Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are in talks to sign the striker

Aston Villa are still waiting for their stunning European victory over Nottingham Forest, beating Vitor Pereira’s side 4-0 to progress to the Europa League final. The carpet has been pulled out, and Unai Emery’s side will step into Leipzig.

There has been an abundance of crops for English teams on this continent this season. Arsenal have reached the Champions League final, while Crystal Palace are fighting for another title under Oliver Glasner, meeting Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.

As they have done in the past, Aston Villa showed their resilience and resilience, coming back and flashing the bush at one end. John McGinn grabbed a deserved brace, Emi Buendia impressed and Ollie Watkins continued to score goals.

Watkins has been in and out of shape for the 2025/26 season, but there is no doubt that the 30-year-old has left something to be desired, raising questions about the number nine and whether Villa will strengthen up front this summer.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are set to sign a new striker

Aston Villa have grown into one of the best outfits in the Premier League under Emery’s wing, and Watkins has fired them up so far.

He scored against Forest to equalize the tie on Thursday evening, which was a sensation.

While there have been rumors surrounding the Three Lions striker’s future in recent months, he has once again proven himself to be an asset. However, NSWE is still sniffing for another goalscorer, as there have been talks about targeting one.

According to Tutto Mercato Web in Italy, Aston Villa will face Crystal Palace this summer for Juventus striker Jonathan David, who has struggled since joining the Italians from LOSC Lille last summer.

The Canadian has long spoken of his desire to play in the Premier League, and a new home at Villa or Palace could appeal.

In recent weeks, both Premier League clubs have made enquiries, and despite proving himself to be one of the best players in Europe in the past, the 26-year-old is expected to cost something in the region of €12m (£10m).

Touching down on English shores isn’t always easy for talented strikers from abroad, however, and in that regard, David could emerge as Emery’s version of Viktor Gyokeres.

However, Palace will have a decent claim in itself, if they decide to accelerate their interest. If Glasner’s Eagles win the Conference League, their hopes will only get stronger,

Why David could be the next Gyokeres of the Premier League

Can Aston Villa end their 30-year wait for silverware? It could happen, as Emery is a master at winning the second division continental cup.

It would be a great way to cap off a season that will go down in history at Villa Park, especially as things have felt sluggish of late.

Crystal Palace showed last year that the hegemony of the ‘big six’ can be disrupted – destroyed, even – by defeating Manchester City to lift the FA Cup and put Liverpool to the sword in the subsequent Community Shield.

Whether David will be the man to do the job of deepening that narrative remains to be seen, as he has scored just eight goals in 46 games for Juventus this season.

Yes, he has played at a very high level in the past, contributing to Lille in five seasons in France, but there is no question that he has lost his Midas touch in front of goal in Serie A, scoring just six times in the league while missing 13 big chances.

Despite his sharp thinking and brilliance on the ball, David will run the risk of emulating Gyokeres in struggling to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, especially if he is as corrupt as he was last year.

Gyokeres is a more accurate shooter, for sure, but as opposed to David, he doesn’t have the difference in his usual game to establish himself as a top striker.

While the thought of signing a clinical marker like David is an attractive idea for Villan, we have seen with the likes of Gyokeres that the move to the Premier League can be difficult for foreign attackers.

Whether he ends up at Villa or Palace remains to be seen, but David will be a force to be reckoned with at the club. Whether he will emulate Watkins’ power, however, is a different matter.