Villa’s midfield woes drive push for Napoli star McTominay

Unai Emery’s 200th Premier League game saw Aston Villa draw 4‑4 at Old Trafford after Alysson and Nicolas Jackson gave a 2‑0 lead, John McGinn’s penalty and Leon Goretzka’s strike made it 4‑2, and Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu equalised for Michael Carrick’s Manchester United, with Youri Tielemans scoring. Reportedly, Napoli star deal leaves Villa weighing whether to pursue him.

Midfield performance at Old Trafford

Villa surged to a 2‑0 lead inside four minutes through goals from Alysson and Nicolas Jackson.

They extended the advantage to 4‑2 after John McGinn’s penalty and Leon Goretzka’s finish.

Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu struck in stoppage time to rescue Michael Carrick’s 18th‑placed Manchester United.

Youri Tielemans, now at United, had also equalised before the break against his former club.

Recent form and midfield concerns

Villa’s four‑goal haul marked the first time they failed to win a league game since December 2007.

The point left Villa in tenth place ahead of the international break.

They have not won since beating Manchester City 2‑1 on 24 October.

Since then they have lost 3‑0 to both Bournemouth and Barcelona and drawn 1‑1 with Fulham.

Emery’s midfield has drawn criticism for its lack of protection.

Leon Goretzka arrived in the summer to add presence and goals.

João Gomes and Boubacar Kamara provide ball‑winning ability.

John McGinn still operates from the left, yet the group looks stretched when games open up.

Manchester United recorded 3.55 expected goals to Villa’s 2.88.

United also logged 44 touches in the visitors’ box compared with Villa’s 18.

Napoli midfielder on Villa’s radar

Scott McTominay featured for SSC Napoli in a Serie A match against SS Lazio at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 8 November 2026.

Napoli’s 29‑year‑old Scottish midfielder is linked with Aston Villa and Manchester United as his contract talks stall.

The player, who turns 30 in December, seeks a wage rise from about £3.8 million a year to between £6 million and £6.8 million.

Napoli have not ruled out a sale for €25‑30 million, roughly £21 million to £25 million, to avoid a financial loss.

His agent has already contacted English clubs.

A January departure appears unlikely, with Real Madrid and AC Milan also monitoring the situation.

McTominay scored 10 Serie A goals last season.

He has added five goals in 11 appearances this term,

He wins most aerial duels, is not a natural ball‑winner, has not provided a Serie A assist this season and has undergone a heart procedure.

Paying for the 30‑year‑old midfielder in January at the asking price is deemed unwise.

McTominay’s late runs and second‑ball goals already exist in Goretzka and McGinn, while Villa’s problem at Old Trafford was protection once the match stretched.

A smarter route is suggested.

Villa could wait until his contract expires in June 2027 and begin negotiations on 1 January to sign him on a free transfer.

That is presented as the only price worth paying.