When discussing players, there is a tendency to overlook anyone who is past the age of 24 already. While Aston Villa, like all clubs, will always be looking for young talent to add to the squad, it takes older players who have the needed skill level and experience to ultimately win.
Building for the future is smart. There will also always be a need for a dual approach. To only base the potential transfer decision on age is far too limiting and shortsighted, however. A player enters their prime roughly from the age of 27 until the age of 33. That can differ depending on the individual, but the rough time frame tends to hold true for most.
Even for those out of their athletic prime, with sports science, a player's ability to contribute meaningful minutes on the pitch can be further extended well beyond that portion of their career.
Current Aston Villa players who are in their prime
This is something to keep in mind for the likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn, for example. Being 29 and 30, respectively, these are two players who are going to be able to help Villa for a long time to come if they end up remaining in B6. While there may be some younger, to this point, unproven individuals, being able to keep hold of these two who have experience and have shown their willingness to give it their all for the club are aspects that should not be understated.
There's also someone like Emiliano Martínez. Only 32, he, too, is currently at the apex of his powers. Being a keeper, especially with his longevity and potential to play at a high level, is even truer compared to his field player teammates.
Staying vigilant and on the lookout for potential young breakout stars will always be a part of what's needed within the operations of the club. That does not mean that it has to have a disproportionate amount of emphasis when discussing the role in the club's plans. Anymore, the likelihood of anyone sticking at one spot for too long is low anyway. Villa are smart to exercise a degree of caution when it comes to evaluating who to move on from.