Aston Villa’s start to the season has been brilliant but there is one rare mistake in the transfer window that is costing Unai Emery.
Aston Villa edged past Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 on Tuesday to extend their record at the start of the 2024/25 season to six wins in seven matches.
The Villans have scored an impressive 15 goals across those games and have only blanked in the 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.
Putting the ball in the back of the net hasn’t been a worry for Unai Emery, especially in their previous two home games, with Villa coming from behind in victories over Everton and Wolves.
Emery’s biggest worry at Aston Villa is currently his defence and the Spaniard will surely regret not signing a new centre-back in the transfer window.
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Unai Emery made a mistake not signing a new centre-back at Aston Villa
Emery strengthened most positions at Villa Park in the summer but one area that he neglected was centre-back, as he was pleased with his current options.
Including Tyrone Mings, who is closing in on a return to the squad following injury, the manager has four senior centre-back options in the shape of Mings, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa.
However, at the start of this season, injuries have raised eyebrows over his decision not to sign a new centre-back.
For instance, the injury to right-back Matty Cash against Arsenal had a domino effect as it meant Emery used Lamare Bogarde on the right side of defence while in the most recent win over Wolves, he moved Konsa into that position and brought Carlos into central defence.
Carlos was on the verge of leaving Villa throughout the summer but he remained at club. Now, following two shaky performances against Young Boys and Wolves, the 31-year-old dropped out from the squad against Wycombe as Thierry Katsukunya took his place.
It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian is injured and if he is, that leaves Emery short on options in defence with Sil Swinkels ready to step up for Aston Villa to replace Carlos.
Diego Carlos’ future at Aston Villa
While the club were open to selling Carlos, he was presumably not sold as Villa didn’t successfully source a replacement for the experienced defender.
Remaining at Villa Park as a third, or perhaps fourth choice option once Mings returns, Carlos hasn’t looked the most convincing in possession as his error against Wolves saw Matheus Cunha take full advantage.
With his contract expiring in 2026, Villa are under no pressure to sell until next summer however, they could choose to move him on in January instead.
That, of course, depends on whether they find a suitable long-term replacement and if they can, the Brazilian’s days in Birmingham could be numbered.
