Villa target Rowe to replace Bailey and boost Champions League hopes

Aston Villa Keep Pressing Forward Rowe as the club confronts the possible loss of Leon Bailey; Unai Emery insists a genuine wide player is the Right Choice to sustain their Champions League ambitions, and the 23‑year‑old Bologna winger offers the pace and width the squad now lacks.

Emery has stressed the need for a genuine wide player after Bailey’s possible exit, saying the squad requires pace on the flanks to compete at the highest level.

The club have identified 23‑year‑old Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe as a potential target, a move that could reshape their attack.

Villa’s scouting reports describe Rowe as capable of opening space for the forwards and stretching defences.

Reports indicate Villa are prepared to meet Bologna’s asking price of €40 million to €45 million, and Rowe’s contract runs until June 2029, giving Bologna full negotiating power.

In the 2025/26 campaign Rowe made 40 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing five assists; four of those goals came in a notable Europa League run, including a curling effort against Villa in the quarter‑finals and a stoppage‑time overhead kick against Napoli.

Statistically, Rowe recorded 2.71 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A, placing him in the top five percent of wide players in the league and highlighting his one‑on‑one ability.

Bologna originally secured his services for €17 million from Marseille last August after a bust‑up with Adrien Rabiot at the French club; his relationship with former Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano has reportedly been strained and past disciplinary issues have been noted.

Emery believes Rowe’s ability to run at markers could complement Ollie Watkins and diversify Villa’s attacking options.

The board must act quickly, as Chelsea and Galatasaray have shown interest; Villa need to finalize background checks and negotiate terms before the transfer window closes to secure the player without further delays.