Alan Hutton has claimed Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is “certain” to “put his own stamp” on his new side amid links with Villarreal star Pau Torres.
The former Villa and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old would transform the Midlands giants’ “weak” rearguard.
Football Insider revealed on 3 November that Aston Villa have made defender Torres a top target after getting the green light from their new boss.
Aston Villa” class=”wp-image-469553″ srcset=”https://www.footballinsider247.com/static/uploads/1/2022/11/GettyImages-1438406252-1024×703.jpg 1024w, https://www.footballinsider247.com/static/uploads/1/2022/11/GettyImages-1438406252-300×206.jpg 300w, https://www.footballinsider247.com/static/uploads/1/2022/11/GettyImages-1438406252-768×527.jpg 768w, https://www.footballinsider247.com/static/uploads/1/2022/11/GettyImages-1438406252-1140×783.jpg 1140w, https://www.footballinsider247.com/static/uploads/1/2022/11/GettyImages-1438406252-750×515.jpg 750w, https://www.footballinsider247.com/static/uploads/1/2022/11/GettyImages-1438406252.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />According to journalist Fabrizio Romano (via CaughtOffside, 20 November), Torres has a €45million (£38.7million) release clause in his Villarreal contract amid interest from Premier League sides.
The 22-time Spain international has played 90 minutes in all but one La Liga game this term – and has also played three times in European competition.
He is out of contract in June 2024.
Hutton suggested Torres would blow past current centre-back options Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in the pecking order.
He told Football Insider: “Emery is certain to want to put his own stamp on the team.
“It happens all the time – managers going back to their old sides. It’s familiarity, Emery knows what he’s all about.
“Torres is a fantastic footballer and he’d definitely come in and make that position better and make it his own spot.
“Especially with Carlos coming back, bringing in that sort of competition for places is going to really shore up one of the weakest spots in this Villa team.”
Aston Villa sit 15th in the Premier League ahead of their return to action against Liverpool on 26 December.
The Midlands giants have won their first two Premier League games under Emery’s stewardship.
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By: Alan Hutton
Title: Hutton ‘certain’ about Aston Villa swoop for Torres after £38.7m reveal
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/hutton-certain-about-aston-villa-swoop-for-pau-torres-after-38-7m-reveal/
Published Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2022 14:35:37 +0000
