Birkir Bjarnason was an unused substitute in Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw with Sheffield United, having previously been left out of the matchday squad for the two games that preceded Friday’s clash. The 30-year-old has been short of form and playing time this season, racking up just 912 minutes of Championship football, which sees his future at Villa Park in doubt.
Just 72 hours before deadline day, Dean Smith was reportedly keen to sell Bjarnason if the club received a good offer, but no appropriate bid came in. Conor Hourihane, Tom Carroll, Glenn Whelan, John McGinn and Mile Jedinak are ahead of the Icelandic international in the pecking order, so it’s hard to see Bjarnason staying at Villa this summer.
He’s made 52 appearances in all competitions since joining the Midlands club from FC Basel in January 2017 and isn’t likely to see out his contract for another 18 months. Villa have been linked with Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden and could turn Tom Carroll’s loan move permanent over the summer. They won’t miss Bjarnason if he is sold.
The destination of the unwanted midfielder is unknown, however, as no suitors made an approach in January.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Bad news for Dean Smith as Aston Villa transfer-target will ‘have to stay’
