Villa needed 'better return' on spending
Amadou Onana
- Published
Aston Villa should have got more value for money from their transfer dealings under Monchi, according to Supporters' Trust chairman Mo Razzaq.
Villa are expected to replace president of football operations Monchi with Roberto Olabe, with a deal for former Real Sociedad sporting director Olabe close.
It comes with Villa 18th in the Premier League having failed to win their opening five league matches. They were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by Brentford on penalties last week.
Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland saw just two players - Morgan Rogers and Evann Guessand - start who were signed by Unai Emery and Monchi.
Villa broke their transfer record to sign Amadou Onana from Everton for £50m last year but injury has meant he made just 22 starts in the league last season and the midfielder is currently out with a hamstring problem.
Left-back Ian Maatsen joined from Chelsea for £37.5m but has struggled to hold down a regular role while Donyell Malen has made just five starts since moving from Borussia Dortmund for an initial £21m in January.
"Considering the outlay and in terms of signing on fees and wages we pay, we'd probably expect a better return," said Razzaq.
"So if we look at our successes: Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Pau Torres.
"But last season, we signed Onana from Everton, when he plays his form is good but he spends a lot of time out injured.
"Then last January we spent a lot on (Axel) Disasi, (Marcus) Rashford and (Marco) Asensio in terms of their wages. So if that gamble pays off, then you're into the Champions League.
"Because we didn't you look at the issues around player wages and the ratio to revenue and things then look a bit tougher.
"If we want to be competing at the top, then we need to have a better success rate. We've taken a few gambles and they've not paid off."
