Could Josh Risdon and Brandon O’Neill be on their way to the Championship from the A-League with Aston Villa reportedly interested?
Josh Risdon and Brandon O’Neill are rivals in the Australian A-League, playing on either side of the Sydney divide. But, according to the Herald, there is a chance they could be united at Aston Villa in 2019.
It is understood that the Championship side are keeping a close eye on the Aussie duo, who are close friends and came through the ranks together at Perth Glory.
Both Risdon and O’Neill have expressed an interest to try their hand in the European game, following in the footsteps of fellow Australians Tom Rogic, Trent Sainsbury and co, and could now be offered the chance to link up with former Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak at Villa Park.
26-year-old Western Sydney Wanderers ace Risdon (below), who has 13 caps for his country and played at the 2018 World Cup, is a right-back and would perhaps be a long-term replacement for the ageing Alan Hutton at Aston Villa.
O’Neill, meanwhile, is two years younger and has not yet played for Australia at senior level. A defensively-minded midfield player from Sydney FC, O’Neill would offer a younger alternative to veteran Glenn Whelan or compatriot Jedinak.
The Herald states that O’Neill (below) has an Irish passport while Risdon is applying for Croatian citizenship, which would help him get around potential work permit issues.
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