‘I want to …..’: Aston Villa star responds to transfer question and opens up on his future
Pau Torres Focused on Aston Villa Ambitions Despite Long-Term Desire to Return to Spain
Pau Torres has revealed his ambition to return to his homeland at some point in his footballing career, but the Spanish defender insists his immediate priority is helping Aston Villa reach new heights in the upcoming season.
The 28-year-old centre-back, who arrived at Villa Park in the summer of 2023 from Villarreal, has quickly established himself as a key player under Unai Emery. Reunited with the manager who guided Villarreal to UEFA Europa League glory in 2021, Torres has settled well in Birmingham but hasn’t lost sight of his long-term aspirations.
In a recent interview with AS, Torres was candid about his career goals and what he hopes to accomplish in the 2025–26 season.
“I definitely want to return to the Spanish national team—that’s something I’m very passionate about,” he said. “But beyond that, my main focus right now is to give everything for Aston Villa. We have big ambitions this season. I want to be fully competitive in the Europa League and try to win it. I’d love to reach the FA Cup final and, above all, help Villa secure a place in the Champions League after coming so close last season.”
Aston Villa narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification on the final day of the last campaign, but with a solid foundation in place and a talented squad, they’re widely seen as a team on the rise. Emery’s side is targeting silverware and a top-four Premier League finish this time around.
Last season saw Villa make it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but they delivered a disappointing performance against Crystal Palace at Wembley. Torres is clearly motivated to make amends for that letdown, expressing a strong desire to return and perform on those big domestic and European stages.
When asked about the possibility of returning to Spain in the near future, the former Villarreal star was open but pragmatic.
“At 28, I still consider myself young and believe I have time ahead of me to make that move,” he said. “Of course, the idea of going back to Spain one day is something that excites me. But right now, I’m very happy at Aston Villa. The project here motivates me, the goals we’ve set are challenging, and I feel valued in this environment.”
Torres has become an integral part of Emery’s plans, bringing composure and technical quality to the heart of Villa’s defense. With European competition on the horizon and domestic ambitions high, he looks set to play a central role in what could be a historic season for the club.
While his heart may eventually lead him back to Spain, for now, Pau Torres is firmly focused on making a lasting impact in claret and blue.