In this instalment of our TT Roundup, Football Transfer Tavern have gathered three of the biggest stories involving Aston Villa over the past week and have provided our thoughts on the reports published.
Pepe Reina close to Villa move
The Daily Star (citing journalist Nicolo Schira) have reported that Villa have reached an agreement with AC Milan over the transfer of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Tom Heaton is out injured for the season and so Dean Smith will have been desperate to bring a replacement in to bolster his squad ahead of a tough relegation battle.
The 37-year-old has played just twice in Serie A this season and the Daily Mail have said he’s eager to return to the Premier League and has a belief he can still perform at the top level. The Spaniard has a contract with Milan which lasts until the end of next season.
The verdict
With the wealth of experience Reina has at the top level, he could provide more than just saves for Dean Smith’s side. A calm man between the sticks should not be overlooked, and if the deal has been agreed, then it could be one that quite literally saves their season.
Benteke return on the cards?
Villa fans will have great memories of Christian Benteke from when he played for them earlier last decade, but things haven’t gone to plan since then. However, the Telegraph believe the Villans are hoping to bring him back to Villa Park this January despite him failing to score in his first 15 appearances in the Premier League this season (per WhoScored).
The report says that Villa would be interested in taking him on loan until the end of the season, but their approaches were rebuffed when Palace told them they’d only let him leave if it was on a permanent basis. Benteke scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa before leaving for Liverpool in 2015.
The verdict
Villa need to be careful that they don’t reminisce too much about the striker Benteke used to be. After scoring 19, 10 and 13 goals in his three seasons before leaving for Liverpool he’s passed the five-goal mark just twice since then. He had a successful 2016/17 campaign at Palace where he scored 15 goals, but since then he’s scored just four goals in the league (via WhoScored).
It’s no wonder Palace want to get rid of him on a permanent basis only, because he’s not good enough to be relied on for goals consistently, and that’s what Villa need. Of course, a fresh start could do the 29-year-old some good, but it’s hard to see him being able to replicate the form he had before his Liverpool move given the extent of the slump he finds himself in.
Villa weighing up Jay Rodriguez move
The Athletic have reported that Dean Smith is on the lookout for another forward this January now it’s known Wesley is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, and it’s said to be Jay Rodriguez. It says the 30-year-old has impressed the Villa hierarchy over the last 18 months, particularly when he was playing for West Brom last term.
Sean Dyche signed him for Burnley in the summer for £5m with an additional £5m due at the end of this season, but he’s started just five games this term, making regular appearances from the bench. The report says Villa were hoping to bring the player in on loan, but Burnley haven’t been keen to entertain that prospect and they’re reluctant to let him leave at all.
The verdict
Despite struggling to become a starter on his return to Turf Moor, he’s still managed to bag three goals this season, including one against Aston Villa in September. His 22 goals and six assists for West Brom last season, including another two against Villa, have clearly been enough to suggest to Smith his best days aren’t behind him.
His experience of four seasons at Southampton between 2012 and 2019 could be crucial for Villa as they look to remain in the top flight. As is the case with Pepe Reina, experienced players could be the difference between seeing out a tight win or dropping key points, but whether Rodriguez can still perform at this level consistently remains to be seen.
[freshpress-poll id=”272016″]
Villa fans, who do you want Dean Smith to sign this month?
