
Aston Villa make understandable Moussa Diaby transfer decision, he wasn’t up to scratch for Emery
Ty Bracey has praised Aston Villa for selling Moussa Diaby and recouping what they paid 12 months ago.
Fabrizio Romano reported via X on 21 July that the Villans had verbally agreed on a deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad for the France international.
Florian Plettengberg revealed (21 July) the clubs are close to agreeing a fee between £46.2million and £50.5m just a year after Villa signed him from Bayer Leverkusen.
Villa podcaster Bracey thinks Diaby could have been valuable next term but understands Unai Emery’s decision to move him on if he doesn’t think he can perform a role he wants him to.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bracey said: “It is a good piece of business for sure.
“If he isn’t up to scratch with what Emery wants in that position then it is understandable.
“I think we’ve done well to recoup what we paid, Saudi were interested last year and now it looks like he’s going there to earn a load of money.
“It sounds good for all parties. He got a lot of criticism for his first season but 19-goal contributions isn’t bad and I think he would have done well next season.
“If the club think that fee is the right thing to do then I’m behind it. Hopefully, they can reinvest the money well now.“
Moussa Diaby set for Aston Villa departure
A deal to sell the forward after just a single season in the Premier League has taken Villa supporters by surprise this summer.
Diaby featured in all but one game under Emery last term and had a healthy goal and assist return for a debut season in a new league.
He had 10 goals in all competitions plus eight Premier League assists [FotMob], which represents a solid output but his overall performances were frustrating at times.
For a player who was sold as one of the fastest in the Bundesliga rarely showed that to the Villa Park faithful when given the chance.
It seems clear that the Villa boss doesn’t back him as part of his squad and it seems that the Saudi Arabia offer couldn’t be turned down.

It is disappointing that the former Leverkusen man won’t have a second season in England but the club have already made up their mind on the deal.
In other Aston Villa news, Amadou Onana excitement emerges at as deal completed for ‘difference-maker’.
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