In less than a year in charge, Unai Emery has been able to transform Aston Villa from a club that had lingering concerns over relegation to one that has the qualities to challenge for a top-six place in the Premier League on a regular basis.
To coincide with the quick progress that has been made, Villa have been able to attract higher-quality players to the West Midlands, and that has influenced how they have conducted other business in the transfer market.
Villa possess a hugely-successful academy system, yet rather than find loan moves for each of their prospects, some have been sold for substantial fees with buy-back clauses in an effort to bolster their position with FFP.
Nevertheless, that was not deemed the ideal route with other players in the squad, while others were loaned out simply to ease the financial burden through their wages.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the 10 players that are currently plying their trade away from Villa on a temporary basis.
SENIOR PLAYERS
At one point, Villa and their supporters were ecstatic when they secured the services of Philippe Coutinho, but that delight soon turn to frustration courtesy of the Brazilian's poor return in the final third and injury issues.
The player has since made the switch to Qatari side Al-Duhail where he has made two starts, scoring in the 2-1 victory over Al-Markhiya on September 28.
Morgan Sanson also found himself being shipped out on Villa Park for the second time in quick succession since Emery's arrival, this time linking up with Nice.
This particular transfer is proving to be a success for the Frenchman with seven starts and one substitute outing coming in a team that sit second in Ligue 1 and yet to lose a match.
PROSPECTS EARMARKED AS FUTURE FIRST-TEAM PLAYERS
Kaine Kesler-Hayden had admirers at a number of different Championship clubs, so newly-promoted Plymouth Argyle pulled off somewhat of a coup to attract him to Home Park.
The right-back has since made a total of nine starts and three substitute outings in all competitions, further enhancing his stock after his previous stint in the second tier with Huddersfield Town.
Finn Azaz is no stranger to Plymouth having played a key role in their League One title-winning campaign in 2022-23, with it being a no-brainer to continue their relationship.
Azaz did not automatically retain his spot in the side, yet he now has eight starts and five substitute outings to his name, chipping in with two goals and one assist in the Championship.
Fresh off playing 90 minutes for Villa against Hibernian in the Europa Conference League playoffs, Sebastian Revan earned a loan switch to Rotherham United, a significant step up in his development.
Revan, a left-back or wing-back, is being used on a regular basis by the Millers, making two starts and three substitute outings from September 20 onwards.
Young Dutchman Lamare Bogarde has returned for a second loan stint at Bristol Rovers, making six starts and two substitute appearances in League One.
Villa finally appear to have found a suitable home for Louie Barry, whose stock has fallen since his breakthrough goal against Liverpool in a 2021 FA Cup tie.
Barry already has seven goals and two assists from 12 League Two appearances during 2023-24, either playing as a number 10, on the left or as the spearhead of the attack.
ACADEMY/UNWANTED PLAYERS
Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo is at the point in his career where he is effectively battling to impress to earn the backup role behind Emiliano Martinez at some point.
The Finland international has made huge strides on that front this season, making 14 appearances for Exeter City with six clean sheets being kept for the League One club.
Winger Chisom Afoka is spending his first period out on loan, with four appearances being made in League Two, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy for Bradford City.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Polish goalkeeper Oliwier Zych has been allowed to return to his homeland to represent Puszcza Niepolomice in the top flight, but 10 goals have been conceded in his first four games of senior football in his career.
body check tags ::
