Ross McCormack, Jonathan Kodija and James Chester were just three of the new recruits at Villa Park; did the Villans do good business?
Aston Villa have been splashing the cash this summer as they look to make a Championship promotion push.
Here is how Roberto Di Matteo has conducted his business for the Villans this summer.
Ins
Tommy Elphick (£3m from Bournemouth)
Perluigi Gollini (£4.1m from Hellas Verona)
Aaron Tshibola (£5m from Reading)
Ross McCormack (£12m from Fulham)
James Chester (£8m from West Brom)
Mile Jedinak (£4m from Crystal Palace)
Ritchie De Laet (£2m from Leicester City)
Jonathan Kodjia (£11m from Bristol City)
Albert Adomah (undisclosed from Middlesbrough)
Total spending: ~ £50m
Villa’s £50m spending spree includes several highly-regarded Championship players such as Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodija.
The £12m initial fee for 30-year-old McCormack may be considered slightly high given his age but if his goals manage to get them out of the division then it will be considered a good piece of business.
The Scottish forward has scored 66 goals in his previous three seasons in the second tier – more than any other player over the same period.
McCormack becomes part of a Villa side who scored just 27 league goals last season and alongside the likes of Rudy Gestede, Jordan Ayew and another new recruit in Kodija, considerably more goals are to be expected.
Di Matteo has also strengthened at the back with defenders James Chester and Tommy Elphick joining from West Brom and Bournemouth respectively, with the latter being named the new club captain.
Young goalkeeper Perluigi Gollini replaced the outgoing Brad Guzan but hasn’t exactly hit the ground running at his new club after making errors against Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and most recently Bristol City.
Mile Jedinak and Ritchie De Laet have experience of getting out of the Championship and have made the step down from the Premier League to join a Villa side who a shaping up to be a strong one as they aim to get their season up and running.
Outs
Jose Angel Crespo (undisclosed to PAOK)
Brad Guzan (free to Middlesbrough)
Idrissa Gueye (£7.1m to Everton)
Ciaran Clark (£5m to Newcastle United)
Scott Sinclair (£3.5m to Celtic)
Adama Traore (undisclosed to Middlesbrough)
Joe Bennett (free to Cardiff City)
Jores Okore (undisclosed to FC Copenhagen)
Joleon Lescott (free to AEK Athens)
Carles Gil (loan to Deportivo La Coruna)
Carlos Sanches (loan to Fiorentina)
Jordan Veretout (loan to Saint-Etienne)
Kieran Richardson (released)
Charles N’Zogbia (released)
Total incoming: over £17m
Net spend: ~ £30m
It seems Villa have been quick to get rid of a large chunk of the players that contributed to their dismal campaign last term.
Defender Joleon Lescott had created an irreparable relationship with the fans and many will be glad to see the back of him.
Idrissa Gueye and Scott Sinclair could have arguably been valuable assets in the fight for promotion but unfortunately they were quickly out of the door.
Replacements have been found, though some fans would have surely liked to see the pair stay at Villa Park.
Hot prospect Adama Traore didn’t get the chance to make an impact at Villa Park and has now been moved on to Middlesbrough with Albert Adomah heading in the other direction.
Outcast Danish defender Jores Okore returned to his home country after a difficult spell in Birmingham, whilst another defender who left was Ciaran Clark, sold to promotion rivals Newcastle United for £5m in what proved to be a divisive transfer amongst Villa fans.
Many would have expected Micah Richards to leave the club but the former England international failed to earn a move back to the Premier League and looks set to for a spell in the Championship.
Verdict
With, along with fellow relegated side Newcastle, the highest net spend of any Championship club, Villa haven’t lacked ambition this summer as new owner Dr. Tony Xia has not been scared to bring in several big-money signings.
Unfortunately, their new recruits are still taking some time to gel as Villa have had to endure a stuttering start to the season with just one win in five.
However, they still have an abundance of proven Championship talent now in the squad and you’d expect them to start clicking sooner rather than later.
Plenty of players leaving isn’t necessarily a bad thing either as it will give the Villans a chance to rebuild in what they hope will be a short stay in the Championship.
A fearless transfer window from the West Midlands club could prove to be a successful one, though they will be relying on some players finding their form quickly.
Grade: B
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