AstonVilla does not have the presence of its two players of Barça origin, LamareBogarde and LeonGoretzka, despite the fact that both are part of the English club's squad. Coach UnaiEmery has relegated the two players to substitute roles during the 2025-26 season, which has generated some surprise among the club's followers.
LamareBogarde, 22, is the nephew of WinstonBogarde, who played for FCBarcelona between 1998 and 2000 under LouisvanGaal. Although Winston had an outstanding career at Ajax and Milan, his time at Barça was marked by injuries and a limited connection with the fans. Lamare, for his part, is a Netherlands under-21 international and arrived at AstonVilla as a Feyenoord promise at the age of 15. Last season he played 44 official matches, of which 22 were starts, but in the current campaign he has only started two Cup matches and has appeared as a substitute in one Premier League match, one Champions League match and the European Super Cup.
LeonGoretzka, 31, is considered the football “son” of HansiFlick, as he reached his best career level under the German coach at Bayern Munich between 2019 and 2021, when he won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the World Cup. Goretzka left Bayern last summer and joined AstonVilla, but his involvement has been limited. He has started only one Premier League match, the 1-1 against Fulham last Saturday, and has appeared as a substitute on two occasions in the Champions League.
Despite the lack of prominence, both players have the quality, age and physical condition necessary to contribute to the English club. The future of LamareBogarde and LeonGoretzka will depend on UnaiEmery's decisions and his ability to overcome the injuries and playing limitations that have marked his current season. AstonVilla will continue seeking to consolidate its squad and improve its position in the Premier League, while the two players wait for the opportunity to prove their worth in the next matches.