'Back-up': Emile Heskey thinks Aston Villa don't need to sign Champions League winner

Mario Mandzukic of Juventus FC kicks the ball during the serie A match between Juventus and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Former Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is unconvinced by the idea of former Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic making a move to the Premier League outfit on a free transfer, speaking exclusively to HITC.

There is certainly an argument to be made that Dean Smith could have done with a wily, penalty-box poacher on Monday night.

Aston Villa dominated West Ham United almost from start to finish at the London Stadium. But they failed to turn their possession into goals, with Ollie Watkins and Trezeguet missing gilt-edged chances during the most avoidable of 2-1 defeats.

Mandzukic, even at 34, would certainly give Smith something different in the final third – a genuine Plan B, if you will.

After all, it was Pep Guardiola himself, during their trophy-laden time at Bayern Munich, who claimed that there was no one better in the air than this 6ft 2ins target-man (ESPN).

But, according to Heskey, Aston Villa already have a player of Mandzukic’s ilk at their disposal, backing the £22 million Wesley Moraes to make up for lost time once he finally returns from injury.

“Possibly as back-up,” Heskey says when asked if he would take Mandzukic at Villa Park.

Mario Mandzukic of Juventus during the match between Juventus v Juventus U19 at the Villar Perosa Stadium on August 14, 2019 in Villar Perosa Italy (Soccrates Images/Getty Images)

“They’ve got Wesley and he’s only 24. Watkins is your main striker and he’s done fantastic, he’s got a little rapport going with Grealish. It would be difficult to say if I would (sign Mandzukic) especially at that age.

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“He might be for different games and different times of the game, bringing him on when you have to be a little bit more direct in holding the ball up, getting balls into the box and winning headers.

“But, again, you have Wesley for that. He could do the same.”

Wesley scored just five times in 21 Premier League matches before suffering a long-term injury problem in January.

But, with Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley, Matty Cash and co providing plenty of ammunition in the final third, it is not difficult to imagine the Brazilian thriving in a more fluid frontline once he returns.

“The vast majority take a year to come in and adjust and you’ve got to remember that the intensity of the Premier League is like no other. Even your likes of Vieiras and your Petits, they take a year to come in and adjust and then you start seeing the best of them,” Heskey adds.

“Hopefully, Villa will start seeing the best of Wesley.”