Aston Villa have entered the race for a centre-back, despite rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Villa prepares for the “leader” before the Europa League game
As we approach the business end of the season, with everything still to play for in the Europa League, Unai Emery’s side will face Lille at Villa Park on Thursday night, in the second leg of their round of 16 tie.
Villa are in shock ahead of the game, having won 1-0 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, although they will have to bounce back from their last Premier League defeat, losing 3-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the weekend.
Emery has asked his side to issue a response in the coming weeks, saying: “The games are still to be played, the scores are still to be played [for]. We are in the top position. But we have to be better at other things and keep fighting.
“We have to have a positive attitude. We have to regain our strength. We have to use the points we had before to try to continue, continue to fight and continue to recover with skill and confidence.”
However, the Villans have been on a downward spiral of late, winning just one of their last six games in all competitions, suggesting they may need to strengthen in the summer, and have now identified a new target.
Villa prepares to open bid to sign “leader”
According to a report from Sports Boom, Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton has emerged as a target for Aston Villa, and they are leading the race for his signature, despite interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham and West Ham.
Emery is keen to improve his defense this summer, and a bid is being prepared for the Dortmund star, with the German club expected to be willing to invest in the region of €35m – €40m (£30m – £35m).
Described as a “leader” by Sky Sports reporter Patrick Berger, the 29-year-old has established himself as Dortmund’s key player this season, making 36 appearances in all competitions, and his FotMob match rating of 7.45 in the Bundesliga is the club’s second highest.
No Dortmund player averaged more blocks (0.5) and clearances (5.5) per 90 in the league than the 12-time German, who also has two goals to his name.
That said, the Uzbekistan-born defender will turn 30 in the summer, meaning it would be risky for the Villans to shell out £35m, especially given that he is yet to prove himself outside of Germany.
Aston Villa may not have much money to spend in the summer, given their well-documented PSR issues, and it was recently revealed that they could be forced to cash in on three of their most important players…
Concerns about Emery as Aston Villa could now be forced to sell the “outstanding” star along with Martinez and Rogers.
The Villans may have to shell out for a key player.
