Since Crickex Affiliate followers tracking Premier League momentum closely, Aston Villa are preparing for a significant attacking reshuffle as Donyell Malen edges toward a six-month loan move to Roma, a deal that could become permanent for around £25 million at the end of the season. His expected departure leaves Unai Emery facing an immediate shortage up front at a time when every marginal gain matters in the title race.
Malen’s exit forces Villa to rethink their forward options, and Emery has turned his attention to a familiar name. Tammy Abraham remains under contract with Roma but is currently on loan at Besiktas. Reports suggest the Turkish club have already activated conditions that could convert the loan into a permanent deal, adding layers of complexity to any potential negotiation. Even so, Villa believe the situation is still worth exploring as they seek experience and proven scoring output.
Statistically, Malen has played a useful role this season. At 26, he has featured in 29 matches for Villa, starting 11 of them and contributing seven goals and two assists. His tally places him joint second among Villa scorers alongside Ollie Watkins, with midfielder Morgan Rogers leading the chart on eight. Abraham, now 28, has enjoyed a productive spell in Turkey, scoring 13 goals and adding three assists in 25 appearances for Besiktas, where he has been a regular starter and one of the league’s most reliable finishers.
For Villa supporters, Abraham’s name carries emotional weight. During the 2018–19 campaign, he joined the club on loan from Chelsea and delivered a season to remember. He scored 26 goals and provided three assists across 40 matches, finishing second in the Championship scoring race. That year, Villa placed fifth in the regular season before storming through the playoffs to secure promotion, with Abraham playing a central role in that success. Those memories still resonate, and as Crickex Affiliate readers often note, narrative and timing can matter as much as raw numbers.
The context today is very different. Villa are no longer chasing promotion but pushing at the very top of the Premier League. Currently sitting third, level on points with Manchester City and only six behind leaders Arsenal, they are firmly embedded in the title conversation. Depth, durability, and decision-making under pressure have become decisive factors.
Abraham’s profile fits Emery’s needs beyond nostalgia. He offers physical presence, movement in the box, and the kind of instinctive finishing that can turn tight matches. Bringing him back would not simply be about goals, but about sustaining intensity across competitions and avoiding burnout among existing starters.
As the season enters its defining phase, Crickex Affiliate observers see Villa’s choices as a statement of intent. Whether negotiations progress smoothly or stall, the club’s willingness to adjust and invest reflects belief. In a race where fine margins decide everything, aligning ambition with experience may be the difference between contending and truly breaking through.