Despite a season of strong form, Aston Villa are reportedly exploring options to replace Matty Cash this summer.
After a season of low lows and extremely high highs, all attention for Aston Villa turns to the transfer window and whether or not they can build on their success of last campaign.
The 2025/26 season is amongst the most successful in Villa's modern history, finishing fourth in the Premier League table alongside lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy.
As Aston Villa look to improve their squad for a season back in the UEFA Champions League next season, The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell has reported that Aston Villa will be looking to bring in a new right back for next season.
According to Tanswell, "finding an alternative to Matty Cash at right-back is, once more, a priority."
"The club have regularly discussed the role over the last three years, but budget constraints meant other areas were deemed more important. Villa are now targeting a versatile right-back who can take the load off Cash."
The language used in the article suggests that the Villans will be bringing in a player to compete with Cash, rather than outright replace him, although right-back has been a position of weakness for the club in seasons gone by.
Young right-backs Andres Garcia and Kosta Nedeljkovic had both been brought in to compete with the Poland international previously, however neither have lived up to expectations and both now look set to exit the club this summer.
Which right backs could Aston Villa sign this summer?
With UEFA Champions League qualification and an elite manager like Unai Emery, Aston Villa will be able to a higher calibre of players this summer.
However, reports suggest that the Villans are still likely to be hamstrung in any business they look to complete this season, limiting the options for signings across the pitch.
Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and has a contract expiring this summer, meaning he could present a cut-price option to bolster Villa's defensive options.
More ambitiously, reports today have confirmed that Denzel Dumfries has a €25m euro release clause in his current Inter Milan contract, giving Aston Villa the chance to move for the 30 year-old, whom they have been linked to in the past.
Another player that the Villans have been linked to previously is Nottingham Forest's Welsh defender Neco Williams, who can play at both left back and right back, though he would likely cost a significant amount of money to prise from Forest's grasp.
Tanswell's report specifically mentioned a "versatile right-back", meaning that someone like Joe Gomez could be brought to the club, with the Englishman - who is predominantly a central defender - possessing the ability to cover right back should he be needed.
