Aston Villa owner Tony Xia has commented on Jordan Veretout’s situation with the club.
Aston Villa owner Tony Xia has taken to Twitter to comment on Jordan Veretout’s future with the club – and may have opened the door for him to save his career.
Villa swooped to sign Veretout from Nantes in the summer of 2014 having starred in his native France, with a number of clubs linked with him over the years.
Liverpool’s James Milner in action with Aston Villa’s Jordan Veretout
Many were therefore excited about his move to Villa, but the midfielder failed to live up to his billing during the 2015-16 season, starting just 21 league games whilst registering no goals and five assists.
Whilst some fans saw some potential in Veretout, the 24-year-old was sent back to France last summer, penning a season-long loan deal with Saint-Etienne as he sought first-team football away from Villa Park.
Veretout hit four goals and four assists for the Ligue 1 side last season, and now returns to Villa Park, where he is expected to be sold on as Villa look to raise funds for other deals.
However, he may have been given a chance to save his Villa career, after club owner Tony Xia took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to send a message about Veretout.
Dr Tony Xia
Xia suggested that he has heard that Veretout has done well in training during Villa’s training camp in Portugal, and noted that he could yet feature in the first team if they don’t receive a good enough bid for him, and as long as Veretout doesn’t refuse to play.
Steve Bruce does have the likes of Mile Jedinak, Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane at his disposal in midfield, but Veretout could be another option in the middle of the park if Villa can’t find a buyer for the Frenchman.
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