Alan Hutton: Pau Torres would be a fantastic signing for Aston Villa
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 feels Pau Torres would be a “fantastic” signing for Aston Villa as Unai Emery looks to stamp his authority at the club.
Villa are reportedly (16 November) interested in the 25-year-old, with Villarreal demanding at least £40million for his services.
Hutton has suggested it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Emery go back to his former employers when looking to bring new players to Villa Park.
“I think Emery will be looking to stamp his authority on the team and that’s what this signing could do,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“It happens all the time when a manager leaves, they go back to their old club because it’s familiar and they know what the players are all about.
“I think he’s a fantastic football player and he would come in and make the defence automatically better, with obviously Diego Carlos. Mings has done well and so has Konsa, but it’s the consistency.
“The levels have to be so high if you want to get to the top end of this league and I think bringing in someone of that quality would definitely improve the team.”
Villa could well be looking to add another top-quality centre back to their ranks after Diego Carlos’ Achilles injury at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
The January window also provides Emery with his first opportunity to really stamp his authority on proceedings at Villa Park.
In other Aston Villa news, Bracey believes Robin Olsen hasn’t been good enough and the club needs a replacement back-up keeper.