Aston Villa: From European glory to upheaval
Aston Villa is undergoing a major squad overhaul following their Europa League success, with several key players departing due to financial regulations. The club must comply with UEFA's squad cost ratio rules, forcing them to operate as a 'selling club' to avoid further fines.
Why it matters
The situation illustrates the significant impact of UEFA's financial sustainability regulations on the transfer strategies of competitive football clubs.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Morgan Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough and Youri Tielemans arrived from Leicester
Football reporter Published 21 August 2026, 06:28 BST Aston Villa 's European heroes are already part of history.
They ended a 30-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League in May against Freiburg but the club could have sold six of the starting XI by the end of the transfer window.
Ezri Konsa's imminent £51m departure to Arsenal is the latest high-profile exit at Villa Park this summer as Unai Emery's squad undergoes drastic change.
Istanbul goalscorers Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers left last month, Rogers' £117m move to Chelsea a record for an English player.
Lucas Digne was sold to Paris St-Germain and Villa must also find a solution for goalkeeper Emi Martinez after his failed move to Juventus and the signing of his replacement - Zion Suzuki.
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