Aston Villa are in need of more defensive cover ahead of the new Premier League season as they are reportedly keen on Burnley’s Ben Gibson.
When Ben Gibson initially signed for Burnley, his manager Sean Dyche lauded his character as the central-defender is now being linked with a move to Aston Villa.
TeamTalk have claimed that Villa are keen to sign the 26-year-old, who has struggled for game time at Turf Moor since his move from Middlesbrough last summer.
With Villa making a return to the Premier League, Dean Smith will want to sign players that are always going to give that little extra and show serious character in their quest to stay in the division.
Well, Dyche is a no-nonsense type of manager and his initial thoughts on Gibson bode well for Smith and Villa if the experienced defender signs for the club. This is what he said about Gibson when he first signed for Burnley:
“I don’t know Ben that well yet but he’s come in with the right manner,” Dyche told Sky Sports. “He’s a very serious professional and we like that here.
“He looks after himself, he’s very fit and he handles himself in the right manner. He’s had one season in the Premier League [with Boro] so he’s still developing as a player – You want competitive spirit, you want guys to be knocking on the door.”
Villa are in need of more defensive options ahead of the new season as Gibson would be a very good squad player for Smith.
Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings, who was on loan at Villa last term, is yet to return, whilst Kortney Hause has made his loan switch from Wolves permanent.
James Chester is another player who can deploy that role, but he has had to battle a serious knee injury and has not played for Villa since the turn of the year.
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