Aaron Ramsey to unexpectedly quit Aston Villa with big-money deal all but tied up

Aaron Ramsey is set for a surprising Aston Villa exit to join newly-promoted Burnley this summer.

The Athletic reported (8 August) that the youngster is expected to make the switch to Vincent Kompany’s side, with just final details regarding personal terms and a buy-back clause left to iron out.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claim (6 August) that Villa can expect at least £12million from Burnley after the club increased their initial bid for the academy graduate.

However, many Villa fans may have been blindsided by Ramsey’s seemingly imminent departure from the club. Having been at the club since he was 18, the Great Barr-born sensation was expected to make his way to the first team this season.

Off the back of two quality loan spells with Middlesbrough and Coventry City in the Championship, the 20-year-old showed enough promise and potential to be granted a first-team opportunity under Unai Emery this season.

His former boss Michael Carrick was full of praise for Ramsey during his loan spell. “We believed it would be a good move for him as well, to come and play in a good team. And we believed he could help us too, which I think we have seen because what a terrific player he is”, Carrick said as quoted by TeesideLive (14 April).

His older brother Jacob has proven it’s possible too. Since his senior debut in February 2020, the academy graduate has gone on to 101 appearances for the club and scored 12 goals. Many hoped that his younger brother could have a similar impact at Villa Park.

Villa look to be challenging on all fronts this season and will aim to go deep in all cup competitions. This means there will be plenty of chances for the younger fringe players to earn significant minutes this season in a really exciting side.

He could have earned minutes in the FA Cup, League Cup and even make a European debut after Villa’s qualification to the Europa Conference League. His Premier League debut would have also been very likely, but he will naturally earn this at Burnley too.

Ramsey plays in the attacking midfield position, meaning he does not have much competition if he is played in his preferred position.

Phillipe Coutinho can play this role but has mostly served as a winger during his Aston Villa tenure, and with Fabrizio Romano tweeting (5 August) that a Qatari side had enquired about him, his future at the club is unsure.

New signing Youri Tielemans would be unlikely to stop Ramsey’s progression into the first team either, so if the youngster played well when given the chance the path could have been clear for some genuine first-team action.

He would have also provided a new element to Villa. Opposition sides would not be as familiar with Ramsey’s game compared to Villa’s stars, so subbing him on when the game needs some energy could have been Emery’s secret weapon.

His stats back him up too. With 0.42 goals per 90 (94th percentile) and 0.32 assists per 90 (89th percentile) [FBRef], he can have direct impacts on matches and could provide important goals.

He is also skilled at keeping possession, linking up with teammates and progressing the ball up the pitch, reflected in his 79.8 per cent pass completion (85th percentile) and 4.97 progressive carries per 90 (70th percentile).

Aston Villa fans may be disappointed to see Ramsey depart as he is more than just a prospect at this stage. While not fully proven by any means, he would have certainly been worth a chance this season.

Perhaps the allure of regular game time in an exciting Burnley side was more appealing for Ramsey, but who knows what his Aston Villa career could have held.

In other Aston Villa news, a Villa youngster could prove his long-term worth after a double announcement.