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From Ollie Watkins to Morgan Sanson, deciding whether to keep or sell every Aston Villa player this summer.
Villa have had a phenomenal campaign to date. Unai Emery looks set to guide Aston Villa to the Champions League and lift their first major trophy this century. This is despite the 2023/24 campaign being the Spaniard’s first full season in Birmingham.
The manager has improved many of Villa’s first-team drastically. Ezri Konsa is now a seasoned England international, while Ollie Watkins is one of the most in-form players in the world.
However, this summer could prove to be a tricky test at Villa Park. Despite the success, Villa could be held back by FFP after the club suffered some massive losses.
Therefore, ahead of the summer where some tough decisions may have to be made, this article looks at every single Aston Villa player and examines whether they should stay or depart.
An easy one to start off with. Aston Villa would be mad to ever consider selling Emi Martinez. The goalkeeper is easily one of the best between the sticks in the world and he has proved that throughout the campaign.
His heroic performance against Lille prevented Villa from crashing out of the Europa Conference League which could well help lead them to a major trophy by the end of the season.
The Australian only signed for Villa in January but is yet to make an appearance for the club. It is impossible to judge Joe Gauci at this stage, but he needs at least another season to prove himself.
Robin Olsen has proved himself to be a reliable deputy to Martinez throughout his last two years in the second city. With the Argentine always going to be the number one, Olsen is the perfect backup for Emery’s side.
The first departure on this list, Matty Cash is just not up to standard. In recent weeks, the full-back has struggled. One such performance happened in his last game when Cash gave away a silly penalty to give Bournemouth the lead.
If Villa are serious about progressing further, they must leave players like Cash behind.
The Brazilian has returned from his long-term injury in style. His first year at Villa Park was ended after three appearances thanks to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
However, since making his comeback this season, the defender has continued to be a reliable presence at the back. Diego Carlos’ performance against Arsenal was a joy to behold as he kept out some of the best attackers in the world with ease.
Another easy decision. Pau Torres has been arguably Villa’s most vital player this campaign. Whenever the Spaniard has been injured, Emery’s backline becomes sloppy and concedes too many easy goals.
Pau Torres oozes class every time he enters the pitch and will play a major role in Villa’s continued rise up the table.
While the full-back has struggled for consistent form, there is no doubt a player in Alex Moreno. The Spaniard has fallen out of favour in the starting XI in recent weeks until he picked up a minor injury.
However, there is no reason why Moreno cannot cover for Lucas Digne next season as the backup.
Since coming in on loan from Barcelona, Clement Lenglet has not impressed in his spell at Villa Park. The Frenchman has struggled for consistent performances which has seen Emery’s side constantly ship goals.
While there is no option to buy in the defender’s deal, Villa should not seek out any form of return for the Frenchman next season.
Ezri Konsa has been on fine form for Villa this season. His defensive capabilities have been on full show throughout the campaign and, as a result, he was rewarded with his first two England caps in 2024.
With the 26-year-old possessing the ability to play either centre-back or right-back, Villa have a highly valuable player at their disposal.
Perhaps a controversial choice on this list, it is time for Villa to depart with Tyrone Mings. The centre-back has been out of action since the opening game when he was forced off injured against Newcastle.
This has presented the perfect opportunity for Konsa, Torres and Diego Carlos to all cement a permanent spot in the starting XI which they have taken with open arms. Upon Mings’ return, the question remains of who he will replace in the line-up.
Torres has been Villa’s go-to defender this campaign while Diego Carlos and Konsa have had some incredible games recently under Emery.
Mings is now 31 years old and is an England international. Villa needs to cash in on someone this summer if they want to spend big on further improving the side. The upcoming window may be their last chance to get a five-figure fee for the defender as his value will only go down while he isn’t playing.
Lucas Digne has been a solid presence in Villa’s backline this campaign. After forcing his way back into the line-up, the Frenchman has not looked back.
While an upgrade may be due in the coming seasons, the left-back rightly holds onto the spot for now.
Calum Chambers is just never going to cut it at Villa Park. The former England international was offered a way out of the club in January but opted to stay and prove himself.
Unfortunately, in the few games he has played, he has not shown any signs of being up to standard.
Another player who will likely never be around the Villa matchday squad again. Kortney Hause has been a forgotten man for the Birmingham side. The defender has been riddled with injuries which caused multiple issues in his loan spell at Watford last season.
Hause is simply a player who will never play in the Claret and Blue team again so needs to depart.
The youngster has enjoyed a few successful spells out on loan in the Championship before returning to Villa in January.
Kesler-Hayden could prove to be a useful backup option next season, especially with the potential extra games in Europe.
An obvious keep. McGinn has been the captain of Villa for a few seasons now and has only overseen further progression at the side. The midfielder has become a modern legend at the club after overseeing their promotion back to the Premier League.
The Scotsman could well be lifting the Europa Conference League at the end of the season, a trophy he deserves.
While keeping Douglas Luiz at Villa may seem obvious, it is a tighter decision than it appears. The departure of the Brazilian will no doubt command a hefty fee and if anything over £80 million came in you can argue that he should be sold.
In saying that, Villa should not actively look to sell their star man. Douglas Luiz has been a vital player at the club not just this season but many before it.
Youri Tielemans has really stepped up in recent weeks. After originally struggling for form, the Belgium international has sprung to life at the business end of the season. If he can keep these performances up, there is no doubt that he will be a vital player for the club.
Philippe Coutinho has needed to depart Villa for some time. Even in Steven Gerrard’s tenure, the Brazilian never met the standard expected.
Now at 31 years old, the midfielder is on loan at Al-Duhail. With only a short time left on Coutinho’s contract, Villa must cash in on him in the summer or risk losing him for nothing.
Unfortunately for Emiliano Buendia, he has been unable to play any part in the current campaign due to a long-term injury. Aston Villa’s former record signing could have shone under Emery but has had little time to work with the Spaniard.
Upon his return to fitness in the summer, Bunedia deserves a chance to try and make a pushback into the starting XI.
Joining on loan from Turkish side Galatasaray, Nicolo Zaniolo has done little to impressive in his loan spell. Aston Villa simply have better options than the Italian international as he has struggled to cement a consistent spot in the starting XI.
Despite Emery having the option to buy the 24-year-old for £17 million, Villa should decline and look at other options.
Coming through the Villa academy, Jacob Ramsey still possesses plenty of talent. The midfielder is still only 22 years old despite being in and around the first team for years.
Ramsey could easily become Villa’s best player in the coming seasons if continues his trajectory.
The Belgium has simply fallen out of favour in Emery’s side. After being used as a squad player in the first half of the campaign, the former Wolves midfielder was sent out on loan to Napoli with the option to buy.
However, in Italy, he has not impressed with Napoli set not to buy the midfielder at the end of his loan. Dendoncker still has the quality to make it in the Premier League and a smart sale could see some money come in.
Boubacar Kamara is one of many Villa players who have been hit by a terrible injury this campaign. The midfielder’s season ended early back in February after an ACL injury forced him off against Man United.
Before this, Kamara impressed and will no doubt be a vital player once more when he returns.
Tim Ireoegbunam has flirted with the first team throughout the season and has now made over 10 appearances for the club.
However, the 20-year-old clearly needs a run of games. After a successful loan spell at QPR last year, a move to a top Championship or lower Premier League side would be ideal.
Another forgotten Villa man. Many fans would be forgiven if they forgot Morgan Sanson was still on their books. The Frenchman has not played in Claret and Blue since January 2023.
This season, the midfielder was sent on loan to Nice in order to get game time. With no way back for Sanson, Villa must cash in on the midfielder.
Arguably the most obvious ‘keep’ on this list. Ollie Watkins has been nothing sort of sensational for Villa throughout the campaign. The striker has the most goal contributions in the Premier League which has resulted in shouts for Watkins to win the Premier League Player of the Season Award.
Villa must simply keep hold of Watkins no matter what and reject any bids that are put to the table.
Villa’s record signing has finally hit the standard expected of him. The winger had a difficult time adapting to the Premier League at the start of the campaign but has now really started to shine.
Jhon Duran has proved to be a superb option off the bench throughout the season. The young striker always carries a threat and never looks out of place. Big things could happen for Duran next season if he continues at this speed of development.
Morgan Rogers looks like a fantastic January buy. Joining from Middlesbrough, the attacker has only got better as each game passes. Against Bournemouth, Rogers was arguably the best player on the pitch as he dominated the Cherries before getting a goal. Rogers is another one to watch next season.
From a flop to a star player, Emery has worked wonders with Leon Bailey. In his last three appearances, the winger changed the game. This was most evident against Lille with his mentality being likened to that of ‘captain quality’. As a result, Bailey must remain at the club.
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