Wilson Isidor celebrates a goal for Sunderland (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Aston Villa eyeing £35m Premier League star to replace big name who’s out of form

Originally posted on Caught Offside | By Mark Brus | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 4:00 AM ET

Aston Villa are reportedly closely monitoring the situation of Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor ahead of the January transfer window.

The French forward has started brightly for Sunderland this season and it makes sense that he’s starting to attract interest from elsewhere.

According to Football Insider, Isidor is firmly on Villa’s radar, with Sunderland valuing him at around £35m.

Isidor initially joined the Black Cats on loan but then joined permanently, and he’s proven a major success at the Stadium of Light.

One imagines he could also surely do an important job at Villa Park right now, with Unai Emery’s side struggling for goals so far this season.

Wilson Isidor could be an important signing for Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins is going through a real dry spell in front of goal at the moment, having missed a penalty in the midweek Europa League clash with Bologna.

It may be that it’s now time for Villa to bring in an upgrade on Watkins to lead their attack, and Isidor looks like he could be an ideal option.

However, one imagines Sunderland will make it difficult for any deal to be done in the middle of the season as they can’t afford to risk losing players who’ll be so key to helping them avoid relegation.

Newly-promoted sides have badly struggled in the Premier League in recent times, so it’s surely unthinkable for Sunderland to consider letting Isidor go now when he’s proving such a hit in the top flight.

The 25-year-old’s form gives Sunderland a genuine shot at staying up, so Villa would likely have to come in with crazy money in order to have a realistic chance of signing him.

Something needs to change in Unai Emery’s attack, though, with Football Insider’s report adding that Watkins has been unhappy in recent times after seeing a move to Arsenal blocked.

This article first appeared on Caught Offside and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: