Credit: Imago and Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Richie Mills

Wed 18 March 2026 16:00, UK

Aston Villa’s ageing squad highlights how Unai Emery’s side needs desperately refreshing.

In January of last year, Emi Buendia was shipped out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen for the second half of the season.

Now, the 29-year-old is a regular for Emery. Moreover, winger Leon Bailey was deemed not good enough for the starting XI last term.

However, at the turn of the year, the Jamaican, 28, was recalled from his Roma loan to add more depth, although his performances for the Villans in 2026 have been poor.

In recent years, Villa haven’t refreshed their squad enough, as their average age creeps towards 30.

As this season progresses, and as the team’s form drops off, it is becoming clear that Villa need an injection of more youthful quality ahead of next term.

Aston Villa have an ageing squad problem

As Villa try to qualify for next season’s Champions League, along with winning the Europa League, it seems they are running out of steam.

Indeed, they don’t have the freshest legs when it comes to their first-team players. Tyrone Mings, 33, and Lucas Digne, 32, are in the autumn years of their careers.

John McGinn is 31, Ollie Watkins turned 30 last year, and Victor Lindelof and Ross Barkley are in their thirties, too.

On the flip side, Alysson is their only first-team squad teenager at 19, with 15 players currently 28 or older.

Moreover, Transfermarkt adds that the average age of their entire squad is 27.3, second only to Fulham’s 27.7 in the Premier League.

If a team is to compete at the top end for a sustained period, there needs to be a mix of youth and experience.

And at this rate, Emery’s team are trending towards the 30 mark rather than the area around 25.

If they want to continue to punch above their weight, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens need to back Emery, as well as urge him to utilise the academy.

Aston Villa’s stars on the decline?

Earlier this season, Buendia appeared to have recaptured the swagger that convinced Villa to sign the Argentine for £33m in 2021.

Indeed, a return of seven goals and six assists in 40 matches in all competitions does not make for bad reading.

However, since mid-December, the attacking midfielder has contributed just one goal contribution in the Premier League.

Players such as Watkins and Buendia, especially, are being used so frequently, and with diminishing success, with the former scoring nine goals and adding one assist in 41 games.

Watkins is struggling for Villa right now, so much so that questions are being asked on whether or not he should be picked for England’s World Cup squad this summer.

While it is easier said than done, Emery’s experienced players need to step up. Otherwise, their dreams of dining at the top table are likely to be extinguished.