‘I’m not impressed’ – Ally McCoist agrees as Jeff Stelling slams Aston Villa transfer
Aston Villa had an extremely active end to the transfer window after it had been worryingly quiet at Villa Park for the majority of the summer.
Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho are the two standout additions that were recruited, with both creative players looking to help Unai Emery’s side end their goal drought in the Premier League.
Victor Lindelof was also brought in on a free transfer to bolster the Villans’ backline.
However, the signing of the Swedish defender did not impress Ally McCoist or Jeff Stelling.
Ally McCoist and Jeff Stelling in agreement on Victor Lindelof arrival
Lindelof is not the only one of this new crop of signings at Villa that has pundits unsure.
Former Villa player Gabby Agbonlahor labelled Sancho as a “panic buy” as the winger arrived from Manchester United on loan with big wages.
- Elliott is regarded as the most exciting of Villa’s deadline day arrivals
- But Elliott has a buy-back option in his contract that Liverpool can activate if his move to Villa is made permanent
- Villa arguably had to take the risks associated with the Elliott and Sancho deals as a result of their lack of business up to that point
However, it was the signing of the defender that McCoist and Stelling took issue with on talkSPORT on 3 September.
“Victor Lindelof… for me not impressed,” said Stelling after he claimed that Villa’s “hands are tied” as they attempted to bring new signings to B6.
“I’m with you, Jeff,” McCoist replied when the 31-year-old defender was brought up in conversation.
How does Victor Lindelof compare to Tyrone Mings?
Mings, 32, has started all three of Villa’s Premier League matches so far.
Like Lindelof, Mings has had his injury issues in the past, and it remains to be seen whether the Sweden international could force his way into Emery’s starting XI.
| Premier League 2024/25 season | Tyrone Mings | Victor Lindelof |
| Appearences | 14 | 16 |
| Total minutes | 1121 | 725 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Tackles per game | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Total duels won per game | 3.4 (64%) | 1.6 (50%) |
The data suggests that both players are similar, but Mings is far better at winning his duels, making him the superior defender.
As a free agent, the risks are minimal, but hopefully it doesn’t turn into a pointless deal.
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