Football Season Guide

Villa punched above their weight and finished fourth last season, thanks largely to their displays against the top five, where they picked up 15 points. They also won their first trophy in 30 years and a first European title since 1982 to cap off a historic campaign. The off-season has seen them part ways with their finest attacker in Morgan Rogers and their most talented midfielder in Youri Tielemans, while their most consistent full-back Lucas Digne is also expected to depart Unai Emery’s side. Meanwhile, a prodigious Johan Manzambi became the club’s record signing and Wolves’ top performer last season, João Gomes, also joined to beef up the midfield. Villa need to strengthen their attack following Rogers’s departure. An inconsistent Alejandro Garnacho joined on loan from Chelsea, but Rogers’s void could prove difficult to fill, as Manzambi might be his replacement in the 10, but Villa still need more wide options. Their main strength lies in their home ground, which they’ve turned into a fortress. Last season they won 12 of their 19 league games at Villa Park, while no team have won more games at home in major European competitions over the last three seasons than Villa (18). With Ollie Watkins having a below-par season, Villa heavily relied on Rogers to provide firepower upfront and no top-six team scored fewer goals (56) than Emery’s side, meaning that this is certainly an area to improve – especially after Rogers’s departure.