‘Many clubs’ want Villa deal… as Emery says winger ‘didn’t show his potential’
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said £18million summer signing Jaden Philogene could move out on loan because the winger’s adaptation is “progressing more slowly than we would have liked”.
Philogene, a Villans academy product, returned to the club in July on a five-year contract after impressing during a season at Hull City, where he was signed for an undisclosed fee in September 2023.
The 22-year-old has not played a Premier League game in almost three months and has not featured in Villa’s last four games.
🗣️ Unai: “We start the new year focusing on our game against Leicester, starting at home at Villa Park. We had a very good year, but we tried to separate last year, last season and this season.” pic.twitter.com/1zHjrQ9iSz
– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 3, 2025
Philogene: Villa “believes in potential”
“For various reasons, he didn’t show his potential in his first six months with us,” Emery said via Birmingham Live.
“He played some important games (in the starting line-up) against Bayern Munich (in the Champions League on October 2) and Manchester United (in the league four days later).
“At that moment he had the opportunity to show his progress. He didn’t make it clear and (he) played less, but I believe in his potential.”
The boss about 2025: “It is a challenge and our challenge is to also try to improve and increase our level, our requirements and standards in everything.” pic.twitter.com/5jwUAgT1kU
– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 3, 2025
Philogenic transfer: credit “an option”
Villa completed a deal with Hull for the option to match any bids for Philogene, which was equivalent to an offer from Ipswich Town and left the player to decide which option he would pursue.
Following his move, they received around £5m back as part of a 30% sell-on clause and Ipswich are likely to be one of the clubs keeping an eye on Philogene’s availability.
“(A loan) is an option for him and the club because many clubs are interested in him,” Emery said. “They believe in his potential.
“We’re not close to agreeing a loan yet and as a coach I don’t really want to let him go, but we’re talking about the different options.”
“My topic of conversation was always to be patient and take time to improve things. The adjustment is slower than we wanted, but I think the goal is still to improve and help us here. Now, in January, it could be an option for him and the team to let him go.”
Ipswich Town are interested in Aston Villa striker Jaden Philogene and are keeping an eye on his situation. Ipswich agreed with Hull City to sign him in the summer, only for Villa to trigger a matching clause. Philogene has started 4 games in all competitions this season. #ITFC #AVFC
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) January 2, 2025
Villa vs Leicester
Philogenes and centre-back Diego Carlos will miss Leicester City’s visit to the Premier League on Saturday (3pm GMT) due to minor injuries.
Defender Pau Torres is expected to be out for around two months after suffering a broken metatarsal bone, while midfielder Morgan Rogers and striker Jhon Duran are ruled out until the trip to Everton on January 15 (7.30pm).
Ninth-placed Villa are unbeaten in nine home league games, although their three-game winning streak ended with a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on Monday.
