Aston Villa failed to secure Dale Stephens’ signing back in 2012 – and he’s now preparing for life in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Even the most minor mistake can be made to look remarkably foolish with the benefit of hindsight. And with Dale Stephens signing a new four-year contract at the now Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion, Aston Villa baulking at his price tag five years ago looks even more baffling.
The Birmingham Mail claimed that Stephens, then of Charlton Athletic, was one of Villa boss Paul Lambert’s primary transfer targets in the summer of 2012. The report adds that Villa made a number of approaches for the talented midfielder, only to refuse to meet The Addicks’ valuation.
Stephens eventually stayed at Charlton for two more years before making the move to The Amex. And, after missing out on his signature, Villa turned their attentions to Crewe Alexandra captain Ashley Westwood.
While Westwood became something of a scapegoat among Villa supporters, many viewing the limited midfielder as a symbol of the club’s decline as they tumbled from the Premier League top half into the Championship, Stephens has gone from strength to strength on the south coast.
He’s started 33 games this season as Brighton cruised to automatic promotion, his reliable distribution and tenacity in central midfield making him one of the league’s true unsung heroes. In fact, Seagulls supporters will waste no time in claiming Stephens has been as important as talismanic top scorer Glenn Murray or influential centre-back Lewis Dunk this season.
And although Villa doubled their money when they sold Westwood to Burnley for £5 million in January (Goal), it’s fair to say they’d rather be in Brighton’s position, preparing for the top flight with Stephens pulling the strings.
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