Aston Villa keep their Europa League final hero until 2028, and a 19-year-old is close to a new five-year deal

Aston Villa have taken up the option to keep Victor Lindelöf until 2028, and they look set to tie down one of their youngest first-teamers as well.

The club announced on Tuesday that they had triggered a clause in the Sweden captain’s contract to add a further year. Without it, the 32-year-old would have been out of contract at the end of this season.

It rounds off a fine 14 months for a defender who arrived as a free agent at the end of August 2025. He is now approaching 50 appearances in claret and blue.

Why have Villa extended Lindelöf’s contract?

Because he has turned into one of their most reliable players. He was a big part of the Europa League triumph in his first season, starting the 3-0 win over SC Freiburg in the final in Istanbul. That night he played in central midfield ahead of Amadou Onana, one of several jobs he did last season along with centre-back on either side.

Among Villa players with more than one appearance last season, only Boubacar Kamara had a better points-per-game return than Lindelöf’s 2.29.

This season he has been a full-time centre-back, filling the gap left when Ezri Konsa was sold to Arsenal. He has not missed a minute in the Premier League or the Champions League, and £25m signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis has had to wait for his chance.

The numbers back it up. Lindelöf ranks second in the squad for successful passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League (50.1, just behind Ross Barkley), second for line-breaking passes and clearances, and third for accurate long balls.

What did Lindelöf say about his new deal?

Speaking to VillaTV, he said: “Of course, I’m very, very happy. I’ve really enjoyed my time here ever since I signed, and to extend feels great. I’m super happy here.”

He was quick to give Unai Emery some of the credit: “He’s very demanding and I think he’s very good at bringing out the best in players. It’s been a privilege to work with him for this time, and obviously to extend, he’s a part of that as well.”

He also spoke about his role with the younger players: “I think I always try to help, especially young players. I’ve been in that situation myself and I had more experienced players coming to me and helping me, and I feel like that’s super, super important.”

That stability runs right through the club at the moment. Emery himself was reported last week to be close to a new Villa deal beyond 2029.

George Hemmings close to a new five-year contract

Lindelöf may not be the only one signing. According to The Athletic, George Hemmings has agreed in principle a new five-year contract, and an announcement is expected before the international break is over.

The 19-year-old was already tied down until 2030 after signing a five-year deal last year, so this looks more like a reward and a pay rise than a move to protect his future.

He broke into the senior side last season, making his first start as a deep-lying midfielder in a Europa League game against RB Salzburg. It was a tough night, and he came off at half-time. A switch to a more attacking role this summer changed things, and he went on to make his first Premier League and Champions League appearances early in the campaign.

His minutes have dried up since Johan Manzambi, Alysson and Ibrahim Mbaye worked their way into the starting lineup, but a new long-term deal would tell everyone that Emery still rates him.

Verdict: the Lindelöf option has paid off for Villa

Putting an option in a free agent’s two-year deal was smart business. Villa did not have to haggle with his camp over a longer contract or a bigger rise. They simply chose to keep him, and on this season’s evidence it was an easy choice.

At 32 he is no long-term answer, and Villa will still need a younger centre-back to grow alongside him. The 4-4 draw at Old Trafford before the break showed there is work to do at the back. But for the next season and a half, Emery has a defender he trusts, who can also step into midfield when needed, and that is worth a lot over a long season.