Aston Villa’s attention has swiftly moved from celebrating a historic season to preparing for the demanding challenges of next term. Their Europa League triumph not only ended a three-decade trophy drought but also confirmed their spot in the 2026/27 Champions League, complementing their qualification through a remarkable fourth-place Premier League finish.
This impressive campaign has ignited hope among fans that Unai Emery can navigate the strict financial regulations that often limit clubs outside the biggest revenue generators. The club’s transfer budget will depend on incoming funds, amid ongoing speculation about star player Morgan Rogers’ future.
What’s undeniable is Villa’s need to bolster their squad’s depth and quality, placing significant responsibility on the team behind the scenes tasked with turning Emery’s vision into reality.
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At the heart of Villa’s recruitment strategy is Emery himself, whose approval is essential for every deal. Although he may not directly analyze player data or footage, his influence shapes all transfer decisions.
Supporting Emery is sporting director Roberto Olabe, who joined Villa last September after replacing Monchi. Olabe’s impressive résumé includes his tenure as director of football at Real Sociedad—where he famously secured talents like Alexander Isak and Takefusa Kubo—and roles at Almeria, Real Valladolid, and other notable football organizations.
Working alongside Olabe is Damian Vidagany, director of football operations, who manages day-to-day club operations with a keen awareness of the financial constraints facing Villa. Both play pivotal roles in orchestrating recruitment efforts aligned with Emery’s ambitions.
Villa’s recruitment backbone includes Bryn Davies, head of recruitment for over two years with prior scouting leadership; Ben Hackney, head of scouting operations who has risen through the analysis ranks over seven years; and Aaron Calvin, the club’s chief scout since 2022, formerly senior scout at Middlesbrough.
Adding international expertise, Alberto Benito—who has previously collaborated with Emery at Almeria, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal—contributes through V Sports’ global recruitment network, further enhancing Villa’s talent identification reach.
Together, this dedicated brains trust operates as Aston Villa prepares to compete at the highest levels once more, aiming to convert Unai Emery’s transfer dreams into lasting success.