Aston Villa in contact with Juventus over Douglas Luiz return

Aston Villa have opened talks with Juventus over a possible return for Douglas Luiz, as Unai Emery looks to ease his midfield injury crisis before the window closes.

The Brazilian has endured a turbulent spell since leaving Villa Park, including an underwhelming stint in Italy and a loan move to Nottingham Forest.

Despite that, he remains well regarded in England after his strong performances during his previous time in Birmingham, and Villa are now exploring whether a reunion is possible, according to The Athletic.

Discussions with Juventus are at an early stage, but the interest is genuine. Villa’s urgency is driven by a growing list of midfield problems.

Villa injuries lead to exploring return for Juventus’ Douglas Luiz

Boubacar Kamara is out for the season with a serious knee injury, while John McGinn and Youri Tielemans have also been dealing with fitness issues in recent weeks.

Emery wants another reliable option in the centre of the pitch, and Luiz’s familiarity with the club makes him an appealing solution.

Any deal, however, is complicated by his current situation. Luiz is on loan at Nottingham Forest, and that agreement includes conditions that could trigger a permanent transfer.

Those clauses have not yet been activated, meaning Juventus still technically control his future. For Villa to move forward, the loan at Forest would first need to be cut short, a scenario that would require all three clubs to find common ground.

Chelsea are also monitoring the midfielder, adding another layer of competition to an already delicate negotiation.