As the transfer window draws to its final days and Villa owner Tony Xia expands his transfer equations into the realms of quantum physics, MOMS has already looked at some of the possible deadwood to be moved on, but here’s a daily wrap with a couple of those names cropping up as possibly heading through the exit door.
Bedeau Incoming
The Bury Times are reporting that Bury head coach Chris Brass has finally agreed a fee with Aston Villa for 17-year-old defender Jacob Bedeau. A medical is expected in the next few days.
The likelihood is the player will be loaned back to Bury until the end of the season.
“They have got to where our expectations are and they have done their homework, as you would expect from a club of their magnitude,” said Brass.
“The deal has not just happened overnight. It has been ongoing for a while.
“You have to make sure it is in the best interests of Jacob and the football club. He is going to be a fantastic player.
Tony Xia has followed Bedeau on Twitter, that certainly suggests it’s a done deal.
What about Watkins?
Supposed Villa target Exeter City striker Ollie Watkins was a starter in the team’s l-0 away to Portsmouth this weekend. With games on the last day of the window, time is a ticking and it seems that Watkins is more likely to remain at Exeter.
City manager Paul Tisdale said in his press conference on Thursday that he was keen to keep Watkins at the club.
“There’s been plenty of interest and plenty of clubs inquiring, and there’ll be plenty more to come, I’m sure,” said Exeter City boss, Paul Tisdale to the local Exeter press.
“Ollie will go and play at a very good level one day – maybe it won’t be this window and maybe it won’t be one of those clubs he’s been linked with now.”
Swansea Duo
The Telegraph were the first to report Villa being interested in Swansea City duo Neil Taylor and Modou Barrow, with Jordan Ayew potentially moving in the other direction.
Taylor would provide depth at the left-back spot and potentially challenge Jordan Amavi for the starting berth, due to being more sound defensively.
Winger Barrow meanwhile, would perhaps provide Bruce with more options going forward, although there would be question marks about him being a starter.
A mooted swap with Jordan Ayew has allegedly been offered up, although just what the breakdown of that is. It has been rumoured that Ayew had an advance medical before he departed for the African Cup of Nations, knowing he’d be away. How that actually works, or if it is actually possible, MOMS hasn’t looked into (it’s not our problem!).
You’d think Ayew would be activity trying to move somewhere with his future at Villa Park looking limited in terms of playing time.
Tish-bye?
When Roberto Di Matteo declared Aaron Tshibola to be part of a new Villa spine, MOMS was a bit skeptical of such a call considering the ex-Reading’s lack of experience at even Championship level and his injury track record.
Tshibola has shown sparks of promise, but never grabbed the opportunity of being one of Villa’s main men in midfield. In fact, he seemed to represent the kind of half-hearted player in recent years that has picked up a wage at Villa yet delivered nothing back. Having seen him deliver abject performances in U-23 games too, there isn’t too much sentiment towards him in Bruce’s camp.
A few media outlets are now speculating about him leaving. When you consider he was having difficulties getting into the team before Villa signed three new midfielders, then they’ll be no surprise if he’s shipped out in the final days of the window.
Perpetual Rhodes
After Lansbury, Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes must have had the most transfer rumour stories connecting him to Villa. The fact he didn’t even make the bench against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup this weekend suggests he might be going somewhere in the next few days.
Grealish Not Boro Bound
Jack Grealish was never likely to go to Boro, but his father confirmed on Facebook that he isn’t going there. The concept of the 21-year-old leaving isn’t such a far out thought now though. He’ll needs to start showing more consistency, as the Villa first XI has suddenly got a lot harder to get into.
UTV
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We don’t need quantum physics, a simple equation that anyone can work out is we need Rhodes to partner Kodjia. New signings are very good but they won’t be at their most effective without another striker. Come on Villa get your finger out the clocks ticking.
Before we kick pretty decent members of the first team out of the door, lets see the new guys actually perform first. There’s been so many false dawns at Villa Park. On paper, brilliant signings though, as were some of our present team at the time they were signed. Remember the fanfare that surrounded Westwood when we signed “Crew’s best player”!