Once one of the world’s best players, Coutinho was an incredible exciting addition. His initial loan was a success, too, prompting a £17 million permanent deal from Barcelona. Just one goal was scored throughout 2022/23, however, as the Brazilian was plagued by injuries. On loan at Al-Duhail SC in Qatar, Coutinho is still contracted to Villa but is unlikely to play for the club again.placeholder image
Once one of the world’s best players, Coutinho was an incredible exciting addition. His initial loan was a success, too, prompting a £17 million permanent deal from Barcelona. Just one goal was scored throughout 2022/23, however, as the Brazilian was plagued by injuries. On loan at Al-Duhail SC in Qatar, Coutinho is still contracted to Villa but is unlikely to play for the club again. | Getty Images

Aston Villa’s 13 most expensive signings of all time - where are they now?

Charlie Haffenden
By Charlie Haffenden

Sports Reporter

Published 3rd Jan 2024, 18:37 GMT

As the 2024 January transfer window opens, we take a look at the 13 most expensive signings in Aston Villa history and where they've ended up.

Aston Villa, much like many other Premier League clubs, are no stranger to mega-money transfer deals.

The cash flying out of Villa Park isn't quite at the level of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, but big transfers are still fairly frequent.

Moussa Diaby became the new record signing in July 2023 as he joined from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of £52 million. Pau Torres was expensive, too, as he cost around £33 million from Villarreal.

Those deals - as well as the recent January transfer window - have got us thinking, who are the rest of the most expensive signings in Villa history?

From the least to most expensive, here are the 13 biggest deals Villa have conducted in the Premier League, working out at a total of over £350 million.

Bent, who joined from Sunderland in 2010, had a couple of decent seasons but never repaid his huge fee. £24 million back then is probably double that now. Bent scored 28 goals in 84 games before leaving for Derby on a free in 2015. He’s now a pundit for talkSPORT and Premier League Productions.

5. 9th: Darren Bent - £24 million (now retired and a pundit)

Bent, who joined from Sunderland in 2010, had a couple of decent seasons but never repaid his huge fee. £24 million back then is probably double that now. Bent scored 28 goals in 84 games before leaving for Derby on a free in 2015. He’s now a pundit for talkSPORT and Premier League Productions. | Getty Images

Digne looked like he was going to be shipped off by Emery, who wasn’t a fan initially. That changed at the start of this season, however, as Digne stepped up in the absence of Alex Moreno. The Frenchman looks set to stick around for a while now.

6. =7th: Lucas Digne - £25 million (still at Villa)

Digne looked like he was going to be shipped off by Emery, who wasn’t a fan initially. That changed at the start of this season, however, as Digne stepped up in the absence of Alex Moreno. The Frenchman looks set to stick around for a while now. | Getty Images

Formerly of Liverpool and Southampton, it was hoped Ings would bring a clinical edge to VIlla’s forward line. It didn’t work out like that, though, as he scored just 13 goals in 48 games. The Villans recouped £15 million as they sold Ings to West Ham in January 2023.

7. =7th: Danny Ings - £25 million (now at West Ham)

Formerly of Liverpool and Southampton, it was hoped Ings would bring a clinical edge to VIlla’s forward line. It didn’t work out like that, though, as he scored just 13 goals in 48 games. The Villans recouped £15 million as they sold Ings to West Ham in January 2023. | Getty Images

Carlos spent last campaign recovering from a nasty Achilles tendon injury after joining with plenty of hype from Sevilla. The Brazilian is yet to nail down a starting XI spot but has displayed his quality.

8. 6th: Diego Carlos - £26 million (still at Villa)

Carlos spent last campaign recovering from a nasty Achilles tendon injury after joining with plenty of hype from Sevilla. The Brazilian is yet to nail down a starting XI spot but has displayed his quality. | Getty Images

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