2 months ago
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Aston Villa have enjoyed their most successful period in the 21st century under Unai Emery since the Spaniard arrived in 2022. When they were in the Championship in 2019, few could have expected that six years later they would be playing in a Champions League quarter-final, and beating the likes of Bayern Munich on the biggest stage in Europe. However, a fair chunk of the side that got them back into Europe's elite competition has now been somewhat dismantled, and it's been a disappointing summer transfer window for the Midlands club thus far.
Restricted by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, Villa have made just one signing for a fee - the acquisition of 19-year-old defender Yasin Özcan from Turkish side Kasimpasa for €7 million. There have also been plenty of rumours linking a number of the club's top players with a move away from Villa Park. The loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio helped drag Emery's team through the second half of last season. But with that pair gone, and not yet replaced, no Champions League football, and more potential departures on the way, should Villa fans be worried? And are the club in danger of stagnating and undoing some of their brilliant recent progress?
Aston Villa's worrying lack of signings
The only Premier League sides who have currently spent less than Aston Villa (€7m) in this summer's transfer window are Crystal Palace (€2.3m) and Fulham (€0m). Between Asensio and Rashford, the pair contributed to 29.3% of Villa's goals scored last season from February onwards. They also provided a further seven assists between them in that period. With those two having left, and wingers Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey also subject to plenty of interest, Villa could be left very short both out wide and up front. Some reports have also suggested that Villa would be willing to cash in on 29-year-old striker Ollie Watkins to stay on the right side of the Premier League's financial rules. Star players Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martínez have also been linked with moves away.
The club did bring in winger/forward Donyell Malen last January from Borussia Dortmund, as well as youngster Samuel Iling-Junior from Juventus. However, Malen started just three matches last term, while Iling-Junior is yet to make an appearance for the club, having been sent out on loan last season. The club will need reinforcements. Aston Villa currently have 29 players registered in their first-team, but many of those are expected to move on, either on loan or on a permanent transfer. And they currently have just five registered forwards and wingers combined.
Aston Villa's Champions League-qualifying squad dismantled?
What Aston Villa achieved in the 2023/24 Premier League was nothing short of a miracle, and a real blow to the modern status quo of the English top-flight. Emery oversaw a remarkable revolution that saw the Midlands side break into the top four and seal qualification into the Champions League. When Emery had replaced Steven Gerrard as Villa boss, just 11 games into the 2022/23 season, the club were 17th in the table. Most younger Villa fans, who don't remember the glory years in the 1980's, will tell you it was their favourite season supporting their club. There was a real connection there between the supporters and the team for all to see.
If you had told those same fans that just a year or so on from that top-four finish season, Douglas Luiz, Moussa Diaby, Diego Carlos, and Jhon Durán would all no longer be at the club, and rumours would be circulating of Bailey, Watkins, Rogers and Digne following them out the exit door, there would certainly be some shock. As illustrated in the graphic above, you could make an entire XI, and a very decent one at that, of players who have already been sold by Villa since the start of last season combined with players heavily linked with a move away this summer. There is still plenty of time for Villa to turn their transfer window around, and there may need to be some departures to facilitate new arrivals. But a large chunk of the side that was so successful for Emery being dismantled naturally should be a cause for some concern.
