Villa Eye Baena, Atletico Stand Firm

Aston Villa are reportedly targeting Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Alex Baena to improve the team's faltering form at the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Manager Unai Emery is said to greatly admire the Spanish player, but Atletico Madrid are reported to be unwilling to let him go at any price.

Villa began the competition with disappointing results: only one draw and three defeats from their first four matches, placing them 19th in the provisional table. The attack has been the main focus because they have scored only one goal, far below the standard of a team that competed near the top last season. This situation has forced the management to look for new firepower, and Baena has emerged as a primary target.

Baena himself is in top form. With Atletico Madrid, the 25-year-old has scored four goals and provided one assist in seven matches in all competitions. Throughout his La Liga career with Atletico, Villarreal, and Girona, he has recorded 21 goals and 31 assists in 141 appearances—evidence that he is not only a finisher but also a chance creator.

According to reports from Spain cited by Sport Witness, Villa's interest in Baena emerged after they saw his impressive performances with the Spain national team at the World Cup. However, Atletico Madrid are said to be reluctant to release a player still under contract until 2030. Atletico's firm stance makes Villa's chances of signing Baena very slim, especially as Manchester City and Newcastle United are also reported to be monitoring the situation.

"He is a player with exceptional talent who, combined with his understanding of the game, makes him a different player in world football today," said Villarreal's Director of Football, Miguel Ángel Tena, about Baena.

Emery himself worked with Baena when he was managing Villarreal. He admitted to being impressed by the young player's development. "His progress is on track; he is an intelligent and hard-working player. He is a good role model, like Yeremy, Morlanes, Cuenca. They make it difficult for me to build a team," Emery said, as quoted by Football FanCast.

If they fail to sign Baena, Emery must rely on the existing left-wingers, including Alejandro Garnacho. However, Garnacho has also yet to show his best form—playing only 31 minutes across three Premier League appearances. This situation adds pressure on Villa to quickly find a solution in attack.

For Indonesian football fans, the Baena transfer saga reflects how Premier League clubs are increasingly aggressive in hunting young talent, even from a club of Atletico Madrid's stature. Liga Indonesia can learn about the importance of long-term contracts to retain valuable assets, as Atletico has done. Moreover, fierce competition among wealthy clubs shows that financial power alone is not enough—a clear strategy and project appeal are needed.

Looking ahead, will Aston Villa increase their bid or turn to another target? Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid appear firm in their stance. If Baena continues to shine, it is not impossible that Europe's big clubs will queue up, and the player's price could soar. Villa must move quickly or lose their chance.