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

Aston Villa head 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 — two points clear of Tottenham and also ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United.

• Read more: Fantasy Premier League 2024/25 tips: Three best value FPL players released so far, and the worst

Emery had already impressed in shooting Villa from 14th to seventh in his first season in charge, thus qualifying them for the Europa Conference League, where they reached the semi-finals. But to go all the way to Europe’s top table for the first time in decades left fans dreaming of nights against the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Although the Premier League will be competitive once again, Aston Villa do have a decent chance to return to the top four. They’re currently priced at 3/1 by BetMGM to finish in the top four, the implied probability of this being 25%.

So, can Aston Villa build on their excellent 2023/24 season in the new campaign? Read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming season.

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

Aston Villa’s chances of finishing in the top four or six are quite realistic, and that will likely be Unai Emery’s aim. But if any Villa fans dream of a Premier League title push, they’ve been given a 2% implied probability.

Aston Villa’s summer transfer window business so far

Aston Villa transfers in

Aston Villa have already been extremely in the market this summer, bringing in the likes of Ian Maatsen, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis Dobbin, while Ross Barkley and Cameron Archer have also returned to the club. The latter had a unique clause in his Sheffield United deal that would open up a path back to Villa Park if the Blades went down, although it remains to be seen whether or not he’ll stay put.

Their most expensive signing of the window so far however, is the £50m they paid for battling midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton. The 22-year-old is the perfect replacement for Douglas Luiz who left for Juventus.

Aston Villa transfers out

Aston Villa have also been busy moving players on, with Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby sold to Juventus and Al-Ittihad for big money. At the same time, the likes of Morgan Sanson and Calum Chambers have departed.

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 exploded into life in 2023/24, ending the campaign with 19 goals in Premier League play alone — a record that extended to 27 across all competitions. All 19 of those strikes came inside the penalty area, with Watkins — England’s Euro 2024 semi-final hero — proving himself a fox in the box.

Only Erling Haaland (27), Cole Palmer (22) and Alexander Isak (21) scored more Premier League goals last season than Watkins, who will look to scale even bigger heights this time around, especially with Champions League football to look forward to.

Aston Villa’s primary playmaker: Ollie Watkins

In terms of pure chance creation, Watkins was fourth among Villa players. However, ahead of him, Douglas Luiz has joined Juventus and Moussa Diaby has completed a move to Saudi Arabia, with only Leon Bailey seeming certain to remain at Villa Park. What’s more, when it comes to actual assists Watkins wasn’t just first among his teammates; he was top of the entire Premier League pile.

Now, it has to be noted that Watkins’ 13 assists came from 4.16 expected assists, so there is a case to say he got a little lucky at times, with teammates pulling off difficult finishes or putting away spectacular goals. But credit must still be given to the former Brentford striker for putting up such ridiculous numbers last season, especially when combined with his goal return.

Aston Villa’s card magnet & top tackler: John McGinn

No Aston Villa player made more tackles (59) or won more possessions in the middle third (79) than John McGinn last season, while only the recently departed Douglas Luiz (12) could top his yellow card count (9). McGinn was also one of just two Villa players to be shown a red card, alongside fellow midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

Of course, nobody really needs an introduction to McGinn’s all-action style of play, with the Scotland international regularly tearing around the pitch on a one-man mission to win the ball and leave a few opponents sprawled out on the floor.

Obviously, there’s more to McGinn’s game than being a mere hatched man. Much more, in fact, with the 29-year-old notching six goals and four assists last season. However, he’s at his best when his pedal is firmly pressed against the metal.

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. All four of those goal involvements came across Rogers’ final six outings of the season, while he’s already scored twice in pre-season to help Villa beat Walsall 3-0 in their first summer friendly.

There’s genuine excitement around this England youth international, who will hope to make an impression on whoever becomes the new senior Three Lions boss with another strong return at club level.

• Morgan Rogers gets FPL fans talking as Aston Villa beat Walsall 3-0 in friendly

Aston Villa’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: Ollie Watkins (Douglas Luiz scored four penalties last season but has departed for Juventus)
• Free-kicks: Lucas Digne
• Corners: Lucas Digne/John McGinn (Douglas Luiz took 100 corners last season)

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

Emery will continue to deploy the 4-2-3-1 system that has served him so well at Villa so far and even despite the departure of Luiz, he has a strong core to call upon. Emi Martinez, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa make a strong defensive core, while Ian Maatsen has the potential to be an extremely exciting addition at left-back.

Provided there are no further departures, a front three of Bailey, Watkins and Rogers has enough threat to terrify any Premier League defence with Samuel Illing-Junior and Jaden Philogene both capable of giving full-backs nightmares.

The all-action McGinn will likely be the most advanced midfielder, offering a goal threat and intense pressing, backed up by the technical prowess of Youri Tielemans and defensive instincts of Andre Onana,who looks like a fantastic signing from Everton.

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 and Diego Carlos 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.

Who is Aston Villa’s most valuable player?

Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s most valuable player, with a market value of €65m according to Transfermarkt.

More Premier League 2024/25 content:

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