The Aston Villa players who could say farewell to Villa Park on Monday.
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery’s side prepare for final home game of the season against Liverpool.
Aston Villa host Liverpool on Monday, with the possibility to secure Champions League qualifying.
Unai Emery’s squad is only one win away from securing their place in the top four ahead of Tottenham. Even if Villa loses to Liverpool on Monday night, Spurs will be unable to catch up if they lose to Manchester City the next day.
Villa are already guaranteed to finish in the top five, which means they will play in the Europa League next season if they don’t beat Tottenham to fourth place. Whatever competition Villa qualifies for, the club’s president of football operations, Monchi, faces a difficult task of bolstering Emery’s first-team squad while simultaneously collecting funds through player sales.
Profit and Sustainability Rules have put a strain on most Premier League clubs and while Champions League revenue will go some way to helping Villa remain compliant, some of the club’s big earners may be moved on to save money and trim the wage bill.
Back in January, Villa signed four players to not only bring the average age of the squad down, but also to add more options to Emery for minimal cost. Morgan Rogers made a brilliant impact after coming in for Jacob Ramsey, while Kosta Nedeljkovic and Lino Sousa will aim to impress in pre-season. January arrival Joe Gauci is currently the third-choice ‘keeper.
There will be interest in Villa’s players this summer after a number of strong individual campaigns, but only huge bids will be entertained for some of the club’s prized assets, including Ollie Watkins. Douglas Luiz could attract interest again this summer, with Arsenal and Barcelona just two clubs known to be tracking him.
The Brazilian has a contract with Villa until 2026, but could depart if the right bid is tabled. Jacob Ramsey also has admirers despite Villa insisting back in January that he was not for sale.
Lucas Digne was of interest to clubs in Saudi Arabia last summer and the club were considering a possible sale considering his high wage packet, but the left-back is settled at Villa and has played his best football since joining the club this term.
On Monday night, when Villa go in search of a crucial victory which would secure their place in the top four, there will be some players who’ll bid farewell to Villa Park.
Clement Lenglet and Nicolo Zaniolo are not expected to return to Villa on permanent deals next summer after respective loan moves back in the summer. Lenglet was debating leaving Villa back in January, before being given more game time due to the club’s injuries across defence.
The centre-back is set to return to Barcelona following Villa’s final day clash against Crystal Palace, but he is not expecting to play in either match unless Pau Torres is unable to feature for any reason.
Meanwhile, Zaniolo has interest from clubs in Italy ahead of the summer window. The Galatasaray man has struggled to find form at Villa this season.
Calum Chambers could wave goodbye to Villa Park on Monday after Emery has made it clear that the centre-back is free to leave. Chambers was told last summer that his playing time would be minimal this term.
Who will leave Villa this summer?
