Alan Hutton: Aston Villa must add quality not quantity as transfer deadline approaches
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton believes Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard must add quality not quantity in the remaining hours of the transfer window.
Gerrard is searching for more defensive reinforcements after Diego Carlos sustained a serious Achilles injury in Villa’s Premier League win over Everton at Villa Park.
However, Hutton feels that the Villa boss must ensure he only adds quality to his squad and not just a player who is potentially available at the moment.
“It’s not about numbers it’s about quality for Gerrard and I don’t think he’s hidden the fact that he wants another centre half,” Hutton said exclusively to Villa News.
“It’s so difficult with it being the last 24 hours to get players in through the door.
“They’ve been talking about another defender a lot, but maybe another forward-thinking player, potentially a wide player could be a priority for Gerrard.
“Traore, Trezeguet and El Ghazi are not involved anymore with a couple of them leaving.
“If he can get another attacking option and another centre back then I think he will be more than happy.
“But then the fans are crying out for another box-to-box midfielder who can score goals.
“Whether he will be able to get it done in 24 hours remains to be seen, it will be very difficult.”
Villa travel to table-topping Arsenal on Wednesday (31 August), with the pressure starting to mount on Gerrard after a disappointing start to the season.
Gerrard’s task doesn’t get any easier with Manchester City Villa’s next Premier League test after their trip to The Emirates.
At the moment defensive reinforcements don’t seem likely, with Villa’s move for Southampton Jan Bednarek seemingly at a standstill.
It had been reported by talkSPORT’s Alex Crook (26 August that Villa were set to sign Bednarek, however, a move has not yet materialised.
In other Aston Villa news, manager Steven Gerrard is very keen to bring Liverpool defender Joe Gomez to the club.