Break-up of Villa's Europa heroes leaves cracks for Emery to fill
Aston Villa 's European heroes are already part of history. They ended a 30-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League in May against Freiburg but the club could have sold six of the starti…
They ended a 30-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League in May against Freiburg but the club could have sold six of the starting XI by the end of the transfer window.
Ezri Konsa's imminent £51m departure to Arsenal is the latest high-profile exit at Villa Park this summer as Unai Emery's squad undergoes drastic change.
Istanbul goalscorers Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers left last month, Rogers' £117m move to Chelsea a record for an English player.
Lucas Digne was sold to Paris St-Germain and Villa must also find a solution for goalkeeper Emi Martinez after his failed move to Juventus and the signing of his replacement - Zion Suzuki.
Al-Hilal may also test Villa's resolve again before the 1 September transfer deadline for Ollie Watkins, with the Premier League club reportedly tabling a new contract to try to keep the striker.
That would leave Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, John McGinn and Emi Buendia as those who remain from the 11 that started in Istanbul.
Like many, Villa are a selling club, mainly due to necessity, and have been for a number of years.
They must comply with Uefa's squad cost ratio (SCR) which restricts them to spending 70% of their football related revenue on player and staff wages, transfer fees and agent fees.
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