Aston Villa have expressed serious interest in AS Monaco’s young goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch-Marty after his standout displays at the ongoing Under-20 World Cup.

The Premier League club nearly lost Emiliano Martinez in the summer, with the Argentine close to joining Manchester United. Now, Villa are planning ahead for a possible exit next summer and have begun scouting replacements across Europe.

Benchaouch-Marty, 19, has been a standout performer for Morocco’s U20 side and has attracted Villa’s attention. The club has already made contact with his representative.

Although yet to make his senior debut for Monaco, the teenager was named on the bench for their recent Champions League match against Club Brugge.

His heroics helped Morocco reach the semi-finals of the U20 World Cup, particularly after a string of key saves against South Korea in the round of 16 and a superb showing in the 2-0 victory over Spain in the group stage. He’ll next face France in tomorrow’s semi-final — a game Villa scouts are expected to watch closely.

The Villans plan to make a move once the tournament concludes. Martinez has since been reinstated as the club’s first-choice keeper after his United move collapsed, with Marco Bizot remaining as cover. Still, with Martinez’s future uncertain and Bizot now 34, Villa are preparing for long-term succession in goal.