Performance and Areas for Improvement
The 2023-24 season was a historic one for Aston Villa as The Lions finished fourth in the Premier League. This helped the Birmingham side secure a spot in Europe’s biggest football competition, the UEFA Champions League which they haven’t been able to play in since the 1982-83 season.
Although the team started their campaign with an early 5-1 defeat to Newcastle and injuries to Emiliano Buendía and Tyrone Mings, they recovered well with an 8-match winning streak at Villa Park, including wins over Arsenal and Manchester City.
Standout performances came from Ollie Watkins who contributed 19 goals and 13 assists and other key players like Emiliano Martínez and Douglas Luiz. Villa also made a deep run in the Europa Conference League reaching the semi-finals and scoring a record 76 goals in the Premier League.
This achievement highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement within the squad. As Villa prepares for a challenging new season their summer transfer strategy is crucial to sustaining and building on this success.
Apart from flexibility and aerial ability Villa needs to seriously strengthen their team ahead of a season that will include at least 48 games. They must also diversify their style to prevent becoming monotonous throughout the season.
Transfer Strategy
Aston Villa’s transfer strategy is centered around enhancing squad depth and versatility to navigate a season filled with domestic and European competitions.
The club’s ambition is evident as they aim to strengthen their team not only for immediate success but also to ensure long-term stability.
The focus is on adding players who can provide flexibility in tactics and contribute to different aspects of the game, particularly in terms of height and aerial prowess which were identified as weaknesses last season.
Aston Villa’s summer transfer window is pivotal as they prepare for an intense season of Premier League and Champions League football. Strengthening the squad with versatile and high-quality players while maintaining financial discipline will be key to sustaining their recent success.
Squad Needs and Areas of Improvement
Defense
Villa’s defense showed resilience last season, but injuries to key players like Tyrone Mings exposed a need for reliable backups. The addition of versatile players such as Ian Maatsen can provide much-needed depth. Further strengthening the defense, especially with players proficient in aerial duels, is essential to improve set-piece defense and overall solidity at the back.
Midfield
The midfield is an area where Villa seeks both depth and creativity. The signings of Enzo Barrenechea and the potential addition of Ross Barkley are steps in the right direction. However, the departure of Douglas Luiz means Villa might need another defensive midfielder who can shield the defense and support attacking transitions. Players like Youssouf Fofana, known for their defensive and playmaking abilities, are on Villa’s radar.
Attack
Enhancing the attacking options is crucial for Villa. With Jhon Durán potentially leaving, the club needs a consistent goal-scorer to complement Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby. The pursuit of Álex Baena from Villarreal, an attacking midfielder known for his creativity and goal-scoring ability, aligns with this goal. Additionally, ensuring that wide players like Samuel Iling-Junior can provide width and crossing ability will be key to Villa’s attacking strategy.
Bench Depth
With a minimum of 48 games in the upcoming season, having a strong bench is vital. Injury returnees like Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendía will add depth, but Villa must continue to bolster their squad. The acquisition of players who can play multiple positions will help manage the intense schedule and maintain performance levels.
Potential Signings
| Player | Current Club | Estimated Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Ian Maatsen | Chelsea | €35m |
| Ross Barkley | Luton | €5m |
| Matías Soulé | Juventus | €25m |
| Weston McKennie | Juventus | €28m |
| Enzo Barrenechea | Juventus | €7.5m |
| Samuel Iling-Junior | Juventus | €13m |
| Conor Gallagher | Chelsea | €50m |
| Saud Abdulhamid | Al-Hilal | €4m |
Ian Maatsen
Aston Villa are close to signing Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for £35-40 million plus add-ons. The highly-rated Dutch left-back, who excelled on loan and helped his team reach the Champions League final, is set to replace Lucas Digne.
Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley is set to return to Villa Park for around £5 million after a strong season at Luton. Having previously played for Villa, Barkley will add depth and skill to the midfield.
Matias Soulé
Villa are negotiating with Juventus for a swap deal involving Douglas Luiz. They hope to acquire Matías Soulé, a creative winger who impressed on loan at Frosinone. The 21-year-old Argentine is highly valued by Juventus but could be a key addition for Villa.
Weston McKennie
Villa are interested in Juventus’s Weston McKennie, but the 25-year-old midfielder is reportedly reluctant to move to Villa Park. McKennie is a strong ball carrier and defensive presence, potentially replacing Luiz.
Enzo Barrenechea
Enzo Barrenechea, another Juventus midfielder, could join Villa as part of the Luiz swap deal. The 23-year-old Argentine, who impressed on loan at Frosinone, is open to a Premier League move and would bring strength and versatility to Villa’s midfield.
Samuel Iling-Junior
Samuel Iling-Junior, a versatile English winger from Juventus, is likely to be part of the Luiz swap deal. Despite limited opportunities in Turin, the 20-year-old’s potential makes him a valuable addition to Unai Emery’s squad.
Conor Gallagher
Villa are targeting Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. With only one year left on his contract, Gallagher could be sold to meet Chelsea’s financial needs. However, Gallagher, a key player for Chelsea, is reportedly unwilling to leave.
Saud Abdulhamid
Villa are eyeing Saud Abdulhamid, a Saudi Arabian right-back from Al-Hilal. With talks ongoing for Matty Cash’s potential sale to AC Milan, Abdulhamid’s pace and attacking contributions could provide great tactical flexibility for Villa.
Financial Capabilities
Aston Villa operates under the constraints of Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) but early deals to raise funds have eased some pressure. The club’s ambition combined with Champions League qualification allows for a more aggressive approach in the transfer market. Departures of players like Douglas Luiz and potential sales of Jhon Durán and Matty Cash have provided financial flexibility.
The club is well-positioned to spend, focusing on acquiring both quality starters and reliable backups to handle the demands of the upcoming season. The financial discipline shown in previous windows ensures that Villa can make necessary signings without jeopardizing long-term stability.