Archie Brown in Fenerbahce YouTube video, looking straight

BrownFenerbahce YouTube

Aston Villa called 'nuts' after Archie Brown transfer reveal

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Published on:

11 Sep 2026, 6:00 am

Aston Villa were the busiest club in Europe when it came to transfer business this summer.

After losing a whole starting XI worth of players, including Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, they had to be busy.

It's no surprise it's been a slow start to the season then, with Unai Emery signing 10 new players of his own.

However, one of those wasn't Archie Brown.

The left-back is currently at Fenerbahce, but as a Brummie, there are always links back to those in the Midlands.

Having gone through the ranks at Derby before his move to Turkiye, Stan Collymore is shocked the likes of Villa let him get away.

Archie Brown lights up Europe

Despite playing left-back, the Englishman scored as Fener drew 1-1 with Roma on Thursday evening.

Collymore took to X while clearly watching Brown in action for Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Thursday.

Finishing his summary, he wrote: "Absolutely nuts for Villa to not have looked at him (€7m to Fener). Nuts."

Archie Brown (Brummie) for Fenerbahce is 🤌🏽

More lacking in imagination recruitment from Premier League clubs and more imagination from English players choosing to go abroad.

Athletic, cool cool finish ( he's a left back) to clip over the keeper, good positioning and bombs…
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) September 10, 2026

Who did Aston Villa sign instead?

Of course, it would cost a lot more than what Fenerbahce paid Derby to sign Brown now, especially with his Champions League exploits.

Instead, Villa brought in Matteo Ruggeri to replace Lucas Digne.

The Italian is yet to start in the Premier League, with Ian Maatsen promoted into that role for now.

Ruggeri has played 23 minutes in total, not getting off the bench against Arsenal and Club Brugge.

The Aston Villa headache Matteo Ruggeri can now give Unai Emery

Rotation will come naturally soon, with the Carabao Cup returning next week, for example.

But when Brown is lighting up the Champions League like he is now, it's easy to make comparisons to Maatsen, especially when you consider the amount of money paid for the Dutchman, too.

The same age as Ruggeri, Brown would have surely been on a shortlist of possbile signings when looking at left-backs.

A return to England to play in the Premier League will always be on his mind, but it looks as though the Aston Villa boat has sailed.

That's clearly sad for Collymore, and likely many other Villans who have been put onto his work in Europe over the recent years.

Lucas Digne