Aston Villa To Swoop For Another Barnsley Pair

Aston Villa raided Barnsley F.C. in January, bringing in Ireland international Conor Hourihane and promising defender, James Bree. Is Steve Bruce really about to do this all over again?

Villa manager Steve Bruce must LOVE Barnsley F.C. because he is looking at another pair to add in the summer. Just four months after raiding the club’s captain, Conor Hourihane, Bruce is keen to add their replacement captain, center back Marc Roberts.

Roberts, 26, standing at a robust 6 ft 4 1/2 in. is an impressive figure within the Barnsley set-up. WhoScored admires the work he did this year, with a 7.54 aggregate rating over 40 Championship starts.

More from Claret Villans

Moreover, Roberts is a threat from set pieces with four goals and three assists from his center back position. Adding the Englishman to the mix greatly improves competition within the squad.

James Chester, Nathan Baker, and Tommy Elphick remain the only senior central defenders at Aston Villa. Bruce is known to not rate Elphick too highly, instead using Mile Jedinak out of position.

It’s conceivable Tommy Elphick could make way for an incoming defender, like Marc Roberts.

After all, the two clubs have a working relationship with past history.

Not to be outdone by his teammate, Barnsley forward Marley Watkins could also make the move to Bodymoor Heath.

Like Roberts, Watkins is also 26 and coming off an impressive season. Watkins scored ten goals and seven assists from 40 Championship appearances (33 starts). A right midfielder by trade, Watkins is capable of featuring anywhere along a midfield three.

Let silly season begin. We approach the summer season where rumors circulate heavily. Bruce admitted before that he does not foresee a major shake-up in his squad.

However, it will be interesting to see how much Owner Tony Xia invests into potential transfers. Both he and the manager can sniff the money the Premier League brings. Both accept nothing less than promotion next season.

Home/Transfer Rumors