Aston Villa had an interesting summer transfer window.
On one hand, it was a transfer window to build for Champions League football, but on the other, they had to deal with financial matters.
Those dreaded words Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP) had to be met, which meant losing key players.
Aston Villa got big money for Moussa Diaby as he joined the Saudi Pro League, whilst Douglas Luiz joined Juventus.
Gabby Agbonlahor feels this isn’t allowing his former side, as well as Newcastle, to be competitive and maintain a top-four challenge.
Last season, it was Newcastle and Eddie Howe’s side enjoying themselves in the sun and now Aston Villa are thriving in the Champions League.
Agbonlahor added that the other issue with those players leaving is that the competition has gone out of the window.
He put forward the name of Leon Bailey and how he thinks his ‘performances have dropped’ since Diaby headed for the exit door, as he told talkSPORT (09/10/24 at 8:45 am).
The former striker doesn’t think Aston Villa have a natural right-sided winger after Bailey, even though the club re-signed Jaden-Philogene Bidace.
Leon Bailey is out of form for Aston Villa
“My club Villa, we had to sell Douglas Luiz before we did any business,” said Agbonlahor. “We are still quite short I feel on the wings. We had to sell Diaby.
“Leon Bailey is the only real right-winger. He hasn’t got the competition, so his performances have been dropped. It’s going to be harder for teams like Newcastle and Villa to sustain getting into the top four (because of the rules).”
Leon Bailey carrying an injury
Bailey is playing through pain, and unfortunately, it is showing in his performances because it’s lacking that bite.
The international break will do him the world of good and fans are hoping he can start to motor again because he can be unstoppable when at the top of his game.
READ MORE: How Ezri Konsa is feeling about when he will return from injury for Aston Villa
The emergence and the form of Philogene helps because it allows Emery to pick another natural wide player if Bailey can’t start.
You are hoping that Bailey will not start if he still has pain issues post-international break because there is no need to rush him back.
