PLENTY TO YELL ABOUT

Left out of the Champions League squad but Malen's still focused on Villa glory

- NEIL MOXLEY

DONYELL MALEN is making up for the heartbreak of missing out on his Champions League dream.

The Dutch international arrived at Villa Park in January with the aim of competing among Europe's elite, only for Villa's big splash in the transfer window to leave him kicking his heels on the sidelines.

Villa could register only three of their five signings for the competition, which meant boss Unai Emery had to upset someone. For the Spaniard to explain his decision to young full-back Andres Garcia was one thing. Breaking the bad news to a senior pro like Malen, who had played in last year's final for Borussia Dortmund, was another.

Upon signing in a £21million deal, 26-year-old Malen said: "The Champions League is a big thing for me - it's the biggest competition in the world.