Deadline Day delivered fireworks for Aston Villa as the club secured three signings on the final day of the window: Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliott and free agent Victor Lindelof.
Lindelof arrives to provide cover at centre-back, whilst the two loanees arrive with the potential to add flair and depth to Unai Emery’s attacking options. But whilst the last day activity was essential to bring some new faces through the door, not everyone is entirely convinced on the business — including former Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor.
Sancho Gamble
Sancho’s career has stalled badly at Manchester United. After a difficult loan at Chelsea, where he managed just three Premier League goals, the winger is once again looking for a fresh start.
Villa hope to give him the platform to finally deliver on his talent, much like they did with Marcus Rashford, whose temporary spell at Villa Park last season had its moments of brilliance.
Agbonlahor has questioned the signing of Sancho, speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, he said the following on the winger:
“You look at Sancho, I look at that as maybe a bit of a panic buy on the last day of the window. Didn’t work for him really at Chelsea, no other club wanted to pay the wages he’s on.
But Marcus Rashford came to Aston Villa and did okay. Maybe you’ll see Sancho have as similar an impact as Marcus Rashford did. Some games, top class. Some games not looking as interested as he should be.”
Emery the manager Sancho needs?
From a Villa perspective, there’s still plenty of reason to be optimistic. Sancho is versatile, comfortable on either wing, and can slot into Emery’s fluid attacking system. With the additions of Sancho and Elliott adding flair and creativity, Villa suddenly look far less predictable going forward.
If Emery can find the right role for Sancho, and if the winger finds the hunger to prove people wrong, this could turn out to be a masterstroke signing.
There’s no escaping the baggage. Chelsea not only declined to make Sancho’s move permanent, but even paid Manchester United a £5m penalty for not taking up that option. That speaks volumes about how far his reputation has fallen.
For Sancho, though, Villa represents opportunity. Emery has revived careers before, and the Holte End has a way of lifting players who buy into the project. Sancho has talent in abundance — what he needs now is consistency and commitment.
