---
title: "Dean Jones says James would be ‘strange signing’ for Villa"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2022/05/31/dean-jones-says-james-rodriguez-would-be-strange-signing-for-aston-villa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-05-31T15:23:41Z"
modified: "2022-05-31T15:23:41Z"
---

# Dean Jones says James would be ‘strange signing’ for Villa

Aston Villa were [linked](https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/tres-posibles-destinos-james-rodriguez-20220428.html) with a move for James Rodriguez in April but have since gone on to sign Philippe Coutinho permanently, so that should end any suggestion of him coming to Villa Park.

The 30-year-old [joined](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-rodriguez/transfers/spieler/88103) Al-Rayyan SC on a two-year deal from Everton last summer and has gone on to make [15 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-rodriguez/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/88103) in all competitions, scoring five goals with seven assists.

James’ form in Qatar has many in the media predicting he’ll return to Europe this summer, but *Dean Jones* doesn’t believe Villa would be a viable destination.

He told [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/88012215-aston-villa-436-goal-dream-on-gerrard-radar-51-3m-duo-could-leave-villa-park): “The strangest link so far has been James Rodriguez, who does not seem to fit the type of player (Steven) Gerrard would be looking for.”

The Colombian international was a Real Madrid player only two years ago but is now playing in the Stars League after his 2020 move to Everton [went sour](https://www.goodisonnews.com/2021/09/23/alan-myers-rodriguez-wanted-to-leave-everton-before-ancelotti/) when Carlo Ancelotti left in the summer 2021.

James’ career has mirrored that of Coutinho’s with a move to Spain spiralling and a loan to Germany being short-lived, but the former hasn’t had his redemption in the continent yet.

Villa won’t be the one to provide it, as Coutinho and Emiliano Buendia are all the playmakers Gerrard needs.

***[In other news, Dean Jones says Aston Villa are ‘unlikely’ to sign Yves Bissouma](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/05/31/dean-jones-says-aston-villa-are-unlikely-to-sign-yves-bissouma/)***