Aston Villa looking to exploit Man City misery as Emery goes full steam ahead to midfielder snare
Aston Villa are reportedly ‘not put off’ by Kalvin Phillips wanting to remain at Manchester City, who they feel may be willing to cash in following the midfielder’s miserable start.
A move to the Etihad could have elevated Phillips to elite status within the Premier League. Indeed, he was already a fixture of the England side when he made the £42million move.
As such, a consistent role at a side who had won the league four of the five seasons prior could have turned him into one of the best players in the league.
As it stands, that’s not quite how Phillips’ career at City has panned out.
Indeed, the former Leeds United man played just 12 league games all season. Only two of those came from the start, after City had already won the title.
As such, Phillips has actually featured for less than 300 minutes in the top flight over the course of the campaign.
Despite a miserable start to his time as a City player, he has hope he can turn things around. Indeed, he recently stated he wanted to become “undroppable”.
That Ilkay Gundogan’s future is up in the air – with both Barcelona and Arsenal in the mix for his signing – means there could be a more consistent role for Phillips next season.
Villa not put off by Phillips’ comments
Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Phillips for a few months. Indeed, they were keen on him before Man City snapped him up, and they have returned to the fold this season.
Football Insider reports the Villans are ‘not put off’ by the midfielder’s goals to fight for a regular place at the Etihad next season.
Indeed, they apparently feel City ‘could be willing to cash in’ on Phillips to raise money for other signings.
It makes sense why Villa feel they have a chance. Phillips has not covered himself in glory at City, though, in fairness, he’s hardly had chance to do so.
But Pep Guardiola may see the signing as a failed experiment and want to move the Englishman on.
Phillips could follow frequent City star path
However, the City manager clearly saw potential in the midfielder when he signed him. That potential is not something that will have just gone away.
What’s more, Guardiola is well known for allowing his players to acclimatise before fully unleashing them.
Granted, they usually see the pitch a little bit more often that Phillips has. However, he might be easing him into the side before giving him a bigger role.
It would not be a surprise if the midfielder was to play more next season, and City may not want to see the back of him in that case.
