Report: Aston Villa want Brentford’s Yoann Barbet

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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith knows Yoann Barbet very well.

According to a report in the Express and Star, Aston Villa want to sign Brentford defender Yoann Barbet in January.

Barbet and Smith linked up at Brentford to great success, and the Villa boss is now targeting a reunion with the Frenchman.

Villa have badly struggled at the back this season, and new defenders are top of Smith’s list of priorities next month.

With Lovre Kalinic set to arrive to improve Villa’s goalkeeping options, a centre-back is now on Smith’s shopping list, and Barbet is his first choice.

Barbet is technically excellent, and is regarded as one of the Championship’s top defenders.

Strong in the air and tough in the tackle, Barbet is a truly modern day defender, and would surely improve Villa’s backline if he was to arrive.

The Villans are currently very stretched at the back, with Axel Tuanzebe out injured.

If Barbet was to arrive at Villa in January he could step straight into their defence, as James Bree has been forced to play out of position at centre-back recently, which has highlighted how short Smith’s options are.