Aston Villa‘s priority on the pitch is to end the season with silverware and a place in next season’s Champions League, either through winning this year’s competition or through their Premier League position.
However, away from the pitch, club officials are monitoring the progress of a wide array of players who have been sent out on loan.
While some talent will be earmarked for opportunities in the senior squad at a later date, Villa’s hierarchy will be hoping that others make such an impression that they receive lucrative offers in the summer to help bolster their position with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Here, Sports Mole provides an update on the 23 players who are at teams competing in the Premier League, EFL and abroad.
Transfer income on the horizon?
Enzo Barrenechea was a vital cog in the deal that took Douglas Luiz to Juventus, even though the Argentine may not have necessarily been viewed as someone who could represent Villa in the future.
However, the 23-year-old’s valuation has only increased through his performances for Valencia, making 18 starts and three substitute outings in all competitions.
Although Barrenechea could be integrated into the squad next season, Villa will recognise that opportunities may arise where they can make a profit on their previous €11m outlay
Fellow Argentine Emiliano Buendia has been attempting to kick-start his career at Bayer Leverkusen, yet just two starts and six substitute outings have been made since his January switch.
Villa can only expect a minimal return on Philippe Coutinho in the summer, the Brazilian having a contract until 2026, and only chipping in with seven goals and one assist in 28 games at Vasco Da Gama has done little to enhance his valuation.
Leander Dendoncker has racked up 32 appearances for Anderlecht. The Belgian club hold an undisclosed buy option to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent deal.
Kosta Nedeljkovic moved to RB Leipzig to improve his chances of regular football, yet the Serbia international has accumulated just 36 minutes across three substitute outings in the Bundesliga. Like with Dendoncker, a permanent deal is in place and could be activated.
Academy graduate Kadan Young was allowed to move to Belgian side Royal Antwerp on loan, but he remains on 65 minutes across three appearances, staying as an unused substitute since his solitary start on March 1.
Minimal Premier League, Championship benefit
Rather than remain in Emery’s squad, Alex Moreno was loaned out to Nottingham Forest in the summer. Fourteen starts and three substitute outings have been made for the Premier League’s surprise package, albeit no appearances coming in the top flight since January.
Having watched Louie Barry star for Stockport County in League One, Villa were hoping for more of the same at Hull City, yet injury has restricted the attacker to 165 minutes across four Championship fixtures without a goal or assist being contributed.
Lewis Dobbin has racked up 11 starts and 18 substitute outings for West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City this campaign, yet netting just twice suggests that the £10m summer addition may never make a competitive appearance for Villa.
Samuel Iling-Junior – the second player in the Luiz deal – could also suffer the same fate. Just two goals have come from seven starts and 17 substitute outings for Bologna and Middlesbrough.
On a more positive note, versatile full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden has made 36 starts and seven substitute outings for Preston North End. Now at the age of 22, Villa may look to generate a profit for the academy graduate in the summer.
Blossoming Bristol Rovers relationship
On the back of loan stints at Bristol Rovers, Lamare Bogarde has developed into a valuable squad member at Villa, and they hope for more of the same from Lino Sousa and Sil Swinkels.
Left-back Sousa has accumulated 14 starts and 10 substitute outings in League One, while centre-back Swinkels has made five starts and four substitute appearances since his winter arrival.
Goalkeeper Joe Gauci can be delighted with his four starts for Barnsley, keeping two clean sheets and conceding just four times.
While Josh Feeney has been representing a struggling Shrewsbury Town side, the central defender has now made 30 outings for the Shropshire-based club.
League Two experience
Like Gauci, fellow goalkeeper Filip Marschall is essentially trying to become Villa’s number two for future seasons, and the 21-year-old has made 41 appearances with Crewe Alexandra.
The duo of Tommi O’Reilly and Travis Patterson have been spending time at MK Dons. Left-back Patterson has only recently returned to the fold to move up to four starts and two substitute appearances in the fourth tier.
Meanwhile, O’Reilly has been limited to 10 substitute outings since his January switch, scoring once. In the first half of the campaign, the 21-year-old made 12 appearances in League One for Shrewsbury.
Rico Richards has made a stronger impression at promotion-chasing Port Vale, contributing three goals and three assists from 22 appearances. Two of those have come since the start of March.
As for Kobei Moore, the 20-year-old forward is yet to make an impact at Fleetwood Town, failing to score in one start and three substitute outings.
Spanish link-up
Villa have held a partnership with Spanish third-tier side Real Union since November 2023, and they have made full use of it this season with three players being sent there for 2024-25.
Goalkeeper James Wright has made 24 appearances, keeping five clean sheets and conceding 33 goals, while versatile defender Finlay Munroe has one goal and three assists from his 22 appearances.
Twenty-year-old centre-back Yeimar Mosquera has featured on seven occasions. Real Union sit in 15th position in Primera Federacion Group 1.
