Aston Villa are on the verge of a significant defensive overhaul as manager Unai Emery confirms that Spanish left-back Alex Moreno is likely to leave the club. This news follows the recent acquisition of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for a hefty £37.5 million, marking a pivotal moment in Villa's defensive strategy.
Moreno's impact and impending exit
Alex Moreno, who arrived at Aston Villa from Real Betis in January 2023 for £13.3 million, has been instrumental in the team's achievements over the last 18 months. During his tenure, Moreno made 48 appearances, playing a crucial role in Aston Villa's impressive fourth-place finish in the Premier League and their qualification for the Europa Conference League in the 2022/23 season.
However, the landscape has shifted with the arrival of Maatsen. Following Villa's 2-1 victory against West Ham, Emery addressed the complexities of managing the squad with the new addition, stating in a post-match interview,
"We signed Ian Maatsen and were speaking with some different players in this position now we have difficulties to manage with three specific left full-backs. We were thinking to be strong in this position and Alex Moreno is a player who he is now close to leaving."
Interest from multiple clubs
As Moreno's departure looms, interest from various clubs has intensified. The Athletic reports that Nottingham Forest are reportedly eyeing a loan move for the 31-year-old defender, but they are not alone in their pursuit. Clubs from Spain and Turkey, including Besiktas, Galatasaray, Nice, Real Betis, and Villarreal, have also expressed interest in securing Moreno's services.
Nottingham Forest's interest in Moreno highlights their ongoing quest for a left-back during the summer transfer window. In their Premier League opener against Bournemouth, manager Nuno Espirito Santo opted to play Ola Aina in that position, emphasising their need for reinforcement.
Aston Villa's defensive restructuring
The signing of Ian Maatsen and the likely retention of Lucas Digne have significantly altered Aston Villa's defensive lineup. Digne, who was a reliable presence for Villa last season, took on the majority of responsibilities while Moreno was sidelined for a considerable period.
With these changes, Moreno appears to be surplus to requirements at Villa. His absence from the matchday squad for the season opener against West Ham was a clear indication of the ongoing transfer negotiations and his potential exit from the club.
Moreno's future remains uncertain. With two years left on his current contract, the experienced defender has several options to weigh. His departure will bring to a close a brief yet impactful chapter at Aston Villa, where he contributed significantly to the club's recent successes.
For Aston Villa, the focus now shifts to integrating Maatsen into the team and leveraging Digne's capabilities as they aim to build on their strong performance from the previous season.