Aston Villa Back In The Race For €25M Defender: Would He Solve The Long-Term Problem?

Udinese have set a €25 million asking price and are trying to get him to sign a new contract, though Kristensen has told Danish outlet Campo that he sees his next move as a step toward a bigger club playing in European competition.

Would Kristensen actually solve Aston Villa’s defensive problems for the long term?

UDINE, ITALY – MAY 02: Thomas Kristensen of Udinese celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Torino FC at Stadio Friuli on May 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Aston Villa currently sit fifth in the Premier League and are in the Europa League semi-finals against Nottingham Forest, meaning European football next season looks likely, no matter how the next few weeks go. That context matters a lot here. Kristensen wants European football, and Villa can actually offer it.

But the real worry is that at €25 million, Aston Villa would be paying a lot for a player whose passing under pressure still needs a lot of work, which is something Emery’s system relies on heavily. With Tyrone Mings getting older and a possible summer departure looming, Villa do need a long-term solution at centre-back, but Kristensen feels more like a short-term upgrade than a permanent answer. The fee, the competition, and the player’s own ambition all match up right now, but Aston Villa should keep their expectations realistic rather than getting carried away.