Why are Villa selling so many players?published at 11:20 BST
11:20 BST
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Max, Sheffield: Why are Villa selling all their best players? Why don’t they appear to be willing or able to put up a fight to prevent them going?
There was always going to be change at Villa Park this summer, the squad were braced for it and the Europa League win in May was the final chance for them to do something together.
It could be most drastic than envisioned, though, with so many crucial players either gone or going. It is a transition which would usually take two or three windows, in an ideal world.
There are different reasons for the departures so far, including lowering the wage bill and average age of the squad – which was the second highest in the Premier League last season.
Villa need to comply with Uefa’s and the Premier League’s financial regulations and selling Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117m was the best way to ensure they brought in as much profit as possible for someone who cost £16m.
Youri Tielemans was different, with Manchester United triggering his £35m release clause and he wanted to go, while Villa wanted to revamp their left back spot which is why Lucas Digne moved to PSG and Matteo Ruggeri has replace him from Atletico Madrid.
Emi Martinez has looked to leave previously and Villa could do without another drama – the reason for his failed move to Juventus was because the clubs could not agree a free – while Ezri Konsa’s Arsenal moving could be done by the end of the week.
Ultimately, Villa are still a selling club even if that jars with the fact they are in the Champions League and Europa League holders.
Yet, Villa want to keep Ollie Watkins and he would be difficult to replace. Should the England forward leave it would represent the most emotional departure from Villa Park this summer and really signal how much change is happening.