Johan Lange working to offload Aston Villa pair as Steven Gerrard prepares to wield axe

It’s an area of the pitch at Aston Villa that remains top-heavy with a mass clearout upon the horizon. Steven Gerrard has as many as SIXTEEN attacking players primed to check back in at Bodymoor Heath next month.

Those here for next season are of course the likes of Emi Buendia, Philippe Coutinho, Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings but, for the remaining 11, their futures are far less clear. Here, runs through Villa’s attacking pecking order ahead of the new season and checks in to see what’s next for those currently on the fringes. Get involved in the comments section RIGHT HERE.

Now, you just cannot deny signing Coutinho for £17million was a huge coup for Villa and, if we’re being honest, it would not have happened had any other manager been at the club. The Brazilian, fresh from scoring while on international duty last week, will now get the chance to prepare properly ahead of a gruelling campaign, one that will see him compete in the World Cup later this year. Coutinho, who turns 30 on Sunday, arrived far from in peak condition in January and had to play catch-up while on the job, so to speak. Still, his class shone through and he scored five and assisted a further three in just four months at Villa Park. He could quite well have finished with a double-figure goal return had he had a full campaign, while that will be the Brazilian’s target going into 2022/23.

With Coutinho a favourite under Gerrard, the Champions League winner will share the creative burden with his mate, Emi Buendia , who has quickly become a fan-favourite amongst the claret and blue faithful. Buendia’s had his bedding-in season and he’ll attack the upcoming one like a man on a mission. He should easily double his goals (four) and assists