12 Jan 2026 15:47:09
Really surprised we are prepared to let Malen go he is really unfortunate he has done nothing wrong and usually makes a difference whenever he comes on he is really unlucky in my view.
If he is going we must be confident that an established forward will be joining.
12 Jan 2026 16:03:35
I think your thoughts are echoed by many Villa fans.
It seems a strange decision to move a player on when he appears settled at the club and within the system and, as you say, does have a positive impact when he plays, particularly off the bench.
We'll see what the wise men at Villa have planned I guess.
12 Jan 2026 17:02:09
If true, I suspect this is at least partly motivated by the PSR and Uefa constraints following the ruling last year. I think most fans would agree that Malen has been a useful addition, but assessing him with finances in mind might mean we should be aiming for a greater return on such a significant earner. Building a squad is just as much an art as it is science, but in the current climate I don't think we can afford to have some of our top earners not genuinely competing for our first 11.
So I'd imagine players like Malen, Barkley, Elliott, Sancho and possibly even Buendia/Digne will all be the most likely to depart either in Jan or the summer, depending on who's available and how that salary allocation could be better used in the eyes of Emery.
12 Jan 2026 17:48:56
The issue for me is we’re selling a player who clearly has settled in. Fits the system and is useful either from the start or off the bench. Then realistically lacing him with an unknown quantity in terms of playing in this team.
A risk.
Not saying Gallagher isn’t a good player but will he fit in.
PSR is screwing is royally every transfer window from what I can see.