Alan Hutton has told Football Insider that he thinks Aston Villa manager Dean Smith will look to replace both Neil Taylor and Ahmed Elmohamady next summer.
Villa managed to fight off the threat of relegation last term and they have started the new season in fine form. After winning their first four Premier League games before losing the subsequent two, Smith’s side bounced back prior to the international break with a 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The manager can be credited with much of that recent success, having had a busy summer transfer window which saw him spend just under £100m.
Speaking on certain areas in which he felt Villa could further improve, Hutton told Football Insider:
“I would have thought so, next season probably – Neil Taylor, is this his last year, possibly?
“I think the way Villa are going at the moment, the first season’s about staying up, the next season is about progression – which has definitely happened – and next season, depending on where they finish, they’re either going to aim real high, or they’re going to be happy where they are.
“You’re going to need competition in the likes of left-back, I think Targett has done really well. Yes, he did struggle at the start his career – at Villa, that is – but he’s definitely found his feet at the moment.
“Moving forward, with Tayls’ contract probably running out there, I think they will look for competition in that area. It will be the same for right-back.
“Obviously, I love Elmo to bits, I think he’s done absolutely brilliant at Villa but I think it will be the same at right-back where they might look to bring some competition for Matty Cash. This is me talking about the future, moving forward, that’s just how it is.”
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Villa’s squad is currently stacked with defensive options and, as Hutton says, both Taylor and Elmohamady seem to have little hope of playing regularly for them this season.
Smith will naturally look to improve areas next summer and finding fresh backup to the likes of Matty Cash and Matt Targett would be a good start.
