Osasuna’s Víctor Muñoz have been added to their list of wingers to target in the summer. It is clear that Unai Emery is keen to bring in young, exciting players, which Villa currently lacks.
For the last couple of seasons, Leon Bailey has been Villa’s only established winger. In transfer windows, Emery has opted for more versatile forwards and creative No 10s that can play wide. At times, this has affected Villa’s ability to score goals, especially against teams that play in a low block.
Furthermore, their more passive and methodical approach through passing combinations can make their attacks predictable. Having a winger who wants to take on defenders and hugs the touchline would benefit them in those situations.
This summer, however, Emery seems to be targeting that type of player, with La Liga his intended market.
Transfer expert Matte Moretto has revealed the names on the list. One of them is Real Betis’ Ez Abde, who our ReadAstonVilla team has reported on previously. The other two are Como’s Jesús Rodríguez and Osasuna’s Víctor Muñoz.
Jesús Rodríguez
Rodríguez joined Como at the beginning of the season from Real Betis for a total package worth €28.5 million (£24.9 million). The Villans were interested in him before the deal, but the financial restraints on them caused the 20-year-old to join Cesc Fàbregas’ side instead.
It now seems Villa wants to rekindle their interest and has made him a target.
The Spanish international mostly operates on the left, but can play centrally as well. He’s made 34 appearances in all competitions, with 20 starts, scored three goals and provided eight assists. This ranks him joint third for the most assists in Serie A.
Rodríguez is known for his pace, willingness to take defenders on, and elite ball control. He’s also right-footed, making him a dangerous player when cutting inside. This means he is the exact profile Emery requires to unlock deep defensive blocks in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Víctor Muñoz
Simultaneously, Villa are also tracking Osasuna’s breakout star, Víctor Muñoz. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular campaign, scoring six goals and contributing five assists in 35 matches, after departing Real Madrid’s academy at the start of the season.
His rapid rise was capped off by a senior international debut for Spain, where he immediately made headlines by netting his first international goal.
Muñoz is capable of playing on both the left and right, and like Rodríguez he possesses pace and thrives in 1v1 situations.
There is no doubt he has the talent, and under Emery, there is an opportunity for him to develop into an elite-level player.
ReadAstonVilla verdict
By targeting both Rodríguez and Muñoz, Villa are signalling a clear shift away from short-term fixes towards buying for the future. Both players offer tremendous tactical flexibility, capable of driving inward from the flanks or running at defenders.
With Champions League now secured, these are the type of profiles Villa need to target in order to improve their current level, and continually compete at the top of the Premier League and Europe.
