Everything has changed for Aston Villa after a heartbreaking final day of the Premier League season.
In one rush of blood from Emi Martinez and an inability to avoid defeat against a thoroughly beatable Manchester United, the Champions League dream has gone and Villa will return to the Europa League next season.
The club were already wary of profit and sustainability rules (PSR) trouble before they lost out on the mega-millions that would have come with a second successive Champions League campaign, but now the squeeze is even tighter.
Marcus Rashford is returning to Manchester United and Marco Asensio to Paris Saint-Germain, while there are big questions over the futures of Youri Tielemans, Martinez and Ollie Watkins.
So what will happen this summer, who’s on their way in and who’s on their way out? Our Villa expert TOM COLLOMOSSE answers all the big questions here.
Emi Martinez’s rush of blood may well have cost Aston Villa a Champions League place
Unai Emery’s side were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United on the final day when even a draw would have been enough to return to Europe’s elite competition
What do Aston Villa need this summer?
Goalkeepers – definitely back-up and possibly first-choice if Martinez departs. They will also try to sign a young striker, a right winger and a right back too.
Unai Emery prizes versatility highly and believes it the most important trait in the modern game, so Villa will look for players who can cover more than one position.
How big is their budget and is PSR a major concern?
In all probability, Villa will need to make a big sale before June 30 to ensure they comply with spending rules. The Champions League money from last season should help, but they cannot count on it again next term.
President of football operations Monchi is a master trader so Villa will explore player swaps and player exchanges as they did last summer.
Who are they interested in?
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is admired by Emery and sporting director Monchi
Emery will try to bring Marco Asensio back from PSG and despite the lack of Champions League football, Villa will not give up hope of bringing back Marcus Rashford
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is admired by Emery and sporting director Monchi. Garcia, 24, has a reported £25million release clause and is also drawing interest from the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle, both of whom may be able to offer higher wages. Garcia made the most saves of any goalkeeper in La Liga this season, playing every minute for the Barcelona-based club.
Though Asensio has made more impact from the bench than as a starter, Emery will try to bring him back from PSG and despite the lack of Champions League football, Villa will not give up hope of bringing back Rashford, possibly on another year’s loan. The England forward is available on a permanent deal for £40m, with his high wages a concern.
Among forwards, Emery has always liked Ferran Torres while 22-year-old Dutch striker Emanuel Emegha was also on Villa’s long list for the No 9 role.
Former Manchester City star Torres, 25, has 19 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this season. Emegha plays for Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, and fired 14 Ligue 1 goals this season in 27 games which put him joint-sixth in France’s top flight.
Which young players could break out next season to fill gaps in the first-team squad?
Villa’s FA Youth Cup-winning side has excited everyone at the club and we can expect to see some of these players in action in the Carabao Cup early next season.
Attacking midfielders Jamal Jimoh-Aloba, Ben Broggio and Cole Brannigan are among those pushing for Emery’s attention, which Brannigan cannot have failed to grab with his stunning goal in the Cup final win over Manchester City.
Which players are set to leave?
Villa are desperate to clear the decks of players like Philippe Coutinho
Saudi clubs are interested in Youri Tielemans after a superb season for the Belgian midfielder
Villa are desperate to clear the decks of players like Philippe Coutinho and Leander Dendoncker, who have never been part of Emery’s plans but are still on the books.
Robin Olsen moves to Malmo, Leon Bailey has interest from the Saudi Pro League and, with only 12 months left on his contract, Lucas Digne may also attract offers.
But there will be a ‘biggie’ too – Martinez is open to a new challenge and has interest from the Pro League and Atletico Madrid, while Saudi clubs also like Tielemans.
Both would turn a huge, PSR-friendly profit, as would homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who is popular at Newcastle and West Ham.
