Aston Villa will soon turn their attention to the summer transfer window, with one rumoured target having the potential to allow Unai Emery to repeat a masterclass in defence.
After a remarkable 2023/24 campaign delivered Champions League football back to Aston Villa, Unai Emery and Monchi will be eager to bolster the squad this summer.
The summer transfer window of 2023 was well orchestrated by the duo, who welcomed five new faces to Villa Park, with some players having more of an impact than others.
A repeat of the more successful transfers will be necessary ahead of the 2024/25 season, as Villa prepare to return among Europe’s elite and bid to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
Several players have already been speculated to be targets for the Villans, one of which being Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso, who will become a free agent this summer.
Aston Villa could target Mario Hermoso
Earlier this month, it was reported that Villa were ‘getting closer’ to securing a deal for Hermoso, whose contract at Atletico expires in the summer.
The experienced 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Spain having risen from Real Madrid’s academy to eventually become a valued player for their Madrid rivals, posing as a jewel in Diego Simeone’s side.
Having played at the top level in Spain and Europe over the years, Hermoso could bring the experience needed at Villa to challenge once more in the Champions League, with one other key factor there for Emery to exploit if the Spaniard is signed.
Unai Emery could repeat Ezri Konsa masterclass with Mario Hermoso
Capturing the signature of the centre-back could be the perfect arrival for the manager, who has found great joy in having versatile players in his side this season.
From the attacking versatility of John McGinn to the defensive adaptability of Ezri Konsa, Emery enjoys having players capable of being fielded in multiple positions, with Hermoso having such talent.
Once lauded as being a ‘technically and athletically superb’ asset by analyst Marcus Bring, the defender has featured both centrally and on the left side of defence for Atletico over the years.
For this reason, Emery could clone his tactical success seen in playing Konsa at right-back through Hermoso at left-back, adding stability to the back line and more freedom to the wide attackers ahead of them.
The opinion is one shared by HITC journalist Graeme Bailey, who told Aston Villa News of his thoughts on Hermoso joining Villa.
“I can see him playing left-back if I’m being brutally honest, it’s unusual to see two left-siders playing centrally.
“I think he gives that extra bit of cover at left-back as well. Emery likes to play the big lads at fullback, I can see why Hermoso would tick a lot of boxes.”
Ironically, FBref likens Hermoso statistically to Konsa, who has found joy playing at right-back despite his ability to play centrally.
While the Spaniard’s game focuses heavily on his defensive capabilities, the 28-year-old has also shown his worth playing forward, averaging 6.23 progressive passes per 90 in La Liga over 2023/24, via FBref.
Only time will tell if Villa are serious in their pursuit of the pending free agent, who could be Emery’s clone of Konsa on the left side to strengthen the back line.
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