Aston Villa have ‘eye on the future’ as Fabrizio Romano shares new Kosta Nedeljković transfer update
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…
Aston Villa are keeping an eye on the future while also trying to strengthen immediately with their current transfer strategy at Villa Park, according to Alan Hutton.
It has been a quiet January so far, with the only major news coming out of Villa Park being the impending arrival of Kosta Nedeljković after Fabrizio Romano (21 January) reported the fullback is set to complete a move to join Unai Emery’s side.
Villa have found themselves in the race for the Champions League places this season and sit three points clear of fifth placed Tottenham and some fans are crying out for more new arrivals to helps them kick-on in the second half of the campaign.
While Hutton agrees that Emery could do with players who can take their side to the next level, he thinks that Aston Villa’s strategy of buying younger players and developing them is the “ideal” method to breed success.
“I think both are ideal,” Hutton told Villa News.
“Obviously the owners are going to back the manager, they see how well he’s done since he’s come into the club and I think you need players who are going to come into your squad and make you better now and help you kick on for the rest of the season.
“But adding to that, you want talented youngsters who are going to come in, bed in, get the opportunity to do that and not be rushed.
“They can understand the way the team wants to play, become better footballers and then step in when they’re ready. So I think they’ve got an eye on now, but also an eye on the future which is absolutely ideal.”
With just over a week left in the January transfer window it remains unclear if Emery and those above him at Villa Park will look to make further additions ahead of the second half of the season.
But the majority of the Spaniard and his team’s focus will be directed to their FA Cup fourth round clash at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea on Friday (26 January) before they return to Premier league action against Newcastle United.
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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