Unai Emery explains Morgan Sanson transfer decision as trio set to leave Aston Villa

BirminghamLive brings you the latest Aston Villa news as Unai Emery allows Morgan Sanson to leave the club

John Townley Aston Villa correspondent

07:52, 20 Jan 2023Updated 07:56, 20 Jan 2023

Morgan Sanson celebrates after scoring his first goal for the club to put Villa 1-0 up against Stevenage(Image: 2023 Getty Images)

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery will allow Morgan Sanson to leave the club this month as the midfielder has struggled to earn consistent minutes on the pitch since his arrival from Marseille back in 2021.

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Sanson has played in Villa's last two games, but Emery would like to sign another midfielder this month which would further limit his chances of starting Premier League matches. In fact, Sanson is yet to start in a league match this campaign.

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He played 60 minutes in Villa's embarrassing FA Cup exit to Stevenage earlier this month and scored his first goal for the club in the first half. Emery then brought Sanson off the bench in the 2-1 win over Leeds United last time out, but it appears that he has no future at Villa Park.

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"(Morgan) Sanson as well is in the possibility to leave, but Sanson for me is a very good player," Emery said in his pre-Southampton press conference. "He understands very good how we want to play and he has the skill to do it.

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"But he has to play in a team to be consistent, trying to play more and here it’s difficult to give him it - he is as well finding something to leave."

Sanson has started just three Premier League games since the start of last season and has played under 400 minutes of top-flight football in that time. He joined the club for £16 million in January 2021, but it appears that he has no future at Villa Park.

Matteo Guendouzi could cost more than £30 million, but Marseille are said to be open to selling the 23-year-old if their valuation is met. Reports claim that the French midfielder is open to joining Villa and reuniting with Emery after working together at Arsenal.

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Meanwhile, Marvelous Nakamba will also be allowed to leave Villa this month. The Zimbabwe international is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Villa this season.

Danny Ings is set to sign for West Ham in a £15 million switch to boost David Moyes' side ahead of a crunch match against fellow strugglers Everton this weekend.

Who should Villa target next? Tell us in the comments section...

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