Aston Villa have somehow survived a veritable earthquake in the summer transfer window and emerged with new superstars who could lead Unai Emery’s team to more glory.
Though Villa made a sorry start to the season, they have since shown signs of coherence, losing only one of their past five Premier League matches, winning three in a row in all competitions, most recently against Viking in the Champions League.
The likes of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers and many more have gone, but the newbies have elite potential, with Johan Manzambi leading the way after his £50m move from Freiburg.
How Aston Villa have replaced Morgan Rogers
This summer, Rogers joined Chelsea in a deal worth £117m. That one will take some beating in the Aston Villa sale log, and while it was a bitter pill to swallow at the time, the likes of Manzambi have ensured smooth passage into a new era in attacking midfield at Villa Park.
Described by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell as the “direct replacement for Morgan Rogers” at Aston Villa, Manzambi is already demonstrating immense potential for the Premier League club, posting three goals and three assists across six games.
He’s not yet on Rogers’ level, but for an attacker so young and inexperienced on the major stage to be hitting his high notes already only bodes well for the future.
Indeed, Manzambi is already establishing himself as a game-changer at Aston Villa, someone dynamic and versatile who can make things happen from attacking midfield.
|
Premier League Form (2026/27) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
Manzambi |
Rogers |
|
Matches (starts) |
4 (3) |
7 (7) |
|
Goals + Assists |
2 + 2 |
4 + 1 |
|
Touches* |
33.0 |
48.6 |
|
Accurate passes* |
15.3 (85%) |
22.9 (78%) |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
2 |
|
Key passes* |
1.8 |
1.9 |
|
Possession lost* |
8.0 |
12.7 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
1.3 |
1.9 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
2.8 |
5.0 |
|
Def. contributions* |
1.1 |
2.8 |
|
Duels won* |
3.3 |
6.4 |
He’s not the only direct ball-carrying threat Aston Villa have on the roster, though. Alysson stepped up against Viking in the Champions League, and he showed that he too has the capacity to become a superstar attacker for the club.
Why Alysson can become a superstar
Alysson bears a likeness to former Aston Villa superstars Rogers – and not just through physical resemblance, as uncanny as it is.
The young Brazilian started in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, instrumental in securing the third goal in a 3-0 win and producing a Man of the Match display.
Alysson sparkled throughout, arguably producing his finest performance in joining the club from Gremio in Brazil for a fee eclipsing £10m in January. The 20-year-old’s pace and power down the right flank make him a dangerous winger indeed, with content creator Josh Norris praising his “remarkable development“.
Aside from his cross, deflected into the Viking net to seal the Villans’ victory, Alysson also created three chances, completed four dribbles and won six duels.
It would appear that Emery and co have moved to replace Rogers in the aggregate. Certainly, both Manzambi and Alysson offer attributes found within the Three Lions superstar’s skillset.
However, the new Rogers could actually be struggling to start for Aston Villa right now. With time, though, he’s shown that he can thrive for the Midlands outfit.
The next Morgan Rogers is warming the bench
This summer, Aston Villa went through some sweeping changes. Rogers left for Chelsea, but Aston Villa did welcome a winger from Stamford Bridge named Alejando Garnacho.
Sadly, Garnacho has had anything but an auspicious start to life at Villa Park, playing only three times in the Premier League. On each occasion, he has been unleashed from the bench.
However, Garnacho’s aggression and intensity in attack was showcased to the Villan persuasion on Wednesday evening. He only played about 20 minutes in the Champions League, but impressed after replacing Ibrahim Mbaye, darting about, powering forward at any given opportunity and striking three times at goal.
There is something Rogers-esque about him, to be sure. Garnacho is more of a natural winger, but his speed, hunger for goals and X-factor when on the ball mark him as a special talent who must be allowed to blossom this season.
|
Alejandro Garnacho’s Premier League Career |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps (starts) |
Goals + Assists |
|
26/27 |
3 (0) |
0 + 0 |
|
25/26 |
24 (14) |
1 + 4 |
|
24/25 |
36 (23) |
6 + 2 |
|
23/24 |
36 (30) |
7 + 4 |
|
22/23 |
19 (5) |
3 + 2 |
|
21/22 |
2 (0) |
0 + 0 |
Garnacho has too much quality to waste away on the fringes at Aston Villa – much like Harvey Elliott did last year while on loan from Liverpool.
However, the Argentina winger showed with an explosive cameo against Viking that he has a part to play in this Villa Park rebuild, and could prove to outperform the likes of Alysson under Emery’s wing, should he be given the chance to prove himself.
With Villa hosting Manchester City on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, Garnacho could have the perfect chance to announce himself.
