Exclusive: Kevin Phillips insight on what Aston Villa will do in summer window
Kevin Phillips insisted Aston Villa will need to make some room on their wage bill before they can think about adding to their squad this summer.
The former Claret and Blue, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the number of players brought in last summer will make it very difficult for Dean Smith to justify signing anyone.
Villa have spent £143million since returning to the Premier League just under a year ago.
In total, Dean Smith signed 12 players last summer with Wesley the most expensive of those to arrive at Villa Park.
Phillips suggests it will be difficult to move on players surplus to requirements when they are likely to be sitting on hefty contracts.
“The biggest thing for Villa is to try and get some players out,” he told Football Insider.
“Would there be enough money made available for Smith to restrengthen again given them spent £100million last summer? I think they will be told they need to go with what they have got.
“It will be difficult for Dean and Villa because they already brought in 10, 12 players in the summer. All of a sudden you have got some problems on your hands trying to get players out the door.
“Yes, you would like to bring three of four in but those players will be on decent money and it is not likely they will be moved on. They could be stuck with a problem when the season ends.”
Despite large investment into the squad, last season’s Championship play-off winners have struggled in the top-flight and find themselves second-bottom with ten games to play.
The financial impact of the coronavirus is likely to make the next transfer window a buyer’s market – a potential issue for Villa if they want to recoup their heavy investment last summer.
In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton has told Football Insider former teammate will be seeking summer exit.