Aston Villa were in the running to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United last summer, with the Whites eventually keeping hold of the defensive midfielder.
After failing to land the 24-year-old’s signature, the board turned to Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba instead, leading the Birmingham Mail’s Mat Kendrick to pose the question as to whether the Villans should have gone all out for Phillips before the start of the season.
Random question. I've just been daydreaming about last summer.
Villa were heavily linked with Kalvin Phillips from #LUFC back then.
Do you wish #AVFC had signed him or are you happy with Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba?
— Mat Kendrick (@MatKendrick) April 16, 2020
The £10.8m-valued Englishman has made 31 appearances in the Championship for Marcelo Bielsa’s side so far, scoring 1 goal and creating 2 assists, making 2.8 tackles per game, averaging 1.3 interceptions, and completing 1.3 clearances on average in the second division (WhoScored).
In comparison, after arriving at Villa Park from Premier League champions Manchester City for £15.12m, Luiz has played in 26 games under Dean Smith up until now, netting 3 goals, producing 2 assists, as well as registering 1.1 tackles on average, notching just 0.7 interceptions, and providing at least 1.2 clearances in the league (WhoScored).
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His teammate has featured in 21 matches for Smith’s squad, recording 2.4 tackles per game, achieving 1.7 interceptions on average, and racking up roughly 1.4 clearances up until now.
It is fair to say the Midlands football editor’s query has prompted lots of replies from the Claret and Blue fan base, with one supporter saying officials made a “massive blunder,” and another suggesting “Luiz is better.”
Scroll through the different reactions down below…
https://twitter.com/deakinkoz/status/1250717998253518849?s=20
Purchasing Philips would of been better than buying the other 2 together, massive blunder, recruitment poor in the summer, quality over quantity would of been better
— Mark Haddon (@markbhaddon) April 16, 2020
I wish we’d have gotten him and Jarrod Bowen. I do think Luiz shows glimpses of being quality though, but for me Bowen is head and shoulders above anyone we have on the wings
— Dave Vickers (@Dave_Vickers) April 16, 2020
They’ve both been ok, bit inconsistent at times. I suppose you get what you pay for though? I’m sure Phillips would have commanded a bigger transfer fee and wages and clearly we wouldn’t/couldn’t pay it?
— MrB (@Bonesthename) April 16, 2020
Luiz is better
— Jeff Sylvester (@jsylvester1965) April 16, 2020
Big miss
— Neal Roberts (@tamhawk1969) April 16, 2020
Phillips would have been instantly very good for us. The others have had their moments but on a steep learning curve. I’d take Phillips over them for sure but they could both come good in the future.
— Dan Egan (@_danegan) April 16, 2020
Phillips is a better player now. These two could be better overall. But for where we are, definitely Phillips.
— Chris Stanley (@chrisstanley1) April 16, 2020
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