As we are fast approaching a new season, the Summer was always going to be about building on the success of ending a long 30 year wait by winning the Europa League beating Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul. However that team has been so quickly broken up.
Farewell
It all started in Mid July with the shock news that £35M clause was activated to take the scorer of the first goal in Europa League Final- Youri Tielemans – to Manchester United. Lucas Digne has also left having returned to PSG after four years with us. Loan players- Harvey Elliott, Douglas Luiz and Jadon Sancho have returned to their parent clubs.
World Cup Heroics
At the time of Tielemans’ departure there was a big World Cup Semi-Final going featuring England against Argentina. Having lost to them 2-1, again! It was some comfort to see that 4 of our players were involved with squads.
Since then- two has left and the other two could be going too. Starting with another Unai Emery signing Morgan Rogers, who scored the final goal of Europa League Final. A record £117M changed hands that saw him leave to go to Chelsea. In a separate deal, Alejandro Garnacho joins us from the Chelsea on loan.
Ezri Konsa, a Dean Smith signing from his old club Brentford in 2019, has set to join Champions Arsenal for £51M + add ons after successful 7 years with us.
Striker Ollie Watkins and the sole Argentinian from that night Emi Martinez have been linked with moves but are still Villa players, for now.
Fresher Faces
One of the star Goalkeepers from the World Cup Zion Suzuki (Japan) joins us from Parma for £30M. The 23 year old takes the number 1 shirt and should Martinez stay, this arguably provides us with our strongest pair of Goalkeepers since the 90s.
Also coming in is Italian Left Back Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid for £17M to replace Digne and to compete with Ian Maatsen. Aaron Wan-Bassaka has joined on loan from West Ham United for cover to Matty Cash on the right side of defence.
In Midfield, Joao Gomes gives us bite joining for £38M from Wolverhampton Wanderers to pair with the fit again Boubacar Kamara, plus to replace long term Injured Amadou Onana. Explosive pace has come from our beaten finalists Freiburg in the Swiss Star Johan Manzambi. We beat Newcastle United to get him for a club record £59.5M.
No new faces (for now) Up Front but there will be two young players to look out for. Brian Madjo, only 17 years old, came in for his competitive debut last week against PSG in Super Cup Final and impressed, getting a deserved goal in a 2-1 defeat.
Alysson, who was signed in January came on in the second half of that match and looked good. Would expect big things from him as well as his team mate George Hemmings in the midfield.
Unai
In Mr Unai Emery, we have a man who has experience in a much changed Premier League season (9 new Managers), an Elite Head Coach whose experience is second to none.
Yes there has been much change, but as I said privately to my Dad during the European campaign last season, this would be the group of players’ last chance to win a trophy, turning a good team into a great one.
They have done that. Now with the possibility of starting after the transfer window is shut (11pm Tuesday 1st September) with just four of May’s starting 11 left at the club, it’s time for the next episode. Hold on Villans, it’s going to be a heck of a ride.
In Unai We Trust
Up The Villa!