One Down - Who Next For Villa?

There are so many rumours surfing the net as to the next player to enter the players entrance at Villa Park. I would like to throw a name into the hat: Juan Sebastian Veron.

WHAT I hear you cry? But after watching him play for Argentina against Peru in the Copa America on Sunday night, he looks worth a gamble. He was very impressive in the middle and helped Argentina to a 4-0 win before being substituted.

Veron is also available on a free transfer after his release from Chelsea. Perfect. You probably will not agree and on the evidence of what he has shown us in the Premiership with Man United and Chelsea. However, he was played in every position except his best one: in the centre of midfield. He was played on the wing most of the time by Fergie and Ranieri, but if Martin O’Neill was to sign him, he would be played in that midfield three, with Gabby and Ashley Young on the wings, Reo-Coker holding in midfield with Barry, while Veron romps free behind the strikers (what about Petrov you say, well he could do with some competition).

I think that would make a very solid-yet-creative Villa midfield, which has been lacking since the days of magic-man himself – Paul Merson.

Now for a brief word on Villa’s latest and only signing of the summer so far – Nigel Reo-Coker.

I am still not sure whether he will be a success at Villa, but he may be the player that Villa need in the middle rather than the lacklustre Gavin McCann.

He reminds me of Ian Taylor, a player who would run the midfield with ease and break into the box and get you a couple of goals. Many have criticised Reo-Coker for not having shooting boots, but I would like to see where these critics have got their justification from. He has scored some great goals while playing for West Ham, and even the England Under-21s, so where do they get this ludicrous view from?

I hope Reo-Coker will be a success, and I am sure that he will. It depends on whether he can put behind the abuse he got towards the end of his time in West London and play well in a proper claret and blue shirt.