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23/1/2023 | 08:15am
Since arriving to take the reins at Aston Villa in October, Spanish supervisor Unai Emery has been one thing of a revelation, profitable 5 of the seven Premier League matches within the dugout and making shrewd strikes to bolster the squad within the ongoing January switch window.
With Steven Gerrard dismissed from his duties in October after a harmful 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Fulham, the Claret & Blue hierarchy had determined to sever ties with the previous Liverpool legend and prise Emery away from Villarreal; a manoeuvre that has to this point been a convincing success.
Villa have fallen to Manchester United within the Carabao Cup and, extra ignominiously, Stevenage within the FA Cup, however have received 5 of the seven league matches with Emery within the dugout, with the one defeat coming in opposition to Liverpool.
The promising early indicators have been fortified by the acquisitions of left-back Alex Moreno and younger ahead Jhon Duran, with an extra offensive bid wanting seemingly earlier than the conclusion of the continuing January switch window, however with current data delivered to mild regarding Calum Chambers’ function within the squad, a defender may additionally be focused.
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With Chambers certainly thought of expendable, Villa technical director Johan Lange could be clever to revisit the rumours linking Emery’s former Villarreal favorite Pau Torres to the membership as a substitute, with the coveted colossus more likely to characterize a monumental improve for the Villan backline, with 90min linking the outfit to what be a seismic switch just a few weeks in the past.
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The £35m-rated defender would certainly be a “dream” signing, as dubbed by content material creator Ryan Haber, with the exploits of the titan leaving him desired by the likes of FC Barcelona.
Having made 156 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, together with 105 underneath his former Spaniard head coach, Torres has exhibited his “extraordinary” nature – as labelled by his former coach Javi Calleja – and will certainly rise to face as one of many Premier League’s most salient defenders if given a starring function within the Midlands.
And having received the 2020/21 Europa League underneath Emery’s management, the chance to rekindle the connection could possibly be an element that swings the percentages within the favour of Villa Park.
As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks inside the high 5% for dribbles accomplished and the highest 16% for progressive passes when in comparison with centre-backs throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues – and with this in thoughts, the potential to bolster the collective fluidity and offensive drive from the center of the Villan outfit might show to be a catalyst for impactful change.
Whereas touchdown a participant of Torres’ calibre may seem like fruitful pondering for lots of the Villa devoted, it might embody the progressive transition that seems to be remoulding the clay on the formidable Midlands outfit, and will certainly be a watershed second for a soccer membership striving to return to former glory and clinch silverware as soon as once more.