Unai Emery confirms Aston Villa striker hunt after explaining 'difficult' £25million sale

The Netherlands international has joined Roma in a deal worth £25million just a year after arriving at Villa Park, with Emery claiming the deal “made sense” for all parties.

Malen was one of only three players to feature in all 29 of Villa’s matches this season.

But only 10 of those appearances were from the start and frustration over a lack of playing time opened the door to his departure.

Though initially reluctant to let him leave, Emery decided the deal - which will see Villa receive an initial £2m loan fee before it is made permanent in the summer - was worth agreeing.

Sights are now set on sourcing a replacement, with Tammy Abraham among the club’s top targets.

Emery said: “It was a tough decision but making sense.

“The player had his role, being important helping us scoring goals not consistent in the XI but he was very important and he knew it. 

“He was happy and being a protagonist but not as much as he wanted. 

“Players always have the chance to get a deal to leave the club. He opened his door to listen in case some team can give him something better than us. 

“For the club it’s a good deal. When we analysed the three parts, for me I preferred him to stay here but in case he left we are ready to replace him.”

Emery compared the sale of Malen to that of fellow forwards Danny Ings and Jhon Duran in previous January windows.

Abraham, a player he has long admired, is currently on loan from Roma at Besiktas but Villa are hopeful of getting a deal done.

“We need the same situation we had the last three years, one player competing with Ollie Watkins,” said Emery. 

“The priority is someone as a central attacking player, striker, with the characteristics as a striker and compete with Watkins or maybe even play with him.

“Now Malen has left, another player can help us with numbers in the squad.”