Aston Villa could still sign a free agent centre-back this summer who Unai Emery could transform in a similar vein to Ezri Konsa.
The summer transfer window slammed shut at the start of the month and Aston Villa were relatively pleased with the business they completed.
Unai Emery sold the likes of Douglas Luiz, Omari Kellyman and Moussa Diaby to fund his incomings, with Villa capturing seven new players.
So far, midfielder Amadou Onana has settled the best, scoring three goals in his first five appearances while Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley and Jaden Philogene have looked bright from the bench.
There is always room for improvement, though, and Emery perhaps left himself short defensively after failing to land a new centre-back.
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Aston Villa should sign free-agent defender Oumar Solet
Villa’s long-term target in the summer was Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who instead joined RB Leipzig on deadline day.
Emery wasn’t too disheartened about losing out on the Dutchman and was satisfied with his current options, especially after Tyrone Mings recently returned to training.
However, after kicking off their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win over Young Boys, Villa will now face regular three-game weeks and the manager’s squad will be tested to the maximum.
With that said, to alleviate the stress on his starting XI, perhaps it could be worth dipping into the free-agent market and landing Oumar Solet.
The versatile defender was shockingly released from his contract at RB Salzburg last weekend and is the target of several clubs, including Aston Villa.
Solet – a former French under-20 international – played 106 times for Salzburg and featured in the Champions League on 12 occasions.
Standing at 6 foot 4, the 24-year-old is a towering presence in defence and would help Emery’s men deal with set-pieces while also offering a long-term option at the back.
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Emery can use Ezri Konsa success to inspire Solet capture
With Mings and Diego Carlos both in their thirties and perhaps beyond their best years, Emery must look towards the future and capturing Solet for free could be a wise decision.
The Spanish tactician has proven he can work miracles with players short on confidence having previously dragged Ezri Konsa from a place of struggle to one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
Once dubbed ‘outstanding’ by talent scout Antonio Mango, Emery could use Konsa as a blueprint to improve the fortunes of Solet, who ‘dreams’ of playing in England’s top flight.
Solet is a proven winner having lifted three consecutive Austrian Bundesliga titles before the club narrowly missed out on their fourth title to Sturm Graz last season.
In a campaign where Villa are eying silverware, it’s this winning mentality – albeit from a smaller league – that could come in handy for the Champions League side.
Indeed, Emery could view Solet as his next project and on a free transfer, Aston Villa could do far worse than the powerful Frenchman.
