Connor Humm

Sat 7 January 2023 7:27, UK

Alan Hutton has insisted Unai Emery will be keen to replace sporting director Johan Lange at Aston Villa.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa defender stressed the importance of having a good relationship between manager and sporting director ahead of a “big period” at Villa Park.

On 30 December, Football Insider revealed that the Birmingham club are actively seeking a new sporting director who has Emery’s seal of approval.

We revealed last month (19 December) that the future of Lange, 43, is up in the air amid question marks from Villa chiefs over the club’s transfer record during his reign.

Villa are now assessing the market for a potential replacement who has the backing of the new boss.

Owners Naseef Sawiris and Wes Edens are assessing Lange’s position and are weighing up whether he needs to be replaced.

Hutton stressed the importance of having a strong relationship between manager and sporting director.

“I think that if those two have a good bond together it only goes the right way which is up,” he told Football Insider.

“If you have a good relationship and a good understanding of how you want to play the game, that type of player that you need, you want those two to be in sync.

“I understand that he wants to have a say in it. He probably wants somebody that he knows and has possibly worked with before.

“I totally get it, it is a big period for Villa coming up and he wants to put his own stamp on the team. Of course those two will need to have a good relationship.“

In other news, Whelan can’t believe Emiliano Buendia could be axed at Aston Villa as social media details emerge.