While the expectation remains that Aston Villa will do further transfer business this summer, it appears as though we’ve hit a lull in our activity.
Unai Emery has already brought in key reinforcements to improve his squad and to fill voids left behind by those who have departed, and although it will split opinion, it could be argued that we’re a stronger, more well-rounded group now than the one that we started with this summer.
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That said, there are still gaps to be filled in order for us to go into this new campaign feeling fully confident that we have the necessary tools to build on last season, but it may now be a case of offloading players first before we can bring in any priority targets that Emery, Monchi and the Villa recruitment team have in mind.
In that regard, there appears to be two clear candidates who could move on still, with both Diego Carlos and Jhon Duran seemingly souring relations with Villa supporters through their social media activity in recent weeks.
From Duran’s gesture on Instagram amid speculation linking him with a move to West Ham Utd and publicly stating his hope that interest shown in him this summer becomes concrete, to representatives of Carlos said to be communicating that he desires a return to Sevilla in conjunction with some of his social media decisions, it’s led to a scenario where it might be in everyone’s best interests if they departed.
What is clear from our perspective though, is that if they do indeed find solutions and move on this summer, Villa would undoubtedly have to act to replace them, and so it’s hoped that we have identified top targets to address those issues already, as we can’t be left short in those key departments in defence and up front.
It could be argued that we need additions regardless of whether or not Duran and Carlos leave, as there is still a concern that we don’t have sufficient quality and depth behind Ollie Watkins in attack, while we have four senior centre-halves in the squad, one of which is Tyrone Mings, who is yet to return to action after his serious knee injury.
Emery insisted this past week that he feels as though he has enough in that area, but the Villa boss has also previously hinted that if players are shifted, we could then look to upgrade and raise the level of the squad further with new signings.
It’s arguably fair to suggest that we could do better than Carlos and Duran, particularly in terms of having alternative options who are perhaps more suited and a better fit for Emery’s tactical structure and style of play.
Duran was limited to a bit-part role last season because of his struggles to be a consistently positive presence up top outside of his big goals and moments, and when his off-the-pitch antics are added to the mix, there must be a real consideration over a reshuffle that involves him moving on.
Further, with the addition of Kosta Nedeljkovic this summer as well as Kaine Kesler-Hayden still being in the squad to compete with Matty Cash, that should ensure that Ezri Konsa doesn’t have to shift across to right-back this season, and so he’ll primarily be used in his more natural and effective role as the right-sided centre-half, thus restricting the involvement of Carlos further.
Coupled with his injury history, likely high wages and age, this could be the right time for Emery to make a key change in that department, although in his defence, the Brazilian ace has been a key presence for us at times and had some stand-out performances last season to suggest that he can continue to a play a vital role for us.
However, along with Duran potentially leaving, that could put Villa in a very strong position financially to make a real splash in the market again this summer and bring in a marquee signing or two to add the finishing touches to this squad, and so with all the above in mind, it’s hoped we’re in that position sooner rather than later.