Aston Villa 2022/23 season preview: How to watch, summer transfers & league prediction
After what was ultimately a pretty mediocre 2021/22 season given their significant outlay last summer, anticipation is building for a significant improvement at Villa Park this time around.
On paper, Villa have gone about their business in a far more shrewd manner, making a big splash in the early stages of the transfer window and improving the squad in a considered, targeted way.
Competition for a top-half, Europa Conference League or Europa League finish is set to be more intense than ever as clubs splash the cash to keep up with the top six. Head coach Steven Gerrard will be under no illusions about the challenge facing his side as a result.
Here is 90min's Premier League season preview for Aston Villa.
How to watch Aston Villa on TV
- Aston Villa fixtures & results: 2022/23 season
- Premier League fixtures & results: 2022/23 season
- How to watch Premier League fixtures on TV
Aston Villa summer transfers
Ins:
- Philippe Coutinho (£18m, from Barcelona)
- Boubacar Kamara (Free, from Marseille)
- Diego Carlos (£26m, from Sevilla)
- Robin Olsen (£3.5m, from Roma)
- Ludwig Augustinsson (Loan, from Sevilla)
Outs:
- Matt Targett (£15m, to Newcastle)
- Trezeguet (£3.6m, to Trabzonspor)
- Lovre Kalinic (Free, to Hadjuk Split)
- Conor Hourihane (Free, to Derby County)
- Wesley (Loan, to Levante)
- Jaden Philogene-Bidace (Loan, to Cardiff City)
Aston Villa squad numbers 2022/23
Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
1) Emiliano Martinez
2) Matty Cash
3) Diego Carlos
4) Ezri Konsa
5) Tyrone Mings
6) Douglas Luiz
7) John McGinn
8) Morgan Sanson
10) Emiliano Buendia
11) Ollie Watkins
12) Jed Steer
15) Bertrand Traore
16) Calum Chambers
17) Ludwig Augustinsson
18) Ashley Young
19) Marvelous Nakamba
20) Danny Ings
21) Anwar El Ghazi
23) Philippe Coutinho
24) Frederic Guilbert
25) Robin Olsen
27) Lucas Digne
30) Kortney Hause
31) Leon Bailey
33) Carney Chukwuemeka
35) Cameron Archer
39) Keinan Davis
41) Jacob Ramsey
44) Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa key players 2022/23
Star player
While shrewd signing Boubacar Kamara will surely shine once he has been given the time to settle following his move from Marseille, it's difficult to look past Philippe Coutinho as the Villans' outstanding talent.
There is plenty of quality in the Villa squad, but Coutinho adds that extra pizzazz and star quality. Although his form dipped when his team's did towards the end of the campaign, the Brazilian showed flashes of what he is capable of during his loan in the second half of last season, and he will be looking to kick on with a full pre-season working with his former teammate under his belt.
Landing him on a cut-price permanent deal for just £18m seems like very smart business.
One to watch
This is very much dependent on whether Carney Chukwuemeka stays put.
The young midfielder has enjoyed a dream summer as he played a key role in England's Under-19 European Championship triumph - scoring twice against Israel in the final. However, he is yet to agree a new contract at Villa Park with his current deal due to expire in less than 12 months.
If he sticks around, his explosive ability from midfield could be game-changing.
Aston Villa kits 2022/23
Home kit
Away kit
Aston Villa Premier League prediction
Although they lack a prolific striker, there is no doubting the overall quality of Aston Villa's squad - especially following the additions of Diego Carlos and Kamara in particular - but whether they can achieve a top-half finish remains to be seen.
Consistency was their issue last term as their form tailed off following an initial bounce after Gerrard's appointment as manager. He will need to use all his know-how to improve on what was ultimately a disappointing14th-place finish in 2021/22.
It is likely the Liverpool legend will achieve that, but any European aspirations will have to be put on hold for at least another season unless he can get Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins firing up front.