With Mile Jedinak linked with a return to his homeland, Glenn Whelan expected to depart Aston Villa this summer and Henri Lansbury struggling for fitness and first-team football, Dean Smith could be in the market for a new central midfielder.
Will Vaulks could fit the bill perfectly with the 25-year-old having been in fine form for Rotherham this season. Vaulks has made 27 Championship appearances, scoring and creating eight goals. And while he’s also created 33 chances, the Englishman doesn’t ignore his defensive duties, averaging a tackle or interception every 20 minutes.
Vaulks has made the sixth-most tackles (66) and third-most interceptions (54) in the Championship, but one weakness is with his passing – 41 passes-per-game, 64% completion ratio. He’d still be a good option for Villa, but there is a lot of interest in his signature as a result of his performances in 2018/19.
According to the Daily Mail, Norwich City, Derby County and Stoke City have all kept on eye on the 25-year-old who was valued at £1.5m in mid-December. It’s hard to see Rotherham United accepting such a small offer in January, however, but Villa should try their hand at signing him nevertheless.
