OPINION
As demonstrated by their financial difficulties over the summer Aston Villa have found themselves guilty of splashing the cash when it comes to players’ contracts – something which is still costing them in 2019.
The likes of Micah Richards, Mile Jedinak and Henri Lansbury still remain on the books despite their distinct lack of game time in recent years and their places in the squad are costing the Villans not only the cash of their contracts, but the opportunity to sign new players to improve the squad.
With the Daily Mail reporting that Dean Smith’s men have made contact with Newcastle United over a potential move from St James’ Park back into the Championship, it is clear the manager wants a higher calibre of quality – the 23-year-old a proven talent in the second tier – but with Jedinak and Lansbury taking up places in the midfield, it is never going to happen.
The Mirror have reported that the Australian, who has not played since September, is still on £50,000-a-week while the former Nottingham Forest man, with three appearances all season, is costing £40,000-a-week.
That is £90,000-a-week going down the drain at Villa Park and when promotion and transfers are on the line, that is not acceptable.
Hayden, who is starting for Newcastle in the Premier League but has been touted for an exit on personal grounds, could be a quality signing for the club and would bring the same qualities that Jedinak and Lansbury offer the midfield but surely at a lesser cost and with the ability to improve in the future.
Time for Villa to swing the axe on the waste of space pair and dedicate themselves to moving themselves forward, not backwards.