Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 30 May 2026 8:34, UK

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Donyell Malen’s extraordinary form after leaving Aston Villa for Roma in January has secured them their best Serie A finish in nearly 10 years.

The Italian side ultimately finished third, a feat not seen since 2018 and one that has secured Champions League football for next season.

Villa sent Malen on loan with an obligation to buy worth around £21million in January, a decision they have come to regret.

The Netherlands international has exploded in Italy, netting 15 goals and providing two assists in just 20 appearances since his arrival.

Villa transfer chiefs never could have imagined such a staggering turnaround for the 27-year-old, who was struggling for minutes under Unai Emery.

The stats behind Donyell Malen’s ridiculous form

Football Insider exclusively revealed earlier this month that Newcastle United have eyed a deal for Malen this summer, but Roma’s participation in the Champions League is expected to put those rumours to bed.

The forward is under contract until 2030 at Stadio Olimpico, and the Italians will want to prioritise a strong campaign over immediate profit.

For good reason, too, given just how incredible Malen has been since arriving in January. Astonishingly, the forward’s 14 Serie A goals place him just three behind the league’s top scorer, Lautauro Martinez, who played 12 more games.

At Villa, the Dutchman was forced to play second fiddle to Ollie Watkins and started just five games in the Premier League in the first half of the season. While Emery clearly rated him, Malen did not want to be a rotation player.

The move to Roma came at the perfect time, and it has transformed the striker’s reputation in Europe. 18 Serie A games have seen him back up his goals with 13.9 expected goals (xG), and taking 70 shots.

Malen is scoring at a rate of 0.85 goals per game, an extraordinary number. He also averages 4.26 shots per game and a huge 8.10 touches in the opposition box.

Every goal scored by Donyell Malen since his #SerieA arrival in January! 🇳🇱✨pic.twitter.com/GgNB94OYTf

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 28, 2026

Should Roma and Villa be drawn together in the Champions League next season, the forward could be set to return to Villa Park as a player completely transformed.

Malen reveals reasons behind Roma move

Malen will go to the World Cup with the Netherlands this summer, where he will hope to carry his form at the club level.

The forward made his move to Roma permanent this week, and told Retesport: “What convinced me? Certainly the name of Roma, and the club itself, but also the ambitions of the club and our coach.

Donyell Malen is the Panini Player of the Match! 🏆#BolognaRoma pic.twitter.com/iUnJIhWrnl

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 25, 2026

“When we spoke, in just a few words, he made me feel important straight away and at the heart of the project.”

Ultimately, despite the financial sting, Villa will be happy to see their former player thriving. Should he return to Villa Park with Roma next season, he is sure to be received with open arms.