Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan has been reacting to an Aston Villa transfer update following Unai Emery’s appointment as the Premier League club's new manager.
The Lowdown: Left-sided centre-back
The 50-year-old will officially begin work in charge of Villa on Tuesday ahead of his first game in charge against Manchester United next weekend.
The Spaniard is set to be handed a ‘huge’ January transfer kitty by NSWE and already seems to be eyeing up his first signing as manager.
Football Insider revealed on Friday that Villa are in the market for a new left-sided centre-back. The report added that the club are planning for a future without Tyrone Mings as a key member of the side.
The Latest: Whelan’s comments
Quizzed by Football Insider if centre-back was the most glaring hole in the Aston Villa squad, Whelan feels that Emery is ‘targeting the right areas’, replying: “Yes – when you’re conceding that many goals and there’s that inconsistency in performances.
“We know they’ve had a big injury to a big player in Diego Carlos. He’s out long-term. When you look at their midfield and their forward line, there is more than enough talent there. He’s targeting the right areas. Full-back wise, too, they have two of the best in the Premier League.
“He will be looking for strength in depth in this backline now. They’ve got it in abundance everywhere else on the pitch.
“The defence is now the area which needs to be bolstered, and I don’t think it takes a brain surgeon to realise that Mings is an area they need to strengthen.”
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The Verdict: One to watch
Villa have conceded nine goals in their last four Premier League games, with Mings playing every minute of action during that time.
The 29-year-old was at fault for Chelsea’s opener and scored an own goal against Fulham, so you can see why the club are exploring the possibility of replacing him as they look at the long-term under Emery.
It will be interesting to see who the new Villa boss looks to sign at the back specifically, and whether Mings falls out of favour in the coming months under the 50-year-old's watch.