‘Not fair’ - £21m Aston Villa signing reportedly unhappy after Champions League snub

New Aston Villa signing Donyell Malen is reportedly “unhappy” after being left out of the club’s squad for the Champions League knock-out rounds, with manager Unai Emery describing the forward’s situation as “not fair”.

Malen, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund in January in a deal worth up to £21m including add-ons, has not been registered for the Champions League squad and will not play a part in any of the club’s European fixtures for the rest of the campaign.

A report from The Daily Mail claimed that the Dutchman was left displeased by the situation and suggested that Emery had “admitted Malen was furious” after he was omitted from the squad for continental competition alongside fellow new arrival Andres Garica. Villa have qualified for the last 16 of Europe’s biggest cup competition, but neither Malen nor Garcia will be involved.

Why has Malen been left out of the Champions League squad?

UEFA rules mean that clubs involved in the Champions League can only register a maximum of three new signings for the second phase of the competition. Emery chose to register his three deadline day loan signings, Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi, meaning that that there was no place for Malen or Garcia.

26-year-old winger Malen, who has made three appearances for Villa since signing in mid-January, has already played more than 50 matches in continental competition for Borussia Dortmund and former club PSV.

Garcia, a 22-year-old full-back who signed from Spanish second tier side Levante for a reported £6m in January, has played twice for the first team since arriving at Villa Park but will also be forced to watch from the stands as Villa continue their first Champions League campaign in over 40 years.

What has Emery said about Malen’s omission?

Emery admitted that telling Malen he would not feature in the Champions League “was not easy”.

“It is not fair but the rules pushed us to take the decision,” the Spanish manager added. “I explained to him why we took it. Of course, he accepted but it is not easy for him to be with us now and not playing in the Champions League.

“With some centre-backs not being available and being injured, I spoke with him and tried to be honest and knowing it was not fair for him. But the…decision I had to take was in that direction. Today he was training well and of course he is going to play hopefully for a long time here and hopefully in the Champions League for the next years."

Villa will discover their opponents for the last 16 of the Champions League when the draw is made on Friday 21 February, with the first leg due to take place on 4 March and the second one week later. They are set to play either Atalanta, Sporting, Club Brugge or Malen’s former club Borussia Dortmund.

In other news, Aston Villa have announced the surprise signing of young Turkish defender Yacin Ozcan for the 2025/26 season.