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According to a report by Daily Mirror on Thursday, May 21, 2026, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is set to be handed a transfer budget of up to £100million following the club’s Europa League triumph in Istanbul, as preparations begin for a major summer window after a historic season.
Emery guided Villa to a commanding 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final, securing the club’s first European trophy since 1982 and ending a 30-year wait for silverware.
The win capped a remarkable campaign for the Spanish coach, who has also steered Villa into the Premier League’s top five and continued their strong European progression.
The triumph has strengthened Emery’s standing at Villa Park, with the club’s hierarchy now preparing to back him in the transfer market as they aim to build on their recent success and compete strongly in next season’s Champions League.
Emery is expected to hold discussions with Villa’s joint owner Nassef Sawiris in the coming weeks to finalise a recruitment strategy for the summer window. The talks will focus on strengthening key areas of the squad, with midfield identified as a priority.
Among the names linked with a potential move to Villa is Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba, who has emerged as a target as Emery looks to add energy and depth to his engine room. Fulham winger Harry Wilson and Como forward Jesus Rodriguez have also been placed on the club’s radar as part of broader attacking reinforcements.
At the same time, Emery is determined to retain key midfielder Youri Tielemans, who has played an important role in Villa’s success. Keeping the Belgian international is expected to be a central part of the club’s summer planning as they seek to maintain stability while strengthening the squad.
However, Villa will also need to operate within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, which could influence decisions regarding outgoing players. One possible departure is Jadon Sancho, whose loan spell is expected to end as the club look to manage wage structure and squad balance ahead of the new season.
Emery’s ambitions for further success were underlined by Villa’s ownership group, with Nassef Sawiris attending the final in Istanbul to witness the club’s historic achievement. The Egyptian billionaire expressed his pride in the team’s progress and backed Emery to continue driving the club forward.
Sawiris described the victory as a culmination of an eight-year journey, praising the hard work of the manager and players. He also stated that the achievement felt extremely special and suggested that the club’s future potential remained significant, adding that the “sky’s the limit” for Aston Villa.
