- Aston Villa are closing in on Matteo Ruggeri, Zion Suzuki and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Unai Emery strengthens his squad for the new season.
Aston Villa has enjoyed a busy week in the transfer market, closing in on three important additions in Matteo Ruggeri, Zion Suzuki, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Ruggeri adds depth at left-back, and Suzuki could provide a long-term solution in goal, while Wan-Bissaka gives Emery another experienced option on the right. With Premier League and Champions League football ahead, these additions give Villa more depth and flexibility to compete across a busy season.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa is ready to announce the signing of Ruggeri and Suzuki in the upcoming hours, while Bissaka is undergoing medicals with the club.
Matteo Ruggeri
The arrival of Ruggeri will enhance the depth of the squad in the fullback area; he was the preferred target of Unai Emery to replace Lucas Digne, who left to Paris Saint-Germain. Ruggeri could give competition to Ian Maatsen in the left-back role.
Villa signed the Italian for €25 million (approx. £21.4 million), plus €1.5 million in add-ons from the La Liga club Atletico Madrid. He offers the balance in defending and attacking from the left side with good pace and physical strength.
Zion Suzuki
Aston Villa acted very quickly to secure the signature of Zion Suzuki from Serie A club Parma after the player’s agreement with Paris Saint-Germain collapsed due to disputes regarding the intermediary fee. The player offers a long-term goalkeeper solution for Aston Villa as they are preparing for the departure of Emiliano Martínez from the club.
Suzuki's ability with the ball at his feet is particularly attractive for a Villa side that wants their goalkeeper involved in building attacks, while his shot-stopping and aerial ability add security behind the defense.
His performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the Japanese national team caught the attention of several European clubs, but Villa managed to bring him for a €30 million base fee plus €5 million in add-ons from the Italian club.
Aaron Wan Bissaka
Following the arrival of Wan-Bissaka from West Ham, Villa gained a solid option for the right-back role along with Matty Cash. 28-year-old Wan-Bissaka has wide Premier League experience with Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and West Ham, which will be useful for Emery's men in the upcoming season.
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he was one of the standout performers on the DR Congo side, where they reached the round of 32 of the tournament.
Wan-Bissaka gives Emery a more defensive-minded alternative to Matty Cash at right-back. His one-on-one defending and tackling can be particularly useful against strong wide attackers, while his Premier League experience reduces the risk of bringing in another player who needs time to adapt.
Why these three signings matter for Aston Villa
Following these arrivals, Villa strengthened their squad significantly; they have also brought in players including Garnacho, Joao Gomez, Manzambi, and Modou Keba Cissé in the summer.
Taken together, these signings give Emery more options in key areas of the squad. With Villa facing a busy season in both the Premier League and Champions League, that extra depth could be crucial. The challenge now is not just putting together a strong starting XI but having enough quality to cope when the fixtures start piling up.