Aston Villa should consider Stuart Findlay after news of Scott McKenna contract extension

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Aston Villa were reportedly interested in the Aberdeen defender, but should they now turn their attention to fellow Scotsman Stuart Findlay?

Aberdeen’s bright defensive prospect Scott McKenna has penned a new long term deal which will keep the 21-year-old at Pittodrie until 2023, as reported by the BBC.

McKenna has risen to prominence this season through his dominant performances for the Dons, and has grown to become a crucial member of Derek McInnes’ team.

Interest from Hull City and Aston Villa became public during the January transfer window, however, McInnes reiterated a number of times that the youngster was not for sale.

Signing a long term deal is clearly a tactic being used by the Dons boss to attempt to ward off further interest from English sides, to allow Aberdeen to get more use out of their starlet before shipping him off for a healthy profit.

With McKenna’s price tag likely to skyrocket due to his extension, Villa and Steve Bruce should turn their attention to a fellow Scottish centre-half who has also been performing magnificently in the Scottish Premiership.

Stuart Findlay is currently plying his trade with Kilmarnock on loan from Newcastle United, and has been terrific for Killie, especially since the club’s resurgence under Steve Clarke.

A former Celtic youth player, the 22-year-old is highly rated in Scotland and his promise led to a move to the Magpies ahead of the 2016/17 season.

The young centre-half has been developing nicely during his time with Kilmarnock, and extended his stay at Rugby Park until the end of the season, having originally been due to end in January.

Findlay has represented Scotland at every youth level and was a key member of the Under-21s in the last several years, earning 13 caps. His chances at Newcastle may be limited, however, given the squad depth at centre-half with the likes of Ciaran Clark, Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba all evidently above the youngster in the pecking order.

Regardless, the young prospect is a massive talent and his consistency for Killie suggests he can make it at the highest level.

He would no doubt be a fine alternative option for Steve Bruce’s Villa given the unlikeliness of a McKenna transfer anytime soon.