Aston Villa odds to finish top four in the Premier League 2024-25: Predicted finish, transfers, best players and full squad

Aston Villa headed into the 2024-25 Premier League campaign looking to build on their excellent showing last season.

Unai Emery’s men caused a real shock as they sealed qualification for the Champions League for the first time since winning the competition in 1982, finishing fourth in the table. They were two points clear of Tottenham Hotspur and also ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United.

Although the Premier League is competitive once again, Aston Villa are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League once more.

Latest Aston Villa odds to finish top four in the 2024-25 Premier League

Aston Villa’s transfer window business

Aston Villa transfers in

Aston Villa weren’t resting on their laurels in the transfer market, bringing in five players during the January window. They bolstered their attack with Marcus Rashford (loan), Marco Asensio (loan) and Donyell Malen (£21m + add ons). The Villans also improved their defence with the loan signing of Axel Disasi and the permanent signature of Andres Garcia for about £6m.

Aston Villa transfers out

Aston Villa’s transfers were funded by big outgoings. Jhon Duran joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in a £71m deal, whilst centre back Diego Carlos joined Fenerbahce in a deal worth about £8.5m.

Who are Aston Villa’s most important players?

Aston Villa’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins had already been Aston Villa’s top goalscorer three seasons running, but he exploded into life in 2023-24. The Englishman ended the campaign with 19 goals in the Premier League, all of which came inside the penalty area.

Only Erling Haaland (27), Cole Palmer (22) and Alexander Isak (21) scored more Premier League goals than Watkins last season. While he hasn’t hit the heights of last season, Watkins has managed to find the net 16 times already this season, as well as contributing seven assists.

Aston Villa’s primary playmaker: Youri Tielemans

Aston Villa saw a few creative players leave in the summer, but Youri Tielemans has stepped up. The Belgian leads the Villans for chances created this season, with 60 in the Premier League. He also sits joint top among Villa players for big chances created at 16. So far this season, that has translated to seven assists, with only Morgan Rogers (nine) setting up more goals for Villa.

Aston Villa’s card magnet & top tackler: Lucas Digne

No Aston Villa player made more tackles (59) or won more possessions in the middle third (79) than John McGinn last season. But Villa have missed the Scot through injury at times this season, so Lucas Digne has had to pick up the battling. Full-backs are always expected to be involved in the battles, having the full length of the pitch to do their work.

So far this season, Digne has averaged 2.48 tackles per game, sitting below just three other Aston Villa players with at least 1,000 minutes played. Digne has been booked four times so far this season.

Aston Villa’s rising star: Morgan Rogers

Morgan Rogers didn’t waste too much time making an impression following his January move from Middlesbrough, netting three goals and an assist in his first 11 Premier League appearances for Villa. He’s followed that up with eight goals and nine assists so far this season.

Aston Villa’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: Ollie Watkins
• Free-kicks: Youri Tielamans
• Corners: Lucas Digne/Youri Tielemans

Aston Villa tactical analysis & formation

Aston Villa team stats from the 2023-24 Premier League season (avg per game):

• Corners: 6.1
• Shots on target: 5.0
• Shots conceded: 12.0
• Offsides: 1.24

Aston Villa 2024-25 player ratings

We used our Squawka Score to rank Newcastle’s players in the Premier League this season.

• GK: Emiliano Martinez – 61% – The Best Goalkeeper in the world, Martinez has averaged 2.76 saves per 90 minutes this season and -0.27 goals prevented in total.
• RB: Matty Cash – 53% – Cash has had to deal with some injuries across the season, winning 58.04% of his ground duels.
• CB: Ezri Konsa – 58% – Konsa has won 75.22% of his ground duels this season, but only 57.41% of aerial duels. He’s also averaged 3.26 clearances per 90, which is low among centre-backs.
• CB: Pau Torres – 54% – Like Konsa, Torres has been poor in the air this season with 407% aerial duel success rate. But he has averaged 4.84 passes into the final third completed per 90.
• LB: Lucas Digne – 59% – Digne is one of the better left-backs in the Premier League this season, averaging 3.21 clearances per 90 and 0.57 big chances created.
• DM: Boubacar Kamara – 53% – The Frenchman has averaged 1.16 tackles won and 1.1 interceptions retaining possession per 90.
• DM: Youri Tielemans – 61% – Tielemans has played in a couple of positions for Villa this season, which has hurt his defensive role. But he has still won 1.71 tackles per 90 and created 0.48 big chances, the latter placing him in the 95th percentile and above for central midfielders.
• RW: Leon Bailey – 48% – It’s been a tough season for Bailey, who has averaged just 0.08 goals per 90 despite 5.75 touches in the opposition box.
• AM: Morgan Rogers – 63% – Rogers has been reliable this season, averaging 0.24 goals and 0.27 intentional assists per 90.
• LW: Jacob Ramsey – 40% – With just 0.06 goals and 0.06 intentional assists, Ramsey doesn’t score well among wingers this season.
• ST: Ollie Watkins – 65% – Watkins has scored 0.59 goals per 90 in the Premier League this season, from 0.47 non-penalty Expected Goals. His 0.22 intentional assists per 90 places Watkins in the 80-95th percentile among strikers.

Emery has continued to deploy the 4-2-3-1 system that has served him so well at Villa so far. Douglas Luiz has been replaced by Boubacar Kamara, partnering Youri Tielemans at the base of the midfield.

Villa have also coped well with the injuries so far this season. It’s allowed Jacob Ramsey to thrive on the left, with Morgan Rogers through the middle. Rogers has been a good addition to the starting XI, pushing very high up the pitch to play alongside Ollie Watkins at times. This allows Watkins to drop deeper to receive the ball if he wishes.

Aston Villa’s full Premier League 2024-25 squad

Aston Villa FAQs

Where did Aston Villa finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season?

Aston Villa finished fourth in the Premier League in 2023-24, their highest placing since 1993.

Who is the Aston Villa manager?

Unai Emery is the current Aston Villa manager, taking the job in October 2022.

Who is the current Aston Villa captain?

John McGinn is the current Aston Villa captain, with Emi Martinez acting as vice-captains.

Will Aston Villa play in Europe in 2024-25?

Aston Villa will play in the 2024-25 Champions League after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.

More Premier League 2024-25 content:

• 2024/25 Premier League fixture list
• Premier League net spend