Ex Aston Villa skipper, Micah Richards has opened up about his former side and has suggested that they should sign a striker in January, although it may prove difficult.
It has been a great start to the season for Aston Villa but the January window poses an opportunity to improve further.
With Unai Emery in charge, the Villans have become a great side which sees them occupying third place in the Premier League.
The form that has been shown has continued on from the end of last season when Villa secured Europa Conference League football.
This has been added to by some excellent summer additions with Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Moussa Diaby being the standouts.
Even with their great form this campaign, the winter transfer window will allow for signings to boost their title credentials.
What has Micah Richards said?
Micah Richards was Villa captain in 2015 and he won’t have fond memories of his time. Following relegation and a lack of game time in subsequent seasons, it didn’t go well for him.
Since his retirement, he has become a pundit and hosts The Rest Is Football Podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.
Discussing the Villans and their potential transfer window activity, Richards has suggested a striker signing.
On that, he said: “We talked about it before in the pod. You mentioned Watkins if Watkins were to get injured. I would go out and potentially get an experienced striker that them through when they need to give Ollie Watkins a rest.”
It is true that if Watkins was to get injured the Villans may be in trouble, especially if it is a long-term issue. He is definitely a top-class number nine and replacing him wouldn’t prove to be easy.
On that point, Lineker added: “It Isn’t Easy to get top-quality strikers, particularly in the January window though is it.”
In general, picking up a striker who guarantees your team goals is a difficult task. With Watkins, Villa have that but a backup option could still be very useful.
When asked for a potential option, Richards said: “Ivan Toney could be a great one, yes. But I think he would want to start every game. It’s very difficult, to have someone to come into the team that’s going to do a very good job but isn’t expected to play every week and that’s why it’s a little bit difficult.”
It must be said that the Brentford man would cost a hefty amount and would pose a risk given his recent, lengthy ban. Richards also proposed Ben Brereton Diaz as an option who would make more sense as a January signing.
