Aston Villa Handed Opening For 20-Year-Old Winger: Should Emery Pounce?

Aston Villa Handed Opening For 20-Year-Old Winger: Should Emery Pounce? Aston Villa could have an opening for Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni after the winger’s contract renewal stalled over payment timing. According to Sport Witness , citing Portuguese outlet A Bola, the 20-year-old Argentine has accepted every financial term, but he wants his signing bonus the moment he signs to help support his family. Benfica would rather delay it until the season ends for accounting reasons. The impasse is awkward for Benfica because Portuguese reports had pointed to a new deal until 2031, with his salary more than doubling. Marco Silva has tried to reassure fans, and Prestianni gives him good reason to, with nine goals and six assists this season from his preferred left-wing role. Sport Witness says the delay invites wealthy clubs to consider a January approach, naming Villa, Tottenham , Chelsea, Manchester United , Newcastle and Brighton. His current contract carries a €100m (roughly £85m) release clause, although a renewal would reset those terms. What Prestianni offers, and where he falls short Prestianni is right-footed, so he cuts inside from the left to shoot or play the final pass. He created seven big chances in his first nine league starts. His goals have also outrun the numbers, with FotMob crediting him with six league goals from 2.38 expected goals in late October, a streak that may cool. He ranks low for defensive work among comparable wingers, and last season he managed only three league goals while struggling for consistency. Should Aston Villa pursue Prestianni? LISBON, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 15: Gianluca Prestianni of SL Benfica in action during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between SL Benfica and Celtic FC at Estadio da Luz on October 15, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) Yes, but with a firm ceiling on the price. Villa sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117m and have lacked creativity since, so a young winger who produces chances at this rate addresses a genuine gap. Selling high and buying young is also Villa’s model, and a 20-year-old whose value keeps rising suits it. The problems are real, though. Alejandro Garnacho already occupies the left flank, and Ibrahim Mbaye and Alysson cover the other side, so Prestianni would cost heavily to compete for minutes rather than fill a vacancy. Unai Emery demands wide players who press and track back, which is where the Argentine is weakest. Villa’s bigger issue is defensive, as the 4-0 defeat at Brighton on the opening day showed. Paying anything close to the clause for a player with three league goals last year would be reckless. If Benfica accept a fee near the £50m Villa received for Ollie Watkins, Emery should act. Above that, the money would do more good on a defender.