Aston Villa’s Premier League campaign gets underway on Saturday lunchtime, as they host Newcastle United at Villa Park. Unai Emery will be hoping for a positive start to the season against a side who have become a big rival in recent seasons, with the Magpies pipping the Villans to a Champions League spot.
It seems like just one new signing is all Villa will take into the game. Evann Guessand made the move to the West Midlands from OGC Nice for £30m, and aside from a backup goalkeeper and young centre-back Yasin Ozcan – who has since moved out on loan – they have been largely inactive this summer.
Yet, new rumours are swirling about more signings, and whilst they won’t be complete before the weekend, Emery will surely want them through the door soon.
Villa’s next targets
One of the names the Villans are linked with is Marco Asensio. The Spaniard, who was on loan at Villa Park last term, could return to the club in a deal worth just £13m this summer. However, it is not necessarily at an advanced stage.
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According to a report from Football Transfers, the Villans ‘have held talks’ with Premier League rivals Arsenal over the signing of versatile attacker Leandro Trossard. ‘Initial discussions’ took place earlier this week, with the power in Tossard’s hands ahead of a decision on his future.
Interestingly, Villa were keen on a move for the player in January, and whilst he was not for sale then, there is now a possibility of a move several months on.
As for a price for the forward, Arsenal could demand as much as £18m to sell him to their top-flight rivals.
Why Trossard would be a good signing
There is no doubt that adding an experienced player such as Trossard to the Villa squad would be a benefit to Emery. The Belgian is an established Premier League star who has had a huge impact in European football, too.
Last season, the 30-year-old had another important role to play for the Gunners, featuring 56 times across all competitions. He bagged ten goals and registered ten assists, with 16 of those goal involvements coming in the Premier League.
One of the standout features of Trossard’s game is his versatility. The Belgian forward can play right across the frontline, which Mikel Arteta relied on last term. He played on both flanks, as a number nine and as a second striker just off the centre-forward.
Even if Villa miss out on signing Asensio this summer, Emery might well find his new version of the Spaniard in Trossard. The former Real Madrid star played 21 times for the Villans last season, scoring eight times and assisting once.
One of the main similarities between him and Trossard is the versatility they offer. Last term, Asensio played on the right flank and as a number 10 for the Villans. He has also played on the left wing and even led the line at times in his career.
Their European pedigree is also impressive. Trossard has played far less in the Champions League than the four-time winner Asensio, with 23 appearances to his 73. However, with eight goal involvements and an average of one every 2.8 games, it is better than Asensio’s goal or assist every 3.6 games. The Spaniard has 20 in total to his name.
The stats from last season’s Champions League campaign further highlight just how deadly the players are in Europe. For example, Trossard created 1.1 chances and completed 18.7 passes in the opposition half last each game last season, compared to Asensio’s 0.7 chances created and 19.4 passes in the opposition half per 90 minutes.
Goals and assists
0.6
1.1
Chances created
1.1
0.7
Passes completed (oppo half)
18.7
19.4
Take-ons completed
1.4
0.4
Duels won
3.2
2.8
Ball recoveries
2.9
1.4
Described as an attacking “wizard” by journalist Charlie Haffenden, Trossard would bring cutting-edge, versatility and European pedigree to the Villa team.
In that sense, he is certainly similar to Asensio, who may not return to Villa Park. He could well become Emery’s new version of the PSG star.
For just £18m, this could be a bargain for Villa as they look to add to the quality of their squad next season.