OPINION
It’s been evident throughout this season that Aston Villa are rather short on quality defensive cover at the back.
Early in the season the problem saw midfielder Mile Jedinak forced to operate as a centre back and, while things haven’t returned to those dark days since, Dean Smith’s side appear to be just one setback away from a defensive crisis.
Perhaps, then, the club should consider making a January move for Everton defender Mason Holgate. The Mirror reported on Sunday that the 22-year-old would be allowed to leave Goodison Park on loan in the winter transfer window, with a host of Premier League and Championship sides interested.
It’s unknown at this time whether Villa are one of the second tier outfits considering the Toffees starlet, but if they’re not they certainly should be.
There is essentially no natural replacement for either James Chester or Axel Tuanzebe at centre back for the Villans, and Holgate would provide some much needed quality alongside Smith’s first choice centre back duo.
Holgate has also demonstrated an ability to operate at right back to a high level, as well, adding another versatile string to his bow which could come in useful for Villa down the stretch.
The defender is a talented footballer who has simply got lost in the shuffle on Merseyside this season. With Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma all available to Marco Silva at centre back it’s hard to see the youngster getting much football this term.
That’s obviously why the Toffees want to send him out on loan, and Villa Park would be the perfect place for him. We’ve seen the impact that a spell in Birmingham has had on Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham this campaign, and Holgate could flourish in a similar way.
This would be a mutually beneficial move that would work for all parties. Holgate gets the first team football he needs while Villa get another quality defender and Everton can profit on his progress once he returns to the club next summer.
It really is a win-win, and Aston Villa should be doing everything they can to ensure that they’re the ones benefitting from Holgate’s influence in the second half of the season – it could see them return to the top flight come season’s end.