Why Joao Gomes is exactly what Aston Villa need as Unai Emery overhauls midfield
Joao Gomes has officially signed for Aston Villa from Wolves.
The Villans have announced the 25-year-old midfielder's arrival in a £38million package deal from the West Midlands outfit.
At the Mollineux, the Brazil international spent three-and-a-half years, developing into a solid player and earning a move to the Lions.
Gomes will now ply his trade at Villa Park after Wolves' relegation from the Premier League.
Despite the West Midlands club's struggles, the midfielder was one of the few players to deliver decent performances during the 2025-26 campaign.
With Unai Emery losing Youri Tielemans, the Spanish manager needed to bolster his squad and the Brazilian ace may be the perfect signing.
What Unai Emery's Aston Villa midfield lacked last season
Emery led Villa to one of their best seasons in history, winning the Europa League title.
The Villans also finished fourth in the Premier League, with Tielemans playing a key role in that success.
What the Lions did lack, however, was some grit and determination in the engine room when it came to winning the ball back.
It was Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn who were tasked with winning the ball further up the pitch.
Only the ex-Middlesbrough star ranked in the top 20 players for Villa who won the most ground duels in the Premier League last season.
According to Sofascore, Gomes was second behind Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, winning 199 of his ground duels.
How Unai Emery's midfield is shaping up at Villa Park
Aston Villa News have heavily covered Johan Manzambi's move to the Premier League, with the Lions splashing the cash on him.
With Rogers seemingly on his way to Chelsea, Emery may have a new-look midfield next season.
Gomes and Manzambi could be part of a new engine room at Villa Park as the Spanish manager looks to make progress in B6.
Boubacar Kamara is expected to be back fit ahead of next season, while Amadou Onana faces an extended period on the sidelines after picking up an ACL at the World Cup.
John McGinn and Ross Barkley are still at Emery's disposal and it remains to be seen whether there will be more changes in the middle of the park in the coming weeks.