While much of the focus is on Aston Villa’s signings this summer, Unai Emery also has big decisions to make on those currently at his disposal.
Both Cameron Archer and Tim Iroegbunam enjoyed productive loan spells at Middlesbrough and QPR respectively last season, and their futures become a pressing matter already as Villa’s transfer activity will be a key indication as to what Emery’s plan for them is moving forward.
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Archer, 21, impressed again in his latest temporary stint away from Villa with 11 goals and six assists in 23 appearances on Teesside, while Iroegbunam featured 32 times in the Championship last season and would have gained invaluable experience and developed his game as a result.
Both will return to Villa this summer hoping that stage of their careers has now set them up for a genuine opportunity at senior level under Emery, but naturally, competition for places will remain fierce.
Archer will return looking to compete with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, while Iroegbunam faces the tougher test with John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey solidifying their places as our preferred four-man midfield, while the signing of Youri Tielemans on a free transfer likely pushes him further down the pecking order.
With the futures of Leander Dendoncker, Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, Philippe Coutinho, Bertrand Traore and perhaps even Leon Bailey up for consideration this summer, exits are expected. That in turn could trim the squad and open up a pathway for Iroegbunam and Archer to feature more heavily as we look to compete on multiple fronts next season, but that doesn’t account for further signings this summer.
As exciting as new additions are, particularly if they are elite-level individuals, Villa should continue to bring through our most talented youngsters and give them a chance, and especially as we hope to play in excess of 50 games across all competitions next season, there will be a clear demand for strength in depth.
Emery’s plans to improve the squad and mould it into his own are very much underway already, and so that planning will either cater for the inclusion of Archer and Iroegbunam, or it will be with the expectation that they either move out on loan again or on a permanent basis. The same will apply for a few more as it’s hoped the likes of Kaine Kesler Hayden, Tommi O’Reilly and Aaron Ramsey can all make a breakthrough too.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see who else arrives this summer and who departs, as not only will that hopefully leave us in a stronger position heading into the new campaign to compete at a higher level, but it will also provide a clearer picture as to whether our academy products will be given a shot at playing key roles next season or if their more immediate development still lies elsewhere.
