Aston Villa signed Swiss twins Yago and Damian Bellón from St.Gallen in 2006. The twins were 16 years old and part of the St.Gallen U18 team when they made the move to England.

What happened?

The Bellón brothers were promising midfielders who attracted attention from several European clubs, including PSV Eindhoven. However, they chose to join Aston Villa. Their visit to Birmingham was impressive, with the twins being "chauffeured around in a Rolls-Royce." But their dream of a big career in English football quickly vanished. Neither of them was able to establish themselves in the first team and terminated their three-year contract one year before the end.

Why it matters for Aston Villa

The transfer scandal surrounding the Bellón brothers is a reminder that Aston Villa's dealings with Swiss footballers have not always been successful. Other Swiss players, such as Philippe Senderos and Benjamin Siegrist, have also had mixed experiences with the club. Aston Villa's current league standing is 4th in League, with 65 pts, 19W-8D-11L from 38 games, and recent form WWDLL. Their last result was a win against Manchester City, with a score of 2-1 on 2026-05-24.

What comes next?

The story of the Bellón brothers serves as a cautionary tale for young players looking to make a move to English football. It highlights the challenges they may face and the importance of careful consideration before making a decision. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | League Standing | 4th | | Points | 65 | | Recent Form | WWDLL | | Last Result | Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa | Aston Villa will look to build on their recent success and continue to develop their team for the upcoming season.