With the hours quickly ticking down to the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season, fans up and down the country, and across the world, are pondering what the next nine-and-a-half months may have in store for their clubs.
While football is beloved for its unpredictability, there is ample information to preview the upcoming season. VAVEL provides comprehensive coverage of Aston Villa, including a review of last season's progress, details on the club's transfer activities, and an outlook on their prospects for the campaign ahead.
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How did they do last season?
Written by Sam Hargrave
Reflecting on Aston Villa's 2023/24 season, it's hard to find a negative thought. The club secured Champions League football for the first time in its history and reached a European semi-final. While some might be disappointed that Villa didn't win the competition, fans should be proud of what Unai Emery’s squad achieved.
The season began with a 5-1 defeat away to Newcastle United, but Villa quickly turned their fortunes around, winning seven of their next nine league games. This impressive run included a 6-1 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and a 4-1 triumph over West Ham United, with Villa Park roaring.
In December, Villa faced Manchester City and Arsenal at home within four days, winning both matches 1-0 and closing in on the top spot. The team's European journey continued as they advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League, defeating Ajax 4-0 at Villa Park after a goalless first leg.
The quarter-finals pitted Villa against Lille, where each side won 2-1 at home, leading to a penalty shootout. Emiliano Martinez emerged as the hero, saving penalties from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin André. Just four days earlier, Villa secured a dramatic win at Emery's former club, Arsenal, with late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
Villa's European campaign ended in the semi-finals with a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Olympiakos, but the team exited with their heads held high. A brace from Jhon Duran against Liverpool in the final home game secured Villa’s Champions League spot for the 2024/25 season.
The season concluded with a celebratory atmosphere, despite a 5-0 loss at Selhurst Park. It was a season full of special moments, and fans can look forward to many more in 2024/25.
Written by Alex Waters
There has been a lot of movement both in and out of Villa Park this summer, from stars leaving to the next generation of talent coming through. On the whole, Villa have spent around £150 million, which is around £55 million more than they did last summer. On the other hand, from outgoings, they have recouped £108 million in sales, a whopping £80 million more than last summer's £28 million.
The main loss for Villa was the sale of Douglas Luiz, who got 10 goals and 10 assists last term. The Villans did, however, manage to get £44 million for the Brazilian, along with Samuel Illing-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea, in a players-plus-cash deal with Juventus.
Another player leaving Villa Park is Moussa Diaby. Having signed just last summer for £47 million, the club decided to sell the winger to Al-Ittihad for £51 million, after he registered 10 goals and 9 assists last season.
On a more positive note, Unai Emery’s side welcomed the signings of central midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton for a fee of £50 million, and left-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for a fee of £37 million, after he spent last season on loan at Dortmund.
Ross Barkley was also picked up by Emery for just £5 million after impressing last season for Luton, who were ultimately relegated to the Championship.
Cameron Archer also returned from a loan spell at Sheffield United after they were similarly relegated last season. Villa also swooped in for Jaden Philogene of Hull City in a deal worth £14 million after they activated matching rights.
Finally, Villa have brought Lewis Dobbin of Everton to Villa Park for around £9 million, while sending Tim Iroegbunam the other way for £8.5 million. Morgan Sanson left for Nice, while Coutinho was sent out on loan. Callum Chambers also left the club on a free transfer to Cardiff City.
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Strongest XI
Written by Levi Bass
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans, Onana, Rogers; Bailey, Watkins
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Unai Emery
Written by Ryan Osulliva
It will soon be nearly two years since Unai Emery stepped foot in Bodymoor Heath, arguably no manager has improved a football club more in that space of time than himself.
Known for his long meetings, Emery has taken Villa from fighting relegation to dreaming of a potential Champions League run. The 52-year-old spends hours rewatching clips of training sessions and games, helping him identify his team's weaknesses and what vast improvements are needed before the next game.
Emery’s tactics and style are a stark departure from what Villa fans have been accustomed to in recent years. Upon his arrival, he even urged supporters to be patient, as the slow build-up play often triggered anxious groans around Villa Park.
Emery typically deploys a 4-4-1-1 formation, but when attacking and pressing, his wingers tuck in as narrowly as possible, forming a box that makes it difficult for opponents to play through the middle, forcing them wide.
The manager usually includes at least three central midfielders in his starting lineup, with captain John McGinn often starting out wide and drifting inside during attacks.
In this formation, three of the most important positions are the back - the goalkeeper and two centre-backs. Emi Martinez in goal will play as high as possible and draw the opposition strikers close before passing off the ball and opening space for Emery’s centre-backs to play out from the back.
One of Villa’s fullbacks will tuck in and act as a third center-back, while the other plays high. With the two wingers forming a box, space opens up down the flanks for Villa to attack from deep.
No Premier League team caught the opposition offside more than Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. The high line is crucial for the Spaniard's philosophy, limiting as much space as possible between the backline and midfield. Thus, allowing Villa to regain the ball high up the pitch and initiate attacks within the oppositions half.
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Is Amadou Onana capable of filling the void left by Douglas Luiz?
A signing that many have applauded due to the speed in which the club quickly acted in negotiations. Whether Amadou Onana is capable of making Villa fans swiftly move on from Douglas Luiz however, will be an interesting sight.
Onana undoubtedly brings a variety of traits to a midfield that was previously lacking in height and physical presence. Let alone the Belgian's tendency to pose a threat from set pieces.
Onana's ability to destroy attacks and anticipate play is what stood out most noticeably during his time at Everton under Sean Dyche. The loss of Luiz may well prove to be significant though, in regards to the Brazilian's refined ability to dictate play with progressive passes in between the lines.
There's no doubt Onana has the quality, but only time will tell to see if Villa still go on to miss the composure and calmness once oozed on a consistent basis from Luiz.
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Do Cameron Archer and Morgan Rogers deserve more gametime?
Cameron Archer and Morgan Rogers have both caught the eye in pre-season, making a compelling case for more minutes on the pitch.
As Aston Villa prepare for a demanding season, with the added challenge of the new Champions League format, their standout performances suggest they could be key contributors in easing Unai Emery's inevitable headache in regards to rotation.
With the unprecedented departure of Moussa Diaby, Archer and Rogers may be the players Emery turns to in attack off the bench, offering fresh energy and firepower as Villa look to navigate an extremely demanding season.
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Expected finish - 7th
Written by Ese OA
If you told an ardent Aston Villa fan this time last season, they'd finish in the Champions League spots, they'd have bitten your hand off, yet that's exactly what happened (thankfully, no hands bitten off), as the West Midlands club stormed their way to Europe's elite competition for the first time in their history (in the Champions League era), spearheaded by Europa League extraordinaire, Unai Emery.
Unai Emery's side returned to the European scene after an absence of more than 10 years last season, with their Conference League exploits coming to an end at the hands of Olympiakos, who went on to win the competition.
What should be expected of the Villans? There’s no reason why the club can’t aim high once more. Late last season, a Villa fan even suggested they could make a late push for the title—an idea that seemed laughable at the time.
However, this sentiment highlights how much Emery has rejuvenated the club, transforming them from mid-table strugglers to serious contenders for European football, and perhaps, even regulars in the near future.
Looking at how other Champions League first timers (or, in the case of Newcastle United, returnees) have performed, Eddie Howe's side finished seventh in their first Champions League season for 20 years.
Doubts in regard to how Villa's squad will cope with the extra fixture congestion may be Emery's Achilles heel.
Should they be realistic though? For a club with the size and stature of a club like Villa, its admirable for them to have lofty ambitions but would be wise to temper expectations. They've walked, but there's still lots of walking to do.
