Aston Villa aren’t short on options out wide with Jack Grealish, Anwar El Ghazi, Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet, but three of the four could start most games if Dean Smith opts for a 4-2-3-1 formation, leaving goal-shy Trezeguet as the only attacking option on the bench.
Villa have shown an interest in David Brooks, Milot Rashica and Jesse Lingard, with further developments emerging about the former.
Gregg Evans of The Athletic has claimed that the Midlands outfit are ‘holding out’ until the summer so they can sign Brooks for ‘considerably less’ than he is currently worth.
The 23-year-old has been in fine form for Bournemouth this season, scoring three goals and supplying five assists in 19 Championship appearances. He has created 23 chances, whipped in 34 crosses and completed 20 successful dribbles (WhoScored).
Smith has had success signing players from the second tier this season in Ollie Watkins (Brentford) and Matty Cash (Nottingham Forest), but Villa believe they can get Brooks for less than his £50m asking price if Bournemouth’s promotion bid fails. The Cherries are currently fifth in the Championship after 25 games.
READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT
It’s a clever ploy waiting to sign a player for cheap, but Villa’s delay tactics could leave Brooks free to join another club this month.
Also, were he to stay at Bournemouth and insoire them to promotion, he would likely be even more expensive and might then want to remain at the Vitality Stadium.
It’s a tricky one for Villa to weigh up; let’s just hope whatever decision they take proves justified.
