Andrei Ratiu, a key player for Rayo Vallecano known for his defensive solidity and ability to join the attack, has attracted interest from Aston Villa. Monchi, Aston Villa's sporting director, personally scouted Ratiu during a match between Rayo Vallecano and Celta de Vigo. Aston Villa is looking to strengthen their right-back position and sees Ratiu as a fitting candidate to compete with Matty Cash. His age and performance make him an appealing future investment for the club.

Andrei Ratiu is one of the players that Aston Villa is considering to strengthen their defense. Nevertheless, Rayo Vallecano is hesitant to part with key players mid-season. Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, has reportedly identified Ratiu as one of the three standout right-backs in LaLiga, along with Óscar Mingueza and Juan Foyth, aiming to enhance the team's defensive line. Although Ratiu is on Aston Villa's radar, Rayo Vallecano is reportedly not eager to release the player during the crucial mid-season transfer window. The winter market is expected to be pivotal for Aston Villa as they determine how much to invest in securing new talent to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League.