Victor Lindelof has made it clear that he wants to remain at Aston Villa despite growing speculation surrounding his long-term future, with the Swedish defender insisting he is enjoying football again after finally overcoming persistent physical problems.
The 31-year-old joined Villa on a free transfer last summer following the expiration of his contract at Manchester United and went on to become a valuable squad member under Unai Emery during the 2025/26 campaign.
After an encouraging first season at Villa Park, Lindelof has now addressed questions about what comes next and delivered a strong indication that he sees his future remaining in Birmingham.
Lindelof enjoying life under Unai Emery
Few expected Lindelof to become such a useful option for Aston Villa when he arrived last summer.
After eight seasons at Manchester United, the Sweden international was viewed primarily as an experienced squad addition. Instead, he became an important rotational player for Emery across multiple competitions.
The defender finished the season with 28 appearances and demonstrated his versatility by featuring in both defence and midfield when required.
His contributions proved particularly valuable during Villa’s successful Europa League campaign, where he featured ten times as the club secured European silverware.
Aston Villa defender reveals fitness boost
One of the most significant aspects of Lindelof’s comments centred on his physical condition.
The former Manchester United defender admitted he spent long periods of his career playing through pain but now feels refreshed after a season in which fitness problems eased considerably.
“Yes, that’s the goal right now.
My body feels good, so I have a good feeling. I have played with constant pain before, so being pain-free gives an extra boost.”
Those remarks will likely be welcomed by Aston Villa supporters given the defender’s reliability whenever called upon this season.
At a stage of his career when many players begin managing physical decline, Lindelof appears to believe he still has several productive years ahead of him.
No plans for Sweden return
Lindelof also dismissed suggestions that he could eventually finish his career in Sweden.
Many Swedish internationals choose to return home towards the latter stages of their careers, but the Aston Villa defender does not currently see that happening.
Interestingly, he revealed he has never actually played in Sweden’s top division despite becoming one of the country's most recognisable football exports.
While he admitted the idea could be appealing on paper, he was quick to suggest it is unlikely to become reality.
That stance further reinforces the impression that Lindelof remains focused on competing at the highest possible level for the foreseeable future.
Key points
- Victor Lindelof wants to remain at Aston Villa
- The defender says he is finally playing pain free
- He made 28 appearances during the 2025/26 season
- Lindelof became an important squad player under Unai Emery
- The Sweden international has ruled out a return to the Allsvenskan
What’s next?
Lindelof enters the 2026/27 season in a strong position after establishing himself as a trusted member of Emery’s squad.
Aston Villa are expected to strengthen several areas this summer, but the Swede’s versatility and experience should ensure he remains an important option.
With the defender openly expressing his desire to stay and his fitness concerns seemingly behind him, there appears little immediate uncertainty surrounding his future at Villa Park.
Can Victor Lindelof continue to play a key role for Aston Villa as Unai Emery pushes for more success next season?
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