Aston Villa manager Unai Emery could turn to a move for Leicester City defender Jannik Vestergaard, according to pundit Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Vestergaard speculation

Villa are reportedly in the market for a new defender in 2023 and have been linked with a variety of options, including Vestergaard. The 30-year-old is yet to make a Premier League appearance under Brendan Rodgers this season, with reports suggesting that Villa are set to be offered the defender’s services.

Vestergaard is under contract at the King Power Stadium until 2024, but Whelan thinks Villa could take the Foxes up on their offer.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan, who previously contributed to the BBC, was talking to Football Insider regarding Villa’s transfer plans after hearing the news on Vestergaard.

He thinks that Emery may ‘see something’ in the Foxes defender and didn’t rule out a potential move, hinting at the Spaniard possibly moving on some of Steven Gerrard's signings.

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“They’re looking to bolster their defence – and they need to.

“Unai Emery has come in and he’ll have his own ideas about how he wants his team to line up.

“That’s a difficult proposition for the owners because they’ve already spent a lot of money under Steven Gerrard.

“But some of those players might not be to the liking of Emery.

“There’s no doubt they’ll spend more money in January, but he will have ideas about what sort of player and character he wants.

“Vestergaard is someone who has had a difficult period, but Emery may just see something in him.”

The Verdict: Not needed?

Villa currently have five senior centre-back options, one of which being loanee Jan Bednarek. Diego Carlos also appears to be making good progress from injury, so it doesn’t seem as if a player like Vestergaard is needed.

A marquee centre-back addition like Villarreal’s Pau Torres could be more worthwhile as Emery looks to take Villa to the next level instead of a defender who is out of favour at a fellow top-flight club such as Vestergaard.