It’s clear that a regular spot in Unai Emery’s starting XI at Aston Villa is going to be at a premium during 2024/25.
The Villains do need to lean into their strength in depth, given that they have a first Champions League campaign to contend with since the early 1980s – when the competition was still known as the European Cup.
For the manager, he needs players that he can rely on and who are not going to let him down in the big moments.
Ideally, those players with experience will step up and help guide the Midlands-based outfits into the knockout rounds, as well as staying competitive domestically.
For summer signing, Samuel Iling-Junior, that could be a problem.
The youngster hasn’t yet achieved the requisite amount of experience that would make him an asset for Emery this season, and so despite not playing a single game for his new club, the Express and Star suggest that he could be sent out on loan to get some games.
It’s arguably not the start at Villa Park he envisioned or wanted.