The Frenchman has left for Olympiakos – but will anyone replace him at Aston Villa?
Few Aston Villa fans will be mourning Aly Cissokho’s exit to Olympiakos. The Frenchman may have been one of the most highly-rated young left-backs in Europe at one point but all Villa fans witnessed was a defender hopelessly out of his depth in the top level of the English game.
Steve Bruce obviously got the same impression. After appearing in the former Hull boss’ first two games at the helm, the 29-year-old was never seen again in a Villa shirt, usurped by the fit and firing Jordan Amavi.
Nonetheless, although Cissokho was hardly a crucial part of first-team plans, his departure leaves Villa rather light of options at left-back.
Beyond the outstanding Amavi, himself only returning to first-team action relatively recently after a year on the sidelines with injury, there is no other natural left-back in the squad.
Furthermore, Villa’s hopes of landing Robbie Brady have suffered a huge blow with Burnley looking increasingly likely to cajole Norwich City into a mid-season sale to the tune of £13 million, according to the Daily Mirror.
Meanwhile, Premier League champion Jeffrey Schlupp, who the Birmingham Mail claimed that Bruce had identified as a priority in the current window, has already made his Premier League bow for new employers Crystal Palace.
With half of the window behind them, suddenly the decision to sanction Cissokho’s departure without an adequate replacement lined up looks rather short-sighted.
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