The 20th of May 2026 will be a day that will forever live in the memory of all Aston Villa supporters, after Unai Emery’s side finally ended their 30-year trophy drought.
The Villans dominated German side Freiburg during Thursday’s Europa League final, subsequently adding another European title to the club’s trophy cabinet.
Fans, players and the management team will no doubt have had a sore head this morning, but who can blame them after the generational triumph last night.
Regardless of the hangover, Emery is a hugely driven manager and will already be thinking about the next step for the club – whether that be in the Premier League or the Champions League.
The upcoming summer transfer window will provide him and the recruitment team to build on the phenomenal final victory and take the side to the next level.
Top European midfielder now wants to join Aston Villa
In an attempt to bolster the Villa ranks ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, numerous players have continuously been linked with a move to the West Midlands.
Roma star Matias Soule is just one player who’s appeared on their radar, with a permanent deal a possibility when the summer window opens in early June.
Talks have been held between the Villans and the player’s representatives, but the Serie A side are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £35m for his signature.
He’s not the only player currently in the hierarchy’s sights at present, with Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita also another being considered ahead of the summer.
According to Football Insider, the Japanese midfielder is set to depart the Portuguese club on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.
The report also states that fellow Premier League outfit Leeds United are another side hugely keen on securing the 31-year-old’s signature ahead of the summer.
However, it’s been reported that the player himself wants to join Emery’s men this window, which could make for a bargain addition to help build on the Europa League triumph.
Why Morita would be like a prime John McGinn for Aston Villa
The European triumph last night is a reminder of how far the club have come under Emery, with midfielder John McGinn a player who’s seen it all at Villa Park.
The Scotsman joined the Villans back in 2018 during the Championship days, but has remained an integral part of the senior ranks over the last eight years.
He’s racked up a staggering 330 appearances across all competitions since his £2.5m switch, subsequently capturing the hearts of the fans with his relentless work rate with and without the ball.
|
John McGinn – stats for Aston Villa |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Tally |
|
Games played |
330 |
|
Goals scored |
40 |
|
Assists |
48 |
|
Yellow cards |
72 |
|
Red cards |
1 |
|
Minutes played |
26282 |
McGinn even captained Emery’s side to the title in Istanbul last night, which has only cemented his legacy at the club and put him in the history books forever.
His transfer will go down as one of the best in the club’s history, with very few players able to rise through the divisions and still be an influential senior member at the top of the European game.
However, the hierarchy have the perfect chance to land their next version of the 31-year-old with a deal for Morita when the transfer window opens in the months ahead.
The Japanese international has also gained a reputation for his phenomenal workmanlike style in Portugal, whilst also popping up with key contributions in front of goal.
His stats from the ongoing campaign demonstrate his quality in key areas, with his rumoured free transfer to West Midlands potentially going down as the club’s latest bargain.
Morita has featured 31 times in the Liga Portugal this term, subsequently making 2.4 tackles and 5.7 ball recoveries per 90 – highlighting his incredible ability to regain the ball for his side.
He’s also made 1.1 interceptions and 5.4 defensive contributions per 90 – emulating the superb levels produced by fan-favourite McGinn without the ball at Villa Park.
In possession, the Japanese star has also thrived, as seen by his remarkable tally of 86% passes completed and 1.8 chances created per 90 this campaign.
He’s even registered one goal and four assists during such a period – leading to journalist Eduardo Hahn dubbing the Sporting star as “sensational” in recent months.
The levels of McGinn in the West Midlands have been nothing short of remarkable, with the Scottish star a player who perfectly highlights what’s needed to succeed at Villa Park.
Wednesday’s Europa League triumph is the icing on the cake in his own fairytale rise and one that will undoubtedly will be remembered forever by those associated by the Villans.
A deal for Morita would provide the added quality needed at the heart of the side, which could see Emery’s men secure their places as one of Europe’s elite.
He was a monster: Aston Villa star looked like prime Gareth Barry in Istanbul
Aston Villa ended three decades of drought to defeat Freiburg and win the Europa League.