Aston Villa branded ‘weak’ but ‘fantastic footballer’ Emery wants from La Liga would change that
Pau Torres and Marcos Llorente play for Spain in June 2022
Former Aston Villa man Alan Hutton believes Pau Torres would shore up one of the “weakest spots” in the side should Unai Emery manage to sign him.
Since Emery took charge at Villa, the Midlanders have been linked with a number of players. A lot of those have been stars that the Spaniard managed in his previous job, at Villarreal.
Among that list are: Nicolas Jackson, Yeremy Pino and Torres.
Each of those would add something to the side, and could be what Emery is after. Indeed, Villa seemingly need a turnaround, after finishing 14th last season.
What’s more, Emery took over while the Villans were 17th in the league.
That Villarreal reached the semi-finals of the Champions League showed the quality the squad possesses.
As such, it would not be a surprise if Emery wanted to poach some of his former stars.
A move for Torres would likely cost a fair bit, thanks to his £55million release clause. However, a recent report has stated that Villarreal would accept in the region of £40million.
Emery likely to sniff around Villarreal
Former Villa defender Hutton thinks it’s likely that Emery will look to Villarreal to improve upon the Villa side.
“Emery is certain to want to put his own stamp on the team,” he told Football Insider.
“It happens all the time – managers going back to their old sides. It’s familiarity, Emery knows what he’s all about.”
Indeed, given the success some of Villarreal’s stars had under him, it would make sense if he wanted to reunite with them.
Torres could fix Villa weakness
One of the most likely avenues that Emery explores is a transfer for Torres, thinks Hutton. He admitted that Villa’s defence is a weakness, but the Spaniard could help to solidify it.
“Torres is a fantastic footballer and he’d definitely come in and make that position better and make it his own spot,” he added.
“Especially with [Diego] 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.”
Indeed, some of Villa’s defenders have come under fire over the past year. Shoring that area up with Torres would be a massive boost.
A centre-back partnership of Torres and Carlos would not look out of place in the Champions League. Both defenders have played in Europe’s elite competition in their careers.
Villa will hope the pair can help guide the club to playing in it down the line, if Torres does join.
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