Key players, summer transfers, squad numbers & predictions

After guiding Aston Villa into Europe for the first time in over a decade, Unai Emery is set to take charge of his first full season at the helm at Villa Park.

The Villans had sunk into the abyss under Steven Gerrard before the appointment of Emery saw them emerge as the Premier League’s form team (not called Manchester City) during the second half of 2022/23.

Villa’s meteoric rise saw them qualify for the Europa Conference League, and an ambitious summer has supporters dreaming of a magical campaign in 2023/24.

Here’s 90min’s preview of Aston Villa’s upcoming season.

*Aston Villa played in the Championship during 2018/19

Ins:

Outs:

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

Star player

No player benefitted from Emery’s appointment more than Ollie Watkins. The England international endured a barren run towards the end of Gerrard’s tenure but burst into life once the Spaniard started working his magic.

13 of Watkins’ 15 Premier League goals last season came with Emery at the helm, and he enjoyed a stellar run after the World Cup during which he scored 11 goals in 12 games.

The forward will be keen to prove that this run of form was not merely a purple patch, but the start of something special for the Englishman at Villa Park. He’s looked in majestic form this summer, scoring four times in pre-season.

One to watch

There are a couple of new arrivals to keep an eye on, with the club smashing their transfer record to sign Moussa Diaby, once coveted by Arsenal, from Bayer Leverkusen. The Frenchman will be expected to play a leading role at Villa Park, but it’s the signing of Pau Torres that’s garnered plenty of intrigue.

Tyrone Mings has been a standout performer for the Villans with Emery in charge, and it remains to be seen whether the left-footed Torres, signed from Villarreal for £33m, can work in harmony with Mings.

While Emery is familiar with his compatriot’s work after coaching him in Spain, some have questioned whether the technically proficient but physically vulnerable can cut it in the Premier League. Thus, his development at Villa Park is well worth keeping a close eye on.

Home kit

Away kit

With Tottenham and Chelsea expected to come roaring back under their new managers, Villa have their work cut out if they’re to enjoy another top seven Premier League finish.

The Villans have undoubtedly bolstered their squad this summer, but is their squad deep enough to compete on multiple fronts? Emery will take Villa’s Europa Conference League very seriously, but that could come at the detriment of their domestic form.

While the optimism is understandable, it’ll be tough for Villa to secure back-to-back European finishes. Although, you’d be silly to write them off in Europe.

Aston Villa 2023/24 Premier League prediction – 8th

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