Aston Villa news: Pundit issues 'brilliant' Yves Bissouma transfer verdict after what he's just seen
Paul Robinson "knows" Aston Villa tried to sign Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in January - but they will face intense competition for him this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former England number one said the 25-year-old "could play for a top-four side" on the evidence of his "quite brilliant" performance against Spurs.
Bissouma starred in a 3-1 loss to Tottenham on Saturday in the FA Cup fourth round.
The centre-midfielder finished the match with one goal, 92 per cent pass accuracy and six successful dribbles - more than any other player on the pitch. (WhoScored)
According to the Express and Star (2 February), Aston Villa will return for Bissouma this summer after baulking at Brighton's £50million valuation last month.
When asked for his thoughts on Bissouma's display against Spurs, Robinson, who is well connected and has a son at a Premier League club's academy, told Football Insider's Dylan Childs: "I thought he was quite brilliant.
"He's a top midfield player. I know Aston Villa tried to get him in January but were priced out. If they were to have got him it would have been an absolutely outstanding window for Steven Gerrard.
"Bissouma has such quality and he showed that against Spurs on Saturday. Brighton are a very good side but Bissouma stands above anyone else in it.
"Other clubs will come in and poach Bissouma because he could play in a top-four side in the Premier League, without a shadow of a doubt.
"It would be a big coup if Villa could get him in the summer but I think there'll be a lot of suitors in the summer."