---
title: "Aston Villa: Portuguese scouting mission launched"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-portuguese-scouting-mission-launched-otavio/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-08-22T16:10:53Z"
modified: "2022-08-22T16:10:53Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Portuguese scouting mission launched

**[Aston Villa](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/) scouts watched FC Porto in action this weekend, according to a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-officials-could-have-monitored-gerrards-target-on-weekend-scouting-mission/)).**

### The lowdown

The reigning Primeira Liga champions took on rivals Sporting Lisbon in their third game of the new season and ran out 3-0 winners at the Estadio do Dragao courtesy of a goal from Evanilson and penalties from Mateus Uribe and Galeno.

Villa’s recruitment team seemingly remain active even though they have already had a busy summer transfer window, having [sealed five deals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/transfers/verein/405) so far.

### The latest

A Bola published a list of the clubs who had officials in attendance at the game, and Villa are included \[via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-officials-could-have-monitored-gerrards-target-on-weekend-scouting-mission/)\].

Also on the list are [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) ‘big six’ duo Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, along with continental heavyweights like Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Juventus.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389386″\]

### The verdict

The object of Villa’s attention may have been Porto forward Otavio.

[Mais Futebol](https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/fc-porto/otavio/fc-porto-ingleses-apertam-o-cerco-a-otavio?utm_campaign=auto-tw&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social) reported earlier in the summer that Villa were preparing an offer for the 27-year-old, while another source in [Record](https://sportwitness.co.uk/clock-ticking-leeds-player-chase-release-clause-increasing-e20m-three-days/) also claimed that Steven Gerrard’s side wanted to sign him.

Otavio is [predominantly](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/otavio/leistungsdaten/spieler/231289/plus/0?saison=ges) a right-sided attacker, although he can also play on the left or as an attacking midfielder. That means he could be viewed as an alternative to the [equally versatile](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ismaila-sarr/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/410225) Ismaila Sarr after [Villa walked away](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/12678725/ismaila-sarr-watford-forwards-25m-move-to-aston-villa-collapses) from a deal for the Watford forward.

He produced a solid performance in front of his potential suitors, completing 34 out of 39 passes, recording two dribbles, winning nine duels and making four tackles in Porto’s emphatic victory (via [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/fc-porto/3002)).

Therefore, it would be no surprise if Villa try to test the waters for him in the final few days of the transfer window, if they can tempt him to give up the [Champions League football](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/) which is on offer at Porto.