Aston Villa 2022/23 season preview: How to watch, summer transfers & league prediction | OneFootball

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 summer transfers

Ins:

Outs:

Aston Villa squad numbers 2022/23

Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

1) Emiliano Martinez2) Matty Cash3) Diego Carlos4) Ezri Konsa5) Tyrone Mings6) Douglas Luiz7) John McGinn8) Morgan Sanson10) Emiliano Buendia11) Ollie Watkins12) Jed Steer15) Bertrand Traore16) Calum Chambers17) Ludwig Augustinsson18) Ashley Young19) Marvelous Nakamba20) Danny Ings21) Anwar El Ghazi23) Philippe Coutinho24) Frederic Guilbert25) Robin Olsen27) Lucas Digne30) Kortney Hause31) Leon Bailey33) Carney Chukwuemeka35) Cameron Archer39) Keinan Davis41) Jacob Ramsey44) 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

Coutinho wears the home strip / Albert Perez/GettyImages

Away kit

Morgan Sanson sports the new away kit / Will Russell/GettyImages

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.