After winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League last season, it would be fair to say that Aston Villa have encountered some obstacles in the transfer window.

Typical, but Unai Emery has shown himself to be resourceful and shrewd before, and the fanbase are confident that he will make this another exciting season.

Morgan Rogers has been sold to Chelsea for a £117m fee, making him the second-most-expensive player in Premier League history.

That hasn’t been the only setback. The Villans had had to deal with a number of injuries and the sale of a linchpin in Youri Tielemans in midfield.

How Emery has combated a crisis in midfield

Rogers’ sale to Chelsea was poignant, but many of the Aston Villa persuasion had already braced themselves for his departure.

The fact he was sold for a figure eclipsing even Jack Grealish’s fee when he went to Manchester City has eased things somewhat, but there have been further complications for Emery and co.

Who could have foreseen Amadou Onana’s ACL rupture while competing for Belgium at the World Cup?

And when Manchester United came along offering £35 for the services of Tielemans, a crucial but ageing member of the squad, it would have been questionable to have turned it down.

Emery has already added Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi to his midfield ranks, while a loan deal for Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho has also been completed. The 22-year-old will help replace Rogers on the left wing.

A new-look engine room is coming together, but Villa could perhaps do with another cog to power the machine. NSWE have identified a shrewd solution for an experienced star who could help replace Tielemans at the heart of the project.

Aston Villa ready to bid to sign their new Tielemans

Selling Tielemans would not have been on Emery's bingo card when Aston Villa wrapped things up at the end of the 2025/26 season, but the Belgian midfielder has departed on good terms.

Work has already been done to plug holes, but Aston Villa could put the icing on the cake with a deal for Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, with reports in France claiming Villa have positioned themselves to sign the Netherlands international following news that he could leave Italy this summer.

Man United are also keen, with Juve set to demand around €30m (£26m) for any sale, suggesting there is a deal there to be struck.

Tielemans is an elite technician, but at times, his mobility and athleticism have been called into question. However, Emery knew how to get the best out of him, and he could strike once again with Koopmeiners, who may not be the most mobile of midfielders, but boasts a "complete" skillset, according to Oranje legend Ruud Krol, and a wealth of experience at the highest level.

The left-footed midfielder's technical command, composure and versatility make him the perfect Tielemans replacement. Moreover, he would bring experience and help increase depth as Villa step back into Champions League competition. The premium continental competition demands more intense and high-level efforts, and Koopmeiners would assist Emery in that to no end.

He might not have enjoyed his finest season in Serie A, but Koopmeiners would not be expected to start every match throughout the campaign.

An aggressive presser, Koopmeiners' ability to defend firmly (he won 51% of his ground battles in the centre of the park last year), while creating play when called upon and pushing forward.

A midfielder of Tielemans' leadership and experience will be a big miss, but Koopmeiners could counter that blow. Aston Villa cannot stumble after getting themselves into such a strong position, and this is the kind of shrewd move that needs to be made with attacking signings still begging to be made.