Malen: ‘I didn’t feel important’ at Aston Villa, Gasperini ‘will never lie’

ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Donyell Malen of Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on September 05, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Roma star Donyell Malen admits he ‘didn’t feel important’ at Aston Villa, but he’s impressed by the way Gian Piero Gasperini ‘manages’ the players: ‘You know he’ll never lie to you about anything.’

Malen, the current Serie A top-goal scorer with six goals in five games, spoke to Corriere dello Sport about his time at the Stadio Olimpico so far.

The Dutch forward joined the Giallorossi on a loan deal from Aston Villa last January, and Roma made the move permanent for €25m at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Corriere dello Sport asked Malen whether he chose to leave Aston Villa or whether Unai Emery pushed for his exit.

“It was my decision,” Malen replied.

“I wanted to play and be part of a team where I could take the field every weekend and play an important role. At that stage, I didn’t feel important, so I think I made the best choice.

“Today I feel I’m in the right place with the right people,” he continued.

“The coach and my teammates show a lot of confidence in me, and together, all of this is helping me become the player I dreamed of being.”

It’s no secret that Roma boss Gasperini played a crucial role in Malen’s transfer to Roma. The Italian tactician spoke to the striker last January and explained his tactical plans.

Malen said he particularly enjoys how Gasperini “manages the players.”

“You know he’ll never lie to you about anything,” the striker added, saying that “sometimes Gasperini’s training sessions are really hard.”

Roma qualified for the Champions League last season, and one of the crucial games in their run for the top four was an away victory against Parma.

“After the match, he [Gasperini] was so happy that he even sent a table flying,” Malen said.

Malen was not part of the Netherlands team during the break due to a minor injury.

“I was injured, and I was sorry not to play for the national team,” he said.

The Dutch striker has already netted 21 goals in 26 Roma matches, starting the new campaign with a hat-trick against Fiorentina.

“Getting off to such a good start by scoring a hat-trick was crucial,” he admitted.

“As a team, you know, we were strong and connected, and I immediately had a very good feeling. We can build on moments like these and do something special.”

The attacking partnership with Paulo Dybala is one of the best in the league.

“Dymalen…makes you think about the connection,” he said.

“It’s funny online. Paulo and I clicked immediately.”

However, other players have impressed Malen. But which teammate has surprised him most?

“A lot of players. Pisilli is very young, and I could immediately see his quality,” Malen concluded.

“Manu [Kone] is fantastic. I already knew some of them from the Netherlands. Marten [De Roon], for example.”