Reportedly allowed to leave: Aston Villa must strengthen defence by re-signing PL stopper – view
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Defensive reinforcements are needed at Aston Villa if they are to challenge for Championship promotion and return to the Premier League at the second attempt.
Steve Bruce has already added plenty of proven Premier League experience in the likes of John Terry, Glenn Whelan and Ahmed El Mohamady, and must do the same to bolster his defence.
At the top of his shortlist should be bringing West Ham defender James Collins back to Villa Park, as it was claimed that he would be allowed to leave the Hammers this summer.
Independent website Claret & Hugh claimed that the 33-year-old stopper can leave if the price is right, with Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and Jose Fonte ahead of him in the pecking order.
Football Insider analyses three ways in which the signing of Collins would prove crucial in Villa’s pursuit of promotion, with the Midlands outfit potentially set to lose two centre-backs: