Aston Villa have the chance to end 30 years of silverware-searching this week, and if they play like they did on Friday evening, when Liverpool were put to the sword, they will get their hands on that trophy.

Unai Emery has changed lives in Aston, turning this up-and-down outfit into a club of winners, an enclave within Birmingham now established as the cream of that crop.

The Midlands side will play in the Champions League next season, regardless of Wednesday's outcome, and thus, NSWE can start preparing for the transfer window, with a record-breaking deal already in the pipeline.

Aston Villa line up record-breaking move

Aston Villa are in a fantastic position, but they do need to improve in the summer transfer window, adding more sparkle in attack to complement the grit and wiles that have steered them over the finish line with a match to spare in the Premier League.

Ollie Watkins has been resurgent of late, and the winter signing of Tammy Abraham eases the need for an elite number nine. However, more creative in wider attacking areas wouldn't go amiss.

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are ready to shatter their transfer record to complete a deal for Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea, with Emery and his scouts carrying out extensive work on the 24-year-old over the past few months.

With rival interest from many of the Premier League's heavyweights, Villa would need to meet Barrenetxea's €75m (£66m) release clause, thus eclipsing the £52m paid for Amadou Onana.

Spanish sources revealed last week that Chelsea are also interested in signing the Spaniard. It's curious that these rumours should surface as Xabi Alonso puts pen to paper, the newly-hired manager taking his first steps on the coaching scene for Sociedad's B team.

Aston Villa could do with this profile, and while Emi Buendia has enjoyed a sharp turnaround this term, Barrenetxea could prove a big upgrade on the 29-year-old.

Why Barrenetxea would replace Aston Villa's Buendia

Barrenetxea is a champion, scoring as Real Sociedad overcame Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last month. It's the perfect way for him to bow out after rising from the youth ranks of the Basque club.

A naturally creative player, the Spain star has been praised for his "perfect" crossing ability by journalist Zach Lowy, and this could see him thrive as Buendia's future successor, even though the veteran will be hoping to stay under Emery's wing next season.

Buendia missed the entirety of the 2023/24 season with an ACL injury, and after an up-and-down start to last season, he was loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen for the latter half of the year. His Villan career looked done and dusted.

Barrenetxea typically plays down the left wing, but he's not averse to playing centrally or out on the right. In that, he shares with Buendia a natural versatility, and it makes sense for him to emerge as the Argentine's natural successor at Villa Park.

Whether the Sociedad star has the quality to dovetail into the Premier League is not up for question here. Rather, it's his athleticism and physicality that will determine his worth under Emery's wing.

However, all the pointers lead to Barrenetxea having what it takes to succeed. He's outperformed Buendia this season for the most part, more combative in the duel and more creative on the ball.

He could do more in front of goal, but Barrenetxea would be the perfect wideman to help service Watkins and Morgan Rogers, ensuring that Emery has the requisite attacking quality next season to challenge for titles once again and make a positive impression in the Champions League.