With the summer window closed, Aston Villa like other Premier League clubs have confirmed their squad numbers ahead of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign kicking off this weekend.
With 12 new signings arriving this was potentially going to be an interesting one.
Surprisingly, with a large amount of players also leaving, two numbers from the traditional 1 to 11 first team numbers went unclaimed.
Call MOMS old school, but we’ve always seen the first XI numbers as the first choice numbers and an indicator of your main players in the positions they represent.
Frederic Guilbert had a clear run at the recognised right-back No.2 shirt, but went for 24 instead. While the number 4 shirt was also left vacant. Douglas Luiz a potential player for the number, went with the number 6 shirt (perhaps more synonymous with centre-back), while Marvelous Nakamba went for 11 (traditionally the choice of a left-winger).
With players nowadays going for numbers for all kinds of sentimental and branding reasons, at least the most famous two numbers were taken by their rightful players, with Tom Heaton taking No.1 and Wesley taking No.9.
Remember five years ago, when Villa started the season without a No.9?
In other number news, Anwar El Ghazi elected to switch his number from 22 to 21. Björn Engels will now fill the 22 shirt.
Aston Villa Squad List Numbers
1. Tom Heaton
3. Neil Taylor
5. James Chester
6. Douglas Luiz
7. John McGinn
8. Henri Lansbury
9. Wesley
10. Jack Grealish
11. Marvelous Nakamba
12. Jed Steer
14. Conor Hourihane
15. Ezri Konsa
17. Trezeguet
18. Matt Targett
21. Anwar El Ghazi
22. Björn Engels
23. Jota
24. Frederic Guilbert
25. Ørjan Nyland
26. Jonathan Kodjia
27. Ahmed Elmohamady
28. Lovre Kalinic
30. Kortney Hause
39. Keinan Davis
40. Tyrone Mings
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When I played I was either 10, 7,9 or 11….that was it for years!!!!! But I defended too (admittedly badly!????)