Aston Villa switch up transfer strategy as late risk taken with UEFA watching
Aston Villa’s transfer activity looks to be taking a twist late in the winter window.
Before Tuesday, Unai Emery‘s side had completed just two signings, with both incomings being younger prospects who could develop at Villa Park.
Aston Villa brought in Alysson from Brazilian side Gremio on the opening day of the window, with Brian Madjo moving from Metz for £10.4million a few weeks later.
That was until Tammy Abraham was finally announced from Besiktas, sealing his return.
After several big injuries, the Villans switched up their transfer strategy in order to address their immediate needs in all competitions.
Dan Plumley highlights cheaper deal for Aston Villa
Aston Villa are also set to re-sign Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus until the end of the season, with an option to buy included in the deal.
Luiz spent five years at Villa Park between 2019 and 2024, and has had his loan at Nottingham Forest cut short as he prepares for a return.
Abraham signed from Besiktas after ending his spell at Roma, as he replaces the already departed Donyell Malen.
The Midlands outfit might not be done there, though, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek emerging as a potential option for Emery’s side, who have the likes of John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans out injured.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, finance expert Dan Plumley revealed how Villa’s switch in strategy proves they are focused on the Premier League title race.
“Villa have been spending less money and getting in early on younger players, but they have now moved onto the other side of that.
“Buying talent that are coming towards the end of their career, but they can pick them up a little bit cheaper. It would appear that they are focused on the here and now, and the next four or five months.”
Aston Villa taking financial risk with signings
Aston Villa have had their financial struggles in recent years, barely avoiding profit and sustainability punishment from the Premier League back in June.
The Midlands outfit were punished by UEFA for breaching their financial regulations, though, and their transfer activity is still very much under the spotlight.
Plumley believes that Villa are now pushing hard for Champions League football, as the riches that come with that would help solve their issues.
He said: “We know they’ve had their challenges with UEFA, we know they’ve been fined, but they are firmly in that top four race, if not a title race.
“The risk and reward there is how much you go for that. We know the riches of the Champions League, which would help them out with squad cost and that would help them with UEFA.
“They’re in a tricky spot, now that the Champions League is so close, they’re pushing themselves to try and get there.”
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