A lot can change in this sport, even on a week-to-week basis. Aston Villa appeared primed for a continued three-pronged approach between Champions League , FA Cup, and earning a high spot in the Premier League. Instead, AVFC are on the outside looking in and will need other results to go their way in order to reach CL qualification in the standings.
The hamstring injury to Marcus Rashford now makes it so that the Villa staff will not be able to see how he finishes out the rest of the season. Either way, it appears that the club will need to make a choice between him and Marco Asensio. Between the higher wages and Rashford's desire to play in Champions League, it looks more likely than not that the England international has played his last for Villa.
Another star EPL player could be on his way, though. The PSR element is important to keep in mind. While the personnel look for ways to avoid any penalties from the Villa's ambitions, it will be important to have a net positive transfer window this summer for safety.
The potential, then, of adding Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer appears to have gone up. According to an exclusive by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Unai Emery is interested in adding the longtime Prem midfielder. On the pitch, this would be a potentially interesting addition to the squad.
Particularly if Asensio remains, there will be two players who can play a similar function by creating in the final third and providing that last bit of needed spark that is often needed to break opposing back lines down. At times this season, especially, De Bruyne has shown signs of not quite being the quality of player that he once was in his pinnacle prime. Even so, he would be a potentially interesting signing for any EPL team.
Will need to take a 'haircut' to join Aston Villa
In order to make this work financially, even on a free transfer, the Belgian would most likely have to lower his current compensation compared to what he is receiving at Manchester City. For now, it looks as if Villa are looking to be the side that fulfills KDB's desires to continue playing in the Premier League.
He could, undoubtedly, make a move to a lower-level league in the United States or Saudi Arabia. Not ready to take that route quite yet, instead, he appears eager to prove that he can still be a contributor in one of England's best teams.