Aston Villa Faces Late Collapse in 4-4 Draw Against Manchester United
Aston Villa departed from Old Trafford on Sunday after a dramatic 4-4 draw that felt akin to a defeat. Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Villa took an early lead, going 2-0 up within the first four minutes and maintaining a 4-2 advantage shortly after the halftime break. However, the match took a turn when they conceded two goals in stoppage time, with Patrick Dorgu equalizing in the 96th minute. This disappointing result came just five days following a 3-0 loss to Barcelona, marking Villa’s first defeat in this Champions League campaign.
The challenges for Aston Villa stem from earlier this summer, as Youri Tielemans transferred to Manchester United in a reported £36 million deal, scoring against his previous team. Meanwhile, Amadou Onana suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, sidelining him for an expected six to nine months. In response, Villa secured Johan Manzambi for a reported club-record £59.5 million and João Gomes for £34 million plus add-ons. Despite these acquisitions, the team’s midfield appears unsettled without its former creative and defensive leaders.
Following the match, Emery remarked that his players struggled to handle the late surge down their left side, losing control in the midfield when pressed by United. Currently, Villa sits in the top half of the Premier League; however, recent performances over two games in five days have highlighted the precariousness of their midfield depth. The pursuit for added stability now extends to Argentina.
Sources from Sport Witness, referencing Argentine outlet Soy del Millo, report that Villa plans to submit a formal bid for Boca Juniors midfielder Milton Delgado within days. Villa has tracked the 21-year-old for six months, with the report suggesting his versatility as both a central defender and midfielder suitable for English football.
Boca Juniors’ president Juan Román Riquelme aims to retain Delgado following their title victory, but a substantial offer could facilitate a January transfer. Delgado boasts 86 senior appearances, including 45 this season, and Brighton had previously expressed interest in signing him.
What Delgado Brings
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – NOVEMBER 01: Nicolás Otamendi of River Plate battles for possession with Milton Delgado of Boca Juniors during the Torneo Clausura 2026 Superclásico match between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 01, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Delgado secured the bronze ball at the 2025 Under-20 World Cup and completed 52 tackles in 1,690 league minutes in 2025. Despite his accomplishments, he measures just 5ft 5in, has yet to score in senior competitions, and accumulated two assists along with seven bookings in 28 league matches this year. His release clause is reported to range between $20 million to $25 million, approximately £15 million to £19 million.
Should Aston Villa Spend Big on a 5ft 5in Midfielder?
Experts suggest that Villa should reconsider investing heavily in Delgado. While he fits well in a double pivot as a defensive-minded player, the club has already spent over £93 million on Manzambi and Gomes, alongside Kamara and a recovering Onana who occupy similar roles. Instead, Villa requires a creative player akin to Tielemans for more effective midfield management. Investing £15 million for depth might be justifiable, but further expenditures may not address the team’s defensive struggles, as evidenced by Dorgu’s last-minute equalizer from a corner, a situation that a 5ft 5in midfielder may not rectify.
