Championship play-off hopefuls Aston Villa scouted Benfica and Porto in Sunday’s Primeira Liga title clash.
Aston Villa still have to navigate the play-offs if they are to call themselves a Premier League side next season, but it appears the Midland giants are still putting together a list of targets for if promotion is secured.
The Sun stated last month that Villa are keen on Bristol City left-back Joe Bryan and they have also been linked with Southampton striker Charlie Austin – two players the club could only hope to afford if they escape the Championship.
And, interestingly, O Jogo claim that representatives from Villa were in attendance as Benfica and Porto went head-to-head in a crucial top of the table clash in Portugal on Sunday evening.
Porto won the game 1-0 thanks to a late Hector Herrera winner to move two points clear at the top. And the Mexican international would surely have impressed the watching scouts with his sublime 90th-minute goal; a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Herrera is a dynamic and energetic midfielder with an eye for the spectacular. And he has been linked with a move to England for some time.
Now, Villa have some decent midfielders at their disposal but whether Henri Lansbury, Connor Hourihane and Birkir Bjarnason are Premier League quality is up for debate.
Herrera is the sort of upgrade that would enhance Steve Bruce’s squad if they can follow Wolves back into the top flight.
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