Aston Villa have never been short of ambition or spending power in the Wes Edens – Nayef Sawiris era.
But the challenge this summer was to prove that they could invest from a position of strength, build on Champions League qualification, and turn a very good squad into a great one.
The loss of Douglas Luiz will, obviously, hit Aston Villa hard.
Arguably the most complete all-rounder in Unai Emery’s squad, Douglas Luiz arguably had his best – and most prolific with 10 goals – season at Villa Park during the 2023/24 campaign.
But, regardless of Luiz’s exit, is Aston Villa’s midfield stronger now than it was before the Brazilian’s switch to Juventus?
Much will depend on whether Enzo Barrenechea – a ‘beautiful player to watch’ but unproven – can adapt to life in England.
Amadou Onana, in contrast, is far more of a sure thing. The £50 million fee they paid to bring the towering Belgian in from Everton felt a little on the expensive side, but Emery could hardly be more complimentary with what he has seen from Onana during an impressive pre-season.
Ian Maatsen, the £38 million addition from Chelsea, has the makings of a coup, too.
Aston Villa bring in Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen
A Champions League finalist with Borussia Dortmund as recently as May, Maatsen brings searing pace, massive potential and fearsome thrust to the left-hand side with fellow lefties Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno both on the wrong side of 30.
For Ian Wright, speaking on The Overlap, the additions of Onana and Maatsen stand out for an Aston Villa side he is backing to retain their place in the Champions League spots.
“We can’t not have Villa in the top four,” Wright argues, while highlighting the importance of striker Ollie Watkins and the ever-improving Ezri Konsa. “Not the way he (Emery) is moving and the signings that he has made.
“You can’t not have Villa!
“They have made a couple of really good signings. They have got a goalscorer. Good midfielders. Onana has gone there. Maatsen at left-back. Ezri Konsa at the back.
“Their whole spine is brilliant.”
Aston Villa begin their Premier League campaign away at West Ham United on Saturday, with Julen Lopetegui’s side another who have, as they say, ‘won the window’.
Unai Emery hoping for Champions League success
In addition to Onana and Maaatsen, meanwhile, the Midland giants have also snapped up England Under 21 international Samuel Iling-Junior while bringing Ross Barkley and Jaden Philogene back after fine seasons at Luton Town and Hull City respectively.
Cameron Archer is also back after Sheffield United’s relegation. But, despite a few very well-taken strikes in pre-season, HITC understands that talks are now underway for Archer to join Southampton on loan.
Four-time Europa League winner Emery, meanwhile, is keen to ensure Aston Villa strike a successful balance between domestic and continental action while going deep into the Champions League.
A handful of additions to strengthen the squad should allow Emery the chance to rotate and keep his key players fresh.
“I got the semi finals with Villarreal three years ago,” the former Sevilla, PSG and Arsenal boss tells talkSPORT. “That was fantastic, we enjoyed that. Now I want to do the same here.
“My objective at the beginning is to play more than eight matches. We will enjoy the Champions League by being competitive and successful.
“The draw is not relevant because we are going to face the best teams in Europe, in Spain, in Italy, in Germany, in France. Some teams I’ve played before and I want to enjoy it.”
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