In 2019, Aston Villa spent £143 million pulling together a squad capable of retaining Premier League status after an earlier-than-planned promotion.
In total, 16 players arrived in the summer of ‘19 with varying costs, potential and roles to play. Many of those recruited were short-term solutions to long-term issues.
Fast forward 30 months, Aston Villa are again in transition. Steven Gerrard, who replaces Dean Smith as Head Coach, has begun implementing a new philosophy and style of play, and with that, a greater workload and effort with positional roles becoming more expansive.
In the early fixtures under Gerrard, it is clear to see the areas where a higher calibre of player is required for us to venture further up the league standings.
So, with the winter transfer window open and a potential squad rebuild in the summer, have the signing’s of 2019 now run their natural course?
I give my opinion on those we should keep or cash in.
Emotional attachment requiring severance?
Douglas Luiz
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A fanbase splitter!
With no news of talks over a new contract, I feel as Luiz approaches 100 games for Villa we’re at a crossroads – do we stick or twist?
Technically a very tidy footballer, Luiz remains unable to fill the number six role that Aston Villa require so desperately. I’ve always considered him as an eight, so you have to respect the sacrifice he’s made to take that role on.
Is he the number eight Aston Villa require? Maybe. He has performed well in that role this season under Steven Gerrard, but the problem with him in the eight role is that he does not score goals. It’s almost two years since his goal against Watford, and his amount of assists don’t entirely make up for the lack of goals. He also isn’t really a player that drives at defences, so what does he do?
What he does do well goes unnoticed. He rarely loses possession of the ball and is a calm and committed body in midfield. If Villa are to evolve into a more possession-based outfit, then one man you’d like to see sitting in the middle of the park ticking things over is Luiz.
No doubt Gerrard will assess Luiz over the coming months, but if contract negotiations aren’t open by the early summer, I could see Luiz moving on instead of us losing him on a free. Rumours of a move have always lingered since the early days of his buy-back clause, and recent rumours of AS Roma and Arsenal interest have put his time at Villa into question. Whatever happens, even with 12 months left on his contract, you’d imagine Villa would make a profit on the £15 million we paid Manchester City for him.
Keep.
Anwar El Ghazi
Signed from LOSC Lille for £8.1 million after a successful loan spell, El Ghazi played a key role in the ten-game winning streak and play-offs that sent Villa back to the top division. He is also responsible for sending Wembley into a sea of limbs when he opened the scoring in our 2-1 Play-Off Final win over Derby County.
El Ghazi’s first season in the Premier League started on a high, raising the roof at Villa Park in a memorable atmospheric encounter with Everton, sealing victory in a 2-0 win. By the time December came, El Ghazi had accumulated 3 goals and 4 assists, but in a fashion that would be repeated throughout his Villa career El Ghazi’s form dropped off alarmingly – a solitary penalty in a 1-6 home defeat to Man City was his final G/A contribution, leading to a suggestion by then-manager Dean Smith that certain players in his squad were training ground players.
On paper, El Ghazi had a terrific second season, 10 goals in 28 league appearances! The problem is, the goals come in purple patches – 5 in 5 during the month of December, then 4 goals in the final 7 games; most telling is the 0 assists for the season.
El Ghazi can hit scintillating form one minute, then be deprived of any sort of confidence the next. He has delivered some special moments in a Villa shirt, been part of a historic ten-game winning team, played his role in re-establishing Aston Villa in the Premier League. However, I feel now is the time for both player and club to part ways. £8.1 million well spent.
Sell.
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The jury is out?
Matt Targett
Signed from Southampton for £13.95 million, Matt Targett has also endured an up and down roller-coaster of form. Weak and starved of confidence in his first season, he found the form of his life the following season (in front of no fans!) Much to fan frustration, Targett has hit a troubled patch of form again this season.
It’s clear from Gerrard’s positional set-up that he is aiming for more of an expansive wing-back role, rather than the classic full-back; something that I don’t believe Targett is capable of.
However, he is a decent full-back in a flat back four and would be worth keeping in and around the squad.
Keep – Squad Player.
Marlevous Nakamba
It seems strange to categorise Nakamba within this section given his superb form but, like most of the 2019 signings, he has suffered huge dips in confidence and form.
It is highly likely that Villa will make a move for a central defensive midfielder, a number 6, in this transfer window or the next. I feel that Nakamba is very much a confidence player, and Gerrard has pumped him up since his arrival. If a defensive midfielder signing happens, particularly in light of his unfortunate injury, I feel Nakamba may return into his shell.
He is definitely worth keeping around the squad, but if someone was to offer around the £15 million mark, I think I’d be tempted to sell given the talent in the youth setup also pushing through.
Again, for £10 million, he’s been a decent signing.
Keep – Squad Player.
Authors Social Media
The game has moved on!
Trezeguet
Similar to El Ghazi, “Back Post Trez” will be fondly remembered for moments in the Claret and Blue jersey. His ‘project restart’ goals against Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the final four games of the 19/20 season kept us up, and his goal against Leicester City to send us to the Carabao Cup Final was one of the standout moments of the last few years.
Sadly, these have just been moments – moments that weren’t replicated on a consistent basis.
A hard-working professional, Trezeguet lacks the quality required for the direction Villa are heading in. Again, we’ve had our 9 million pounds worth.
Sell.
Kortney Hause
Signed for just £3.06 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hause has proven to be a valuable squad player, reliable in our hours of need. However, having failed to break the partnership of Konsa x Mings, and new recruits likely in summer, I now feel Hause’s time at the club is coming to a conclusion.
Thank you for Old Trafford! Our Hause!
Sell.
Wesley
Our young Brazilian suffered a brutal cruciate ligament rupture injury on a goal scoring 2020 New Year’s Day victory away at Burnley. Unfortunately, that would be his last real game in a Villa shirt, just as he had shown glimpses of promise.
Wes battled back bravely to appear for Villa a further 4 times, albeit only accumulating 19 minutes worth of action from the bench. A return to Club Brugge offered a potential rebuild of fitness and confidence, but unfortunately it has since failed to materialise, only clocking up 69 minutes of Jupiler League action. His next destination appears to be a return to Brazil, as we are yet to see whether he will ever recover.
Unfortuanely, it’s £22.5 million we have to write-off.
Sell/Release.
Not For Debate!
Tyrone Mings
Club Captain!
Signed for £22.07 million from Bournemouth.
Ezri Konsa
Future international, for England or Portugal – who knows, eh Gareth!
Signed for £11.97 million from Brentford.
The Already Departed
Jota Peleterio – Alaves – Free Transfer
Ally Samatta – Fenerbahce – £5.4 million
Bjorn Engels – Royal Antwerp – £3.1 million
Tom Heaton – Manchester United – Free Transfer
Expired short term contracts and loans
Pepe Reina, Borja Baston, Danny Drinkwater
Verdict
On reflection, it’s been £143 million spent well. How much Villa will be able recoup from that spend is another story (currently at £8.5 million) but the bigger picture, whether it’s been a spell of form, a moment, or just being a good team mate, all have contributed to Aston Villa’s stabilisation within the Premier League.
Now, it’s time to go again! UTV!
Thanks for reading, Ryan.
**Transfer fees recorded from .transfermarkt.co.uk
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