Is Villa's squad stronger than this time last season?

If you compare how Aston Villa’s squad shapes up now to the one that started last season’s Champions League campaign, then – despite a tricky transfer window and frantic deadline day – Unai Emery may quietly feel his side, when all players are fit, is stronger at this stage than they were a year ago.

New loan arrivals Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott will not need to contribute much to improve on Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey, who started just 14 and 19 league games respectively in 2024-25 and contributed a combined two goals and seven assists. Both players are also currently sidelined with injuries at their new clubs.

Emery made no secret of targeting ‘here and now’ players. While there was initial scepticism over whether the loanees were simply band-aid short-term fixes, if the Villa boss can integrate them in a way that makes his side less predictable, both could offer real upside.

Each has a past connection with Morgan Rogers, and if they help the PFA Young Player of the Year reach another level, Villa will be better for it. The same goes for Ollie Watkins, who should also benefit from their ability to commit and drag defenders out of position.

Meanwhile, whatever soap opera has surrounded Emi Martinez, the reality is he remains a Villa player. And with Boubacar Kamara, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Rogers and Watkins all still in claret and blue, the core of the team has remained intact, despite fears at the start of the summer that one or two might be lost.

This may well be the last season before the spine of the team receives surgery, but knowing it is strong enough to make Villa the bookies’ favourites for the Europa League should serve as a galvanising force for Emery, Martinez and company to sharpen focus after the international break.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said

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Source: Sports Yahoo