Aston Villa have just pulled off one of the most underrated signings of the summer under Unai Emery, which could be crucial to their chances of success in 2024/25.
After being appointed to the Midlands club to replace Steven Gerrard during qualification for the UEFA Champions League, Unai Emery has performed admirably.
The Villans are seeing some change, though, as Brazilian Douglas Luiz has completed a move to Juventus during the two-week transfer window.
In the deal that will see Luiz move to Turin, Enzo Barrenchea and the talented English winger Samuel-Iling Junior are expected to travel to Villa Park. However, Villa are also ready to sign a player who could prove to be crucial for a minimal cost.
Free signing might make a difference.
Villa lost a crucial piece of midfield expertise with Luiz’s departure, but the free transfer of Ross Barkley, a former Lincoln Town midfielder, may help address that problem.
In May, HITC said that Villa was optimistic about landing the English midfield player and that they may take advantage of a clause in the player’s contract with the Hatters.
Despite Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s interest, Villa was always optimistic that a deal could be reached, and they eventually announced the midfielder’s signing.
Barkley will get another opportunity to shine at Villa Park following a less than successful loan stint at Villa three seasons ago, thanks to his professional comeback.
Barkley’s final season with the demoted Luton
Barkley and Diego Maradona have been likened.
After the 2-1 loss to Manchester City, Andros Townsend, the English midfielder’s former colleague at Luton, was all praise for him, and the guy was astonishingly likened to Diego Maradona.
“To be honest, after losing to Pep Guardiola’s team, these have been some of the best midfield performances I’ve seen in my career,” he said on talkSPORT.
The composure and skill to get the ball off the back four and slip it past some of the top midfielders in the world with no worries at all is just amazing.
“To be honest, it’s been enjoyable to watch. Yesterday, against Man City, Maradona was in the midfield to set up our goal.
“He has, in a sense, instilled confidence in me and the other players surrounding him. The ability to remain composed when taking a ball under duress is a greatly underestimated talent.
Maradona is an exaggerated analogy. Barkley will be a fantastic addition to a team that he is already familiar with, though, if he can play even half as effectively.
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