
Aston Villa
Premier League • England
Aston Villa told Prem attacker is what they ‘are missing’ as summer move looks almost certain

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Wilfried Zaha, who looks almost certain to move, is what the Villans “are missing” in attack.
This summer might finally be the transfer window that sees Zaha move on. Speculation around the Crystal Palace star making a move is rife pretty much every transfer window.
Arsenal and Everton have looked two of the most likely sides to snare him in recent windows. However, nothing came of either side’s apparent pursuit.
Of late, interest has remained in the forward. It comes with the added caveat that he could well actually move this time. Indeed, Zaha’s contract at Selhurst Park runs out in the summer of 2023.
Palace manager Patrick Vieira has made his desire to keep the star at the club no secret. However, there has been no sign of movement on the contract front.
What’s more, Zaha might well be keen on a big move. That his move to Manchester United in 2013 did not work out will have haunted the forward for some time.
At 30 years of age, he might not have many more opportunities to play for a big club left.
As such, eight years after rejoining Palace, next summer might finally be the time that he says goodbye.
Zaha is what’s missing at Aston Villa
There are multiple suitors that will be lining up to take the forward on board. Indeed, his form this season has afforded him links to a number of sides.
The forward has scored six goals and provided two assists in 13 Premier League games so far this campaign. That puts him top of Palace’s list of scorers.
Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and even Barcelona have been linked with the star.
A move to any of those sides would be a step up for Zaha. However, it is a side that are in a similar position to Palace that he has most recently been touted with a move to.
Indeed, former Aston Villa forward Agbonlahor feels a move to Villa Park would benefit his former side, though he acknowledges that it might not be easy given the host of other clubs in the mix.
“Wilfried Zaha is a top player. Any club in the Premier League would love to have him,” he told Football Insider.
“If Villa can get him on a free transfer it would be a great signing. He is what we are missing on that left side.”
Villa move could have legs
Palace are currently one place above Villa in the Premier League. What’s more, the Eagles finished last season two places above them.
However, a manager with the track record of Unai Emery could well see the Midlanders climb up the table. He will want to make some signings to make the squad his own.
The attack could well be an area that he wants to strengthen. With question marks over Philippe Coutinho, who has played in the front line, Zaha could be a great replacement.
If some bigger sides do come in for Zaha, Villa could find the snare a challenge. However, there could be question marks from some over a 30-year-old who has reached 10 top-flight goals on only three occasions.
The Villans would likely have no such concerns. Zaha could be the star name to help Villa to reignite themselves on the path to realising their dreams of becoming a powerhouse of English football again.
The signings of Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara that they made in the summer should surely help with that, too. Indeed, Zaha moving to Villa does not sound like all too bad an idea.