Aston Villa have made a fast start to the summer transfer window, here’s how Unai Emery’s starting XI could look based on Monchi’s captures so far.
There was some anxiety heading into the transfer window as Aston Villa’s financial concerns came to light.
The Villans were forced to generate profit to ease their PSR concerns, something Monchi achieved prior to the June 30th deadline.
Sufficient sales have allowed Unai Emery to welcome new signings to bolster his squad ahead of next season, with five captures confirmed and more to follow.
How Aston Villa could line up after the summer transfer window
So far, Villa have welcomed Ross Barkley, Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea, Ian Maatsen and Lewis Dobbin to the squad.
In the coming days, it’s expected that Jaden Philogene and Amadou Onana will join the latest recruits, with moves that could shift how Emery’s favoured XI will look next season.
Some new signings are expected to slot right into the starting lineup, with others joining to bolster squad depth ahead of Champions League participation.
Based on those expected to arrive, Emery will almost certainly make changes to his XI, with the graphic above showing Aston Villa News’ predicted lineup.
Emi Martinez’s spot between the posts is untouchable however, those ahead of him could change.
Ideally, Tyrone Mings will return to full fitness and claim a spot in the back four next to Pau Torres, seeing Ezri Konsa remain on the right side with new arrival Ian Maatsen taking the left-back spot from Lucas Digne.
A similar predicament will come in midfield, as Boubacar Kamara waits to return to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury in February.
When the Frenchman is fit, it would be expected that he would partner £50m transfer target Onana to form a fresh pivot in place of the recently departed Douglas Luiz.
In attack, Emery will have a decision to make on who will get the nod from his new signings, with our prediction seeing Leon Bailey and John McGinn joined by Jaden Philogene in attacking midfield.
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There would be a hope that the 22-year-old Hull City ace can mirror Bailey’s threat on the right to bolster the left side ahead of Maatsen.
Samuel Iling-Junior will have a claim to the starting XI also, which could see Moussa Diaby all-but axed from Emery’s plans considering how he fell down the pecking order before the end of last season.
Ollie Watkins will be the manager’s talisman once more, with an alternative surely in the pipeline as Jhon Duran edges closer to an exit.
Key positions have been strengthened in the transfer window
Leading up to the summer transfer window, Emery needed to bolster several areas of his squad after last season’s displays.
Left-back was one area that required work, with the capture of Maatsen being a fundamental change, similar to the need to add another traditional winger to the fold.
Both Iling-Junior and Philogene can provide Emery with such cover, as can Onana, Barrenechea and Barkley in midfield following Luiz’s exit.
That being said, there is still work that needs to be done, as mentioned as a result of Duran’s pending departure.
Last term, Emery’s options in the striker role were restricted to just Duran and Watkins, with another arrival needed to support the England international going forward.
The same can be applied to the defence, with another centre-back a priority as Mings continues his recovery and Diego Carlos’ future has been speculated.
It will be fascinating to see how many changes Emery is expected to make ahead of next season, in what could be another highly successful year for Villa.
