Aston Villa’s squad is set for the remainder of the season, but a question mark remains over one position in particular
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery(Image: PA)
A club’s aim in any transfer window is to come out of it in a stronger position than they started.
For Aston Villa, however, that’s a difficult question to answer given the terrible luck they have had with injuries.
Two of their best players – and key midfielders – Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are sidelined, while influential captain John McGinn is also out for the time being.
Tielemans is expected to be out for two months, McGinn for around six weeks, and Kamara won’t feature again this season.
In response, Villa have acted by bringing in Douglas Luiz on loan, with an option to buy for around £21 million. The Brazilian, who left for Juventus just 19 months ago, started against Brentford and largely impressed.
While he will be one of the few midfield options over the next couple of months, once Tielemans and McGinn return to fitness, manager Unai Emery will have no shortage of choices in that department.
Kamara, however, is not so easily replaced. Villa also need Amadou Onana to remain fit, but the Belgian was left on the bench against Brentford due to muscle fatigue.
Although Villa initially had no plans to bring Leon Bailey back from Roma, McGinn’s injury made the winger’s return more feasible – before Evann Guessand eventually moved on.
Donyell Malen departed early in the window, joining AS Roma on loan with an obligation to buy. Villa were happy to let the Dutchman leave, as he wanted more guaranteed minutes as a number nine – something Emery was not prepared to offer, given that Malen didn’t quite fit the Spaniard’s system.
Tammy Abraham, on the other hand, is more suited to Emery’s style. The manager had pursued him previously, attempting to bring him back to the club before finally securing his signing last month. Denied a goal on his second debut, Abraham nonetheless impressed on his return to Villa Park over the weekend.
As ever, the true success of Villa’s window will be revealed in the coming months. But considering the injuries the team has suffered, the business completed looks astute.
Alysson and Brian Madjo were also recruited with an eye on the future, which is important given Villa’s aging squad.
One position where Villa remain light, however, is right-back. An injury to Matty Cash – one of the club’s top performers this season – could leave Villa in trouble, as the only other out-and-out right-back in the squad is Andres Garcia. The Spaniard is currently sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury and has hardly featured for Villa this season anyway.
Lamare Bogarde can also fill in at right-back, but Villa’s options in midfield are already limited due to the absences of Kamara, Tielemans, and McGinn. Victor Lindelof is another possible solution, but he cannot operate in the role as effectively as Cash.
This summer, strengthening the right-back position must be a priority, offering more competition for Cash, who will turn 29 in August.
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