Sources: Unai Emery's plan for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Aston Villa revealed
Aston Villa have identified expected signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka to play three different role including as a centre-back in a two-man central defensive partnership, sources have told Football Insider.
Unai Emery plans to exploit the 28-year-old's pace in his preferred Villa playing system of a high defensive line with his team pressing high up the pitch.
The DR Congo international can also play in a three-man central defence or in his natural position as a right-back, and will provide versatility for the Villans.
Villa are close to sealing a deal in the region of £20-25million with West Ham for Wan-Bissaka after personal terms were agreed, Football Insider revealed on Friday.
Despite Emery's plans for the defender, the deal does not hinge on Ezri Konsa's proposed move to Arsenal, and will proceed regardless.
Sources have revealed that the England international is close to joining the Premier League champions in a deal worth in the region of £60m.
Why Aaron Wan-Bissaka's tools suggest centre-back proficiency
It has been suggested throughout Wan-Bissaka's career that he could be utilised as a centre-back, but it has been rarely tested.
Last season, Nuno Espirito Santo very briefly deployed the DR Congo international on the right of a back three, but he has never been thrown into a central defensive back-two.
On paper, Wan-Bissaka should thrive in the position. The 28-year-old is one of the best one-versus-one defenders in Europe, seeming to rarely ever be dribbled past.
On the ball, he is more than capable too, and tends to read the game well to anticipate runs and passes.
There would be concerns over Wan-Bissaka's aerial ability - he won just 47.8 per cent of his duels in the air last season.
It is expected that Emery has included that aspect into his thinking, however, with there clearly a method behind his plans for the ex-Manchester United man.
Rio Ferdinand believes Wan-Bissaka can do it
Wan-Bissaka did feature as a centre-back during his youth football days, but began to play as a right-back and never went back.
Until now, perhaps. Emery's plans may well unlock a side to the defender that other managers were too afraid to benefit from.
In 2024, Rio Ferdinand, legendary Man United and England centre-back, was asked if Wan-Bissaka should play centre-back and said: "Yeah, play him there. Then play one of the other guys right-back.
"Put [Sofyan] Amrabat there. You’ve played him left-back, play Amrabat right-back. That’s the most natural thing for me.
"Aaron Wan-Bissaka centre-back and Amrabat at right-back, because he was happy to play him left-back for a few games. I don’t know. We just look like we’re on repeat here. We look like we are an uncoached team.”