Aston Villa are close to signing Atlético Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri as they reshape their defensive options following Lucas Digne’s £8.5m return to Paris St-Germain. The 24-year-old is expected to arrive after only one season in Spain, providing Villa with a more physical option at left-back under Unai Emery.

Ruggeri made 47 appearances for Atlético last season, helping them finish fourth in La Liga, and previously won the Europa League with Atalanta in 2024. Villa had also considered AC Milan’s Pervis Estupiñán, while Ian Maatsen is set to start against PSG in Wednesday’s Super Cup in Salzburg.