Villa Close to Deal for Sevilla Left-back
It’s been reported by local Seville press in Spain and amplified by social media’s favourite transfer guy, Fabrizio Romano, that Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Sevilla to sign Swedish left-back Ludwig Augustinsson.
“Deal now in place, been told it’s a loan move with an option to buy included,” declared Romano, on social media.
“There’s still something to be resolved on player side, final details before deal completed,” he added.
Augustinsson is no doubt earmarked to be a back-up and provide competition to Lucas Digne in the left-back position.
The 28-year-old Swedish international started nine games for Sevilla last season and with an additional 10 substitute appearances for the top four LaLiga team, he’s used to playing a squad role.
Possessing decent delivery and pace, the Swede who played for Werder Bremen and FC Copenhagen, before Sevilla, is also a recognised set piece taker.
Experience and Links
Coming up to close to a half-a-century of international caps for Sweden (her started their four European Championship games last year), Augustinsson will add much needed experience to the balance of the Villa squad.
The left-back has a double link already to the Villa team in his international teammate Robin Olsen and former Sevilla teammate Diego Carlos. It’s an added bonus that both players also feature in Villa’s defensive setup, so there’s a useful understanding already there.
Both Carlos and Augustinsson played a part in the best defensive set-up in the Spanish league last season, with Sevilla conceding only 30 goals in 38 games.
As well as the advantages on the pitch, such link-ups are the secret of good team building and meshing together a happy squad. Villa now have a quartet of French players, three Brazilians, two Argentines, so no overseas player is really alone and they have healthy additional bonds beyond just being Villa teammates.
Sensible Deal
There’s been a few Villa links to left-backs that would cost circa the fee Villa got for the outgoing Matt Targett (and in some cases above).
At this stage for Villa, that would mark a reckless spending of money, when not actually upgrading the first XI. If you can get a competent international full-back on loan, then it also gives Villa more time to both assess and develop young prospects like Ben Chrisene. The loan period is also an indication that they are possibly intent on bringing an academy talent through to be Digne’s long-term competition.
Such squad planning also allows the club to focus their financial resources in upgrading the team and squad, rather than just padding out the numbers.
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