Four Aston Villa players Arsenal should try to sign


Four Aston Villa players Arsenal should try to sign 

By Matt Wright
Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League hit a bump in the road on Wednesday night, following a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. 

The fact that the Gunners went into the game in fourth ahead of Manchester United, with three games in hand, meant the match against Jurgen Klopp’s in-form side felt like a free hit. 

Yes, it was a setback, but it was not the only opportunity this week for Arsenal to put clear daylight between themselves and those chasing them for a place in European football’s premier competition. 

We were given a reminder of how good Liverpool are at the moment, and Mikel Arteta’s young bucks will come up against one of the great players from their past when they face Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime. 

It has been up-and-down for the Villains since Steven Gerrard replaced Dean Smith as manager in November.

Their league position of ninth in the Premier League is indicative of their inconsistency. 

However, it is unlikely to be a breeze at Villa Park, as the hosts do have some talented players who could cause problems. 

There are even some who would not look out of place if they had an Arsenal shirt on their backs, so here are four Aston Villa players the Gunners should try to sign. 

Jacob Ramsey 

No, this is not nostalgia at wanting to see the name ‘Ramsey’ on the back of an Arsenal shirt again (although his younger brother is called Aaron, funnily enough).

This young midfielder has demonstrated he could make it to the very top this season. 

Ramsey broke into Villa’s first team last year, and while some players have shrunk with the return of crowds since August, the same cannot be said of the 20-year-old. 

Under Gerrard, Ramsey has become a regular starter and has begun to show the eye for a goal that his manager was famous for, not least his superb consolation strike at the Emirates back in October. 

The son of a former professional boxer has blossomed in midfield and would be a great addition to the young and hungry squad Arteta has assembled. 

John McGinn 

John McGinn is a player who has made Aston Villa tick since his arrival from Hibernian in 2018, even when it was Jack Grealish who everyone touted as their talisman. 

The 27-year-old Scotland international is a proper box-to-box midfielder, capable of getting stuck in with his tackling and picking out a pass. 

McGinn is one of those players who makes fans notice the difference when he is absent, which is why he is still one of the first names on the teamsheet, despite all the money Villa have spent since returning to the top flight. 

While Arsenal have improved this season, there are still some doubts over consistency in some areas, but this would not be an issue with McGinn should he be brought in. 

Emi Buendia 

Remember the hand-wringing last summer when Arsenal were outbid by Aston Villa for Emi Buendia? 

There is a chance the 25-year-old Argentine may be wondering if he made the right move after his club-record £38 million arrival at Villa Park. 

Buendia was too good for Norwich, and you wonder if the talent of a man whose form with Villa has led to an international debut with Argentina is also wasted at a mid-table side. 

Do not be surprised if Arteta retains an interest in Buendia, who has been one of the most consistently creative players in English football in recent seasons. 

Ollie Watkins 

It has been some rise for Ollie Watkins, with the striker going from League Two football with Exeter City to leading the line in the Premier League with Villa, via a prolific spell at Brentford. 

The 26-year-old quickly endeared himself to Villains after his arrival from the Bees with a first-half hat-trick during that astonishing 7-2 hammering of Liverpool in October 2020. 

He went on to score 16 goals during a very successful first season (with three of those coming against the Gunners – thanks, Ollie!), which led to an England call-up. 

Arsenal will need more depth up front on their return to European football next season, in whichever competition that is, and Watkins would be a great option to have.
Photo Credit: Getty Image

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