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Pau Torres won't start opening Aston Villa Premier League fixtures - Sky Sports journalist
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Pau Torres’ pre-season will be a good learning experience due to Aston Villa facing Premier League opposition, but the Spaniard may not be set for an immediate starting spot come August, claims Dan Bardell.
Aston Villa will face the likes of Newcastle and Brentford as they fly out to play in the Premier League Summer Series meaning Torres will get a taste of the English top-flight opposition he will face next season.
Coming into the club as their marquee defensive signing for £31.5million [BBC Sport], the former Villarreal man will be expected to improve Villa’s backline even after their exceptional defensive record towards the end of the season.
However, while Bardell claims he has a string of attributes that make him an ideal player for Villa, he predicts that his impact will not be felt straight away.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “The good thing is that they’re playing Premier League opposition in these friendlies so it will give Torres a taste of what the league is like more than if Villa were playing a team on the continent.
“I think it will be a good learning curve for him. I don’t think he will start the Premier League season but obviously, Villa haven’t spent the money they’ve spent on him to be third or fourth choice. At some point, he will be the number one centre-back.
“He knows Emery’s methods probably better than anyone, he’s used to the Thursday-Sunday and European football, so in some ways, he is the best set of all the players this season just because he’s got that European experience.
“But the Premier League is a completely different beast than La Liga. He’s played against Premier League teams in Europe as well.“
In other Aston Villa news, the club are reportedly keen to bring a Juventus midfielder to the club and are prepared to cover his six-figure weekly wage to do so.