Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 20 February 2026 7:10, UK

Paulo Di Canio has derisively hit back at comparisons between Aston Villa loanee Donyell Malen and Gianluca Vialli.

Malen swapped Borussia Dortmund for Villa in January 2025 for a reported fee of £21million. The forward scored 10 goals in 46 appearances but was often used off the bench.

After a bright start to the season, Malen wanted to lead Unai Emery‘s attack, but with Ollie Watkins being first choice, the ex-PSV Eindhoven man left Villa Park to join Roma on loan in January.

So far, he has scored five goals in as many Serie A matches, leading to comparisons with the late Italian legend Vialli.

However, West Ham icon Di Canio has dismissed such equivalences, despite his excellent start to life with the Italian outfit.

• Read more: This is why Unai Emery has made a horrible mistake with Donyell Malen at Aston Villa

Paulo Di Canio shuts down Gianluca Vialli comparisons

Malen has hit the ground running at Roma. While his time at Villa may have been full of frustration, he is being given free rein at the Italian team so far.

In a short period of time, he is earning rave reviews from Roma fans and pundits alike. Moreover, manager Gian Piero Gasperini is a big fan of him.

Indeed, as detailed in the graphic below from Sofascore, Malen is showing how clinical he can be in front of goal, converting 62.5 per cent of his big chances and averaging a goal every 78 minutes.

But ex-Lazio player Di Canio thinks it is almost disrespectful to put his name in the same sentence as former Juventus and Chelsea star Vialli, who scored more than 250 goals in his club career.

He said via La Lazio Siamo Noi: “He’s 27 years old and no one has ever gotten away with it. Yet we commented on him in the cups against Dortmund, where he was little more than a reserve, a co-starter, ok?

“In Aston Villa, he was rightly the reserve of Rogers and especially Watkins, who are stronger. He arrives here, scores five goals in five games and let’s bother who? Vialli? My big brother, a kiss to heaven, I’m sorry they nominated you”.

• Read more: Aston Villa will surely receive £21.7m Donyell Malen fee as Roma transfer clauses revealed

Was it a mistake for Aston Villa to let Donyell Malen leave?

After a promising second half of last season, Malen seemed to be kicking on this term with Villa.

The speedy Dutchman netted 10 goal contributions in the first half of this campaign and appeared to be adapting nicely to the Premier League.

But he still only made 11 starts from his 29 appearances in all competitions this season. So when an opportunity to move on came, he took it.

While many Villa fans may look at his form at Roma and bemoan the club’s decision not to retain him, the Villans did sign Tammy Abraham to cover his loss.

While the 28-year-old doesn’t offer the running power Malen did, Villa have the cover they were looking for up front to go alongside Watkins.

And the fact that Malen is shining in Serie A does not mean he would replicate that form in the Premier League – two very different divisions.

Ultimately, Malen wanted more regular game time as a striker, and Villa couldn’t promise that. That’s football.

For even more Aston Villa news and updates, head over to Football Insider.