Basel boss admitted he knew he could not hold onto new Aston Villa signing for long.
Aston Villa sealed the surprise signing of Birkir Bjarnason this week, bringing in the Iceland international from Swiss side Basel.
Bjarnason helped defeat England at Euro 2016 and scored two goals in Iceland’s surprise run to the quarter finals.
Birkir Bjarnason
Basel’s manager Urs Fischer spoke to the press yesterday after the sale was confirmed, and admits he knew it would be tough to hold onto the midfielder.
Quoted by Baselandschafliche Zeitung, Fischer commented: “For me, it was a matter of time before Birkir left. He will be missed, but at the same time his leaving opens the door for another. “
You can forgive Fischer for being a little nonchalant, his Basel side sit 12 points clear at the top of the Swiss Superleague, and while his exit is a blow, they should go on and clinch the title regardless.
Birkir Bjarnason
Bjarnason should be a real asset to Villa, and will bring a goal threat from midfield to ease the pressure on the club’s strikers.
He is one of four additions Villa have made this month, along with Barnsley pair Conor Hourihane and James Bree, and Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury, and they may not be done yet.
Villa are in 13th place in the Championship but a good run of form could yet see them make the play-offs.
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