10 most expensive Aston Villa signings of all time: From Moussa Diaby to Unai Emery’s £33m star man
Aston Villa have splashed the cash since the arrival of the Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens-led NSWE Group, who took over in 2018.
Every one of Villa‘s top ten most expensive signings has been made under the billionaires, to varying levels of success.
The rapid improvement in the Villans’ league finishes over the past six years speaks for itself, however.
Here, Villa News takes a look at each and every one of Villa’s top 10 most expensive signings.
10. Leon Bailey – £25m from Bayer Leverkusen
Villa loaned Leon Bailey to Roma in the summer, with the winger expected to complete a permanent move elsewhere next summer.
The move made sense given the Jamaica international’s struggles last season, but just 18 months ago, he had been a key man for Emery‘s side.
The 2023-24 season saw Bailey net 10 goals and provide nine assists in the Premier League, making for a total of 28 direct goal contributions across all competitions.
But last season saw the 28-year-old experience a massive drop-off, scoring just twice across 38 appearances, leading to his summer exit.
9. Lucas Digne – £25m from Everton
Lucas Digne agreed a new contract at Villa in the summer, with the extension set to see him stay at the club until 2028.
The left-back has divided opinions among the Villa Park faithful since he arrived from Everton in 2022, in a deal worth up to £25m.
Especially since the arrival of Ian Maatsen, who is often left to play second fiddle to his 32-year-old teammate.
But Digne has always remained key at Villa, and continues to provide a reliable option for Emery, with his free-kicks always giving the Villans an added threat.
8. Diego Carlos – £26m from Sevilla
Villa looked as if they had secured a smashing piece of business by signing Diego Carlos in 2022.
The defender enjoyed a strong season in La Liga and had built up a reputation for his never-say-die style of aggressive defending.
But his Villa career got off to the worst possible start when, after two games in the Premier League, the Brazilian was struck down with an injury to his Achilles tendon and ruled out for the majority of the season.
Carlos returned in the following season but failed to impress at the best of times. He was sold to Fenerbahce in January and now finds himself on loan at Como.
7. Evann Guessand – £30m from OGC Nice
Villa signed Evann Guessand from Nice this summer, in a deal that could ultimately rise to £30m if all add-ons are met.
The forward arrived having enjoyed a strong campaign in Ligue 1 last season, netting 13 goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions, but has yet to hit the ground running in the Premier League.
| Evann Guessand | Vs Fulham (H) |
| Minutes played | 83 |
| Accurate passes | 9 |
| Successful dribbles | 4 |
| Duels won | 7 |
| Tackles won | 2 |
It has been a slow start for the 24-year-old, as it has been for Villa this season, but there were positive signs against Fulham.
Of every player on the pitch at Villa Park, Guessand completed the most dribbles, won the most duels, and completed every tackle he attempted.
6. Pau Torres – £31.5m from Villarreal
Pau Torres‘ arrival from Villarreal in 2023 was a clear attempt to reunite Emery with the players who had starred for the former Arsenal boss in Spain.
And the defender looked every bit the talent he had been hailed as by the Spaniard in his first months at the club, hitting the ground instantly for Villa as they enjoyed a superb start to the campaign.
Injuries since have weighed heavily on the 28-year-old, however, with last season seeing him miss 14 Premier League games with various issues.
The return of Tyrone Mings has now seen Torres often dropped to the bench, spending much of this season out of the team completely.
5. Ollie Watkins – £33m from Brentford
The move that saw Villa sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford in 2020 is undoubtedly the best piece of business on this list, and it would not be outrageous to place it among the best in the club’s history.
The striker had scored 25 goals in the Championship, but his ability to perform in the Premier League had yet to be tested.
Those questions were quickly answered when Watkins scored 14 in his first season, and those questions have continued to be answered by the 62 that have followed.
The 2023-24 season saw the forward put in his best showing, when he netted an incredible 19 goals and provided 15.
Watkins has struggled for Villa this season, but the England international will hope his goal against Fulham will trigger a return to form.
4. Ian Maatsen – £35m from Chelsea
Villa signed Maatsen last summer, off the back of a strong loan spell the left-back had enjoyed at Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea fans had wanted the defender to stay put at Stamford Bridge, but the Villans ultimately offered the Blues money they could not refuse.
Maatsen is yet to find his feet at Villa, often sharing minutes with Digne last season, but the Dutchman has shown positive signs in flashes.
Still young, the 23-year-old will hope this season can see him trusted with a more established role in Emery’s team.
3. Emi Buendia – £38m from Norwich City
Villa’s signing of Emi Buendia was seen as a massive coup for decision-makers at Villa Park in 2021.
The Argentine had enjoyed a stunning season in the Championship, scoring 15 goals and providing 16 assists for the Canaries as they won the league, and also attracted interest from Arsenal.
But Villa wanted to make a statement and signed the midfielder for an initial £33m, with the deal potentially reaching £38m with add-ons.
Amid injuries and poor form, Buendia has never been able to live up to that price tag. This season, though, the 28-year-old is back and looks to be enjoying a fresh start to life at Villa Park.
2. Amadou Onana – £50m from Everton
Villa fans are still waiting to see the very best of Amadou Onana, but the midfielder has already shown that he has the ability.
Arriving for £50m from Everton last summer, the Belgium international crashed in a header against West Ham on his debut, and looked to be a monumental addition to Emery’s side.
Onana represented much of what Villa’s midfield had lacked – physicality, an ability to carry the ball forward, and superb defensive awareness.
Hamstring injuries have blighted the 24-year-old’s career at Villa Park so far, but he is expected to return to Emery’s team soon.
1. Moussa Diaby – £51.9m from Bayer Leverkusen
Moussa Diaby remains Villa’s record signing, but the winger is now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad.
Why? – Is a question that has often been on the lips of Villa fans, but the answer is not quite clear.
The winger arrived in a deal worth up to £51.9m, having enjoyed a superb season in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
And after three games in the Premier League, Diaby had netted twice, assisted once, and was looking every bit a new Villa star.
The end of the season came with the 26-year-old having scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions – a highly respectable, if not brilliant, first-season return.
But when an offer arrived from Saudi Arabia, worth around £50.4m, Villa accepted it, and Diaby was gone.
It can only be assumed that the bizarre circumstances came around due to the player’s wishes, with Villa reluctantly accepting their money back.
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