Steven Gerrard has rotated between Marvelous Nakamba, Douglas Luiz and Morgan Sanson in the defensive-midfield role this season to varying degrees of success, but he’s expected to sign a natural holding player to sit in front of the defence when the summer transfer window opens.
Aston Villa have been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma, Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, RC Lens’ Seko Fofana and Olympique Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara, but Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey of 90min say the Midlands outfit are interested in Josh Brownhill.
The 26-year-old joined Burnley on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Bristol City in January 2020 and has gone on to make 80 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals with four assists. Brownhill has two years remaining on his deal at Turf Moor but may have an uncertain future if the Clarets are relegated.
Brownhill has greatly impressed in the Premier League this season and isn’t short of suitors (Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Bournemouth, Fulham), so he might be tempted away from Burnley.
With more tackles (65) and interceptions (61) than Douglas Luiz (53 and 28), the uncapped Englishman could be the ideal player to protect Villa’s backline next season. And with CIES Football Observatory estimating Brownhill’s value at €9.6m (£8.2m) while Transfermarkt value him at £6.3m, he could be available for a bargain.
In other news, Steven Gerrard can’t be happy with Danny Ings’ inconsistent Aston Villa
