By Martin Graham
Aston Villa they have risen to unknown levels relying on players recruited years ago. However, as the calendar moves forward and the financial limits tighten, the question becomes stronger: how long can this approach continue to produce results?
The legacy core still carries the burden
Recent alignments underscore how strongly the past shapes the present. Seven players who finished the draw at Bournemouth, and the same number who started the midweek win over Brighton, arrived for the first time during Dean Smith’s tenure. Even now, more than four seasons after his departure, the imprint of that era remains unmistakable.
The team can almost assemble a full starting lineup from this recruiting phase. Only one position would be missing, left back, and it would add up Lucas Digne would create a team that did not contain original signings made under Unai Emery, despite his subsequent decisions to recover Douglas Luiz i Ross Barkley.
Smith’s firing in November 2021 ended his time in office, but not his influence. Tyrone Mingsinitially on loan from Bournemouth in January 2019, he has become the longest-serving figure in that period, recently reaching 200 appearances in the win over Brighton.
beside him, Ezri Konsa and Luiz arrived after promotion to the top division, while Matty Cash, Emiliano MartinezLamare Bogarde, Barkley, Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins were also introduced during those years. Together, they still form the backbone of the side.
Age, value and succession challenge
Many of Villa’s key figures were recruited from the lower divisions, with promise and risk. John McGinn they cost just £3.5m from Hibernian, Konsa £12m from Brentford and Cash £16m from Nottingham Forest, fees that now seem modest given their progress.
Emery has elevated this group beyond expectations, but replacing these players at similar prices is no longer realistic. The current market makes it almost impossible to find a successor to Konsa for anything close to £12m, highlighting the difficulty of long-term planning with limited resources.
This concern is exacerbated by demographics. Villa’s average starting age is 28 years and 84 days, the second highest in the Premier League, and it is accepted internally that a change is needed.
The steps have begun. Nineteen-year-old Brazilian winger Alysson arrived from Gremio for £10m, while 17-year-old Brian Madjo joined from Metz for a similar fee. Both were brought in ahead of schedule to reduce costs and risks, although neither is expected to transform the first team immediately.
January’s business reflected a compromise. Tammy Abraham was added as cover for Watkins, while Luiz returned on loan from Juventus following Boubacar Kamara’s season-ending knee injury. With £18.25m already committed to Abraham, funds were tight, making Luiz a practical solution due to his availability, affordability and familiarity with Emery’s demands.
Financial reality shapes ambition
The villas operate within a clearly defined economic level. Deloitte’s 2024–25 rankings placed them 14th globally with £450m in revenue, but more than £200m behind Tottenham. The stadium redevelopment will increase Villa Park’s capacity to 50,000, but even after completion in 18 months, matchday revenue will outstrip several rivals.
Champions League qualification would help, although it wouldn’t close the gap. Competing for elite targets remains difficult, as was demonstrated when Tottenham secured Conor Gallagher for £35m despite prolonged interest from Villa after Atletico Madrid expressed a willingness to sell.
That episode represented not so much a losing bidding war as a reminder of the hierarchy. Spurs could meet the asking price immediately, while the midfielder preferred a return from London, illustrating the limitations Villa face even during strong seasons.
Mistakes also have more serious consequences. A £26m move for Evann Guessand from Nice failed to meet the league’s targets, leading to a January loan move to Crystal Palace with an option to buy, allowing for some recoupment of funds. These setbacks are harder to absorb without major reserves.
Pressures on profits and sustainability remain acute. Jacob Ramsey is expected to be sold to Newcastle for balanced accounts of £40m and further departures are expected. Until revenues grow or costs are cut, Villa’s progress rests heavily on Emery’s ability to maximize familiar faces, stretching the old guard a bit further as he looks for a sustainable future.
