(Credit: Breaking Media)

Cameron Smith

Mon 11 May 2026 13:50, UK

Aston Villa have continued to shift through the gears as a football club in recent years.

Since Unai Emery’s arrival in 2022, the Villans are yet to go without European football, while they are on the brink of Champions League qualification once again.

However, struggles do remain off the pitch, with the Midlanders unable to compete with the established elite in the transfer market due to ongoing PSR issues.

A man who has been part of Villa’s journey since 2022 was former Sevilla sporting director Monchi, who moved to the Second City a year later.

After his departure was confirmed following the closure of last summer’s transfer window, the former president of football operations has found himself a new home in Spain.

Monchi finds new home back in Spain

When his arrival was announced in 2023, the excitement around Villa Park hit a whole new level.

Known across the continent for his work with Sevilla, and rapport with Emery, the signs pointed in the direction of further Villa progression – though his final transfer window at the club has proven to be a huge disappointment.

Monchi would leave Villa in September 2025, with the squad not much improved since his arrival.

Now, it has been confirmed that he has taken over as sporting director at the rivals of Barcelona, Espanyol.

RCDE sit 14th in La Liga, and have been out of European football since their Europa League exit at the hands of Wolves in 2020.

Villa fans will not have the fondest of memories of Monchi though, simply for the fact that he did not live up to the hype surrounding him upon his arrival.

And now, the B6 outfit require a big summer transfer window as they look to right the wrongs of last summer.

Aston Villa require a big transfer window after 2025 disappointment

It has been a huge year for Villa, who are on the brink of a Champions League return and could rise into a new stratosphere with a Europa League win.

However, they have had to keep performing after an underwhelming transfer window, with none of the arrivals making much of an impact.

This followed the 2024 window, when the likes of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior, among others, all received limited minutes in claret and blue.

Emery’s current squad is largely the same as the one he inherited in 2022, and while they remain capable, they are not getting any younger.

Ollie Watkins in particular has shown signs of decline this term, while other areas of the side need refreshing.

If Aston Villa are to take the next step beyond being European contenders, their business in the transfer window will have to improve.

There may be budget limitations due to PSR restrictions, but they are not the only club operating under such circumstances.

With the future in mind, the priority must be to add fresh legs and players ready to make an impact, rather than the rather lacklustre additions of recent years.