Aston Villa had a pretty complete January transfer window, addressing key areas in the squad that needed improvement, as has previously been suggested by FFC.
This is certainly a positive for the club, as they aim to maintain their Premier League status past the current campaign, looking to extend the gap between them and the relegation zone past the current margin of one point.
However, in every situation such as this, there is usually one person who comes out as the bigger loser, and it can be argued that is no different for Villa.
In this scenario, Indiana Vassilev is the biggest loser, specifically due to the signings of Mbwana Samatta and Borja Baston from Genk and Swansea City respectively.
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Rusty Scarborough, who headed up the IMG Academy when Vassilev was there, has been quoted by The Birmingham Mail speaking about the now-18-year-old: “The technical aspect he’s developed at a young age so now he’s phenomenal on the ball, passing, dribbling, shooting, heading, receiving.”
After recording six goals and two assists in 14 Premier League 2 appearances, the American was rewarded with four substitute appearances in all competitions.
This was largely down to injuries sustained by Wesley and Keinan Davis, as well as the departure of Jonathan Kodjia to Al-Gharafa.
However, even with Wesley out until the end of the season, it seems highly unlikely that Vassilev will be getting many more opportunities in the first-team, as Samatta, Baston and Davis all sit ahead of him in the pecking order.
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This makes it seem almost inevitable that he could see the rest of the season out with the U23s, which may feel rather anticlimactic considering his previous involvement in Dean Smith’s squad – this includes 13 minutes in the dramatic victory over Watford.
He will even be without his partner in crime Jacob Ramsey, who has six goals and four assists in Premier League 2 this campaign, as the attacking midfielder has headed out on loan to Doncaster Rovers, where he scored a brace on his debut.
Therefore, Vassilev could be forgiven for feeling a bit hard-done-by following January’s events.
Meanwhile, Smith has opened up about the decision made regarding a Villa cult hero.
