Aston Villa were the busiest Premier League side throughout the winter transfer window.
No Premier League club made more signings than the five new faces who arrived at Villa Park – with Unai Emery welcoming Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi to Aston Villa on deadline day.
They followed Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen – who were announced earlier in the window along with Andres Garcia.
These five should inject some real quality into Aston Villa’s squad as they prepare for a busy end to the season, which involves a fight to rise higher than eighth in the Premier League, while also hoping to progress in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
In the latter competition – however – Emery now has a huge selection headache.
Unai Emery will have to leave two new signings out of the UEFA Champions League
Emery can only include three of his five new signings in the squad for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.
Rule 32.01 in the UEFA regulations states: “After the completion of the league phase and before the start of the knockout phase, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registrations must be completed by 6 February 2025 (24:00 CET) at the latest.”
That means Emery will have to disappoint two of his five new signings when the Spaniard selects his 21-man squad.
Why Aston Villa must prioritise Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Marco Asensio
It would be harsh to axe Disasi – who Tottenham also wanted – and Garcia from the UEFA Champions League.
However, Rashford, Malen and Asensio all boast a vast amount of UEFA Champions League experience, and could therefore prove to be difference makers in these knockout games, which are often tense affairs in which individuals need to step up and show their quality.
Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates with the trophy after his side won the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC…
Asensio even boasts three UEFA Champions League titles to his name from his time at Real Madrid, having scored 12 goals and provided five assists across his 69 appearances in the competition, so we feel the Spain international must be included.
In regards to Malen – who cost £22m – the Dutchman only has six goals and one assist in 31 UEFA Champions League outings, but did help Borussia Dortmund reach the final last season, so his experience this term will be invaluable.
Last but not least, Rashford has registered 12 goals and three assists in 33 UEFA Champions League games, but only ever progressed as far as the quarter-final stage with Manchester United.
