Prem attacker told to ‘step up’ and join former team-mate at Aston Villa

Dean Smith Aston Villa boss

Norwich City star Todd Cantwell has ‘done his time’ at Carrow Road and should join Aston Villa this summer, according to pundit Kevin Campbell.

Aston Villa are looking for creative reinforcements after allowing talisman Jack Grealish to join Manchester City. The Premier League champions spent £100m to secure his services, making Grealish the most expensive British player of all time.

Villa have already bolstered their ranks with the signings of Emi Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey for a total of around £95m.

Cantwell and Buendia formed a great partnership over the last three seasons, and the Englishman could now follow him to Villa Park.

Former Arsenal striker Campbell thinks it’s time for the playmaker to ‘step up’. “Cantwell is a really good young player,” he told Football Insider.

“I don’t think he’s a direct Grealish replacement, they don’t quite play in the same position. I think Leon Bailey will take that left side role in the attack.

“He’s done his time at Norwich, now it’s time for him to step up. He’s got his mate there at Villa, hasn’t he? Emi Buendia is there obviously.

Todd Cantwell plays for Norwich

“To me, it seems like Villa are trying to replace Grealish with three or four players rather than one.”

Cantwell managed six goals and seven assists in the Championship last season as Norwich secured an immediate return to the Premier League.

He looked comfortable competing in the top flight when the Canaries were last there, back in 2019/20.


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And Campbell isn’t the only pundit who believes Villa should sign him.

Noel Whelan said on Friday that Dean Smith needs to submit a major bid for Cantwell to reignite the ‘telepathic’ relationship between him and Buendia.

It’s thought that a £40m offer would be enough to tempt Norwich’s hand.

Aston Villa tipped to change tactics

Following the arrival of Ings from Southampton, Villa now have two dangerous forwards in him and Ollie Watkins.

Watkins bagged 14 Prem goals in his debut campaign, while Ings will have joined with the promise of a starting spot.

To include both players, former striker Kevin Phillips thinks Villa will change their formation.

He said: “Perhaps it will be a change of system from Villa next season to accommodate both of them, with Buendia and Bailey in behind.

“I mean wow, what a forward line that would be. There is a lot of goal threats in there.”

READ MORE: Villa nudge ahead of Everton, Leicester in battle for £30m Serie A ace