Aston Villa Omit New Signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis From Champions League Squad

Aston Villa have omitted new signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis from their 23-man Champions League squad, only two days after completing his transfer from Southampton. The Guardian reports that manager Unai Emery informed the defender on Thursday that he would not be eligible for the league phase of the European competition. Seventeen-year-old forward Brian Madjo was also left off the list.

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Harwood-Bellis arrived in a £25 million deadline-day deal and was the last of Villa’s 10 summer signings. The 24-year-old, who has one England cap, had been identified as a replacement for Ezri Konsa following the defender’s £51 million move to Arsenal. Emery described the conversation with Harwood-Bellis as difficult but said the player understood the decision.

The Guardian reports there was no financial reason for the two omissions, although Villa’s effort to comply with UEFA squad-cost rules remains ongoing. Madjo is expected to be sidelined until October by a foot injury sustained after he scored in the Super Cup, meaning he was already set to miss Villa’s Champions League opener against Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Emery said the timing of Harwood-Bellis’s arrival influenced his selection. He believes midfielders Lamare Bogarde and Boubacar Kamara can provide cover at centre-back during the league phase, giving Villa enough flexibility in defence. The manager stressed that Harwood-Bellis was signed for the long term and said he hoped the defender would eventually play European football for the club.

Villa could revise their Champions League registration before the knockout rounds if they progress, potentially giving Harwood-Bellis an opportunity from February. Madjo may also compete for a place when the list can next be changed in January, after he has recovered from his injury. Emery said the teenager should have further opportunities with Villa over this season and future campaigns.

The decision has a recent precedent at the club. In February 2025, Emery excluded Donyell Malen from Villa’s Champions League squad only weeks after the forward arrived from Borussia Dortmund. Defender Andres Garcia, then newly signed from Levante and now on loan at Getafe, was also left out during that registration window. For Harwood-Bellis, the immediate focus will instead be domestic competition while Villa pursue qualification for the European knockout stage.