Premier League side Aston Villa have bolstered their attacking options for the second half of the season with the signing of Dutch international forward Donyell Malen from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old arrives at Villa Park for a reported fee of €25 million ($25.5m) as manager Unai Emery looks to inject more firepower into his frontline.
Malen, who can operate as a central striker or off the left flank, notched five goals in 21 appearances for Dortmund this campaign after tallying 15 goals and five assists in 38 matches across all competitions last term. The pacy attacker will now aim to translate that productivity to the Premier League and help propel Villa up the table.
Proven Goal Threat
Villa fought off competition from several clubs to secure Malen’s signature, with the Dutchman’s scoring exploits at Dortmund and previously at PSV Eindhoven catching the eye. After coming through the youth ranks at Arsenal, Malen made his breakthrough at PSV, netting an impressive 40 goals in 80 appearances for the Eredivisie side.
That prolific form earned him a move to Dortmund in 2021, where he formed a potent partnership with Erling Haaland. While not matching the Norwegian’s scoring heights, Malen still averaged nearly a goal every other game in Germany, demonstrating his quality at the highest level.
Attributes and Playing Style
Blessed with blistering pace, intelligent movement, and composed finishing, Malen has all the attributes to thrive in the fast and physical Premier League. The 25-year-old excels at making well-timed runs in behind defenses, stretching the opposition and creating space for teammates.
In addition to his speed and predatory instincts in the box, Malen is also adept at linking play and combining in tight spaces. His technical skills and creativity make him an ideal fit for Emery’s fluid attacking system at Villa.
Donyell is a player we have been tracking for a while and we are delighted to have secured his signature. He is a versatile forward with a proven track record of scoring goals at the top level. We believe he will be an excellent addition to our squad and give us another dimension going forward.
Unai Emery, Aston Villa Manager
Where Does Malen Fit In?
Villa currently have several options to lead the line, with Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, and January additions Jhon Durán and Morgan Rogers all jostling for minutes. However, Malen’s experience at the highest level and consistent goal return could see him jump to the front of the queue.
- Malen scored 40 goals in 80 games for PSV from 2018-2021
- In 18 months at Dortmund, he netted 20 goals in 59 appearances
Whether deployed as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 or paired with Watkins or Bailey in a front two, Malen has the adaptability and attacking quality to slot seamlessly into Emery’s setup. His arrival signals Villa’s intent to finish the season strongly and push for European qualification.
Emery Building Momentum
Since replacing Steven Gerrard in the Villa hotseat in November, Emery has steadied the ship and started building an exciting, attack-minded team. January saw the arrivals of young talents Durán and Rogers, and the capture of Malen is another statement of Emery’s pulling power and the club’s ambition.
If the Spanish tactician can swiftly integrate his new signings and get Malen firing, Villa could be poised for an entertaining and successful second half of the campaign. The Villans faithful will be hoping their new Dutch dynamo can hit the ground running and spearhead a charge up the Premier League standings.
