PL preview: Should Aston Villa fans be worried heading into 2025/26?
Aston Villa had a good season last year, but it’s been clouded by a confusingly shocking performance on the last day of the season against Man United, which saw them pretty emphatically beaten 2-0 (yes I’m aware Villa should’ve had a penalty, but that doesn’t change how bad they were). With that dismal loss, Villa ruled themselves out of UCL football in the upcoming season and will instead have to play in the Europa League which isn’t necessarily a problem considering their head coach is arguably the best and most accomplished Europa league manager of all time.
That could make you think that losing out on Champions League footy might be a good thing for the villains. They’ve gone from a competition which they likely were not going to win, to one they have every chance to and are one of the favourites for. But when you consider the financial implications and what it has meant for this summer and the consequent season, you might choose to reassess your verdict.
Earlier in the month, Villa made headlines for selling their women’s team to the same company that owns them - similar to what Chelsea did. This was no futile gesture, they needed to raise revenue in any way possible to comply with PSR. Missing out on the UCL as well as other things have meant that over the last 2 seasons, the midlands club posted pre-tax losses of over £200 million which has left them the least wiggle room in the transfer market out of all Premier League clubs.
Villa must sell to buy with Emiliano Martinez, Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins all being rumoured as potential outgoings. It’s an awful predicament to be in, and it may lead to the club having to sell their most prized possession in Morgan Rogers - which could leave a big hole in the squad as the 22 year old is the dream player for Emery’s system. But Villa have got themselves in this position and they have to act promptly and intelligently to make sure they’re in the best position to compete on all fronts next year - whether that means selling their best players or not.
That’s enough off-the-pitch blabber, let’s now talk about the football. Aston Villa are a good team with a great coach, everyone knows that. The way they play is distinctly different to any of the other 19 teams and it makes them a tough team to break down no matter who’s in the starting eleven. Their midfield core of Tielemans, Kamara, Onana and Mcginn is one of the strongest in England and it provides an excellent base to work around. Keeping Rogers is obviously of the upmost importance - he provides that X-factor and individuality that without him, Villa might struggle to source from the current squad. Any chance of success this season will depend on the attacking midfielder who will have a chip on his shoulder after losing out on the PFA Young Player of the year award.
Despite the grit and physicality they possess in midfield, defence may look to be a concern of Unai Emery’s. They conceded 50.8xG across the 24/25 season, which was the 10th most in the league. For a team looking to compete for top 4 - this obviously needs work. It may partially come down to the large amount of injuries at the back, as centre-backs Mings and Pau Torres often found themselves on the sideline - leading Emery to have to turn towards less favourable options in Bogarde and Matty Cash. With Emi Martinez looking more likely to leave with every passing day, Aston Villa must invest at the back and could do with a player in each position being signed. Is Konsa, Torres and Mings enough depth at the back when you have Europa League football to contend with? The signing of Turkish teenage centre-back Yasin Ozcan provides a promising look into the future, but is he ready to get consistent minutes now?
Speaking of youth, it must be remembered that Villa’s under 18 side were victorious in the FA Youth cup last season - beating a very good Man United team in the final. The lack of incomings in the senior team might force Emery’s hand into promoting some of the most talented players from that side. I’ve written plenty of times that youth players can often be the answer when a team is struggling for form and trusting in the academy might become pivotal in shaping Aston Villa’s season. And putting the state of the first team aside for a second, it wouldn’t make sense in general for some of the u18’s to get some more senior minutes given that the quality is evidently there - it seems like something too obvious to not do.
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At the most forward end of the pitch, you can argue that Villa still need to do business as well. Last season they created more big chances than Arsenal, Newcastle and Bournemouth but things have changed since then. Marco Asensio and Rashford were signed in January as key players for the Champions League push, but now neither of them have been turned into permanent signings. So Villa are two players down from last season with only one real striker on their books in Ollie Watkins. The only major addition so far has been Zepiqueno Redmond on a free transfer and so the forward line is in dire need of some heavy spending. Right now all I see is Watkins and Rogers, with potentially some output here and there from the midfield players. Is it enough right now to compete for top 4? Villa like to do their business late in the window, which is fine - but is one of their star players going to have to go in order for deals to start coming through? Highly likely.
I don’t doubt Emery’s credentials as a manager and I don’t doubt the talent in the albeit, relatively thin squad. Since March 11 2024, Villa have lost one Premier League game at home - the least in the league. They’ve turned Villa Park into a fortress and that will take them a decent way in the league on its own. But I feel like the story of the Villains’ season will depend mainly on the story of their transfer window.
The holes in their squad are obvious but are they financially capable of filling them? It would be a shame for a great project to fall at the hands of poor monetary decisions, but that’s the way it’s beginning to look unless something big happens soon.
