The Challenge Ahead
When our Villans failed to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last game of Season 2024-2025, we knew that Season 2025-2026 was going to be based on retrenchment and honing the squad. That was necessitated by PSR constraints! Still, this Villans squad had shown the quality and desire to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League and 6th place in the Premier League. Certain changes in the squad that would be necessary (loss of loaners Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, and replacement of backup goalie Olsen by Marco Bizot) should not significantly affect performance.
The remaining members of the squad should be able to make up the loss of the loaners’ five goals and most of the 18 that the team lost between Season 2023-2024 and Season 2024-2025. Surely McGinn, Bailey, Ramsey, Tielemans can score more than the paltry six goals they mustered between them last season. As for Watkins, Rogers, and Malen, they all looked capable of scoring more than they did as Emery was forced to juggle the squad (to accommodate Duran and the loaners). Certainly, not having to play UEFA Champions League games will also help.
Meanwhile, our defense, which was stellar last season, is helped by all key players being fully fit. Even Mings appears able to play on a regular basis which allows Emery to use Tyrone as his backup option for Konsa and Torres.
An opening win at Villa Park against our rivals, Newcastle, could get us on a home winning streak and we know how much fun they can be.
Go Villa!