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Rudy Gestede | Getty Images
Aston Villa are preparing for another year in the Premier League right now
Aston Villa have made great strides over recent times. They dropped into the Championship back in 2016 but have since managed to claw themselves back into the Premier League. The Midlands have now become a team who compete in Europe.
Unai Emery has done an impressive job since taking over at Villa Park in 2022. He has the chance to sign some players this summer. In the meantime, here is a look at where their additions from their 2015/16 are now...
Aston Villa defensive additions
Aston Villa signed Mark Bunn to boost their goalkeeping department. He spent four years with them and played 21 matches. He has now retired and has worked as a goalkeeper mentor over recent times.
Micah Richards joined in 2015 from Manchester City following a loan spell at Fiorentina in Italy. He went on to make 31 appearances before hanging up his boots. The 37-year-old now works as a pundit on television for the likes of Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
He said in an interview in 2021: “I often get criticised by a section of Villa fans, who claim that I didn't care about them when I was on the sidelines and all I was concerned about was getting paid. It's absolute nonsense. It broke my heart not being able to show what I could. People see me as a bubbly character but I had to continually put on a front when I was at Bodymoor Heath, the club's training ground, to mask the anguish I was feeling at not being able to contribute.”
Tiago Ilori arrived on loan from Liverpool but his stay was cut short. He still plays these days for Dila Gori in Georgia. Joleon Lescott and Jose Angel Crespo have both called time on their playing days though, whilst Jordan Veretout is at Lyon but his future is uncertain after their demotion to Ligue 2.
Jordan Amavi rocked up at Aston Villa from OGC Nice and had two years with them. He then left for Marseille in 2017 after their relegation. The left-back is on the books at Stade Brestois at the moment and has been since 2023.
Aston Villa attacking reinforcements
Aston Villa snapped up Idrissa Gueye from Lille in 2015 before he later went to Everton. He has since returned to the Toffees after re-signing for them from PSG. However, his deal with the Merseyside club has expired and it remains to be seen whether he will be staying put.
Scott Sinclair arrived at Bodymoor Heath on loan from Manchester City on loan before his switch was later made permanent. He is now a free agent after parting ways with Bristol Rovers recently. The Gas were relegated to League Two along with Cambridge United, Crawley Town and Shrewsbury Town after finishing in the bottom four of League One.
Jordan Ayew and Adama Traore are still in the game at Leicester City and Fulham respectively. The latter left Aston Villa for Middlesbrough in 2016 and later secured a surprise transfer to Barcelona before heading back to England with the Cottagers. As for Rudy Gestede, he is now Head of Football Operations at Blackburn Rovers.
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