Aston Villa target Bologna star Lewis Ferguson
Aston Villa target Bologna star Lewis Ferguson

Aston Villa move for 'incredible' Lewis Ferguson excites BBC pundit amid John McGinn comparison

Villa News Speaking to Alan Hutton

Alan Hutton joined Aston Villa from Tottenham in 2011. The former Scotland right-back went on to make over 200 appearances in all competitions for the Villans, helping them reach the FA Cup final in 2015 and promotion from the Championship in 2019. Now a pundit for BBC Sport and TNT Sports, Hutton has also joined Villa News’ team of experts to react to the latest news emerging from the club.

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Aston Villa-linked Lewis Ferguson has been dubbed "incredible" for what he has been doing at Bologna and he might fancy following a similar path to John McGinn, according to Alan Hutton.

It was reported by GiveMeSport (19 March) that the Villans are monitoring the 24-year-old Scotland midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, Newcastle United, Brentford, Fulham, and Everton are also named as potential suitors with the midfielder said to be only interested in a Premier League move should he depart Serie A this summer.

Former Villa defender Hutton - now a prominent BBC Sport pundit - lauded Ferguson, who he thinks might fancy following in McGinn's footsteps but said concerns over game time might be a stumbling block over any move.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: "I like him, I think what he's done is incredible taking that move to Bologna.

"He's been outstanding, he's actually captained the team at times as well so he'll be coming back to Scotland (for the international break), hopefully he can get in the international team.

"In terms of Villa, does he have the ability? Yeah, I think he does, I think obviously at Villa there's a lot of competition as well, you think you've got Emi Buendia to come back as well.

"I think Lewis Ferguson's best position is like that number 10 role where he can assist, he can score goals, he also works hard.

"He would look at the likes of John McGinn who came and out of nowhere a little bit and look at what he's been able to do.

"So, he'll believe in his own ability and I think he's got what it takes to make it in England it's just whether he'll get as much game time as he'd like at Aston Villa."

Will Aston Villa sign Lewis Ferguson in the summer transfer window?

There is an old school of thought in football that you can never have enough good footballers and make no mistake about it, Ferguson is a very good footballer.

However, actually, nowadays many coaches prefer to operate with smaller squads, and with Villa having the likes of Moussa Diaby, Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, and Jacob Ramsey available, plus Buendia to come back, is there room for Ferguson in the squad?

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Unai Emery has made Aston Villa a top-four contender

A lot will probably come down to whether Villa make the Champions League because if they do then he's certainly a player who could improve the strength and depth of the squad.

With so much competition for his signature, and Bologna going for the Champions League too, it is far from an easy deal to strike, though.

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