Aston Villa line up Brazilian midfielder to provide creative spark

Tim Sherwood is sure to reshape his Aston Villa squad in the summer and one position in need of fresh impetus is the playmaker role.

The former Spurs boss deserves credit for throwing young Jack Grealish into an advanced midfield position in recent games, but recognised number 10s up to the task are in short supply at Villa Park.

None of Charles N’Zogbia, Andreas Weimann or Joe Cole have managed to nail down the spot and the door looks wide open for the latest subject of transfer talk as a result.

At 30 years of age, Fenerbahce midfielder Diego Ribas da Cunha does not quite have the pulling power of other Brazilian playmakers Villa fans may be more familiar with.

However, the former Santos man carries quite a pedigree having peppered his CV with clubs of distinction, though he’s since become disgruntled at a lack of playing time at Fenerbahce.

Having helped Atletico Madrid scoop the 2011/12 Europa League whilst on loan from Wolfsburg, Diego then signed permanently for Los Rojiblancos where he added a La Liga medal to an impressive haul of silverware down the years.

Since leaving his native land, Diego has enjoyed spells at Porto, Werder Bremen, Juventus, Wolfsburg, Atletico and now Fenerbahce, whilst also clocking up 33 international caps.

Boasting career club stats of a smidgen better than a goal ever four games, Villa could certainly make use of his talents and according to his father ‘he could leave Turkey at the end of the season.’

Thanks to a turnaround in results which have all-but assured safety under Sherwood – Villa are 1/14 with Ladbrokes to stay up – attracting players of Diego’s calibre will be much easier.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.