Aston Villa recruit Arsenal old boy for help in defence
Published:Earlier this week Aston Villa legend Ian Taylor took to the local Birmingham press to urge Paul Lambert to recruit players with Premier League experience and it would appear that his calls have been answered with the Scot set to seal a deal to bring Philippe Senderos to the club.
The 29-year-old has been selected as part of Switzerland’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil but has delayed meeting up with the rest of the team in order to put pen to paper on a deal with the Villans.
Available on a free transfer after being recently released by Fulham, the centre-back has been on loan at Valencia since January though a change in ownership at Los Che put paid to his chances of remaining in Spain.
He nevertheless represents a fine acquisition for Villa, having previously spent six years on the books at Arsenal as well as completing loan spells with Everton and AC Milan prior to joining Fulham.
And Senderos is certainly the kind of signing Ian Taylor was calling out for recently, with the 1996 Villa League Cup winner keen for the club to improve in the Premier League next term.
Speaking to the Express and Star earlier this week, the former midfielder expressed some reservations about the current make-up of the Villa team, urging Lambert to find an effective “blend” of younger players and more seasoned stars.
“I wouldn’t say our team is full of young lads, many are coming up to their mid-20s. The fact is they have not had a lot of Premier League experience,” he said.
“They need more Premier League games.”
Senderos could be the first of many new faces at Villa Park, as the club looks to avoid a third consecutive season spent flirting with relegation.
Former Sunderland and Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane could be the next to arrive with the Irishman currently locked in discussions with the club over potentially becoming their new assistant manager following Ian Culverhouse’s exit.
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