Tammy Abraham has returned to the Premier League with a flourish, and Aston Villa have announced a signing that feels equal parts nostalgia and statement. The 28‑year‑old striker arrives at Villa Park not as a raw prospect but as a seasoned goalscorer ready to bolster Unai Emery’s title ambitions.
A homecoming with history
Abraham’s reunion with Villa is steeped in memory. He first lit up Villa Park on loan during the 2018/19 season, firing 25 Championship goals and slotting the decisive penalty that helped send the club back to the Premier League. Now, four and a half years after leaving Chelsea for Roma and after spells at the Wolves, AC Milan, and Besiktas, he returns as a proven forward with pedigree and poise.
The transfer twist that made headlines
The route back to Birmingham was anything but straightforward. Until yesterday, Abraham was a Roma loanee at Besiktas. When Villa signalled they were prepared to spend, the Turkish side activated the purchase option and bought him for €13 million. Within 24 hours, Besiktas flipped the deal, selling Abraham to Villa for €21 million — a tidy €8 million profit earned almost effortlessly.
A tactical and emotional coup for Villa
For Unai Emery, this is more than a market move. Reports say Emery admired Abraham for years and tried to sign him three seasons ago, only for a serious knee injury to derail that plan. Now fit and firing, Abraham gives Emery a potent alternative to Ollie Watkins, adding depth, aerial threat, and a clinical edge up front as Villa chase rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.
What to expect next
Tammy arrives as a known quantity: experienced, hungry, and with a knack for big moments. Whether he starts or rotates, his presence raises Villa’s ceiling and gives Emery tactical flexibility. For fans in Birmingham, it’s a reminder of past glories and a tantalising hint at what this season could become.
Tammy time has returned to Villa Park — and the stage is set for him to make the next chapter unforgettable.
