Al Ahli's Ivan Toney. (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)
Aston Villa’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season has been far from smooth.
After a shaky opening month, results have improved slightly in recent weeks — but concerns in front of goal remain.
Unai Emery’s side currently sit 13th in the table, having scored just six goals in seven matches — the joint-second lowest tally in the division.
Ollie Watkins has found the net only once, while Donyell Malen, with two goals, leads the club’s scoring charts after his brace in the 2–1 win over Burnley.
With creativity and finishing proving major issues, reports suggest Villa could soon turn to a familiar name to solve their attacking woes.
Villa Could Move for Toney
According to a new report from the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are weighing up a January move for former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, as they look to add proven Premier League quality to their frontline.
Toney, who left Brentford for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in August 2024 for a fee of around £40 million, has enjoyed an excellent spell in the Middle East — scoring 30 goals in all competitions and helping his side lift the AFC Champions League in his debut season.
During his time in England, the 28-year-old netted 35 goals in 85 Premier League appearances for Brentford, including a standout 20-goal campaign in 2022/23, establishing himself as one of the league’s most clinical finishers.
Described as “amazing” by former manager Thomas Frank, Toney remains highly regarded in English football circles — and a move back to the Premier League could reignite his hopes of returning to the England national team.
Though Thomas Tuchel recalled him for international duty earlier this year, his long-term future with the Three Lions is uncertain while he plays abroad. A return to English football could boost his visibility and form ahead of Euro 2026.
Meanwhile, for Aston Villa, a player of Toney’s pedigree could be the perfect solution to their attacking struggles.
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