With Tim Sherwood’s men only gaining four points from their first four games, it is evident Villa are in desperate need of another leader in the side who has experience and can help cut out stupid, basic mistakes, but is that leader, Joleon Lescott?
As a lifelong Villa fan, no one can doubt the fact that the former England international would bring passion to the side which lies in his heart, but is he capable of helping Micah Richards in leading the pack?
Lescott has had a long career in the Premier League which has spanned nine years with him playing his best football for Everton, before moving to Manchester City and finally the Hawthorns where he currently plies his trade. This mass amount of Premier League experience would be vital for Vill if they are looking to push on from relegation dogfight last season.
The England international may have struggled towards the back-end of his Man City career, but he was one of the league’s best defenders while he was at Everton which earned him his £22-million move to Manchester. While at Everton, Lescott won consecutive player of the year awards. At City He managed to win two Premier League titles; a League Cup, and an FA Cup for the Citizens indicating his winning mentality, something Tim Sherwood values strongly.
Ever since his move to West Brom Lescott has found his form, playing a key role in Tony Pulis’s time so far as manager at the Baggies. After six clean sheets, in Pulis’s first ten games – fans were going as far as requesting an England call-up for the 33-year old.
As well as defensive support and leadership, Lescott poses a threat from set pieces which was heavily exploited by David Moyes during Lescott’s time at Everton in which he scored eight goals in one Premier League season, an impressive feat for a centre-half. Lescott’s 22 goals in the league makes him the 8th highest scoring defender in Premier League history. Bearing this in mind, Villa could be a big threat from set pieces with Rudy Gestede and Lescott both being up.
Villa’s bid for the defender is rumored to be around the £2.5 million mark making Lescott a bargain buy considering the leadership, determination, passion and dressing room influence he would bring to Villa Park.
BBC WM have said a deal is expected to be completed on Monday morning.
