Jan Bednarek could be bombed out of Aston Villa after fresh development – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Jan Bednarek should be allowed to return to Southampton early after his stuttering loan spell at Aston Villa.
The former Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted it is a “worry” to see his old side rely on cast-offs from bottom club Southampton.
Bednarek made his first start for Aston Villa since October in the 2-1 FA Cup loss against Stevenage on Sunday (9 January).
According to The Athletic (29 December), Southampton are considering recalling the Poland international in January in order to bolster their defensive ranks.
The centre-back has played just 98 minutes of Premier League football for Villa this season – with just eight of those minutes coming since Unai Emery’s appointment in November.
Agbonlahor backed 2022 signing Calum Chambers to deputise for first-choice pairing Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa if Bednarek is to depart.
Aston Villa are still waiting for big-money defender Diego Carlos to return to action – with Emery revealing the Brazil international will “be ok” in February.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Bednarek is ok – he’s got his plus points as a defender, especially one-v-one.
“But he lacks the pace you need in the Premier League.
“I do worry when Aston Villa are signing players that Southampton don’t want.
“I think Unai Emery will look to Calum Chambers as the back-up for Konsa and Mings.
“I wouldn’t be surprised, if Southampton want him back, to see him be allowed to return there.”
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