Aston Villa supporters are not asking for a lot when they demand character and fight – and Newcastle United outcast Grant Hanley could provide that at least.
Kolo Toure consigned Aston Villa to one of their most humiliating days
When Kolo Toure stood alone in the centre of Aston Villa’s box to nod home Liverpool’s sixth goal without his feet even leaving the ground, it was impossible not to feel for the supporters of this once great Midlands club.
There was no fight, no spirit, no palpable love or care for one of English football’s most historic institutions from the players that took to the field for that 6-0 home drubbing in February 2016.
From unknown foreign imports to underperforming players on unnecessarily large wages, it appeared that Villa Park had become a refuge for money-seeking mercenaries. At least that was the view of many supporters as the atmosphere at Villa Park turned toxic.
Protests were increasingly common at Villa Park
A lack of quality can perhaps be excused. A lack of character, however, is simply not acceptable.
No money, no problem
Though at least Villa supporters would not have to worry about Grant Hanley putting pen to paper with dollar signs in his eyes. The Daily Mirror claim that Aston Villa are likely to match Derby County’s £4 million bid for the Scotland international defender.
And the report adds that Hanley would have to take a substantial pay cut from his £45,000-a-week wages if he wants to escape his Newcastle United nightmare this summer.
Having started just five Championship games under Rafa Benitez since moving from Blackburn Rovers for £5.5 million in 2016, Hanley certainly needs a fresh start. And Villa Park could be the perfect environment with manager Steve Bruce crying out for a no-nonsense centre-half to cut out the club’s penchant for conceding soft goals.
If the 25-year-old is willing to drop his wages to don the claret and blue, that should only encourage Villa to make him their top target. After the shambles of the last few years, they could do with a bit more commitment to the cause.
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