Unai Emery’s £35m transfer blunder to blame for Aston Villa’s attacking woes
Aston Villa has continued to struggle in attack despite their recent resurgence in form.
So far this campaign, Unai Emery’s side have only netted six times in seven Premier League matches, one of the lowest ratios in the division.
Ollie Watkins has been awful for Villa in recent weeks, with the striker netted only once in 10 matches in all competitions.
Many of Emery’s new signings have also struggled to perform, with Evann Guessand without a goal since moving to Villa Park.
However, this scenario could have been vastly different for Emery.
Aston Villa should have signed Alper Yilmaz
In the summer, Aston Villa were linked with a move for Alper Yilmaz.
The Galatasaray striker has impressed in Turkey and has already won multiple honours.
Last season, the 25-year-old netted 14 times in all competitions, as well as picked up six assists, as he went on to win the Super Lig.
It was reported that Galatasaray were willing to accept £35million in the summer, with Villa reportedly bidding £17m in an attempt to sway the attacker.
- Yilmaz has been at Galatasaray since 2021
- He has since become their main striker
- Yilmaz is also a Turkish international with 28 caps
However, this clearly did not work, and now Emery is paying the price.
This campaign, Yilmaz has been excellent, picking up seven goal contributions in eight matches.
This includes the winner against Liverpool last week in the Champions League.
Therefore, if Aston Villa had just paid the asking price for Yilmaz, the striker could have continued this form in the Premier League, meaning their current attacking problems would have never existed.
As a result, Emery has no one to blame but himself for Villa’s current troubles up top.
Aston Villa need a new striker in January
Solving Villa’s attacking woes could be key to Europe football next season.
It is clear that Watkins is now past his best, while Guessand is currently not working out.
Therefore, Emery has to be ruthless and sign a new, prolific striker in January.
If not, Villa could continue to slip down the Premier League and end up becoming the next Leicester City.
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