Roaming the Aston Villa Depth Chart: Left Back
By Josh Tonti
Joe Bennett; 26; 5’10” 165lbs; left back & left midfield cover
Since Joe Bennett signed for Aston Villa in 2012, he amassed only thirty-six appearances across all competitions. A plethora of loan moves put Bennett on the outside of Villa’s first team picture. Now twenty-six year of age, and one relegation to the Championship later, Bennett is looking at one last opportunity to prove himself at Villa Park.
Bennett remains a well-rounded footballer capable of playing both left back and farther up the pitch on the wing. By most accounts he is regarded as a solid, yet unspectacular defender, with quality technical ability. Reports suggest he is eager to nail down a place as first-choice left back this coming season. Additionally, Bennett is regarded as a killer dead-ball specialist; something that Villa lacked sorely last campaign (We’re looking at you, Ashley Westwood).
With a whopping forty-six league matches this year–and an unknown number of cup matches– Bennett could provide Villa a professional squad player capable of filling multiple positions.
Next: Aly Cissokho