OPINION
Dean Smith has got his feet under the table and Aston Villa and had time to take stock of his new squad.
He’ll know that he’s going to need some help if he wants to launch a sustained bid for promotion this season.
One player that could help catapult Villa up the table is Man City’s Phil Foden.
At just 18-years-old he’s an incredible talent, labelled as the “future of Man City” by Pat Nevin on the BBC after his latest performance in sky blue on Thursday night.
He was magnificent in the Carabao Cup game against Fulham and Nevin went on to say he was an “extraordinary talent” and that he could be as good as David Silva – which is some praise.
He’s made eight appearances for Man City already this season so surely a move to the Championship is out of the question?
Maybe but maybe not. Foden isn’t going to trouble the Man City first-team in the Premier League this season.
The £12k-a-week man will continue to be used in the cup competitions and he may get on as a sub, but there’s a feeling that he could be ready to be unleashed at the Etihad next season and some regular game-time would do him the world of good.
The Championship is a tough league and it will harden Foden up ready for his crack at the big time.
Man City might not entertain the idea but it’s worth a shot – he would be an incredible talent in the Championship and if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount is already showing what young players can do in the Championship with Derby, along with Harry Wilson from Liverpool.
Villa have proved they can nurture young talent of their own with Tammy Abraham, and the thought of the Chelsea man linking up with Foden is absolutely mouth-watering.
Christian Purslow must try and land one of the deals of the winter transfer window.