Agbonlahor shreds Kalvin Phillips after Aston Villa club-record deal news
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Kalvin Phillips would not start in the Aston Villa side if he were to join the club this summer.
The former Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Boubacar Kamara is a “better player” than the 27-year-old.
Sources told this site on Monday (10 April) that Aston Villa have a strong interest in Man City midfielder Phillips – with the Premier League giants set to demand a fee of £45million for his services.
That fee would eclipse Villa’s club-record outlay, which is currently the reported £33million paid for Emiliano Buendia.
Football Insider updated on Wednesday (12 April) to reveal that City could sanction an exit for the England international midfielder if they land top target Jude Bellingham this summer.
Phillips, who earns a reported wage of £150,000 at the Etihad Stadium, has managed just 353 minutes of club action this season – and is yet to start in the Premier League.
Unai Emery already has established options like Kamara and Douglas Luiz to call on in the defensive midfield role.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “To be honest, I don’t think he starts.
“I think Kamara is a better player.
“We’ve also got Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn. I think Villa are ok in central midfield, I really do.
“I don’t think Phillips starts in our midfield.
“With the price Man City would want for him, £45million – I just can’t see Villa being interested and following through with a deal.”
In other news, Aston Villa ready to scrap plan to buy replacement for player who’s won Emery over