Aston Villa Lock Horns With Newcastle United For €45M Star: Will He Make Sense For Unai Emery This Summer?

Would Maxi Araújo actually make sense for Aston Villa this summer?

LISBON, PORTUGAL – MARCH 17: Maximiliano Araujo of Sporting CP in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Sporting CP and FK Bodo/Glimt at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Aston Villa’s interest in Araújo makes plenty of tactical sense for Unai Emery. The manager generally prefers a back four with aggressive full-backs who can push high and help with transitions, which is exactly what Araújo offers on the field. With an npxG per 90 of 0.24 and goal involvements at 0.34 per 90 in Liga NOS this term, he clearly offers a threat in the final third. His npxG output, which ranks in the top 82nd percentile of Primeira Liga players, suggests this isn’t just a purple patch but a consistent part of his game.

Being comfortable anywhere along the left flank, either at full-back or on the wing, would give Emery plenty of flexibility. That kind of versatility is exactly what Villa Park needs, given that depth in wide areas is still a bit of a worry. On top of that, his stamina and pressing work rate will help in the high-energy defensive style Emery demands.

There is a downside, though. Araújo’s aerial presence is somewhat limited, and the sheer physicality of Premier League strikers might test him more than the attackers in Portugal do. There’s also the question of whether Villa or any other club will actually pay the €45–50 million Sporting want. It’s a steep price for a player. Transfermarkt currently values at €25m. Aston Villa have to be precise with their spending this summer, and at that price point, Araújo would have to be an immediate starter rather than just a squad player.