Aston Villa confident of signing “explosive” £30m ace, he could be better than Rashford -opinion
Aston Villa Gear Up for Pre-Season Amid Transfer Uncertainty and Jesús Rodríguez Pursuit
With pre-season looming large, Aston Villa find themselves facing not just the challenge of ramping up preparations on the pitch, but also navigating critical transfer decisions off it. The countdown has officially begun, with less than three weeks remaining until Unai Emery’s men kick off their summer schedule — but major questions still linger, especially concerning potential squad reinforcements and ongoing financial scrutiny.
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Pre-Season Itinerary: A Global Journey Begins at Home
The Villans will begin their pre-season campaign with a short trip across the West Midlands to face neighbours Walsall at the Bescot Stadium on Wednesday, 16 July. That friendly will mark the beginning of a globe-trotting summer schedule aimed at getting the squad into shape ahead of a demanding 2025/26 campaign.
From there, Villa will travel to Germany, where they’re set to take on Hansa Rostock at the Ostseestadion. The tour then continues across the Atlantic, where Villa are slated to play a trio of fixtures in the United States, including a high-profile clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in Louisville, followed by meetings with MLS sides St. Louis City and Nashville SC.
Upon their return to England, Villa will round off their pre-season preparations with a highly anticipated home fixture against AS Roma, providing a stern final test before the Premier League kicks off.
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Monchi Under Pressure to Deliver Amid Financial Constraints
While fans look forward to an exciting pre-season, questions remain about Villa’s readiness for the transfer window. Monchi, the club’s President of Football Operations, is under increasing pressure to secure new additions, particularly in the attacking department — all while contending with looming Profit and Sustainability Rule (PSR) complications.
According to reporting from The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell and Gregg Evans, Villa are in a precarious financial position, having recorded losses of £195 million over the last two seasons. This has significantly restricted the club’s ability to spend freely and has already led to high-profile sales, including Jhon Durán’s departure to Al-Nassr for a reported £71 million during the January window.
Villa managed to compensate for that loss temporarily by bringing in Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan. However, with both players’ short-term deals now expired, their future at Villa Park remains uncertain — especially Rashford’s, given Manchester United’s £40 million valuation, which has reportedly discouraged both Villa and Barcelona, who were only interested in a loan.
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Enter Jesús Rodríguez – Villa’s New Top Target
With Rashford’s return looking increasingly unlikely, Aston Villa have pivoted towards a more sustainable and potentially more exciting target: 19-year-old winger Jesús Rodríguez of Real Betis. According to Birmingham Live’s John Townley, Villa are actively pursuing the Spanish starlet, who is drawing interest from other European clubs including RB Leipzig and Como.
Despite the competition, Villa reportedly remain “confident” that they can convince Rodríguez to join their project. Sources in Spain’s Marca have revealed that the youngster has a €35 million (approx. £30 million) release clause, and the belief at Villa Park is that Unai Emery’s reputation and development track record could be key in swaying the winger’s decision.
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How Rodríguez Compares to Rashford – The Next Big Star?
Although Rashford brought a solid return of four goals and six assists in 17 appearances, the general consensus is that his future lies elsewhere. In contrast, Rodríguez has just completed a breakout campaign with Real Betis, making his senior debut on Halloween in a Copa del Rey match before cementing his place in Manuel Pellegrini’s first team.
From December onwards, Rodríguez started 15 La Liga matches and featured prominently in Betis’ Conference League run, even scoring in the quarter-final against Jagiellonia Białystok. His stock rose even further during the U21 European Championship, where he scored against Italy before Spain were knocked out by England in the quarter-finals.
His playing style is vastly different from Rashford’s. While Rashford thrives on his ability to produce direct goals and assists, Rodríguez is more of a technical dribbler and space manipulator, often initiating attacks and creating chances with his movement and ball progression. Statistically, he boasts higher take-ons, more touches in the box, and far greater ball involvement overall.
Renowned talent scout Jacek Kulig describes Rodríguez as an “explosive winger” known for his acceleration, dribbling, and relentless work rate. Additionally, Luke Petty of Breaking the Lines highlights Rodríguez’s exceptional athleticism and pressing intensity — placing him in the 99th percentile for ball recoveries via pressing, according to Statsbomb.
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Why Rodríguez Makes Sense for Aston Villa
For a club operating under tight financial scrutiny, signing a player like Rodríguez represents an ideal blend of youthful promise, resale value, and immediate first-team potential. At just 19, he fits the club’s long-term vision, and his versatility on the wing — coupled with the tactical demands of Emery’s pressing system — could allow Villa to reinvent their attack without overspending.
In contrast, the cost and long-term commitment required to land Rashford, coupled with questions about his recent form at Manchester United, make him a far riskier and less sustainable option.
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Conclusion: A Critical Summer Begins
With pre-season matches fast approaching, Unai Emery’s focus will be split between preparing the squad physically and ensuring that the right additions are made to strengthen key areas. Jesús Rodríguez has emerged as a priority target — one that aligns both financially and tactically with Villa’s current reality.
As the countdown to Walsall begins, all eyes are on Monchi to deliver a signing that could define Aston Villa’s 2025/26 campaign. In Rodríguez, they may have found more than just a replacement for Rashford — they may have discovered the next star of Villa Park.