FIFA 22 Aston Villa: Challenge for Europe in Career Mode after BIG winter transfers

FIFA 22 Career Mode lets you build a dynasty with your favourite clubs, creating superpowers out of minnows and making the signings you wish had happened.

Aston Villa parted ways with Dean Smith after a poor run of form, and now look a revitalised side under Steven Gerrard, who has managed to persuade a couple of big stars to join the club.

We take a look at their winter transfer signings and how they have affected the team you will inherit when picking them on your Career Mode save.

Philippe Coutinho (82 OVR)

Aston Villa’s marquee signing in the winter transfer window was Philippe Countinho, reuniting him with former captain Steven Gerrard.

He has hit the ground running, with two goals and two assists in his first four games.

Although he can play on the wing, we much prefer him in the centre of the pitch, where he isn’t hampered by his 69 PAC and can get the ball popping around nicely.

He is outstanding when on the ball, so would best be used as a CAM, where he can wriggle through tight areas and unleash a stunning long shot.

Coutinho will bring much-needed class to the midfield in your Career Mode, bear in mind, however, that he is only with the club on loan.

Lucas Digne (83 OVR)

Lucas Digne was a very shrewd winter signing, unhappy at Everton, he was a fairly easy capture for the club.

Despite having a point taken away from his overall rating from the start of the season, he is still the joint eighth best left-back in the game.

Not only just very solid defensively, but he also has good pace about him as well as decent physicality.

Where he can really shine is getting forward and being creative, with top crossing and free-kick ability, he should be getting many assists throughout the season.

This was a very nice upgrade from Matt Targett who previously held the position.

Calum Chambers (75 OVR)

Obviously not in Mikel Arteta’s plans, Calum Chambers joined Villa on a free from Arsenal.

He’s not the most exciting signing but will almost certainly play a squad role, being the only decent option at right-back if anything happens to Matty Cash.

You’ll probably look to offload him or use him for a swap deal as soon as you can, as he isn’t a very meta player and only has a potential of 76 OVR.

Robin Olsen (75 OVR)

Another man who has taken a hit to his rating from the start of the season is Robin Olsen, who joins Villa on loan from Roma.

There is no way he is taking over from Emiliano Martinez between the sticks but is another squad signing who can step up to the task if any injury does occur.

New Lineup

Taking into account the new signings, this is how we would line up as Aston Villa now.

Of the new faces, it’s only Coutinho and Digne who break into the starting XI, although Chambers does make the bench.

In Career Mode we think Digne will prove to be the most useful of Villa’s winter signings, mainly because he is with the club on a permanent basis!

As noted, Chambers and Olsen will come in handy if any injuries do occur or you find the fixtures piling up and need to bring in some rotation.

Future Signings

There is still a lot of work that can be done on this Aston Villa side, most notably on the wings.

Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore are the only two wingers with any pace about them, so that should be the first place you look to improve.

Centre midfield could also use some more quality, although there is Morgan Sanson as back up, and the talented youngsters of Jacob Ramsey (POT 85) and Carney Chukwuemeka (POT 84) to develop.

Ezri Konsa could become a top centre-back with a potential of 86 OVR, so it would also be an idea to bring in someone beside him who can match that talent, with Tyrone Mings maxing out at a potential 79 OVR.