Aston Villa’s transformation under Unai Emery has been nothing short of sensational, but the ambitious manager isn’t slowing down. Fresh off a historic Europa League triumph that ended the club’s 30-year trophy drought, Emery has set his sights on a high-stakes summer overhaul. The latest target? None other than Roma’s electric young attacker, Matias Soule.
The “Soule” Strategy: Why Villa is Spending Big
While Emiliano Buendia enjoyed a massive redemption arc this past season—proving his worth with 11 goals and nine assists—Emery is already looking toward the future. According to reports from La Repubblica, Villa have entered formal talks with Soule’s representatives to gauge his interest in a Premier League switch.
But Villa isn’t alone. Brighton & Hove Albion are also hot on the trail of the 23-year-old, setting the stage for a fierce bidding war. Roma, fully aware of the talent they have on their hands, has set a firm price tag: £35 million. They won’t accept a penny less, turning this into a premium investment for whoever wins the race.
Why Soule is the “Upgrade” Villa Needs
The stats suggest that Soule isn’t just a signing for the future—he’s a direct tactical upgrade over the current Villa setup. When you break down the 2025/26 campaign, the creative gap becomes clear:
- The Playmaker Edge: While Soule and Buendia matched each other with six league goals apiece, Soule provided more than double the assists and created significantly higher expected assists (xA) while playing in the high-pressure environment of Serie A.
- The Dribbling Dynamo: Soule is a nightmare for defenders, averaging 1.1 successful dribbles per game compared to Buendia’s 0.3.
- The Age Factor: At just 23, Soule is six years younger than Buendia. This isn’t just about adding goals for next season; it’s about securing an asset that could become the face of the franchise or be sold for a massive profit down the line.
Is Buendia’s Time Up?
The big question facing the Villa faithful is whether Buendia’s brilliant European campaign was a “false dawn.” Before this season, he struggled to find consistent form, managing just ten goals and three assists combined over the previous two seasons. Soule, by contrast, has shown consistent, year-over-year production that makes him look like a ready-made star for the English top flight.
If Villa can beat Brighton to the punch, it would send a massive statement to the rest of the Premier League: Aston Villa isn’t just happy to be in the conversation—they are building a squad to compete for the title.
