Aston Villa Dream Team preview: top stars, smart options & potential flops

ASTON VILLA stumbled out of the blocks last season but rallied to finish fourth while also going all the way in the Europa League. The Villains have sold Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans this summer but Dream Team managers know not to underestimate them while Unai Emery is at the helm. PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW: £100,000 PRIZE POT! Emery guided Villa to European success last season Credit: Getty Ahead Gameweek 1, we’ve analysed Villa’s top stars, smart options and potential flops. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! TOP STARS Ollie Watkins (£5m) is a proven Premier League performer having scored 15+ goals in each of his last four top flight campaigns. Last season, he finished strong to end with 21 goals in all competitions — Erling Haaland (£8.5m) and Igor Thiago (£4.5m) were the only strikers who amassed superior tallies. Ezri Konsa (£4m) was one of the only three defenders to achieve 50+ bonus points in 2025/26. The England centre-back is a reliable performer who is guaranteed to play every minute that matters if he’s available for selection. It’s worth noting that both Konsa and Watkins started their pre-season training late after going deep at the World Cup with the Three Lions but that is unlikely to be a major concern as they are ultra important players. It might be overly zealous to name Johan Manzambi (£4m) as one of Villa’s top stars given he is yet to play a single minute in claret and blue but he’s a tremendous prospect. Most read in Football The 20-year-old starred for Switzerland at the World Cup and is likely to be tasked with filling Rogers’ boots. Categorised as a midfielder, Manzambi has occasionally been effective as a second striker. At this stage, the talented youngster is considered a doubt for Gameweek 1 but gaffers should monitor his progress closely. Manzambi is an exciting addition Credit: Getty SMART OPTIONS Come Christmas, Dream Team bosses might be chuckling about the fact Brian Madjo (£2.5m) started the season at such an affordable price. The 17-year-old striker produced a highly impressive performance against PSG in the Super Cup, including a well-taken volley just before half time. Despite his tender age, the hulking 6ft 4in forward looks ready for Premier League action and it will be interesting to see how Emery uses him, though he’s considered a doubt for August’s fixtures at this stage. Digne’s departure means Ian Maatsen (£3.5m) is now first-choice left-back. The Dutchman wasn’t viable last term because he was a minutes risk but that problem appears to be solved. At £3.5m he’s a tad cheaper than Konsa and Matty Cash (£4m), which makes him a useful alternative. Elsewhere, Emi Buendia (£3.5m) is attractively priced for a midfielder who notched 11 goals and nine assists last season, averaging a goal involvement every 144.3 minutes. Villa’s No10 will be expected to step up now Rogers and Tielemans have departed. Buendia scored several important goals last season Credit: Getty Images Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! POTENTIAL FLOPS We’re hesitant to name any individual in this section as it appears managers are already staying away from the second-string options. That being said, it’s fair to say Alejandro Garnacho (£3.5m) can be an immensely frustrating Dream Team asset to own. The 22-year-old makes things happen in the final third but his end product is still a work in progress. There’s every chance Garnacho improves under Emery and becomes a smart differential in Dream Team but we advise caution for the first few Gameweeks of the campaign. Open to residents of UK and Rep of Ireland, 18+ only. T&Cs apply. How to claim £30 in football free bets Midnite offer Download the Midnite app or create an account online HERE* Register using the code: BETGET30 Deposit a minimum of £10 Place a £10 sportsbook bet at minimum odds of 1/1 Free Bets will be credited upon settlement of your qualifying bet Comment now