OPINION
With Dean Smith now in charge at Aston Villa, he will have one eye on the rest of the fixtures left in 2018 and the other on the transfer market in the new year.
The Villans were forced to leave their summer business late thanks to the financial difficulties, but despite finding what looked like a couple of brilliant swoops, both on loan and permanently, Steve Bruce failed to get them firing on all cylinders.
Smith will no doubt want to stamp his own mark on the club when the January window comes around, and there are some clear issues which need addressing – not least the lack of centre backs.
The Birmingham Mail claim that Smith is wanting a new partner for James Chester at the heart of the defence and if that is the case, then he should look no further than former Villa Park favourite Ciaran Clark, who is currently plying his trade at Newcastle United.
At 29-year-old, the Republic of Ireland international is an experienced head who has what it takes to succeed in the Championship, having played a crucial role in the Magpies’ title win back in 2017.
Not only would it be a perfect move to bring him back to Villa Park, where he was once a favourite of the fans, for his talents, but he could well be angling for a move as circumstances look set to leave him out of favour under Rafael Benitez in the new year.
French defender Florian Lejeune is set to return to action after his lengthy injury layoff, and with Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez all battling it out already, Clark looks destined to be the one to fall down the pecking order.
Regular playing time at a team who he has fond memories of, it works for Clark, and the opportunity to snap up a Premier League quality defender to bolster his backline is ideal for Smith.