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Aston Villa are one of the new boys in the Premier League this season. We’ve wrote a handy guide to every opponent’s summer for the season ahead.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @findfoy
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Last year, we wrote a handy, quick-to-read guide to every opponent for the upcoming Sky Bet Championship season.
This year, we’re doing the same – though we’re not sure if you’ll have noticed, there’s one subtle difference. This year, it’s for the Premier League.
We’ll be going through the 19 different opponents that Aston Villa will come across in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal are going through somewhat of a transitional period at the moment – and whilst their attack and midfield are something to strike fear into opposition – their defence lacks somewhat. They’ve released experience in the likes of Petr Cech and Stephan Lichsteiner, as well as losing midfield marvel Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer. Laurent Koscielny, Krystian Bielik and David Ospina have left for pastures new.
They have however, signed some exciting players to be paired alongside their highly-rated kits this season. Dani Ceballos has joined from Real Madrid on loan, whilst also smashing their club record transfer by signing Lille forward Nicolas Pépe. They also brought in young Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli. Deadline day has seen Arsenal bring in highly-rated Scottish fullback Kieran Tierney.
Their pre-season has seen them beat the likes of Colorado Rapids, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and Angers, whilst losing to Real Madrid, Lyon and Barcelona.
Bournemouth have had an interesting summer, if truth be told. They of course sold Tyrone Mings to Aston Villa, whilst also letting one of their striking options in Lys Mousset leave for newly promoted Sheffield.
However, they’ve made some astute signings – and whilst they might not pay off this season – they’re sure to pay off in the future. Philip Billing has joined from Huddersfield Town after impressing on the international youth stage this summer, as well as Championship youth stars Lloyd Kelly and Jack Stacey have joined from Bristol City and Luton Town respectively. Highly rated prospect Arnaut Danjuma, and Liverpool’s Harry Wilson have also signed.
Their pre-season has seen them struggle to a win against AFC Wimbledon, beat Lyon and Brentford, draw to West Bromwich Albion and lose to Lazio and Girona.
Brighton are one of the relegation favourites ahead of this season after a relatively understated transfer window. They have a new manager in former Swansea City boss Graham Potter, and have let the likes of Anthony Knockaert and Jayson Molumby depart for the pastures of the Championship.
They have signed reported Aston Villa target Leandro Trossard from Genk, and signed Matthew Clarke from Portsmouth before loaning him directly to Derby. They’ve also recently splashed out £20,000,000 on Bristol City’s Adam Webster. Aaron Mooy joined on loan on Deadline Day from Huddersfield.
In pre-season, they have beaten the likes of Birmingham City, Valencia and Liefering, as well as labouring to a 1-0 win against Crawley Town and losing against Fulham.
Burnley, like Bournemouth, have had a part to play in Aston Villa’s transfer window, selling their first choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton. They’ve also lost other experienced players as Peter Crouch and Jon Walters retired, and Stephen Ward and Anders Lindergaard were released.
They have however signed Villa’s arch-rival from last season, Jay Rodriguez, who returns to Turf Moor, as well as signing Erik Pieters from Stoke City and purchasing an understudy to Nick Pope in Bailey Peacock-Farrell from Leeds. Danny Drinkwater signed from Chelsea on loan on Deadline Day.
They’ve had an interesting pre-season, beating lesser opposition in Fulham, Port Vale and Crewe, but lost to Crewe and drew against Wigan. Their pre-season finished strong though with a demolition of OGC Nice and a win against Parma.
It’s been a little odd for Chelsea this summer. Suffering from a transfer ban, the only signing that the club have made is Kovacic on a permanent transfer after his loan. Of course, there is the new arrival of Pulisic, who signed in January.
With Frank Lampard at the helm, nobody really knows what to expect of Chelsea this season. They’ve lost their talisman in Eden Hazard – who departed for Real Madrid, and have loaned out younger talent such as Ethan Ampadu. They’re also short up front, with former Villan Tammy Abraham getting some good game time in pre-season. Gary Cahill has joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer, and Tomas Kalas has joined Bristol City.
They have beaten St Patrick’s Athletic, Barcelona, Reading, Red Bull Salzburg and drew against Borussia Monchengladbach in their pre-season friendlies. There’s also THAT Pedro goal.
Crystal Palace have had somewhat of an odd summer too. They’ve lost their young defensive stalwart Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United, whilst also releasing veterans Jason Puncheon, Bakary Sako and Julian Speroni.
The only transfers in are Jordan Ayew permanently after the Ghanaian’s loan last season, and Stephen Henderson from Nottingham Forest on a free transfer. The future of Wilfried Zaha has been looming over Selhurst Park for much of the window. They’ve also brought in Gary Cahill, Victor Camarasa and James McCarthy.
Their pre-season hasn’t been great. They demolished Bristol City, but have suffered an embarrassing 6-2 defeat to Barnet and 4-0 loss to Hertha Berlin, as well as losing to Nottingham Forest and drawing against AFC Wimbledon.
Everton look like they should be challenging for Europe after a pretty stellar transfer window this summer. They’ve signed goalkeeper Jonas Lossl for free from Huddersfield, and got more experience in via Premier League winner Fabian Delph. They’ve also purchased some of the most exciting young talents in world football in the form of Moise Kean and Jean-Phillipe Gbamin, as well as making André Gomes’ deal a permanent one.
They’ve sold former Villan Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye to Paris Saint Germain and winger Ademola Lookman to RB Leipzig, whilst also releasing veteran defenders Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka. Nikola Vlasic has joinec CSKA Moscow.
It has however, been a pretty boring pre-season for Everton fnas. They lost on penalties to Kariobangi Sharks, before beating Monaco and registering three goalless draws against Sion FC, Werder Bremen and Wigan Athletic.
Leicester City have had a pretty excellent summer themselves in terms of transfers. They made Youri Tielemans’ transfer from Monaco permanent, and purchased ever-present Newcastle United forward Ayoze Pérez. They also signed Aston Villa target James Justin and former Villa academy prospect Mitch Clark. Dennis Praet is thought to have signed on Deadline Day.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve let go of Danny Simpson and Shinji Okazaki, and centre-back Harry Maguire has become the most expensive defender after his transfer to Manchester United.
The Foxes were unbeaten in pre-season, beating Scunthorpe, Cheltenham, Cambridge United, Stoke City and Atalanta, and drawing against Rotherham.
Liverpool have had a quiet summer, all things considered. They’ve invested in youth over first team players, signing Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg and 16-year-old winger Harvey Elliot from Fulham. They have also had former West Ham United goalkeeper come into the fold on a free transfer.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve released Alberto Moreno, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Bogdan – and sold Kamil Grabara and Rafael Camacho.
The Champions League winners will be looking to fight for the Premier League title against Manchester City once more this season.
They have beaten Tranmere and Lyon, but lost to Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Sevilla – whilst also drawing against Sporting Lisbon. The reds most recently lost the FA Community Shield against Manchester City on penalties.
Manchester City have strengthened in important positions. They’ve re-signed Angelino from PSV Eindhoven, signed a defensive midfield option in Rodri, and swapped Danilo and a little bit of cash for Juventus right-back Joao Cancelo. An odd one, also, as Scott Carson signed on Deadline Day from Derby County.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve sold Douglas Luiz to Aston Villa, released club captain Vincent Kompany – who has started his coaching career at Anderlecht, and sold Fabian Delph to Everton.
Their pre-season saw them beat West Ham, lose to Wolves, beat Kitchee and Yokohama FM, and win on penalties in the Community Shield against Liverpool.
Manchester United were always labelled for a rebuild this summer, and they’ve made a half-hearted attempt at doing so. They’ve brought in three players for more than Aston Villa have spent. Harry Maguire has joined, as have young stars Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In terms of outgoings, the club have brought in no money this summer. Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and James Wilson have joined LDU Quito, Paris Saint Germain and Aberdeen on free transfers. Deadline day saw Romelu Lukaku move to Inter Milan.
Their pre-season saw them beat Leeds, Perth Glory, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Kristiansund and AC Milan.
Newcastle United have had roller-coaster summer with the departure of Rafa Benitez and the arrival of former Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce. They have purchased Joelinton, who they broke their transfer record for at £40,000,000, Allan Saint-Maximin and Emil Krafth permanently. Jetro Willems has joined on loan.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve lost Ayoze Perez to Leicester City, Joselu to Alavés and released Mohamed Diame.
Andy Carroll also joined on a free transfer.
Their pre-season has seen them lose to Wolves, beat West Ham United, lose to Preston North End, and then beat Hibernian and St-Etienne.
(Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Norwich City join Aston Villa as a new side in the league with a point to prove, but have had a much quieter window. They’ve brought in Josep Drmic on a free transfer and loaned in Patrick Roberts from Manchester City. Other incomings include Sam Byram and Ralf Fahrmann.
Their outgoings are also pretty small, with Marcel Franke departing and Steven Naismith, Ivo Pinto, Yanic Wildschut all exiting on free transfers.
Pre-season wise, they drew against Arminia, beat Schalke 04, Toulouse and Luton Town, and lost to Atalanta and Brentford.
Sheffield United are the other new side in the league, and they’ve been very busy. In fact, they’ve smashed their transfer record four times this summer. Bringing in a swathe of Championship quality in Luke Freeman, Ben Osborn, Oliver McBurnie and former Aston Villa player Callum Robinson. They also picked up Lys Mousset from Bournemouth.
In their outgoings, they’ve not really let go of anyone, letting a few players leave on free transfers.
Their pre-season saw them beat Real Betis, Chesterfield, Barnsley and Northampton, but lose against Burton and Stade Reims.
A number of people are excited to see what Southampton can do with a full season under Hassenhuttl. They’ve made their move for Danny Ings permanent and brought in winger Moussa Djenepo. Birmingham City forward Che Adams has also joined.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve sold Matt Targett to Aston Villa, Sam Gallagher to Blackburn and Charlie Austin to West Bromwich Albion. The club also released Jordy Clasie.
Their pre-season has seen them draw against Altach, and beat Preston North End, Guangzhou, Feyenoord and Southampton.
Tottenham Hotspur have actually signed players this window. Shock. They’ve brought in record signing Tanguy Ndombele, as well as Jack Clarke before loaning him back to Leeds. They have also signed Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham, and Giovani Le Celso from Real Betis.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve sold Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid and Vincent Janssen to Monterray, loaned out Cameron Carter-Vickers and released Michel Vorm and Fernando Llorente.
They’ve beaten some strong opposition this summer in Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich, but have lost to Manchester United and Inter Milan.
Watford have had a decent window, all things considered. They’ve brought in Ismaila Sarr for a club record fee, as well as bringing Joao Pedro and Craig Dawson. Danny Welback has also joined on a free transfer.
In terms of outgoings, they’ve let Dodi Lukebakio join Hertha BSC and Obbi Oulare has joined Standard Liege.
Pre-season has seen a loss against Ajax, but wins against Queens Park Rangers, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad.
West Ham United have had an outstanding window. They’ve strengthened their attack with club record signing Sebastian Haller and Albian Atjeti joining the striking options. Pablo Fornals, the young Spanish attacking-midfielder has also signed, as well as defender Goncalo Cardoso and goalkeepers David Martin and Roberto.
Exits include Pedro Obiang, Edimilson Fernandes, Reece Oxford, Marko Arnautovic, Lucas Perez, Sam Byram, Samir Nasri, Jordan Hugill and Adrian.
Their summer has seen losses against Athletic Bilbao, Newcastle and Manchester City, but wins against Altach, Hertha and Fulham.
Other Midland outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers were pretty quiet until the last few weeks of the window. They’ve signed highly-rated Patrick Cutrone permanently, and loaned in Jesus Vallejo from Real Madrid. Other signings include Portuguese trio Pedro Neto, Bruno Jordao and Flavio Cristovao – moves which raised some eyebrows.
Exits include Kortney Hause to Aston Villa, as well as the release of Michal Zyro and Ethan Ebanks-Landell. Rafa Mir, Helder Costa and Ivan Caveleiro have also exited on loan.
Pre-season has seen Wolves beat Newcastle and Manchester City, as well as wins across both legs against Crusaders F.C in both of their Europe League 2nd Qualifying Round games.
