Football
5 Aston Villa Players Expected To Leave After Champions League Setback
Aston Villa could be forced to path ways with some top players in their squad after failing to secure Champions League ticket in the last game of the 2024/25 season.
Villa failed to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League season after finishing sixth on the Premier League table. The Villans lost two-nil to Manchester United as they were on the wrong end of a controversial decision.
Morgan Rogers saw his opener disallowed due to a perceived foul on goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, and the Red Devils eventually went on to win 2-0 to sink Aston Villa’s hopes of a consecutive season in Europe’s top division.
With Europa League now on the cards for Villa, Emery could be without five of their most trusted players next season.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa misses out on Champions League football (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
According to popular transfer journalist, David Ornstein, Villa’s squad situation was quite tense, and acquiring Champions League qualification would provide the club with a much-needed boost.
Speaking to NBC Sports prior to the Premier League’s final round of fixtures, he said:
“They might have to sell players regardless of what happens today, but it would be such a boost. And when you’re looking at the likes of Emi Martinez crying on the pitch the other day, he may be having to leave Villa Park, but let’s see if they get into the Champions League. Morgan Rogers, many clubs looking at Aston Villa and saying, Could we pick him off if they don’t get into the Champions League? Ollie Watkins, Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey, the difference between Champions League and not is night and day.”
Aston Villa may be unable to convince the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins to stay put if a club with Champions League football next season comes knocking for their signature.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Ollie Watkins and the England international might be tempted to make the move due to Champions League football and other opportunities.