Aston Villa must cut losses with Ian Maatsen as left-back debacle to be in summer thoughts

Aston Villa must consider offloading Ian Maatsen this summer as part of an overhaul at the left-back position.

The Villans have work to do this summer, and lots of it depends on what happens with Morgan Rogers.

NSWE could bank anywhere between £80million to £100m as top Premier League clubs are interested in the former Middlesbrough attacker.

Either way, the club will back Unai Emery in hopes of building on what was a thoroughly successful 2025-26 season.

One player whose future should come into consideration this summer is Luca Digne, who may not have long left at Villa Park.

However, Maatsen is a key figure that Aston Villa need to seriously try and sell before it's too late.

Ian Maatsen's stock is falling rapidly, it's time for Villa to cut their losses

There was high hopes in B6 when Maatsen joined the club for £37.5m from Chelsea back in 2024.

However, two seasons have now passed, and if anything, the stock of the Dutchman has only decreased.

Maatsen still struggles to get into the starting eleven over an ageing Digne, who himself had poor moments last season.

The Villans could look to loan the 24-year-old out next campaign in a last-ditch attempt to bump his value up, while Digne can take a backseat for a new full-back.

Or alternatively, Villa could look to cut their losses and sell to any side that is interested, for what would be another negative on the books.

Despite the obvious loss in profit that a sale would bring, selling the former Chelsea man is needed to upgrade the left-back spot once and for all.

How much could Villa get for Maatsen?

The left-back spot will be an area that Emery and Co. discuss this summer, especially given that Digne is approaching the back end of his career.

Thought the Frenchman is likely to stay for at least another season, he turns 33 next month and cannot offer the athleticism needed to thrive in the Premier League anymore.

While Maatsen can, he's far too suspect defensively, and so Villa need to look to recoup what they can for him.

A fee in the region of £20m may be needed, though that would feel like a low blow after the money spent on him.

Regardless, it would be a risk to keep the same left-back options for next season, given that Villa are now wanting to move forward in the Premier League and compete for Champions League glory.