Aston Villa are facing a slump, with the top-four hopefuls failing to secure a win since their Oct. 22 triumph over Bologna in the Champions League.
The Lions were left shocked by a surprising loss to Club Bruges in their most recent Champions League match. This unexpected defeat came on the heels of a heavy 4-1 drubbing at the hands of fellow top-four rivals Tottenham in the Premier League this past weekend. The result against Spurs was especially disappointing, as Villa had hoped to secure vital points in their battle for a top-four finish, but instead, they found themselves overwhelmed by a dominant Tottenham side.
Before these two setbacks, Aston Villa were already struggling, having been beaten 2-1 by a struggling Crystal Palace. Despite their efforts, Villa couldn’t overcome a Palace side that had been far from their best this season. To make matters worse, Villa couldn’t capitalize on an opportunity to get back on track when they faced Bournemouth. Instead of securing a crucial win, Villa were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the resilient underdogs, who made sure to fight for every point.
These recent results have put a significant dent in Villa’s momentum, and they now find themselves in a difficult position as they try to recover from a series of disappointing performances.
Before that, Aston Villa were beaten 2-1 by a faltering Crystal Palace and couldn’t grab a win against Bournemouth, settling for a 1-1 draw with the resilient underdogs.
Tielemans and fellow Belgian Amadou Onana make up one of the top midfield partnerships in the Premier League, with Aston Villa also having John McGinn and Ross Barkley as strong alternatives.
They might bring in another major player, and what’s particularly intriguing is that this star would be someone who left the club for a new challenge just this past summer.
Douglas Luiz was one of Europe’s top defensive midfielders at Aston Villa, showcasing stellar defensive skills and scoring goals during the 2023/24 season as he played a key role in propelling Villa to the Champions League.
However, Luiz sought a fresh challenge, and Villa sold him to raise funds. While Juventus is one of Europe’s most storied clubs, Luiz is showing that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
According to an Italian outlet called Calciomercato.com, the Brazilian midfielder is keen on returning to Aston Villa this winter and could potentially rejoin on a six-month loan.
There’s a possibility that Douglas Luiz could make a permanent return to Aston Villa, where he clearly suits both the team and the Premier League better. Although it’s still early in the season, Luiz already seems out of place in Turin.
He has only started two games with no goal contributions, as several Juventus players have secured starting spots ahead of him. Fellow summer signings Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners have performed much better in Serie A, while Manuel Locatelli is reaffirming his role as the team’s key starter.
Aston Villa already has a solid midfield duo in Onana and Tielemans, both performing at a high level. With the success these two have been enjoying, the club may not feel the need to invest heavily in bringing Luiz back. The team is already well-stocked in that area, so a big-money move for the Brazilian doesn’t seem likely at this point.
However, despite this, the 26-year-old remains in his prime, and he still has a lot to offer. Luiz would be an ideal option for Aston Villa if they could secure him on an affordable loan. This would allow the club to benefit from his talents without committing to a permanent, expensive deal just yet.
Should he return on loan, Aston Villa would have the chance to evaluate his performances and see if he fits back into the squad before making a decision on a permanent transfer next summer. The financial risk would be low, but the rewards could be significant.
It’s becoming increasingly apparent, though, that Luiz may have made a mistake by choosing to move to Juventus. While the Italian club has a rich history, his role at Juve hasn’t been as prominent as he may have hoped.
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