Wrap of the Week So Far
Who knows, if Aston Villa had stuck around the Premier League, we may have finally landed the ‘Little Pea’, with Javier Hernández (29) joining West Ham to the tune of £15m.
I mention this, because it puts a question mark on the value Villa got for buying Ross McCormack (who turns 31 next month) for £12m, and also the outlay of £10m+ on Scott Hogan, whom the Hammers had the first look at and then rejected.
Certainly such eager buying has seen a change in tact this window from Villa, with five decent signings in for around £2m in transfer fees. Bargain.
Now it’s all about the outgoings, we’ve already covered Jordan Veretout finally finding a way out and the new interest in McCormack. So lets wrap up what else has been doing the rounds, from Tommy Elphick’s departure taking a fresh twist to the question of whether we’ll shed any of our right-backs.
Although, before we address outgoings, there has been another incoming player…
Going Dutch
Villa did add to their main signings with the under-the-radar signing of Dutch youngster Colin Odutayo from Belgian side Genk.
The 16-year-old Netherlands youth international will hopefully ultimately have the success of the last player that Villa signed from Genk, one Christian Benteke.
For the forward, at the moment, it’s a matter of jumping from one youth set-up to another, but hopefully he’ll develop into an interesting prospect.
Ojo Joking?
Villa’s name has been thrown into the mix with Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo, the 20-year-old winger who seems to be heading to the Championship to at least gain experience.
Having come through the ranks of Liverpool since they bought him from MK Dons, six years ago, he’s unlikely to come cheap in an outright sale.
I can’t see Bruce being that desperate to get him on loan considering the options he currently has, although there is the danger that he could potentially improve one of Villa’s promotion rivals, with Middlesbrough, Derby County, and Fulham FC, all supposedly interested.
Elphick Hijack
What happened to the Blues signing up Tommy Elphick? Things seems to have stuttered on that front, even after Villa have brought in both John Terry and Chris Samba.
At one stage, Leeds were also interested, but according to the Daily Mirror, Sunderland are now in pole position.
I wish there was more evidence to offer, but they literally just say, ‘Sunderland are leading the race to sign Aston Villa centre-back Tommy Elphick’, with little backing it up.
Surely somebody will take him soon?
Hutton Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday’s interest in Alan Hutton is a story that hasn’t gone away yet, with it being reinforced in local Yorkshire press this week.
Yes, I know the Scottish Cafu has his fan club for his effort on the pitch (not his skill), but the reality of the situation is, the right-back is 32 and in the last year of his contract. Plus, Villa have several options on the right-hand side to choose from, notably James Bree (19) and Ritchie De Laet (28)
If Villa got promoted this term, next season, Hutton would join John Terry and possibly Chris Samba and Sam Johnstone, as players who wouldn’t be at the club for the team’s return to the Premier League. Villa would have to rebuild at least half of their defence.
So, in terms of Hutton, now is a good time to cut loose from a business point of view and to blood James Bree.
UTV
NEW PODCAST EPISODE INCOMING
Subscribe for free to the My Old Man Said Aston Villa podcast show on various formats, including: iTunes / Tunein / Acast / Stitcher / PlayerFM
