A report from The Athletic on Thursday has provided some insight into the names Aston Villa are targeting this summer.
Aston Villa survive the drop
2019/20 was, of course, Aston Villa’s firsts season back in the Premier League.
And though their summer spending was pretty high, Dean Smith and co. largely struggled to deal with the quality of the English top-flight.
Villa would spend the majority of the campaign in the relegation zone whilst also possessing one of the worst defensive records in the division.
Despite this, the Midlands-based outfit were still somehow able to avoid the drop.
A 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers West Ham United on the final day of the season saw Aston Villa finish 17th in the league, one point above 18th-place, Bournemouth.
Brentford’s Ollie Watkins after the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi final second leg match at Griffin Park, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Villa targeting several players
Now, with their top-flight status secured for another campaign, Villa appear to be determined to strengthen their side enough to avoid such a close relegation scrap in the forthcoming campaign.
As mentioned above, The Athletic have provided some insight into Villa’s transfer plans.
Starting at the back, it is understood that Villa are looking to recruit a new goalkeeper to compete with Tom Heaton, who is actually still recovering from a knee injury.
The Athletic report that Villa would prefer a player who already has Premier League experience under his belt.
Two players, who are not named but match that criteria are already being looked at for that spot.
Should Villa not end up signing one of those shot-stoppers, though, it’s reported that Valencia’s Jasper Cillessen could also come into contention.
But is it also added that Villa do not want to spend more than £10m on a new keeper.
Further forward, Schalke’s Weston McKennie is on Villa’s radar whilst Brentford hitman Ollie Watkins is a player Villa wish to sign.
The Telegraph recently claimed that Brentford will demand £25m for the Watkins.
#AVFC transfers:
GK with PL experience preferred; a couple of targets identified; Cillessen (Valencia) may also come into contention.
Midfield – Weston McKennie now on the radar
Striker – Watkins top of the list.More details @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/VxuvAVEiFe
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) August 20, 2020
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