The new Grealish! Aston Villa target assist machine

Updated: 6 May 2024 10:20 CDT
4 min read

Jack Grealish, Aston Villa, Man City, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Few would have predicted that one of the breakout stars in La Liga this season would have been a 22-year-old from Villarreal but Alex Baena’s form has made him an attractive transfer target this summer.

The winger broke into Villarreal’s team last season but he has established himself as an integral first team player this year, leading to his international debut and first goal for Spain in September.

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Baena could enhance his reputation further if he is named in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the European Championships this summer, which is perhaps why Aston Villa are keen on signing the Villarreal star before then.

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Unai Emery managed the youngster during his time at Villarreal and is believed to be desperate to sign Baena in a deal which could cost around €60 million.

While he has only scored twice in La Liga this season, Baena’s true quality has shown with his assists, where he has created a league-high 12 goals playing down the left flank or sometimes centrally as an advanced midfielder.

Having drawn comparisons to former Villa favourite Jack Grealish, a big money move for Baena could prove to be a shrewd acquisition to help Emery’s men solidify themselves amongst the Premier League elite.

© IMAGO - Alex Baena has been instrumental for Villarreal this season.

How Baena is Villa's perfect fit

SciSports, who use data-driven statistics to analyse a player, claim that Baena’s closest comparisons are players such as Grealish and current Villa star Jacob Ramsey, who often feature on the flank but are less direct and more creative in their play.

Ramsey, in particular, faces an uncertain future at Villa Park, where he could follow in Grealish’s footsteps by being sold for big money due to the ‘pure profit’ any transfer fee would register as.

Consequently, Baena is believed to be on Emery’s list as a replacement if Ramsey does leave the club, particularly with injuries limiting the Villa academy graduate to just eight Premier League starts this season.

STATS

42

Games
16

Goals
5

Assists

Grealish has also been linked with a return to Villa but the Manchester City star would command a high salary and transfer fee, while also significantly older at 28-years-old.

Despite being in the top four for virtually the entire season, Villa have only created the seventh-most ‘big chances’ in the Premier League, hence why Emery would prefer a more creative alternative out wide compared to the pace and direct dribbling of players such as Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey.

SciSports also see Villa as one of the best fits for Baena if he were to leave Villarreal and Emery’s experience with the Spanish international means the Midlands side could end up with a steal to emulate the impact of Grealish at a fraction of the cost.