Unai Emery dealt fresh blow as another star hints at Aston Villa transfer exit

Daily Mirror

10-06-2025

Missing out on the Champions League for next season is set to cost Aston Villa heavily next season, with boss Unai Emery seeing several of his players admit their futures are uncertain
Youri Tielemans has admitted that his future at Aston Villa is uncertain, despite sweeping the club's awards. Tielemans joined Villa in the summer of 2023 after scoring the winner for Leicester City in that year's FA Cup final.
Having taken some time to adjust to Villa's style of play, the Belgian became a key player for Unai Emery. He featured in 53 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and notching 10 assists in the process.
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Tielemans started every match in Villa's run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The campaign ended in a tide of disappointment though, with Villa qualifying for the Europa League, rather than the premier continental competition.
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That has led to fresh concerns over Villa's compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. That means that sales could well be needed this summer to ensure Emery's men avoid receiving a points deduction.
Star keeper Emi Martinez already appears to be on his way out. And Tielemans has admitted his future is also far from certain, despite having two more years to run on his contract at Villa Park.
'There's nothing definitive or ruled out about whether I'll stay or leave. But I feel good at Aston Villa; I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the manager,' he said while on international duty with Belgium.
'Of course, I was able to score five goals and provide 10 assists this season. But I was also influential in my team's play. I've been consistent and I think I've improved throughout the season."
'We're used to playing a lot of matches, recovering between games. So, I didn't feel tired in Skopje. It must be said that I spent 60 minutes on the bench [laughs]. But now I'm ready to play and represent the country this Monday."
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Tielemans was crowned both Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season at Villa's awards night following his impressive season. He admitted to being left 'frustrated' at the end of the season after missing out on the top five.
He said: "Frustrating to end the season this way. Thank you for your support throughout the whole campaign, Home and Away you've been amazing."
If Tielemans did depart, it would be another blow for Emery amid Martinez's expected exit. After the season concluded, the Villa boss admitted that major changes could be coming in the Second City this summer.
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"We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field. Of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season," he said after the final day defeat to Manchester United.
'Frustrated today, but we are in the Europa League, we are in Europe. To be in Europe is important and being in three years in a row I think is something we are showing our consistency.'