Unai Emery’s Big Champions League Squad Decision
Aston Villa face a Champions League squad dilemma. The club has until 11pm (UK time) on 6th February to register a maximum of three new players for the knockout phase of the tournament. However, Villa signed five players in the January transfer window, meaning two of them will miss out on European football.
While Andres Garcia’s first interview focused on his excitement about playing in the Premier League, he obviously got the memo that he wouldn’t be taking part in the Champions League this season. The same, however, cannot be said for Villa’s other four January signings, all of whom highlighted the prospect of playing in the competition during their in-house interviews.
Sky Sports’ Fake News
Since the January window closed, there has been some confusion on how many new players Villa could register. Sky Sports claimed in an article on the topic that Villa could register four. This was supposedly due to Villa letting six players go from their List A squad list, so they would be able to add an additional player to make it a total of four additions.
However, the Sky Sports writer misunderstand the rules.
In the Champions League Regulations Rules, Article 32 Subsequent registration states that this situation can only happen if a domestic league season starts and ends in the same calendar year.
‘Exceptionally and without prejudice to Paragraph 32.01, clubs participating in domestic championships that start and end in the same calendar year are entitled to additional player registrations...’
This rule applies to leagues such as Sweden’s Allsvenskan, which runs from March to November. Since the Premier League operates across two calendar years, Villa are restricted to three new registrations, just like all English clubs in European competitions.
Clubs are permitted to register 25 players in their List A squad, while List B can include an unlimited number of Academy players.
Villa began the eight-game league stage with 23 players in their List A squad but have since lost:
- Jhon Durán
- Emiliano Buendía
- Kostas Nedeljkovic
- Jaden Philogene
- Diego Carlos
- Joe Gauci
With only three new players now allowed to be added, Villa’s List A squad will shrink to just 20 players for the knockout rounds.
Among the 19 players registered in List B, only Lamare Bogarde saw any action in the league stage, playing 139 minutes across three appearances as a versatile defensive option. His value to the squad is now even greater, particularly with Andres Garcia not being selected. With Bogarde able to cover right-back, Villa will at least have a contingency plan in defence.
The Fall Guy – Who Misses Out?
So, who gets left out?
It’s clear that Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio will make the squad. Villa aren’t paying their exorbitant wages just for them to sit at home watching the Champions League on TV.
Donyell Malen, a permanent signing with Champions League pedigree, having played in last season’s final with Borussia Dortmund, will surely be included as well.
That leaves Axel Disasi as the likely fall guy, despite his arrival being one of Villa’s most significant moves of the window. The French international would have been a crucial defensive addition, given that Villa currently only have one fit centre-back.
Emery will be banking on both Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres returning from injury in time for the knockout rounds – Mings is expected back soon, while Torres is aiming for an early March return.
If Disasi doesn’t make the cut, questions will inevitably be asked about what he was promised before he chose to shun Spurs and join Villa on loan. His first interview with the club made it clear that Champions League football was a key factor in his decision.
The following is an except from the interview:
The France international was excited by the prospect of making his debut in the Champions League proper, and was drawn by the ambition of the Villans, which he believes match his own.
“It will be my first time that I play Champions League, so I’m very excited about it.
“I know also that the club is very ambitious, and me as well, so I hope that we will do something great.
“That’s why also I signed here. I’m ambitious as well. I didn’t have a limit, and I just want to go as high as possible.”
If Disasi does end up in the Champions League squad though, then surely that’ll mean there have been complications with Pau Torres’ recovery.
It’s an intriguing subplot in Villa’s European journey, that we’ll know the answer of soon enough.
Aston Villa’s Champions League Squad Potential Changes
Goalkeepers
- Emi Martinez
- Robin Olsen
Joe Gauci
Defenders
- Matty Cash
Kosta Nedeljkovic- Ezri Konsa
- Pau Torres
Diego Carlos- Tyrone Mings
- Ian Maatsen
- Lucas Digne
- Lamare Bogarde *
Midfielders
- Boubacar Kamara
- Ross Barkley
- John McGinn
- Youri Tielemans
Emiliano BuendiaJaden Philogene- Amadou Onana
- Jacob Ramsey
- Marco Asensio
- Donyell Malen
Forwards
- Ollie Watkins
- Morgan Rogers
- Leon Bailey
Jhon Duran- Marcus Rashford
* List B
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