How do Aston Villa improve after making history?

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Unai Emery lifted his fifth Europa League when he guided Aston Villa to victory in Istanbul Football reporterPublished11 minutes agoAston Villa are looking to move into a new era. A Europa League win over Freiburg earned the club's first trophy in 30 years while they also sealed a top-four finish in the Premier League. Manager Unai Emery delivered Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons as he made good on his promise to bring silverware to Villa Park. They are looking to challenge the established order in the top flight, having worked under strict financial restrictions. After a historic campaign how do Villa move to the next level? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Morgan Rogers scored Aston Villa's third goal in their win over Freiburg last month It has felt like Villa have gatecrashed a party they have not been invited to. They have finished fourth, sixth and fourth in the past three seasons. How to continue that is the question. Emery's team is getting older but, under him they have disrupted the top order consistently more than others. In order to remain competitive Villa are expected to trade and, before the Europa League win, there was a growing belief the current squad had come to the end of its lifespan. That has been challenged since the triumph in Istanbul and while the plan is to add more depth to be able to compete on all fronts, wholesale changes of the protagonists are not expected. Although, there has been a previous willingness to allow goalkeeper Emi Martinez to leave, with interest in Manchester City's James Trafford. Villa will still need to raise money to comply with Premier League and Uefa financial regulations, with Morgan Rogers the obvious big sale if needed and a top target for Arsenal. Bought from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £16m - Villa have paid all the installments - he would represent a significant profit. Boro have a 20% sell-on for anything over £16m which would earn them £16.8m if Villa are able to negotiate a fee of £100m. It would be a record sell-on, negotiated by Boro's sporting director Kieran Scott, and would eclipse the £15m Chelsea received from Tino Livramento's move to Newcastle from Southampton in 2023. Crystal Palace may opt to buy Evann Guessand permanently for about £28m, meaning Villa would recoup the money they paid Nice last summer, while Leon Bailey will also be allowed to leave. The Jamaica winger - who cost £25m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021- returned early from his loan at Roma in January mainly because Villa needed an extra body. Midfielder Enzo Barrenechea has also triggered a £13m permanent deal to Benfica after his loan this season, leaving without ever playing for the club. Loanees Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz and Harvey Elliott will return to their parent clubs. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Donyell Malen helped Roma finish third in Serie A after joining in January There is though, the question of whether to utilise the squad and not cash in on some, with Donyell Malen's £22m move to Roma in mind. The forward scored 15 goals in 20 games for Roma after initially joining on loan in January, leaving some at Villa with seller's remorse. He made just 14 starts in his 12 months at Villa Park but his value will now be double what they sold him for. In terms of incomings, a winger and a right-back, who can also play centre-back, are high on the agenda with Andres Garcia expected to move to Valencia after struggling to make an impact. There have also been thoughts about revamping the left-back role with more physicality, while another body in midfield is desired. Villa have also been long-term admirers of Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes. They would be interested should the Magpies be willing to cut a deal but there is the expectation, after Barnes' 16 goals this season and Anthony Gordon's Barcelona move, he will not be available on the cheap. There lies one of the problems for Villa. In order to improve they will need to spend and the recognition is the players who would elevate them would cost at least £40m. Striker Brian Madjo, 17, and winger Alysson, 20, arrived in January from Metz and Gremio respectively as an example of Villa's slightly shifting policy under president of football operations Roberto Olabe. He was brought in with a view of targeting long-term, younger signings as Villa look to future-proof their squad. Yet the club know they need to target younger players who are closer to the finished article than in recent years, Rogers being the only unqualified success under 23. Emery has had to find some middle ground with his long-term friend Olabe, the head coach naturally wanting players for now. The key is finding a balance and delivering players Emery asks for to improve the squad. The step to take Villa forwards on the pitch is the hardest. So, what do Villa need to do to comply with financial regulations and how restrict

How do Aston Villa improve after making history?

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How do Aston Villa improve after making history?

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