Chris Sutton doesn’t understand Aston Villa transfer decision that could cost them in Premier League
Aston Villa can now turn their attention back to the Premier League after the winter transfer window closed on Monday.
Douglas Luiz and Tammy Abraham both returned to Villa Park, with Alysson and Brian Madjo also being brought in as players for the future.
While it has been a relatively successful few weeks off the pitch, Unai Emery’s side has now lost two of their last three Premier League games.
Villa were beaten 1-0 by Brentford on Sunday, despite the Bees being reduced to ten men in the first half, leaving the Midlands outfit seven points behind table-topping Arsenal.
Chris Sutton can’t understand Donyell Malen sale
Aston Villa let Donyell Malen join Roma on an initial loan deal during the transfer window, with the Italian outfit holding a £21.7million obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Malen scored seven goals for Emery’s side in the first half of the campaign, often coming off the bench to great effect.
Villa signed Abraham for Besiktas to replace the 27-year-old, viewing the former Chelsea man as a more complete striker.
However, Premier League winner Chris Sutton believes that the Midlands outfit made the wrong call by selling Malen.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton questioned why Villa allowed such an important player to depart, and added that it will damage their chances in the Premier League.
He said: “I never understood letting Malen go. They could’ve held on. It’s these fine details that really make the difference between winning a league and finishing in third or fourth. That’s the issue.”
Aston Villa to re-evaluate Premier League aims
After their shaky few weeks in the Premier League, Villa are now seven points behind Arsenal, and their title hopes are all but over.
Emery’s side are still in a fantastic position, though, and their aim this season was never to win the league.
It is simply down to their brilliant form from the start of October to the end of December that they are even being talked about as title contenders.
| Position | Team | Games | Points |
| 1 | Arsenal | 24 | 53 |
| 2 | Man City | 24 | 47 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 24 | 46 |
| 4 | Man United | 24 | 41 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 24 | 40 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 24 | 39 |
Now, Villa can refocus their aims for the rest of the season and cement their place in the Champions League spots.
The top five in the Premier League are likely to reach Europe’s elite competition next term, and the Midlands outfit are currently seven points clear of Liverpool in sixth.
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