Alan Hutton: Jan Bednarek could be allowed to leave Aston Villa

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 believes Jan Bednarek could be allowed to leave Aston Villa with the Poland international struggling for game time at present.

Villa confirmed (1 September) the signing of the 26-year-old on deadline day after Diego Carlos suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

However, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa have been ever-presents in Villa's defence this season and Hutton feels Bednarek could depart if Unai Emery lands one of his top defensive targets.

"I think it depends on whether Unai Emery can bring in a central defender and if he can bring in someone he wants then he will allow him to leave," Hutton exclusively told Villa News.

"It was down to a decision where Diego Carlos got injured and he needed somebody to come in and Bednarek was that guy and he's not played much, with Emery reverting back to Mings and Konsa which has been okay this season.

"It seems like it's going to go that way in the future. I don't see him getting too much game time in unless there are injuries. It could be one they could move on if they manage to get a number one target through the door."

It's not quite worked out for the Southampton loanee, who has featured twice for Villa in the 2022/23 season so far, with the Poland international an unused substitute in Villans' past four matches.

Emery will be relishing the chance to have an extended break in the lead-up to the January window when the Spaniard will be looking to freshen up his squad.

In other Villa news, Eden Hazard could be another Philippe Coutinho situation for Aston Villa