Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Evan Lloyd

Sun 26 April 2026 10:53, UK

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Aston Villa are bound to be kicking themselves amid the astonishing form of Donyell Malen after his January move to Roma.

The striker scored and assisted on Saturday as the Serie A side beat Bologna 2-0 to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Malen left Villa in search of increased responsibility after largely being restricted to the bench by Unai Emery this season.

Roma were willing to offer the role he wanted, and an initial loan deal containing a £21.6million option to buy was agreed in January.

Villa transfer chiefs are understood to have included a clause that would turn the buy option into an obligation under certain circumstances, a facet that Roma presumably do not have a problem with now.

Donyell Malen dominating Serie A

Football Insider exclusively revealed on Saturday that Villa have opened talks to sign Harry Wilson on a free transfer this summer ahead of his Fulham exit.

The exit of Malen in January has left a hole in the squad, and his form since leaving may leave some decision-makers wondering what they missed.

The 27-year-old scored 10 goals in 46 appearances in his time at Villa Park, but was never really given a fair opportunity to establish himself in the team.

Of the 38 Premier League appearances Malen made, just seven came from the start, and only nine saw him play at least 45 minutes. Since joining Roma, the Netherlands international has been on fire.

His goal on Saturday was his 12th in just 16 games across all competitions in Italy, and his 11th in Serie A. Just earlier this month, the forward netted a hat-trick against Pisa.

Incredibly, Malen now sits joint-third for top scorers in the league, despite making just 14 appearances.

While Villa have not been short of goals in recent weeks, they may have liked to have brought the Dutchman off the bench as they lost 1-0 to Fulham on Saturday.

What Unai Emery said about Malen’s exit

Sometimes, the right environment is everything for a player. Perhaps Malen needed the sun of Italy and the style of Serie A to provoke his best form, and maybe he would not have done the same with the opportunities for Villa.

But the question will bug decision-makers, who would have liked to at least attract a fee more appropriate for what he is now doing.

“Players always have the chance to get a deal to leave the club,” Emery said after Malen’s departure in January. “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.”