Aston Villa to reach new level with £10m+ Paulo Dybala transfer
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 has suggested that the signing of Paulo Dybala in January would make Aston Villa even “better”, but admits that he isn’t sure the “talented” star would be a regular in Unai Emery’s side.
Reports emerged from the Daily Star (1 January) that the Argentine international would be available to clubs outside of Italy for only £10.7 million (€13million) this month because of a release clause in his contract with Roma.
The same report suggested that he would be a smart acquisition for Villa as Emery and his side continue to push for Champions League qualification after their excellent start to the season.
While Hutton believes that Dybala’s immense skill would improve Aston Villa in the second half of the season, he isn’t convinced that the 30-year-old will be able to feature week in and week out in the Premier League.
“He’s a talented footballer,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I think if he comes into any squad it would make them better. I don’t think it flashes out to me that he’s going to play regularly, as in week in and week out, we’d have to wait and see.
“I think Unai Emery likes a particular type of player who’s going to work really hard and look he does work hard, but I don’t think he is going to play week in and week out, but that’s just my opinion.
“They are strong when it comes to the wide areas, but it looks like Emery wants to bring a player in that position. Again we’ll wait and see because Villa have been attracted to millions of players so it’s difficult to figure out if they actually want this player or if is it another rumour.
“We’ll just have to wait and see in a couple of weeks.”
So far this season, Dybala has managed to score five goals and lay on five assists for his teammates in 13 Serie A appearances, but has faced issues with both fitness and injury which limited him to only one start in the Europa League.
When fit, there are few attackers in Europe more exciting and effective than the 30-year-old Argentine, but his injury struggles throughout his career may well put Aston Villa and Emery off of making a move during the January window.
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has suggested that Ollie Watkins can help Villa complete a transfer that “ticks all the boxes”
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