We asked AI who the 10 worst Aston Villa transfer signings ever are - and the list is brutal

Unai Emery will hope to welcome a few new faces through the door this month to strengthen his squad.

But the transfer market is risky business and Villa Park regulars know that not all signings can work as hoped.

We’ve used the Ask AI Tool to ask for Aston Villa’s 10 worst ever signings are. Scroll below to see who it picked and the explanation it gave for each player.

1. Rudy Gestede: Signed in 2015 for around £6 million after a successful stint at Blackburn Rovers, Gestede struggled to replicate his form at Aston Villa. He scored only nine league goals in 50 appearances over two seasons, leading to disappointment given the expectations surrounding his transfer.
2. Habib Beye: After being named Newcastle United’s Player of the Year, Beye joined Aston Villa but quickly fell out of favor. His time at Villa was marred by a red card in just his third game and he made only nine league appearances over three seasons before retiring shortly after leaving the club.
3. Aleksander Tonev: Recommended by club legend Stiliyan Petrov, Tonev’s move in 2013 did not go well. He made just 17 league appearances in his first season.
4. Nicklas Helenius: Initially promising after scoring in preseason, Helenius managed only one goal during his time with Villa, playing just three times in the Premier League before returning to Aalborg BK on loan and later permanently.
5. Jean Makoun: Having impressed at Lyon, Makoun’s transfer to Villa was highly anticipated but turned out to be disappointing as he made only 11 appearances across two seasons without scoring any goals.
6. Ross McCormack: McCormack was signed for £13 million following prolific spells at Leeds United and Fulham but failed to deliver at Villa Park, scoring only three goals in 20 appearances during his first season before spending most of the next two years on loan.
7. Stephen Ireland: Ireland’s time at Aston Villa is often remembered negatively despite claims from him that he was too good for the club. His performances did not meet expectations, making him one of the more disappointing signings during a troubled period for the team.
8. Bosko Balaban: Balaban is often cited as one of the worst signings in Aston Villa history due to his inability to make an impact after joining from Dinamo Zagreb, where he had been successful prior to his move.
9. Emile Heskey: Although he had a solid career elsewhere, Heskey’s time at Villa saw him struggle for form and consistency, leading many fans to view him as a disappointment relative to expectations set by his previous performances.
10. Joleon Lescott: After joining from West Bromwich Albion with high hopes, Lescott’s performances were inconsistent and ultimately disappointing during his tenure with Aston Villa, contributing to their struggles during that period.