Aston Villa have reportedly identified three areas of Unai Emery’s squad that will potentially be strengthened in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Despite being ravaged by injuries in the latter stages of this past season, Villa secured fourth place in the Premier League and will participate in the Champions League in the 2024/25 campaign.
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Emery also saw his side advance to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, and although that run ultimately ended in disappointment, it’s hoped that we’ll learn a lot from that experience and take it into future European campaigns as we look to continue to evolve and progress.
An important factor in our ability to do that though is to continue to strengthen the squad where possible with reinforcements, and according to The Telegraph, Villa are looking to sign a midfielder, a forward and a full-back in the upcoming window.
Those same three positions are noted by the Guardian as where we might add new signings this summer too, and while there is an element of it simply making sense based on what we’ve seen this past season, it does seem like a realistic strategy too.
While Ollie Watkins will no doubt continue to lead the line for us next year after a superb individual season this past campaign, Jhon Duran and a returning Cameron Archer are currently set to be his competition and cover.
Time will tell firstly if that pair stay at Villa, as particularly if they were to move on, we’d have to look to add quality depth in that position to ensure we can compete on multiple fronts by rotating and keeping everyone fresh.
As for the midfield, the injury to Boubacar Kamara was a huge blow in February, and with injuries and suspensions elsewhere, that midfield pivot became a real headache for Emery given his lack of options and tactical flexibility.
In turn, a move for a central midfielder would make sense, with the Guardian report above suggesting that we’re one of the clubs keen on Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
With regards to the full-back roles, January signing Kosta Nedeljkovic will arrive at the end of the season after being loaned back to Red Star Belgrade, but at 18 years of age, it remains to be seen if Villa feel he is now ready for the jump up to the Premier League.
If not, signing another full-back would make sense to add competition for Matty Cash, and similarly to the assessment of our options up front, it remains to be seen if both Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno stay, as that would suggest that we don’t need a third left-back.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph report also adds that neither Clement Lenglet nor Nicolo Zaniolo are expected to join on a permanent basis as their loan spells will run down, and so that would strengthen the need to sign new players further to flesh out the squad with more quality.
With Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia expected back from injury this summer, coupled with possible new arrivals and the limited impact that the pair made this past season, that seems to be the most logical outcome too.
It promises to be a fascinating summer for Villa given what’s to come next season and what’s happening off the pitch with new commercial deals being announced. Based on what we’ve seen so far from Emery and the recruitment staff though, there’s total confidence in their ability to ensure that we have a stronger group by the end of the transfer window.