With a long-term injury to star centre-back Diego Carlos, Aston Villa have less than 2 weeks to find a suitable replacement. We’ve done a bit of research and found a few candidates to replace the Brazillian.
1. Duje Ćaleta-Car
An obvious option, as we’ve already written an article about him here, Ćaleta-Car would make sense as an Aston Villa player. Two of his former Marseille teammates are already at the club, and his long ball playing abilities are amongst the best on the continent, he’s also not afraid of a tackle. Ćaleta-Car would already make sense without the injury to Carlos, and being available for less than 15 million Euros would make him extremely tempting to Steven Gerrard.
2. Jan Bednarek
With The Athletic recently reporting interest, Jan Bednarek would be a very astute buy by Johan Lange. Throughout the big 5 leagues, Bednarek is one of the best defenders in the air, and is also statistically among the best blockers, has some of the most clearances and is in the top 6% of defenders in Europe in interceptions. In stark contrast with Carlos’s weaker numbers in these areas, maybe Bednarek could partner up with Carlos upon his return from injury?
3. Trevoh Chalobah
Being available on a loan, Chalobah is the best value replacement if Gerrard is only looking at short term options. With 17 Premier League starts for Chelsea last season, the experience of playing a big role in a team who finished 3rd in the Premier League is valuable for a team looking to push foreward like Villa. Chalobah is one of the best ball playing defenders in the whole of Europe, and is also more than capable with progressing the ball. A player like this would plug a very big gap in the Aston Villa defense, and an option to buy on the loan deal wouldn’t be the worst of ideas.
4. Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa will be looking at many options from outside, but maybe the answer is from within. Konsa is already an Aston Villa player, and is statistically very similar to the Brazillian. Both win the ball from the majority of aerials, both have a similar success rate in every range of pass, both make a lot of blocks and interceptions, both are similar in tackles completed in the middle third and both are rarely dribbled past by opponents. If Villa don’t buy a replacement, they need not to fear as they have one already on the books.