As the dust settles on a memorable season for Aston Villa, the club faces key decisions. A fourth-place Premier League finish and Europa League glory have raised expectations under Unai Emery, who said: "Now we are going to increase our demands. Trying to get more trophies and be consistent to get the top seven positions for Europe or the Champions League."
Among the questions is the future of Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United. Our writers deliver their verdicts on whether Emery should sign him permanently.
James Pallatt
I just can't see it. It was the same with Marcus Rashford. I never thought he would stay beyond his loan. Now, Sancho will not be at Villa next season. There is one glaring difference: while Villa would have liked to keep Rashford, I don't believe the same is true of Sancho.
Emery said he was undecided: "Not yet. We will reflect and analyse each situation." But behind closed doors, decisions have been made. Sancho scored once in 39 matches and registered two assists in the Premier League. His wages will likely be very high, and with Villa back in the Champions League, the numbers do not stack up.
Leigh Curtis
There is not a compelling argument to keep Sancho even on a free transfer. Spells at Chelsea and Villa have not yielded much reward. For the wages he will command, what benefit is there if he isn't going to play? He hasn't featured much and has not been consistent enough to sway Emery's mind.
Sancho's next move is important; he cannot afford to be a bit-part player. Villa won't give him that chance. Emery has seen more of him than anyone and I just don't see it being a viable transfer. Sancho is in danger of wasting his career, and Villa need reliability in the Champions League.
Steve Wollaston
Sancho is a useful squad player, but he has not shown the consistency and quality to scream "sign me." He is likely to find he didn't do enough to be considered cost-effective. Emery has used him as a squad man, showing he likes his skillset, but the player is not back to his best.
When Sancho signed, Emery said: "He's still hungry to show his capacity... Hopefully we can exploit his best." This has not been achieved. As with Marcus Rashford, he did a job, but it's unlikely Sancho ends up at Villa Park next season unless he is playing for the opposition.
