Unai Emery tipped to take Aston Villa to ‘next level’ with Nico Williams signing after transfer update
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and President of Football Operations Monchi are looking to take the Villans to “the next level” with the signing of Nico Williams, according to Alan Hutton.
Emery’s side look set to book their place in next season’s Champions League and could still potentially reach a European final as they look to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg of their clash with Olympiacos.
As they look ahead to the summer transfer window, the Villa boss is reportedly pushing his recruitment team to sign Atheltic Bilbao gem Williams come the end of the season as he looks to add to his wide options at Villa Park [GiveMeSport, 24 April].
While Hutton admits that the 21-year-old fits the Villans’ current recruitment model, he believes that Monchi will continue to lead the recruit this summer despite Emery’s new contract extension.
“I think things will continue the way that it has,” Hutton told Villa News.
“Monchi is there and they’re working really well together and the players that they have brought in have worked out really well. They’ve done well in the transfer market so I don’t see any reason to change the dynamic.
“Of course, Emery will have a big say, every time you read a paper or an article it seems to be that they’re looking for a more forward-thinking player or a winger type so maybe he feels he has to bolster those areas.
“He has got options, Emi Buendia is still yet to come back, Moussa Diaby is still waiting to hit form, Leon Bailey’s doing really well, Morgan Rogers has come in and been excellent and Jacob Ramsey will be back next season.
“But I think to take them to the next level, you need to be looking at the next level and that’s where he sees the likes of Williams.
“It’s going to be an interesting summer for Villa moving forward, especially if they finish in the top four.”
Will Aston Villa and Unai Emery and Unai Emery sign Nico Williams in the summer transfer window?
As Hutton suggests, Villa already have plenty of depth when it comes to wide options in their squad. While a number of the stars have struggled with injury issues, they have all been consistent in the Premier League when fit.
Therefore, Monchi and Emery won’t be keen to sign alternative options for the sake of it and will instead be desperate to add some genuine quality and a touch of magic to their squad to reach that next level.
Williams is that sort of player and he has shown that in La Liga this term, scoring four goals and laying on 10 assists in just 26 starts this term. The 21-year-old is a serious talent and would be an excellent addition at Villa Park.
Hopefully, a deal will get over the line when the window opens this summer. If Emery is as keen on the Spanish international as has been reported, the manager has earned the backing of the board.
In other Aston Villa news, terms have been mooted for Villa to complete a summer transfer for Leeds star Crysencio Summerville
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