Aston Villa transfer warning sent by Don Goodman, hard work at Villa Park could all be undone

Don Goodman says Aston Villa risk going “backwards” if they fail to sufficiently strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.

The Villans have enjoyed a hugely impressive first full campaign under Unai Emery, helped by some shrewd signings last summer.

Champions League qualification remains a serious possibility for Villa, but Goodman has warned they cannot afford to stand still.

“I think generally that all clubs need strengthening, whether that’s players with the quality to go straight into the XI or who can help the team rotate a little more,” Goodman exclusively told Villa News.

“If you stand still in the Premier League then you’ll go backwards because everyone’s constantly improving.

“That’s why this Premier League, in terms of depth of quality and how difficult it is, with the exception of Sheffield United and Burnley, the rest are showing it’s a league deep in quality and depth.

“That’s why the title’s not done. Liverpool v Manchester City wasn’t a title decider because those sides and Arsenal will drop points, I promise you – that’s because of the depth of the Premier League.

“All of them have got to play Villa. So yes, improving the depth of the squad is key, but what areas, well Unai Emery will have a much better idea than me because he works with the players every day.

“He’ll know now already, and there’ll be irons in fires, as to what kind of player and who they’ll be able to bring into the building.”

Aston Villa have big summer transfer window ahead

The recent news of Villa potentially falling foul of the PSR guidelines – or whatever financial rules are set to be in place come the summer – suggests a player or two may have to be sold.

That is not great news when you consider that the Villans will ideally be strengthening this summer, rather than offloading any of their key players.

With Champions League football comes a higher calibre of opposition and more intense scrutiny. As for the workload, that is something Unai Emery’s men are now accustomed to after this season.

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers signed for Aston Villa from Middlesbrough

The January window saw Villa look more towards the future with their signings, but a player or two capable of being a regular starter must be targeted ahead of next season.

Many teams down the years have been in a similar position that Villa find themselves in now, only to then fade away in the following years into obscurity.

The Villans will not want that to happen to them, but the financial situation may well dictate who arrives at Villa Park this summer.

In other Aston Villa news, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Jhon Duran amid links with Chelsea.

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