Noel Whelan

Wed 24 July 2019 17:10, UK

EXCLUSIVE

Noel Whelan has suggested that Aston Villa midfielder Henri Lansbury will be looking towards the exit door this summer to get his career “back on track”.

The former Leeds United striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, says that he is surprised that the 28-year-old has fallen so far down the pecking order at Villa Park and says he does not look like featuring in Dean Smith’s plans next season.

The midfielder featured just three times in the Championship for the Villans last season, although two of those appearances came in the final five games of the regular campaign.

Whelan says that manager Smith looks to want more from his midfielders than Lansbury can offer and hinted that the player would be looking for an opportunity elsewhere this summer.

Whelan told Football Insider: “Henri was very influential for Nottingham Forest, he was the main midfield player that did that horrible work, doesn’t mind getting his foot in there. I am quite surprised, because he’s still got age on his side, why he’s not kicked on and been a regular for Aston Villa.

“I think now Dean Smith’s there, he wants more energy in his midfielder. Henri, he’s that forgotten man that needs to start his season up again and a little bit like his career up again because he’s not been regular for Aston Villa, he’s been bit-part.

“He needs to get his career back on track. He doesn’t seem to be the sort of player who’s going to be playing in the Premier League this season so maybe he needs to be looking elsewhere.”

Lansbury has a total of just 35 appearances to his name for Villa since signing from Nottingham Forest in January 2017, while he also has a brief amount of Premier League experience during his time at Arsenal.