Moussa Diaby ticks box for Unai Emery as Aston Villa ready bid amid Newcastle United development

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 likes the look of Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby with Aston Villa reportedly set to bid for the France international.

The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday (12 July) that Leverkusen value their "star winger" at £50million after he scored 14 goals and supplied 11 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for them last season.

It is understood that Villa are readying an opening bid to sign the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker with an "official offer" to be submitted soon.

Hutton believes Unai Emery needs to add to his wide options at Villa Park, especially as Leon Bailey - who also joined the Villans from Leverkusen - has struggled in the West Midlands.

Diaby is someone who the ex-Villa right-back very much would want to see at his former club but he admits it would be difficult to sign him.

"I like him," Hutton told Villa News.

"Emery knows a bit about him and he's desperate for a winger to come into the football club who can play either side.

"He's got good numbers and gives you something the manager's probably been searching for in Leon Bailey. He's more consistent.

"Can they get it over the line? I don't know. I think it's something again that you would have to convince him of the project moving forward and what the club can become.

"When you look at the clubs that are also interested in him, they are in a slightly different position.

"Diaby is someone who can make Villa better moving forwards and you're going to need that when you're in competition for trophies and to be a constant in Europe.

"He ticks that box."

German newspaper BILD claims Newcastle are also interested in Diaby, who could also return to his former club PSG.

In other Aston Villa news, a youngster has his future in Emery’s hands after shining this summer.