Aston Villa are holding talks to sign the Brazil star this week as Emery talks prices

Aston Villa are holding talks to sign the Brazil international this week after a 'surprising' development.

Aston Villa prepare for Tottenham after Nottingham Forest's disappointment

Villa's Europa League campaign took a hit in midweek as they suffered a crushing defeat against Nottingham Forest, a result that raised fresh questions at a crucial stage of the season.

With the momentum building at the wrong time, attention now turns to Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham – a game that could shape their domestic ambitions and overall attitude in the final weeks.

Unai Emery's side have shown resilience throughout the campaign, but the loss to Forest exposed some familiar problems.

There were moments of control, but also a lack of cutting when it mattered most.

Against Tottenham, Villa will need to be sharp, especially with the race for European places still tight and Spurs fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.

Feedback is required, not only in terms of results, but also in terms of satisfactory performance.

Emery suggested last weekend that Amadou Onana was a doubt for Tottenham, and now the Spaniard has confirmed that he will not feature on Sunday.

The Belgian and Boubacar Kamara are the only absentees from Villa, while Ross Barkley and Alysson are both readily available after missing out on the trip to the Forest.

While the focus is on getting back on track on the field, rest is already picking up the pace.

Summer plans are well under way, and strengthening the midfield seems to be a priority.

Aston Villa are holding talks to sign Galatasaray star Gabriel Sara

That has led Villa to look to Gabriel Sara, with TUTTOmercatoWEB indicating that talks have taken place over a possible move.

The Brazilian, currently at Galatasaray, is attracting increasing interest after an impressive season in Turkey.

Villa are understood to have been in touch in recent days to assess the terms of the deal, showing a strong intention ahead of the transfer window.

The team has been tracking Sara's progress for some time, and those initial conversations suggest that they are now upping the ante.

Sara, 26, has been a key player for Galatasaray this season.

In all competitions, he has made 42 appearances while scoring 11 goals, underlining his influence in midfield. His ability to work in multiple roles – either deep or forward – adds to his appeal, providing versatility that suits Emery's tactical approach.

The former Norwich City player was rewarded for his good form with a call-up to the Brazil national team in March, which the player himself called a 'big surprise'.

Galatasaray are believed to be valuing the midfielder at around £26m, a figure which reflects his performance and the level of competition for his signing.

Villa, however, are not thought to be deterred by that valuation, especially given their desire to continue to build a team that can compete on multiple fronts.

There is also strong interest from elsewhere.

A number of Premier League sides, as well as clubs across Europe, are monitoring Sara's situation, meaning Villa could face a battle to land a deal.

That level of competition highlights how high he is ranked after his performance this season.

His previous experience in English football with Norwich also reduces the risk associated with familiarity, something clubs often factor into their recruitment decisions.

As Villa balance European commitments with league goals, planning ahead is essential. Identifying targets early allows the club to move quickly once the window opens, especially in a competitive market.

Well, nothing has been decided yet.

The initial talks are just the first step, and much will depend on how the talks progress in the coming weeks. But the aim is clear – Villa are looking to strengthen, and Sara is firmly on their radar.