Former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton believes that Unai Emery may terminate Jan Bednarek’s loan deal if he can bring in another centre-back this January.
Bednarek was a deadline-day signing at Villa Park as the club sought cover following an injury to marquee arrival Diego Carlos.
The Poland international, currently out in Qatar, found himself surplus to requirements at parent club Southampton under Ralph Hasenhuttl, but he hasn’t fared much better in the West Midlands.
He has played just 90 minutes for the Villans and hasn’t been used by Emery since his appointment – and Hutton feels he could be moved on.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “If Unai Emery can bring in a centre-back he wants in January, then he’ll let Bednarek go.
“Bednarek was brought in solely because of the injury to Diego Carlos.
“He’s not played much, they’ve reverted to Mings and Konsa – which hasn’t been too bad so far.
“I don’t see him getting the game time he’ll want, unless injuries crop up.
“He could be someone they move on if they can get their number-one targets through the door.”
TIF Thoughts on Hutton’s comments…
Do you think Torres would join Villa?
Yes, why not?
No! We're not there yet.
It doesn’t seem to have worked out for the 26-year-old at Bodymoor Heath, with his first taste of action coming at right-back against Leeds United as a substitute at the start of October.
The £60k-per-week ace was given his only start in Steven Gerrard’s final game versus Fulham, but he was replaced at half-time.
As Hutton pointed out, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have been Emery’s preferred choices at the heart of the defence.
When Carlos returns, Bednarek will be knocked further down the pecking order, and a new signing in that department could yet signal the end of the Saints man’s short time in claret and blue.