Villa’s Wage Bill Laid Bare: Who Earns What in 2026 — and Why It Matters
Aston Villa aren’t just ruffling feathers; they’re trading punches with the Premier League’s heavyweights — and the wage bill proves it. Unai Emery’s side have muscled their way into the Champions League conversation for three straight seasons, and while the football’s slick, the salaries are undeniably top-tier too. For context around the division, the very top earners include the likes of Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Florian Wirtz — big cheques for big stars — but Villa’s numbers show a club thinking and spending like contenders.
Want to dive deeper into the money side of the game while keeping an eye on the weekend’s odds? Check our best betting sites hub — all salary figures are via Capology and correct as of 28 January 2026.
Goalkeepers: Martinez commands respect
Dibu Martinez is paid like the elite keeper he is, on £150,000 per week through to June 2029 after penning terms in August 2024. A mooted Manchester United switch never materialised, and Villa are better for it. Behind him, summer 2025 arrival Marco Bizot is sensible depth at £45,000 a week to 2027 — solid value for a dependable No 2.
Defenders: Digne leads, competition everywhere
Lucas Digne tops the back-line earners at £135,000 per week (deal to 2028), a nod to his consistency and influence down the left. New boy Victor Lindelöf sits at £120,000 to 2027, with Tyrone Mings on £110,000 to 2027 — a stalwart whose minutes need careful managing at this stage. The £100k club is a strong trio: Pau Torres (to 2028), Ian Maatsen (to 2030) and Matty Cash (to 2029) — all very much Emery players, comfortable in structure and aggressive without the ball.
One to watch? Ezri Konsa at £75,000 to 2028. He’s been outstanding and previously linked with Liverpool — that feels ripe for a bump if Villa want to slam the door on suitors. Youngster Andres Garcia rounds out the group on £15,000 to 2026.
Midfielders: Big outlay, big control
The engine room is premium-priced for a reason. Youri Tielemans (£150,000, to 2027) and Boubacar Kamara (£150,000, to 2030) anchor Emery’s preferred double pivot, setting tempo and breaking lines. With Tielemans inside 18 months, don’t be shocked if talks open to protect value.
Amadou Onana is just a notch below at £140,000 to 2029 — injuries have interrupted 2025/26, but when he’s fit, he’s a force. Captain John McGinn’s £130,000 to 2028 reflects priceless intangibles as much as output; he’ll be 33 when that deal ends and still the heartbeat. Ross Barkley (£60,000 to 2026) offers versatile cover, while Lamare Bogarde (£30,000 to 2026) is a developmental piece.
Forwards: Sancho the headline, Rogers the revelation
Top of Villa’s payscale right now? Jadon Sancho on £200,000 per week to June 2026 — a short-term, high-impact loan bet from Manchester United. The club’s breakout star, Morgan Rogers, is locked in at £150,000 to 2031 after that November 2025 upgrade — the lad’s been electric since arriving from Middlesbrough.
Ollie Watkins remains tremendous value at £130,000 to 2028, though the return of Tammy Abraham on roughly £140,000 per week (deal to 2030, per Birmingham Live’s post-tax breakdown) could nudge thoughts of parity. Leon Bailey sits at £120,000 to 2027 after his Roma spell was cut short, with Emiliano Buendía and Evann Guessand each at £75,000 (to 2027 and 2026 respectively). Harvey Elliott’s one-year loan clocks in at £65,000 to 2026 — tidy depth, with little noise about anything beyond that.
The bigger picture: a contender’s wage map
Call it what it is: this is a Champions League-chasing payroll. Villa have one of the highest wage bills in the game, but it’s largely well-structured — core starters clustered between £100k and £150k, with a couple of headline numbers for short-term upside. The next boardroom calls practically write themselves: secure Konsa, make a call on Mings, and decide whether Tielemans’ timeline justifies an extension. Do that, and Emery’s got the stability to keep Villa in the top-four fight.
Snapshot of key salaries: Sancho £200k; Martinez, Tielemans, Kamara, Rogers £150k; Abraham ~£140k; Onana £140k; McGinn £130k; Watkins £130k; Digne £135k; Bailey £120k; Lindelöf £120k; Mings £110k; Torres, Maatsen, Cash £100k — and value pieces beneath that. That’s not plucky; that’s purposeful.
All statistics courtesy of Capology unless stated otherwise — correct as of 28/01/2026.
