Aston Villa squad depth chart after transfer deadline day

Villa added key attackers and a handy defensive option before the end of the summer transfer window

There’s no getting away from it: the Premier League season has started very badly after an incredibly frustrating summer transfer window.

Aston Villa did more business on transfer deadline day than in the rest of the window combined. It wasn’t unexpected that Unai Emery, Damian Vidagany and Monchi would have a tricky time or that they would move to get players in under the wire.

Starting deadline day with a free transfer and ending it with two significant but differently structured loan deals was perhaps a little surprising, but the effect on the options now available to Emery shouldn’t be overlooked.

Villa brought in three players on Monday who genuinely change the picture.

Victor Lindelöf is a smart acquisition, offering depth at the back without a fee. Jadon Sancho could be a miss or a masterstroke. Harvey Elliott is, I think, a phenomenal signing.

To have the window Villa had but still bring in a player I wanted at the start is just fine by me.