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(Credit: Imago)
Jack Heath
Mon 18 August 2025 21:15, UK
Aston Villa are set to make matters worse after the sale of Jacob Ramsey as a new unwanted man is set to leave despite an awful attacking performance against Newcastle.
Unai Emery would have been concerned by his sides performance as they drew 0-0 with Newcastle in a rather boring game of football.
The Villains struggled to get their attack in gear, largely down to the intensity of the Magpies’ midfield trio, yet it was simply a shocking performance, topped by a red card to Ezri Konsa.
Moreover, the two sides shared a special connection after Aston Villa academy graduate Ramsey completed a move to Newcastle.
His teammates were clearly moved by his exit with Tyrone Mings sent a strong message in support of Ramsey.
Similarly, John McGinn sent his best regards to Ramsey as he embarks on a new journey, despite the Scotsman having an absolute shocker against the Toon.
The departure of the Englishman has raised some eyebrows given how toothless the Villa attack was on Saturday (16 August), especially as another major forward is now set to leave.
Leon Bailey looks set to be the next out at Aston Villa (Credit Imago)
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According to a report by The Athletic (18 August), Jamaica international Leon Bailey has “reached an agreement in principle” to join Italian side AS Roma on-loan.
The deal consists of a £2.6million loan fee with an option for the Serie A outfit to sign the winger for around £19m.
Bailey has been hampered with injuries during his four seasons in Birmingham, yet his expected departure I find odd considering how poor the Villa attack was against Newcastle.
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The attacking midfield trio of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and McGinn looked extremely disjointed, handing the ball over to the Magpies and starving Ollie Watkins of any kind of service.
Donyell Malen came on for just 13 minutes but looked far more threatening and creative than his midfield counterparts as Emery turned to his bench with no real attacking options to call on.
Now, with the Jamaican set to leave the Villains for the season, and possibly the long-term future, the Spaniard will now have even fewer attackers to call upon.
Despite few attacking options, the Jamaican is set to leave the club (Credit: Imago)
Understandably, the 28-year-old has been a liability for the Villains yet his quality in the 2023-24 season has been overlooked by the club as an indicator of the level he can reach.
The number 31 provided a whopping 14 goals and 13 assists that year as he stayed injury-free and playing with an incredible amount of confidence.
Ramsey, whilst not offering the same level of output as Bailey, also offered Emery another striking attacking option capable of driving at full-backs.
I look at the midfield attacking trio from the weekend and was in complete shock the club were even considering letting the pair leave Villa Park.
Jacon Ramsey 2022-23Leon Bailey 2023-24Minutes played2,7463,191Appearances3852Goals614Assists813Ramsey and Bailey’s best-performing seasons for the Villains (Source: Sofascore)
No chemistry, no quick one-twos, the front four were devoid of ideas and, due to the restricted options available on the bench such as the out-of-form Emiliano Buendia and the unproven Evann Guessand, the former Arsenal coach had nowhere else to go.
Indeed, the club are under financial constraints right now, yet I am very concerned Villa are overlooking potential game-changing attackers by shipping them off.
Currently, it appears the Midlands club are set to have a very difficult year ahead and by not keeping both Bailey and Ramsey and not believing they can reach their full potential, it looks like Villa have shot themselves in the foot.
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