Aston Villa have started to find their feet in the Premier League this season, with Unai Emery proving, once again, that he is one of the best managers in the world.

Not only has the Spaniard taken the reins from Steven Gerrard and lifted Villa Park away from mediocrity and toward sustained success both domestically and Europe, but he has had that title-winning team dismantled and pieced it back together with shiny new parts.

The sweeping summer of change has shown Emery's expertise, but the cut-throat tactician will sometimes cut a player loose for the greater good of the unit.

Last season, it was Harvey Elliott. This year, Alejandro Garnacho looks like he might be treading similar water. But first, Jacob Ramsey was the one to face the firing line at Villa Park.

What went wrong for Jacob Ramsey at Aston Villa

Ramsey's circumstances at Aston Villa differed from those of the two players named above. The homegrown attacking midfielder once looked a real threat in the Midlands; prized by Gerrard, he was dynamic and intelligent with an explosiveness in possession.

But he tapered off during those early Emery-led days, and while it was a transfer which led to much consternation from the Villa persuasion, Ramsey was deemed expendable in 2025 and sold to Newcastle United for £43m to avoid PSR punishment.

He had never quite nailed himself down as a key man under Emery, starting only 19 times in the Premier League in 2024/25, scoring once and supplying three assists.

Last year was stop-start for the 25-year-old at Newcastle, and he has thus far failed to see an upturn in fortunes under new Magpies manager Matthias Jaissle, having only featured three times as a substitute in the Premier League this term, averaging 23 minutes per match.

Ramsey is a talented technician, but he's probably not proving with the Toon that Aston Villa made the gravest mistake in the world when cashing in. Perhaps Emery was aware of that.

Now, the manager may want to repeat that move, more willingly parting with a rising star who may not reach quite tall enough to thrive in this rebuilt Villan system.

Aston Villa's new Ramsey must be put up for sale

Aston Villa are not just a competitive team, but a group built for title-winning success under a tireless manager who refuses to waver in his fight for greatness.

Sadly, that means not everyone will thrive and cement themselves in the long run. It was the case for Elliott, and perhaps Garnacho will be the latest casualty there, but he might be joined by Lamare Bogarde too.

Bogarde, 21, has been with the club since joining as a youth player from Feyenoord in the Netherlands in 2021. From 2022 to 2024, he spent two terms on loan with Bristol Rovers in League One, and has started to squeeze into Emery's plans over the past year or so.

Some believe Bogarde's versatility could be a big asset over the coming years, but when he doesn't offer enough quality across numerous roles, you begin to question that. Bogarde, indeed, echoes Ramsey in that, with the former Villan star often flitting between the left flank and attacking midfield, never quite cementing himself in either position.

The Dutch prospect has shown promising signs for the Villa, but he has limitations which has been scented out. Indeed, retired striker Stan Collymore claimed he's "not of Premier League ability".

Rather damning, but it's a sentiment shared by many of the frustrated Aston Villa persuasion after a tough start to the season, with Bogarde lacking awareness and initiative on the ball.

Versatility can be invaluable in football, but it can also be a blemish on a young player trying to earn their wage. Where exactly is Bogarde the greatest asset for this team? Is he actually a welcome addition at centre-back, or simply able to make up the numbers for Emery's fresh system.

Aston Villa's Carabao Cup victory over Coventry City also exposed Bogarde and Ross Barkley as an ineffective double pivot in midfield. He has technical limitations and failed to progress the ball more than a smattering of times across 11 starts in the Premier League last season.

There's no question that he could offer the combative protection that one side out there need, but like Ramsey, it's difficult to work out exactly where he best fits in this new Emery system, and one substitute appearance in the league thus far this term emphasises a lack of trust on the manager's part which will ultimately spell the end of his Aston Villa career.