Decisions decisions! Villa have to play by the rules

IT is set to be another big summer transfer window for Villa as they approach the business end of the season.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Last summer, the club were forced to sell assets to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, plus UEFA’s squad cost rules.

Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby were the headline sales, while Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley joined the first team, plus Jaden Philogene before he was sold to Ipswich in January.

After selling Philogene, Villa also permitted Diego Carlos a permanent move to Fenerbahce, before Jhon Duran completed a £65 million switch to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.

Villa recruited Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia for around £26m combined. Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi were all then loaned in from Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea respectively.

Here lies Villa's first big summer decisions. They have a £40m option to buy Rashford permanently, while PSG are said to be open to extending Asensio’s loan or selling him to Villa at the end of the season.