How Aston Villa's mighty £318m starting line-up could look next season - including new look midfield

Next season promises to be a huge one for Aston Villa. Back in the Champions League for the first time in decades (a period so lengthy that it wasn’t even called the Champions League last time Villa were in it), Unai Emery’s men have already wrapped up a top four finish and can now look forward to mixing it with the very best in Europe once again.

Before they get there, however, there is the small matter of a summer transfer window to consider. This year, Villa’s priorities will be spread between keeping hold of the talent that have brought them this far, and adding to their ranks to provide the depth and quality required to make a fair stab of their time amongst the continent’s elite.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at how Villa’s starting XI could look next season, weighing up the big names who are likely to stay at Villa Park, and the fresh blood who could be drafted in to bolster the cause. Check out our team below...

Emi Martinez - GK

Arguably one of the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League, Martinez has been linked with a potential exit in the coming weeks, but you would imagine that Villa would much, much prefer he stayed put for as long as possible.

Ezri Konsa - RB

Konsa has established himself as a really decent option at right-back for Emery’s side. Obviously, Matty Cash provides a top quality alternative, but the England international continues to impress.

Diego Carlos - CB

It took Carlos a little while to get going in the Premier League, but now that he’s fully fit, he looks every inch the rock steady centre-back capable of leading Villa into Europe. Pau Torres has been sound too, but the Brazilian is thriving at the moment.

Tyrone Mings - CB

It feels like an age since we last saw Mings in a Villa shirt, but the hope will be that he can get a full preseason in and return to the starting XI entirely refreshed following his serious knee injury.

Reinildo Mandava - LB

A Mozambique international who could be allowed to leave Atletico Madrid for as little as £8 million this summer, it is reported that Villa will go toe-to-toe with Manchester United for his signature. The Villans do, of course, have Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno has solid left-back options, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Midlands club won’t swoop.

Douglas Luiz - CM

A standout performer for Villa this term, there was a time when it looked as if they might struggle to hang on to Luiz in the upcoming transfer window. As it is, Champions League football should make that task quite a bit easier, but don’t be surprised if some interest lingers.

John McGinn - CM

McGinn is an indispensable part of this Villa side, and one who has grown alongside the club in recent times. The Scotland international is fully deserving of his shot at the Champions League, and will no doubt remain one of the first names on Emery’s team sheet next season.

Matias Soule - RM

Currently out on loan at Frosinone from Italian giants Juventus, Soule is said to be attracting all sorts of attention from England, and more specifically, the likes of Crystal Palace and, you guessed it, Villa. A precocious Argentine with potential and pedigree to burn, the 20-year-old is one of the hottest young talents in Europe at the present moment in time, and whoever lands him will be securing quite the coup.

Carlos Soler - CAM

Frequently compared to David Silva in the early part of his career, Soler has found himself on the periphery of Paris Saint-Germain’s glittering squad of late. An exit is heavily touted, and if reports are to be believed, Villa look to be leading the race to land the 27-year-old this summer.

Moussa Diaby - LM

Or Leon Bailey. Or even John McGinn if Youri Tielemans were to drop into the centre of midfield. The point is that Villa boast great strength in depth these days, and with a couple of additions here and there, they should look every inch the Champions League-worthy competitor.

Ollie Watkins - ST

Villa’s star man this season, Watkins has contributed 19 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League, and has established himself as one of the division’s most consistent and fearsome strikers. He will be hoping for similar levels of success on the continent next term.