Noted transfer reporter Dean Jones has given his thoughts on Aston Villa and their potential search for a central defender in the January transfer window.
Central defence is an area in which Steven Gerrard’s men could arguably do with some reinforcements this month.
Having cut short Axel Tuanzebe’s loan spell, the club only have three players available to them that are natural central defenders in the form of Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause. They have reportedly been ‘monitoring the situation’ of a number of central defenders recently, with the likes of James Tarkowski, Connor Goldson and Nat Phillips all supposedly being looked at.
However, according to Jones, who was speaking to This Is Futbol, that position isn’t one that Villa boss Gerrard sees as a necessity as the window enters its final few days, while he didn’t think that they would be making many moves in that area.
He said: “To be honest, I don’t think they see it as an absolute must. I just think that Gerrard wants it as a safety barrier.”
TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments about Aston Villa and the transfer window…
Will Gerrard win silverware at Aston Villa?
Yes!
No!
If Jones’ assessment is right, then this might come across as a risky move for Gerrard to take considering how few options there are for him as we enter the second half of the season.
However, given Villa’s position in the table, it might actually have some benefits.
Currently sitting 11th – 10 points off a European place and 11 away from the relegation zone – Villa may not be competing for much this season, so Gerrard could perhaps afford to take a few risks when it comes to his squad.
And given how much faith he has shown in young players, it’s not impossible to think that he might introduce a number of the club’s academy prospects into the mix to try and develop them for the years ahead, much in the same way he has been doing with Jacob Ramsey.
So if they do make a move before the window closes, that’s OK as it will give them an experienced option to lean on. But if they don’t, then that might just be OK as well, because Villa fans could be introduced to the next big thing at the heart of the defence.
In other news: ‘Don’t know whether this is true’ – Sky Sports man drops claim on 24y/o AVFC are ‘interested in’