Donyell Malen now appears set to leave Aston Villa permanently after Roma activated the conditions within his loan agreement. His sensational form in Italy has only increased debate around why Villa could never fully find a place for him under Unai Emery.
It’s being widely reported that Donyell Malen’s loan move from Aston Villa to Roma has met the required stipulations, meaning the Dutch international will now become a Roma player on a permanent basis.
Malen has scored 14 goals in 18 appearances for Roma — a quite sensational record that has seen him mooted as one of the best Serie A mid-season transfers ever. It’s hard to argue otherwise.
Malen was a popular figure at Villa Park with both players and supporters. At a time when Ollie Watkins was struggling in front of goal, Malen still could not get a sustained run of Premier League games, largely being utilised in the Europa League when Watkins was rested.
It appears Villa were largely satisfied for Malen to stay and move on in the summer, but the player wanted regular football and Villa ultimately sanctioned a loan deal containing conditions that made the move permanent.
Aston Villa’s transfer policy has been scrutinised heavily by supporters, and the limited use of Tammy Abraham — who signed from Besiktas in January — means the Malen deal made little sense from a squad-building perspective.
There are, of course, obvious financial upsides from an SCR perspective, with Malen moving for a profit on the fee Villa paid Borussia Dortmund in January 2025. Ultimately, if Villa achieve their goal of Champions League qualification, then questions surrounding his departure will quieten down.
It is amazing to think Villa could not squeeze a more regular role into the team for Malen, though. Emery did not see him as a number nine, he did not quite suit the structure as a number ten, and he was not the archetypal wide-right player usually favoured under Emery either.
I must admit, though, I liked him in the number ten role. At times, he felt akin to the version of Moussa Diaby Villa could call upon in that position.
Villa play in a unique, highly structured way that is not really replicated elsewhere in the Premier League, but you do get the sense the team lacks a little raw pace. Diaby, Malen and Marcus Rashford are probably the only three attacking players under Emery that I can remember consistently carrying that attribute, and none of them stayed long for varying reasons. Maybe there is something in that.
In 2026, where Emery’s men have toiled for large periods, you have to think Malen would have been useful at certain moments.
Malen departs as someone Villa fans certainly did not see enough of, but also someone who remained popular with the fan base. Most Villa supporters will wish him well heading into his first full season in Rome.
Up The Villa,
DB