The extent to which the transfer window has affected Aston Villa cannot be overstated. This is a side with a near-identical corps that competed well. Villa went far in Champions League and the FA Cup while pulling off a good run of form to finish sixth in the Premier League, nearly qualifying for CL again.
Yet, the rules and the way in which they have been enforced against Villa has not allowed the club to partake in regular transfer window activities.
Although the club is not performing at the needed level, the total weight of the ongoing difficulties is something that has undoubtedly affected things at Villa. A lot of competitive sports has to do with the mental aspect and approach. By now, most, if not all, of the Villans are likely used to seeing their names in the headlines regarding transfer rumors.
The added uncertainty of what would happen with Emiliano Martínez regarding the last-moment developments, though, is something different entirely. To that point there had not been anything credible pointing toward an actual Villa exit of 'Dibu.' Manchester United's keeper situation, however, took a significant turn that left the possibility open of his joining Ruben Amorim's side.
Contrasting summers to that of Aston Villa's
Add, too, that the rest of the Premier League was able to continuously celebrate the arrival of a newcomer, while Villa have been left struggling without the immediate sight of being able to receive a similar boost. At the end, the club did add some notable players in Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho, and Victor Lindelöf. Prior to the late additions, though, it looked far more likely that Martínez would leave and that the club would not be able to bring anyone else to the side.
The deadline has passed, and Villa are in alleged reports regarding potential January additions. For now, Unai Emery faces the immediate challenge of needing to ensure that those in the Villa dressing room have moved on from all of the latest club happenings and are instead fully focused on the upcoming matches ahead, starting with the away fixture to Everton.