Opinion: Aston Villa should not sign midfielder, unnecessary gamble by Dean Smith

According to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa are interested in James McCarthy and could make an approach for his services this month. The Everton midfielder has been short of playing time this season due to a serious knee injury, but he’s back on the recovery trail and could make his long-awaited return very soon. McCarthy was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup on January 5.

He spent the majority of 2016/17 out with a groin strain and suffered a tibia and fibula fracture the following season. The 28-year-old has made just 16 Premier League appearances since 2015/16 came to a close, so Dean Smith would be making an unnecessary gamble by bringing him to Villa Park.

With Mile Jedinak being linked with a move back to Australia and Glenn Whelan being out of contract in the coming months, Villa will need a replacement in midfield. McCarthy’s lack of playing time and match fitness could mean he’ll struggle to make an impact, so the Midlands outfit are better off looking elsewhere.

There’s stiff competition for his signature too, with Fulham and West Bromwich Albion looking to sign the Irish international in January, but Smith should avoid.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article