Alan Hutton says a loan exit for Wesley will suit Aston Villa

We’re delighted to welcome former Scotland defender Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Aston Villa

Alan Hutton believes that a temporary loan move for striker Wesley will suit both the player and the club as he seeks a permanent exit.

The former Villa icon says Wesley never quite landed at Villa and that the Brazilian will find that permanent solution soon, with a spell at Levante now being confirmed.

Wesley was Villa’s record signing when he arrived at the club in 2019 but struggled until suffering a horrific knee injury on New Year’s Day 2020.

“I think at this moment in time it suits Villa. It means they can get him off the wage bill,” he exclusively told Villa News.

“He didn’t really hit the ground running, although he was different to what Villa had at the time. He’s big, strong, powerful and did score the odd goal, but injury plagued his time at the club.

“I think, for now, he’ll be happy with a loan, I think they preferred somebody to come in and buy him but it’s not quite worked.

“He’s off the wage bill for another season and then after that, if he kicks on and does well, they can maybe look to move him on.”

Heartbreak

Wesley’s move to Villa Park has obviously not worked, but it is an incredibly sad situation.

While he was struggling before his injury but looked like he might just be hitting his stride in a Villa shirt.

His performance against Burnley was probably his best for the club, seeing him score and look much sharper and more confident than he had in previous games.

Missing 14 months of football killed his Villa career immediately, seeing both Ollie Watkins and Keinan Davis take his place in the team.

Here is hoping that he can finally find a home at Levante.

In other Aston Villa news, the club’s captaincy is reportedly still up in the air.