There are several factors which will affect Emery’s mood.
In an ideal world, he wanted to keep Malen but, given the forward’s limited game time – he made only seven Premier League starts after joining from Borussia Dortmund last year – Malen wanted to leave.
He scored on his debut for Roma on Sunday as Villa toiled against Everton, with just Evann Guessand remaining in the squad to support Ollie Watkins up front.
Guessand has been linked with a move away, as a possible sweetener in the deal to get Roma’s Tammy Abraham out of his loan at Besiktas, but he is happy at Villa, who are looking to develop him.
Another sore point for Emery is the failed pursuit of Gallagher after Tottenham hijacked the deal, underlining the financial reality Villa live in.
The England midfielder joined Spurs for £35m. Villa wanted a loan-to-buy deal but Spurs were able to offer the money up front.
It is the balancing act Emery has to get right while Villa walk the financial tightrope, which has harmed them in more ways than one.
Gallagher would have at least eased a growing midfield injury crisis, with Emery losing John McGinn on Sunday while he was already sweating on Boubacar Kamara’s fitness and Amadou Onana already out.
There are also no plans for Leon Bailey to return from his loan at Roma, despite his struggles.
This month Villa have signed Gremio winger Alysson and 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo from Metz – both with a view to the future.
Villa are third in the Premier League, well placed in the Europa League before travelling to Fenerbahce on Thursday, and still in the FA Cup.
“Emery’s got credit in the bank,” said Mo Razzaq, chairman of Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust.
“There’s no a silver bullet, where we can go out and buy who we want. We need to be quite prudent and careful.
“Gallagher would have been a valuable addition with his experience. John McGinn is not getting any younger, but would he have started week in, week out? Probably not. So Spurs have come in. We know the constraints we operate in and we move on.
“The club aren’t in a position to be in a bidding war. I don’t think we’re overly concerned.”