Aston Villa are set for a busy summer transfer window with several incomings and departures expected as Unai Emery continues to build a squad capable of competing towards the top of the Premier League, for domestic cup titles and potentially in Europe too.
With two games remaining of the season, Villa face their best opportunity to qualify for European football since 2010 ahead of a trip to Liverpool and a home clash with Brighton on the final day. They just have to better Tottenham’s points tally over the final matches to secure a top seven finish and Europa Conference League football.
Spurs host Brentford on Saturday, before Villa kick-off at Anfield. They then go to Elland Road to face relegation-threatened Leeds United on the final weekend of the campaign. If Villa qualify for Europe, Emery could be persuaded to add more players to his squad, but the club’s strategy won’t be wholly affected by whether qualification for Europe is won or not this month.
Back in January, Emery started to tune his squad as Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran joined the club, while several players left on permanent or loan deals. Frederic Guilbert left for good to join Strasbourg, while compatriot Morgan Sanson joined him in Alsace on a loan move.
Cameron Archer and Marvelous Nakamba departed on loan moves to Championship clubs Middlesbrough and Luton Town respectively, while Danny Ings was allowed to join West Ham for £15 million. Jan Bednarek and Ludwig Augustinsson – who both joined the club on loan last summer – saw their deals cut short in January.
Ahead of the summer window, Emery has been working alongside the club’s transfer committee to finalise plans for when the season ends. The Villa head coach will move for some ambitious targets, including a top forward, while he also wants to add more depth to midfield positions.
With several incomings expected, Emery will allow players on the fringes to leave. Some senior members are currently out on loan and expected to seal permanent exits, including midfielder Nakamba, who will be allowed to depart after four years at the club.
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