Aston Villa started off the summer making some major acquisitions which include Boubacar Kamara (free transfer), Diego Carlos and Philippe Coutinho. Steven Gerrard decided to end the transfer window with the capture of Leander Dendoncker from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The West Midlands club splashed £25.2m in total on incoming transfers this summer in the hopes of a successful campaign in the Premier League.
Aston Villa’s Major Summer Signings Reviewed
Diego Carlos
The Brazilian centre-back sealed a move to Villa Park from Sevilla for £27.90m earlier this summer. He had a tough start to the campaign and is now out of action with a serious injury. Despite his recent setback, a lot will be expected of the 29-year-old in the coming seasons, especially considering his hefty price tag.
Philippe Coutinho
The Brazil international ended up making his loan move from Barcelona permanent in the off-season which would cost the Villans around £18.00m. He remains an integral member of Steven Gerrard’s match-day squad but is currently facing stiff competition from Emiliano Buendia.
The 30-year-old has registered five goals and three assists in 26 matches for the Villans so far. Gerrard would want him to be more consistent with his offensive numbers this season. If Coutinho can do so, then the £18.00m spent by Aston Villa will be well worth it.
Boubacar Kamara
The French sensation arrived from Olympique Marseille on a free transfer earlier this year. The three-time France international has already established himself as a valuable component of Gerrard’s midfield at Villa Park this season. He has made seven appearances for the Villans so far but is still waiting to score his first goal for the club. Kamara has what it takes to become a success story at the West Midlands club and could prove to be a shrewd piece of business by Aston Villa this summer.
Leander Dendoncker
The Belgian talent arrived from Wolves on a deal worth to be around £13.50m. He is expected to serve as a squad player at Villa Park.
Considering the price the Villans had to pay for Dendoncker, he could prove to be a bargain in the long-run as long as Gerrard can get the best out of the player.
The Villans have also signed Robin Olsen, Jan Bednarek and Ludwig Augustinsson (on loan) this summer.
Aston Villa’s Notable Exits
Carney Chukwuemeka – Chelsea for £16.20m
Matt Targett – Newcastle United for £15.75m
Trezeguet – Trabzonsporr for £3.60m
Anwar El Ghazi – PSV Eindhoven for £2.25m
How Did Aston Villa Fare In This Summer Transfer Market?
Gerrard deserves credit for managing to strengthen his midfield considerably with the acquisitions of Kamara and Dendoncker while also cutting off some of the deadwood from his squad. Even though the jury is still out on Coutinho, there is no denying that the Brazilian has got the quality to help the Villans earn a top-half finish in the Premier League. As for Diego Carlos, he is a signing that the Aston Villa fans would hope will pay off in the long run following his untimely injury recently.
