Aston Villa Face £25m Exit For 24-Year-Old: Should Emery Block It?

Aston Villa Face £25m Exit For 24-Year-Old: Should Emery Block It? Aston Villa have seen Fiorentina revive interest in Matteo Ruggeri after the Italian left-back struggled for regular minutes since his summer switch from Atlético Madrid. Angelo Giorgetti of FirenzeViola reports that Fiorentina could seek another left-back in January, even if Fabiano Parisi returns. The Italian club want greater depth behind Victor Valdepenas and could view Ruggeri as an attractive option. Ruggeri spent the previous season with Atlético , making 26 La Liga appearances and providing three assists. Regular football in Florence could appeal to a player who wants to maintain momentum after establishing himself at level. His Villa start has looked modest. Ruggeri has made four appearances in all competitions this season, with two starts and 203 minutes. Yet the numbers need context. He completed 90 minutes against Coventry City in the EFL Cup before starting the 3-2 Premier League win at Tottenham , where he again played the entire match. That Tottenham outing matters. Unai Emery gave Ruggeri a demanding assignment away from home, and the defender handled a full league game after spending the opening weeks mostly on the bench. Ian Maatsen’s absence has created a clearer opening on the left, giving Ruggeri a chance to build rhythm. Aston Villa should resist a January Matteo Ruggeri exit LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Matteo Ruggeri of Aston Villa is challenged by Archie Gray of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 19, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Would Aston Villa benefit from losing Matteo Ruggeri after only a few months? Probably not. Villa paid Atlético around €25 million plus €1.5 million in potential add-ons for the 24-year-old in August, and the club handed him a contract running until 2031. That commitment points to a longer plan rather than a short experiment. Ruggeri offers Emery a useful left-sided option because he can defend from a deeper position and provide width when Villa push forward. His height gives Emery another physical presence at full-back, while his Champions League experience gives him grounding for Villa’s busy schedule. The Italian has another reason to remain patient. He made his Italy debut against Türkiye on September 28 and started that Nations League match. His international arrival suggests his career remains on an upward track despite the quiet beginning in England. Fiorentina may see an opening because Ruggeri has not started regularly. Villa, however, have shown signs of trusting him, and a run of matches could change the picture. A January sale would leave Emery short of a player he signed for a fee and role. For now, the Fiorentina story looks like an opportunity being explored rather than a transfer Villa need to pursue.