Aston Villa have navigated a challenging winter transfer window, aiming to bolster their squad amidst a spate of injuries, yet one key area remains a lingering concern as the season progresses.
Midfield Reinforcements Amid Injury Crisis
The primary objective for any club during a transfer period is to emerge stronger, but for Aston Villa, this goal has been complicated by significant injury setbacks. Key midfielders Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are currently sidelined, with Kamara ruled out for the rest of the season and Tielemans expected to miss approximately two months. Additionally, influential captain John McGinn is out for around six weeks, further depleting Villa's options in the centre of the park.
In response to these absences, Villa acted swiftly by securing Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus, with an option to buy for about £21 million. The Brazilian midfielder made an immediate impact, starting against Brentford and impressing with his performance. Once Tielemans and McGinn return to fitness, manager Unai Emery will have a wealth of choices in midfield, though Kamara's absence is more difficult to offset. The club also relies on Amadou Onana staying fit, though he was recently benched due to muscle fatigue.
Attacking Adjustments and Future Planning
Villa's transfer strategy also involved adjustments in the attacking department. Initially, there were no plans to recall Leon Bailey from Roma, but McGinn's injury made his return more feasible before Evann Guessand moved on. Donyell Malen departed early in the window, joining AS Roma on loan with an obligation to buy, as he sought more guaranteed playing time in a number nine role—something Emery was unwilling to offer due to tactical fit.
Conversely, Tammy Abraham has been brought back to the club, aligning better with Emery's system. Despite being denied a goal on his second debut, Abraham showed promise in his return to Villa Park. The club also recruited young talents Alysson and Brian Madjo, focusing on future squad development given the aging nature of the current team.
Persistent Right-Back Vulnerability
While Villa have made astute moves to address midfield and attacking needs, one position remains notably understaffed: right-back. Matty Cash has been one of the club's top performers this season, but an injury to him could leave Villa in a precarious situation. The only other natural right-back in the squad is Andres Garcia, who is currently sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury and has seen limited action this term.
Lamare Bogarde can provide cover at right-back, but with midfield already stretched due to injuries, this option is less than ideal. Victor Lindelof is another potential solution, though he lacks the effectiveness of Cash in this role. As Cash approaches his 29th birthday in August, strengthening the right-back position must become a priority this summer to ensure adequate competition and depth.
The true success of Villa's winter transfer window will be judged in the coming months, but given the injury challenges faced, the business conducted appears shrewd. However, the unresolved issue at right-back highlights an area that requires urgent attention to maintain squad balance and competitiveness.
