Can Aston Villa find takers for the two full-backs they seem keen to sell?
Villa lost their opening game to West Ham, and will be seeking to bounce back against Everton this weekend. What the defeat did show was that work needs to be done, and Villa can progress this by trimming the unwanted players from their squad.
Jean Makoun is set to be shown the exit door. Will these two follow him?
Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton is one of the most unpopular players among the Villa faithful, thanks to a series of underwhelming performances last season. The Scot was signed by Alex McLeish last season but does not appear to be part of Paul Lambert’s plans. He was left out of Villa’s pre-season tour of America, and was not even on the bench for the trip to Upton Park on Saturday. Matt Lowton has been signed from Sheffield United to replace him, and is four years younger than the Scot. At 27, the former Tottenham right-back still has much to offer, but it just appears it won’t be at Villa Park. But can they find a taker for him? Villa were in talks to sell the player to Stoke City in late July, but no progress has been made since then. If a buyer or a club willing to take him on loan is not forthcoming, Hutton will have to re-adjust his ambitions. He may have to drop down to a Championship club if he is to play regular football. At this rate, even a switch to his former club Rangers in the Scottish third division would be better than sitting in the reserves.
Stephen Warnock
He may have been part of the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa two years ago after Leighton Baines pulled out, but with Ashley Cole a firm fixture he never looked like playing. Since then Warnock’s career has failed to kick on, and last season was particularly disappointing. Now aged 30, he looks in need of a change of scenery in order to refresh his prospects. Like Hutton he did not even make the bench at the weekend, with Nathan Baker preferred at left-back. There is talk he could be used as a pawn in a part-exchange deal for Blackburn’s Martin Olsson. It may be stepping down a level for Warnock, but like Hutton he must assess his prospects and realise this may be his best move if he wants to play.
What do you think? Can Villa get rid? Is Olsson a good buy?
image: © mollyig
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