Kosta NedeljkovicImago

Kosta Nedeljkovic proves why he's worth another Aston Villa chance

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at GRV Media and VAVEL; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Exclusive content, statistical analysis, and deep-dive reporting across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Max utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, exclusive reporting and data-driven insight. He provides the intelligence behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

02 Aug 2026, 9:10 am

Aston Villa have gotten another look at Kosta Nedeljkovic this summer.

The Serbia international has been a Villa player since the summer of 2024 when he finally came in from Red Star Belgrade.

Things started so well for the right-back as he was given an immediate chance to feature in the Premier League.

He came off the bench against Arsenal in the first Villa Park outing of the campaign, but that's as good as things got.

The 20-year-old went on to join RB Leipzig in two seperate loan spells away from B6.

Nedeljkovic is now back in claret and blue and is doing his utmost to prove his value to Unai Emery and Co.

How has Kosta Nedeljkovic performed for Aston Villa in pre-season?

There has been a great need for a back-up right-back for a long time in the Midlands.

Matty Cash is coming off the back of 49 appearances in all competitions, after 38 and 46 in the previous two campaigns.

That is too many for such a key player as he could soon hit a wall and leave the Villans in serious trouble.

That is where Nedeljkovic could come in despite only featuring six times last season.

He has come in for Emery in pre-season and has picked up one assist while looking generally astute at the back.

The Serbian has conceded just two goals in his three appearances despite a total of seven goals going in during those friendlies.

That is just a plus point to his performances as he looks to prove himself in claret and blue.

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Can Nedeljkovic step up for Aston Villa?

Villa News has long covered Nedeljkovic and how he could some day be an alternative to Cash.

That is yet to be seen under Emery, but could change if he can make the step up in claret and blue.

It is hard to know whether he will be able to do that based on such a small sample size at RB Leipzig.

The defender was afforded just 252 Bundesliga minutes last time around, but did manage a 38.5 successful passes with an 87.1 per cent accuracy per 90 in that time.

He also won 1.43 duels and chipped in with 4.29 defensive actions per game, which can only be seen as a plus.

Nedeljkovic also swung in 0.71 successful crosses, so can clearly go both ways.

Those numbers will likely take a step up if he's given a proper chance and that could prove to be at Villa Park after his pre-season antics.

Unai Emery