Aston Villa to sign clone of £29m Liverpool star in days as manager speaks out

Aston Villa need incomings ahead of the new season, with many players tipped to depart Villa Park.

Marcus Rashford has already left Villa Park after his loan spell and looks set to move abroad this summer after impressing in the Midlands.

Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi have also departed following their loan spells, while Emiliano Martinez has been linked with a move away from Villa this summer.

With Robin Olsen having departed as a free agent earlier this month, Unai Emery needs a goalkeeper this summer, whether Martinez stays or not, and the latest update suggests he’s found his man.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery shouting on the sideline.
Credit: Imago

Marco Bizot departure confirmed by Brest Manager

Villa have identified Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot as their new back-up goalkeeper this summer.

A deal for Bizot, 34, was reported this week as having been agreed between all parties, with the transfer potentially being finalised this weekend.

Brest manager Eric Roy confirmed on Friday (11 July) that the Dutchman will be leaving for Villa Park, after the goalkeeper was missing from their first friendly.

Speaking after the warm-up ahead of Brest’s friendly, Roy said: “If he’s not there, it’s something that will happen in the next few days.”

While Villa were not mentioned by name, it is almost certain the Villans are the side leading the way for Bizot’s signature.

Villa Park
Credit: Imago

Bizot on par with Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili

Bizot has big shoes to fill should Martinez leave Villa, after the Argentine failed to commit his future at Villa Park.

A comparison that can be made to Bizot is Liverpool’s new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili.

2024/25AppearancesGoals againstSave percentageClean sheet percentage
Marco Bizot325464.131.3
Giorgi Mamardashvili344868.423.5
Bizot and Mamardashvili were very similar in 2024/25 (League stats only)

Mamardashvili signed at Anfield for £29million last summer from Valencia, and is set to become Alisson’s successor in the near future.

As per FBref, Mamardashvili is the third-most alike player in comparison to Bizot of any goalkeepers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months.

Bizot has saved 64.1 per cent of shots faced, compared to 68.4 for Mamardashvili, while they also show similarities in terms of possession.

Although Mamardashvili will likely be the bigger success given his young age, Bizot has shown that he can compete with the best and is a capable replacement for Martinez.

It is certainly encouraging considering the fees involved for the two deals, with Villa bringing in a more-than-capable deputy to Martinez if the Argentine stays on.

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