Ty Bracey exclusive: Aston Villa must sign defender on loan deal before window shuts
We’re delighted to welcome Villa View host Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
It is “absolutely imperative” that Aston Villa sign another defender before the close of the transfer window after Diego Carlos’ injury says Ty Bracey.
The Brazilian summer signing is out long-term with a ruptured achilles and Kortney Hause has moved on loan to Watford, leaving Steven Gerrard potentially short of options in the centre of his backline.
Southampton’s Jan Bednarek appears to be a likely candidate to come in and provide cover, with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook reporting on Friday (26 August) that Villa are set to beat West Ham to him, and while Bracey is not convinced the Polish international is of the right standard he knows the Villans need somebody on loan and fast.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News he said: “There’s also rumours with [Abdou] Diallo at PSG and I’d be happy with a signing like that, but I understand that we do have adequate cover when we have Carlos there, so a season-long loan seems like the right financial decision.
“But whether Bednarek is the right signing is something that I’m really unsure of. But we definitely need one more there, it’s absolutely imperative. We can’t continue the season with just three there.
“I think it’s really important we get one more in, especially with Kortney Hause going to Watford as well. So I think we’ll definitely be getting a centre-back in, absolutely.
“There’s been links with both [Bednarek and Diallo], but as we’ve seen with Ismaila Sarr there’s a lot more that goes into a transfer than we are aware of, it all depends if the stars align at the time.
“Whoever it is we just someone who’s ready to rock and roll in the Premier League and stick to the cause, so it’s whoever believes in the plan most.
“But a season-long loan, whoever fits that profile best, that will be the best for us.”
Paris Saint-Germain have been anything but easy for clubs to deal with this summer, even for players they want to get rid of, so the chances of getting a move through for Diallo at this late stage doesn’t look promising.
With Carlos expected back for next season it is likely sensible not to tie the club to another permanent acquisition who isn’t necessarily going to be high in the rotation once everybody is fit.
Bednarek has 42 international caps and well over 100 Premier League appearances, so as a back-up option the Lions could do a lot worse, and there would at least be no concerns over his ability to adapt to the English top flight.
In other Aston Villa news, Bracey says the club have to win the type of games they’ve lost this season if they want to progress.